Residents press developer and city on trees, setbacks and drainage as Prairie Landing subdivision approaches council

Residents near the proposed Prairie Landing subdivision told the council March 17 they are worried about mature trees, setbacks and recurring flooding at the rear of properties in Picardy (also transcribed as “Piquity/Pickerty”) Subdivision.

Maria Ligon, who said she has occupied her property for 35 years, told the council, “I just want to save my trees. That's all it is.” She said blue tags had been placed on some trees and she was uncertain whether the tags meant removal; she also said a property dispute with another private owner is in litigation. Ligon and other residents asked what setbacks will apply where the subdivision borders existing yards and whether a planned retention pond and a park would affect the tree line.

Steve Bauer, an attorney and title manager who identified himself as representing the contract purchaser of the Prairie Landing parcel, said the land area that is the subject of the private dispute has been “wholly excluded from the proposal that's before you tonight,” and that litigation continues between the private property owner and the person who sold the larger parcel. “In the event that Prairie Landing is approved, that doesn't impact the land area that she's litigating,” Bauer said.

Council members and staff also discussed stormwater concerns raised by Picardy residents. A developer representative told the council the project team has agreed to install off-site stormwater management infrastructure intended to address an existing drainage problem affecting nearby Bickory/Picardy residents. The representative described the work as approximately 210 linear feet of reinforced concrete pipe to capture water from roughly a 40-acre watershed and route it through the Prairie Landing subdivision to reduce overland flow into residents' yards.

The developer described proposed housing as conforming to R-2 zoning, with house sizes the representative said would range from about 2,051 to 2,600 square feet, two-story units with two-car garages and four or five bedrooms. The representative also said the proposal converts a mixture of previously possible uses (including multifamily or commercial) to single-family development and that lot sizes conform to R-2 district regulations.

Several residents asked the city to help preserve the tree line for privacy and air-quality benefits; the mayor and other elected officials said city staff would follow up and offered to sit with residents after the meeting. One staff referral named Dustin Anderson as a staff contact for follow-up. Council members also noted the mayor would excuse himself from discussion of that particular matter as it is in his district and to avoid any appearance of conflict.

No final council vote on Prairie Landing was taken at the pre-council meeting; ordinances associated with the Prairie Landing subdivision were listed on the upcoming council agenda and will return for formal hearing and action.