It’s a residential subdivision on a hilltop west of Price between the Gordon Creek Road and the Pinnacle Peak Road. The views are fantastic, the lots are large, and the neighbors are not too close. But the only access is a gravel road which is subject to flooding and washouts during extreme weather. Now many residents of the area want the road paved and want the county to take the lead.
The Hilltop Road was the subject of a lengthy discussion and public hearing during the regular meeting of the Carbon County Commission November 18. Public input was called for the proposed improvements to the roadway, and also regarding the creation of a Special Tax Assessment Area. Several property owners addressed the commission during the meeting with most expressing their support for the proposal.
‘Exceeds standards’
Local businessman and former Carbon County Commissioner Neil Breinholt spoke for the Hilltop Subdivision Homeowners Association. He stated the association has been funding the expense of building and maintaining the road for many years, and a lot of preliminary work has been done to find a permanent solution and share the costs of road improvements. He presented the commission with cost estimates from Nielson Construction, and the engineering firm of Johansen and Tuttle, along with a recent survey and compaction testing results. Breinholt affirmed, “The average of the tests for the subgrade of the existing roadway would meet or exceed UDOT standards.”
Homeowner John Boyle expressed his opinion that the road is not ready to be paved. He pointed out drainage problems affecting the road.
Dr. Boyle said he will remain opposed to the Special Tax Assessment area unless and until he sees a plan where “serious water mitigation has been done,” and recommended that the Commission make that a condition of approval.
County Engineer Curtis Page said he shares concerns about drainage.
There are also property, easement, infrastructure and other considerations to be addressed. PRWID General Manager Jeff Richens pointed out that the district has a main water line that runs along the north side of the road. Commissioners are considering securing a 10-year, $510,000 bond for the road improvement project, and creating a Special Tax Assessment Area to repay the bond.
The comment period will remain open for 60 days and a public hearing will again be on the agenda for the commission meeting January 6.