Eureka residents raise questions about development

The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners scheduled an Aug. 19 public hearing at the Lincoln County High School in Eureka to review comments and concerns voiced by area residents regarding the North Star Landing Subdivision.

Commissioners will review the public comments before the board decides whether or not to grant an extension on the development’s construction plan. The commissioners set the hearing during a July 22 board meeting.

Jake Mertes, county planner, told the commissioners that issues related to state agency approval and pandemic restrictions had slowed construction at the site. Owing to the setbacks, developers missed the project’s July 12 deadline set by commissioners three years prior and thus sought an extension.

According to the approved plan, the subdivision would consist of 144 lots built on a plot just over 99 acres. Commissioners anticipate a large turnout at the Aug. 19 hearing. A June 28, 2017 public hearing that was held before the subdivision plan received approval lasted more than three hours.

During the July 22 board meeting, commissioners heard from a handful of Eureka residents that had come to offer their comments via a video conference call.

Randy Wilson, who said he lives near the approved septic drain field location for the subdivision, asked commissioners to consider requesting an update from the developers before approving an extension. Wilson said he was concerned that construction had deviated from the plan approved in 2017.

Cindy Ruth, who also lives near the subdivision site, alleged the developers had set up an illegal gravel pit and were using a road on her property to move heavy machinery.

One of the North Star Landing developers, Larry Stewart, said a detailed schematic had been provided for public review before construction.

Under current conditions, Stewart argued that it would be inconceivable for a subdivision to be completed within three years. He told the commissioners he and his engineers would be prepared to address all public concerns at the Aug. 19 hearing.