Water Worries: Table Two

Two small subdivision applications being considered by the Planning and Zoning Commission were tabled in response to an outpouring of objections from concerned neighbors. In both cases, the predominant concern was over the impact of new houses on water flow in the area.

863 Randolph Road.

The applicant proposes to subdivide two new lots from the rear of the property. Houses on these lots would be accessed by a small extension of McDowell Road, a small dead-end street which is parallel to, and one block east, of Marguerite Road. Frank Magnotta represented the owner. He needed Commission approval for the subdivision, as well as for a special exception allowing him to build a “hammerhead” turn-around, as opposed to a full cul-de-sac.

Magnotta’s design and presentation acknowledged that the area has “watershed issues”, he said the roof drains would be tied to the storm sewer system, and that there would be a swale to divert water from entering the subdivision and other properties downstream.

Seven neighbors on McDowell and on Marguerite spoke out against the plan for two new houses. Craig Johnson, a resident on McDowell, said that the flooding was so bad, the South Fire District had come out to pump water away from his garage. Terry Wagoner, expressed her concern that the developer had not accounted for the area being rife with springs.

Several neighbors said that the lot could perhaps be suitable for one house, but that two was too many.

After hearing the neighbors speak, Magnotta requested that the public hearing be tabled so that he could do some research to address their concerns. The Commission concurred. Commissioner Les Adams asked for a hydrologist’s report, and agreed with neighbors that the developer was trying to force two houses onto a piece of land which might best hold only one, “It’s a shoehorn project.”

643 Atkins Street

It was déjà vu all over again with the next application. Tracey Wilson wishes to subdivide a 6.4 acre lot that has been used for many years as a horse farm. The lot currently holds one house, and he wishes to create lots for two new homes. Frank Magnotta also represented this applicant.

The proposed lots are to be accessed by a driveway that is shared near Atkins Street and then splits into two separate, long driveways to houses on lots set behind the existing house. The subdivision is surrounded by developments which have sprung up relatively recently, abutting houses on Breclin, Scarborough, and Snow Ridge, and is across the street from Timber Ridge.

Neighbors on most of those streets expressed misgivings about the impact of this subdivision on water flow. William Grady said that the detention pond built for the Westfield Hills subdivision was no longer functioning, and his yard had become a perpetual swamp beginning about 10 years ago. He requested that approval be delayed until water flow issues in the area were resolved.

Joyce Killian (pictured), who lives in a large subdivision on Scarborough Lane, said that the open space of the horse farm gave her pleasure, and the construction of houses there would depreciate the houses around it, “I don’t want to look at houses in my backyard!”

Magnotta countered the neighbors’ concerns by stating that all of the water problems they had mentioned were systemic, and were unconnected to this subdivision application, “We cannot correct the numerous water problems … that exist off the property in the area.”

The Commission voted to table the public hearing, hoping to get more information about the issues with the water flow in the area.