The Kokomo City Planning Commission on July 8 approved the final plat for Section 1 of a proposed subdivision at 3715 South Park Road (case P08P25). The developer’s representative said Section 1 contains 69 lots and the full development will total about 201 lots.

Lance Macrom, representing Arbor Homes, said the final construction plans detail utilities and drainage and that the plat received drainage-board approval shortly after the commission’s prior meeting, prompting the developer to return for final plat approval. “Everything on my list was taken care of and then they obtained drainage board approval,” Macrom said.

Several nearby residents testified about chronic flooding and safety concerns on Zartman Road behind the proposed subdivision. Belinda Sabinski said surface water from the field near the proposed lots has for years flooded her yard and questioned the benefit of the stormwater fees she now pays after annexation. “For years, our property has been flooded from that field,” Sabinski said.

Louis Bender described repeated flooding at his home and asked for measures to address speeding on Zartman Road, urging three-way stop signs at Park & Zartman and Berkeley & Zartman. Planning staff and the commission explained that stop signs are governed by the Uniform Traffic Code and that stop signs “shall not be used for speed control.” Staff said other traffic-calming options and road reconstruction are being explored but that such work could take time.

Commission and staff discussion stressed that the developer must follow the approved drainage-board plan and that the final plat’s construction documents include detention measures intended to control where water ponds and how it is released. A staff representative told residents the detention areas are designed so water will pond in identified basins and be released to the regulated drain in a controlled manner to reduce impacts to adjacent yards.

Residents asked what protections exist if the developer phases construction and fails to finish later sections. The commission replied that the developer cannot leave the site in worse condition than it was found and that construction and phasing must meet the city’s development standards. Commissioners also noted Arbor Homes has a local track record and that the drainage-board approval treats the regulated drain as a county facility requiring county sign-off.

The commission approved the final plat by voice vote; the motion carried and the minutes record an affirmative voice vote. The meeting transcript does not name the mover and seconder. The final plat approval allows the developer to proceed with Section 1 construction subject to required permits and inspections, including adherence to the drainage board’s approved plan.

Residents’ concerns about ongoing flooding, the stormwater fee charged after annexation (about $40 per year per resident as discussed in the meeting), and traffic safety remain outstanding items for the city to monitor as construction proceeds.