Neighbors tell council to consider drainage, septic and buffers before police‑station or school‑property projects

Several St. Helens residents used the public‑comment period on Feb. 5 to press the council to scrutinize drainage, septic capacity and property‑use impacts tied to a school‑district purchase and a proposed police station site.

Sean Carnahan, a resident who lives along the purchased parcel, said earthwork by the district has changed natural drainage patterns and caused runoff onto neighboring properties. He said a notice of decision dated July 15, 2021, required a security fence; Carnahan said staff and the district restored a fence after he raised the issue with planning staff and the facility manager.

Amanda McFerrin and Sylvia Cole, neighbors who said they have lived near the parcel for decades, expressed concerns about clay soils, failing drain fields and the risk that disturbed ground will overload septic systems and private drain fields. McFerrin said topography and heavy clay could cause drain fields to fail and urged the council to require careful drainage planning before approving development or a police‑station relocation. Cole related a past experience when city planners directed residents to annex and pay fees before connecting to sewer, and she urged consistent application of policy.

A separate public commenter raised concerns about the proposed police station’s affordability and timing and asked for public comment to be allowed during Planning Commission review; a speaker asked that the city always include public comment on such reviews.

Councilors acknowledged the comments; staff were asked to track follow‑up items and to ensure planning has oversight of the school district’s site work. No formal city action was taken at the work session.

Ending: Residents requested that the city coordinate drainage and sewer reviews with the school district and ensure neighbors receive timely notice as project plans move forward.