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Council reviews Orchard’s Edge preliminary plat, focuses on roads, utilities and emergency access
Summary
Stackwell Engineers presented the preliminary plat for Orchard’s Edge, a phased subdivision shown with three initial lots, private streets, city takeover of sewer and water mains, a southern detention pond, and a maintenance-only emergency access to Highway 115; the developer must return with detailed engineering submittals.
HARRISBURG — The Harrisburg City Council heard a presentation on the preliminary plat for Orchard’s Edge, a proposed subdivision that would create three initial lots, private streets and a detention pond in the southern portion of the site.
Mitch Merrigan of Stackwell Engineers told the council, “This is a subdivision plan. So what we're seeing tonight is kind of the first step of them putting together their roadway layouts or utility layouts that are required as part of your standards.” He said the presentation at this meeting focused on roadway layouts and the general site plan rather than final engineering details.
Council members were shown a site layout with three lots (labeled Lot 1, Lot 2 and Lot 3), an on-site detention facility in the southern quadrant, and phasing that separates an initial construction phase from later phases. Merrigan said the developer proposes the city accept ownership of the sewer and water collection and distribution systems while retaining the streets as private and keeping detention facilities private.
The presentation noted no anticipated impacts to the floodplain and no planned deviations from city standards at this stage; attendees were told that if oversizing of utilities is required the city’s existing oversizing policy would apply.
Merrigan said the plan shows a maintenance-only access toward Highway 115 intended for emergency vehicles, not a full DOT-accessible entrance. He said a second full access likely will be required as the area’s development proceeds — the presentation cited a proposed hotel as one future trigger that would prompt the need for additional access.
Councilmembers asked about existing access points and consolidation of detention infrastructure with a neighboring parcel; the presenter said the developer is coordinating with adjacent property owners, including an existing detention pond installed for a nearby wedding venue, to resolve access and stormwater storage.
Action: the preliminary plat for Orchard’s Edge was considered and a motion was made and seconded; the transcript records the motion and second but does not include a roll-call vote or recorded tally for final approval in the public record provided.
If the council approves a subsequent final plat, Merrigan said the developer will return with detailed engineering submittals covering drainage calculations, sanitary sewer and water main design, and pavement sections for council and staff review.
