Commission approves preliminary plat for Southern Oaks Subdivision Phase 2 with traffic calming to be finalized

The Metropolitan Area Planning Commission voted Sept. 9 to approve the preliminary plat for Southern Oaks Subdivision Phase 2.

Sam Doss, representing Fish Arnold, told the commission the replat divides the property into north and south sections and that the developer plans a traffic calming device on Southern Frontier Drive, describing the stretch as “about 658 foot from center of knuckle to center of knuckle.” Doss said the developer will revise and resubmit plans showing either a raised intersection, a narrowed curb‑to‑curb width at that segment or another traffic calming approach.

City staff recommended approval, saying the submittal meets the requirements of the subdivision ordinance. A staff member told commissioners the commission should expect to see the final plat resubmitted with the chosen traffic calming feature before construction begins.

Commissioners asked whether the traffic calming detail should be made a condition of preliminary approval or shown on the final plat; staff and the applicant said the preliminary approval would be followed by a final submittal that includes the selected calming design. The applicant and staff discussed options such as necking the back‑of‑curb width from 30 to 27 feet or installing a raised intersection or speed table.

A motion to accept the preliminary plans passed and the commission cast its vote; the meeting record shows the preliminary subdivision was approved. The commission then moved on to other agenda items and staff introduced two newly hired planners, Charity and Anik, to the commission.

The commission’s approval allows the developer to move to final plat preparation, at which time staff and commissioners said they expect to review the specific traffic calming plan intended for Southern Frontier Drive.