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Board defers decision on Black Rock/Somerset approaches and drainage, asks developer for culvert engineering
Summary
The Planning Board deferred action on a variance request for additional approaches on Norman Avenue (Black Rock/Somerset) and asked the applicant to provide engineering — culvert sizes, drainage calculations, a track-out pad and an as-built right-of-way plan — before the April meeting.
The board deferred a variance request Feb. 3 for a proposed second approach at Lot 11 in the Black Rock subdivision (Somerset plat) after county staff and the county highway representative raised concerns about drainage, culvert sizing and ditch geometry on Norman Avenue.
County staff and the county engineer said the line of sight at the approaches is adequate but that the ditch and existing wetlands north of the site complicate runoff patterns. Troy, a county staff member, told the board he wanted engineered culvert sizing for both approaches, calculations showing the amount of drainage that must pass under Norman Avenue and an as-built survey of the right-of-way before the board makes a recommendation.
Additional staff recommendations included a track-out pad to prevent mud on the highway, verification of right-of-way property lines where existing dirt work has occurred, cleanup of roadside trash and verification of existing culverts under Norman Avenue to ensure they can carry the added flow. The board adopted a motion to defer the request to the April meeting and asked staff to supply a 12-item checklist to the applicant — the list included the items above and other construction and drainage clarifications.
Why it matters: County staff emphasized that approving an additional approach without engineering could increase local flooding and damage county roads. Neighbors and staff pointed to standing water and repeated freeze-thaw damage on the corridor, and the board sought written engineer verification before making any recommendation.
Outcome: Deferred to April. The applicant was asked to supply engineer-stamped drainage and culvert calculations, as-built documentation of right-of-way changes, and corrective measures such as a track-out pad to mitigate construction mud on Norman Avenue.
