Town of Afton Administrator Violet Sanderson called into the Weekday Wake-Up on Thursday, February 5 for her monthly report from the Town. Sanderson explained the details regarding a developers proposal for a major subdivision and provided an update on the applications to fill a vacancy on the council.

(0:00) And joining me live over the phone right now for the monthly report from the Town of Afton is (0:04) Administrator Violet Sanderson. Violet, I know you have a lot going on this morning, so thanks so (0:08) much for taking some time. Appreciate it.

How are you today? I’m great, thanks for having me, Duke. (0:13) Absolutely, appreciate it. Well, I think we should probably start with what’s now been a (0:18) rescheduled public meeting, or if you will, the planning and zoning.

A lot of interest in a (0:23) proposed subdivision from a developer in the Town of Afton. Just share with us what you can on this. (0:29) So there was a continuation of the public hearing at the request of the developer.

(0:35) There was a couple of questions that we had on some things, and so they just wanted that (0:38) continued so they can answer all those questions before they get to public hearing. I do want to (0:43) stress that we do still take public comments. We can take public comments now in writing, (0:48) and then anybody with questions specific to the development can come to that public hearing, (0:53) which has been scheduled for March 2nd at 7 p.m. Okay, and also, this is coming from a (0:59) developer, right? I think it’s important to make that clarification.

This isn’t a Town of Afton (1:03) project. It’s someone bringing it to the planning and zoning. Correct.

It’s a normal application. (1:11) You know, this is similar to any of the other major subdivision applications that we have (1:15) moved through this process in the last few years. So we’ve got the Due West major subdivision (1:20) application.

We’ve got the Honeybee subdivision application that’s gone through this same (1:25) process. So this is just an application before us that we’re looking at. We have to look at these (1:32) kind of applications, both in regards to finding in fact in relation to the code and regulation (1:39) requirements for Title 17, our Afton Land Development Code, as well as what has previously (1:45) been, you know, master planned for the Town of Afton.

So those are the things that we take into (1:52) consideration as we look at these applications. You and I have talked quite a bit recently on (1:57) some of the projects involving sewage and water in the Town of Afton and kind of setting up the (2:02) town for the future. Do you feel like the town infrastructure-wise is able to handle these? (2:07) Because I know there’s been some questions about that.

Yeah, I think that is a huge question, (2:12) and it’s important for the public to understand. So in terms of water capacity calculations and (2:18) what we have to offer, as well as our sewer capacity in this expansion that we’ve just (2:23) completed with the sewer lagoon, based on the counts provided in the master plan report for this (2:28) major subdivision application, we do currently have capacity both in the water that we have (2:35) available to provide and the, you know, what we would have available in the sewer lagoon system (2:42) that we’ve just updated. The one thing I do want to stress, though, is that anytime there’s a major (2:47) subdivision application before the Town of Afton, our regulations require that any improvements for (2:52) that subdivision are installed at the cost of the developer.

So any infrastructure in terms of (2:59) internally to the subdivision application to serve whatever lots to be created by water and sewer, (3:06) or even dry utilities for that matter, which the town isn’t responsible for, but we do require (3:10) planning for those to be in, is going to be on the cost of the developer. That also includes (3:16) roadway systems and sidewalks and any other, you know, walking trails that would partner with what’s (3:24) already been master planned in the Town of Afton, lighting, all of those things that would be (3:28) developments that, you know, a developer would want the town to take on in the future, all of that has (3:34) to be installed at the cost of the developer. And just to help the public understand our process, (3:39) you know, this public hearing will be hearing the preliminary plat for this master plan, (3:45) which is where we’re taking stock of the, you know, what they’re proposing as far as lot sizes, (3:49) what they would like to put on those lots within the zoning structure that’s already in place (3:53) there.

And then we, you know, then we have to look at, okay, so what improvements are going to (3:58) be required, ensuring that they’ve left enough sizing for easements for roadway systems, sidewalks, (4:06) infrastructure that would be, you know, put in place that we would potentially take on. (4:11) And nothing is ever taken on by the Town of Afton until we have, you know, approved, number one, (4:17) the master plan and that they’re moving forward with that plan. A developer’s agreement is executed (4:23) and recorded between the town and that developer talking about those improvement requirements (4:27) and a bond is in place to be able to ensure that 125% of the engineered estimate costs of that (4:35) infrastructure is secured.

So, and all of that has to be done, recorded and executed (4:42) before a final plat can be signed off by the Town of Afton, which means the developer would not be (4:47) able to sell the lots until all of those elements are completed. Now in this master plan, there is, (4:53) I believe, four different phases that they have outlined. And so usually what has happened in the (4:58) past is we have a preliminary plat for a total master plan and the phasing structure, which would (5:05) allow for a developer to complete a first phase before they roll into the second phase.

(5:10) And so that’s kind of how this one has been drafted. And that’s what we’re, (5:13) you know, we’re looking at and reviewing. But obviously there’s not really, there aren’t any (5:21) exceptions to our regulations at this time that the developer is asking for in this application.

(5:28) In terms of densities, everything that’s been laid out in the master plan falls in line with our, (5:33) you know, regulated densities associated with each zoning district. So there’s also information that (5:39) we have to take stock of, which includes vehicle circulation plans, parking capabilities within (5:45) the mixed, you know, within the multifamily housing that they’re looking at proposing, (5:51) all of those kinds of things. And there has been a traffic study completed as well.

(5:54) And there’s just a couple pieces of that that we’re waiting on to come back to us to answer (6:00) some of those initial questions that we had to ensure that all, that everything is addressed. (6:06) Excellent. So again, taking public comments now, and then that public meeting being (6:10) rescheduled to March.

Administrator with the Town of Afton, Violet Sanderson with us this morning (6:15) on the Weekday Wake-Up. Violet, anything else happening in the town you’d like to mention today? (6:19) Yeah, so the Town Council at their work session meeting at the end of January (6:24) had all six applicants for the appointment of the Town Council position that’s open (6:29) come and address them, answer any questions they had, and kind of give us their, you know, (6:34) their story of passion and why they want to serve in the Town of Afton. So that appointment will be, (6:40) you know, there will be a vote made at the Town Council meeting on February 10th to address who (6:46) will be appointed in that vacant position.

So there is currently six applicants that they’re (6:51) considering. And so we wish them all well. It was really exciting to see that we had six (6:58) applicants and six people that were interested in serving on the Town Council.

(7:02) Yeah, absolutely. So we’ll look for that vote and see who will fill that vacancy on the council (7:07) in February, or in just a few days, it sounds like. We’ll know who that is.

So Violet, anything else (7:13) while we have you? The only other thing I would touch on is that people may have seen publicly (7:19) that we do have posted. We are trying to, we have a posting out for a golf pro, pro shop manager (7:27) position. So we’re looking to do things a little bit different at the golf, you know, at the golf (7:33) course this year.

And so we’re trying to gain a golf pro and somebody that can manage the pro shop (7:38) and provide some of those services that a golf pro would be able to. So we are currently taking (7:43) applications for that. We have received a couple of applications, but we are still keeping that (7:48) open until filled.

So if anybody is interested, that is a golf pro, or you know of a golf pro (7:54) that would like to either relocate or come to, you know, Star Valley, we would encourage them (7:58) to apply. And that posting is available on our website, on social media, and it’s also been in (8:03) the paper. Excellent.

Town of Afton Administrator Violet Sanderson this morning on the Weekday (8:07) Wake-Up. Violet, thank you so much. We appreciate it.

Thanks, Duke. Have a great day. It’s all part (8:13) of the Weekday Wake-Up this morning on SVI Radio.