Proposed subdivision ordinance to include safety net

In Pocatello’s Highland area, it’s easy to find some new homes in the making. While the new subdivision is on its way to finish with no problems– there have been times the city has had to finish the job with its own money.

“It’s a good thing that it hasn’t been something major to this point,” said Merril Quayle, the city’s public works development engineer.

To make sure the city gets a row of houses instead of a row of lots that need more work done; a surety bond and warranty period have been included in a modified version of the current subdivision ordinance.

Both items would require the developer to provide the bond at the preliminary stages, which would be set at a minimum of 125 percent of the estimated cost of development.

The bond would be refunded back to the developer two years after the project’s completion. That’s the time length of the warranty period.

Lon Crowell, the director of the planning and zoning department, said this will give the city a “peace of mind.”

“Before they develop the subdivision, we want to make sure that we have a guarantee of some sort that the subdivision will be complete,” Crowell said.

There will be a public hearing about the ordinance with the city’s planning and zoning commission on April 13.

You can view the proposed ordinance here. You can also submit comments or questions you have about it to senior planner Dave Foster at his email, dfoster@pocatello.us.