Site preparation is underway at the Isabella Ridge residential development, located in the Painters Addition neighborhood of Twisp.
By Ann McCreary
Twisp planning and public works officials have given preliminary approval to a variance that will allow a street in the Isabella Ridge residential subdivision to be narrower than town ordinances stipulate.
They also agreed that the developer can install the streets without curbs, gutters and sidewalks.
The variance from town design standards must be approved by Twisp’s Planning Commission and Town Council.
Isabella Ridge developer Vaughn Jolley requested the variance because he said the wider street with curbs, gutters and sidewalks would be much bigger than necessary for the 12-lot subdivision he is building off May Street at the site of the former Allen Elementary School playground, in the area of town known as Painters Addition.
Jolley received staff approval for a street that is 28 feet wide, rather than 36 feet wide as required in the town street ordinance for residential streets longer than 500 feet.
He said the narrower street would also be consistent with May Street, which is about the same width and has no curbs, gutters or sidewalks.
The agreement provides a 50-foot right-of-way to the town to access and maintain public sewer and water systems, and allows on-street parking.
Site work on the Isabella subdivision began earlier this year but was put on hold temporarily when the contractor for the work, Lloyd Logging, was called to work on wildfires. Work recently resumed and utilities are being installed.
The variation in street size will be considered by the town Planning Commission on Oct. 14, and will then go to the council for final approval.
The Isabella Ridge project is one of the biggest residential subdivisions undertaken in Twisp in several years.
