Steamboat Pilot & Today

Oak Creek could be getting its first residential subdivision, if town officials' concerns about the instability of the land in question can be suitably addressed.

The Oak Creek Town Board will further review conceptual plans of the subdivision at 7 p.m. tonight at Town Hall.

At the April 24 Oak Creek Town Board meeting, plans for an 18.63-acre subdivision outside the southern boundary of town were unveiled by Sierra View Development Group LLC. The majority of town officials supported the idea, but insisted the project be carefully evaluated because of concerns that the land is unstable.

According to a geological survey of the property prepared by Jill Carlson of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, the site is "underlain by residuum on Mancos Shale," which is "susceptible to land sliding."

"There are several risks associated with construction on and near relatively steep slopes, especially those underlain by potentially weak, unstable soils," Carlson wrote. "I am concerned about the effects of modifications due to construction."

But Carlson didn't write off the project entirely. She wrote that construction would be possible with site-specific soil investigations, proper grading, compaction and surface draining.

Oak Creek Public Works Director Jim Photos said he has a few concerns, but is overall in favor of the project.

"Part of my worry with the instability is water or sewer lines possibly coming apart," Photos said. "And, if the land were annexed, that could also be a town liability. But don't think it will be a problem. I think it will work out. We want to work with the engineers and developers to make sure it is done right."

Other concerns about road access were brought up at the April 24 meeting, with residents saying Bell Avenue, the road that would access the proposed subdivision, would need improvements if it is to take on increased traffic. Photos said the grade of the road is no longer acceptable and that it would probably have to be paved.

The Town Board met with the Oak Creek Planning Commission in a work session May 6, and agreed town government should focuse on giving developers direction on how the town wants the project to proceed, Photos said.

"Their concept plan doesn't show everything we need to know," Photos said.

Mayor Cargo Rodeman said the Town Board is in favor of the project but wants the Planning Commission to see any future developments before the trustees do.

-- To reach Nick Foster call 871-4204

or e-mail nfoster@steamboatpilot.com