Durant Planning Commission approves Phase 1 preliminary plat for South 20 Second Avenue with water-study condition

The Durant Planning Commission voted to approve a preliminary plat for Phase 1 of a multi‑phase residential development near South 20 Second Avenue in west Durant, but required an environmental/water study before the project can advance to a final plat.

Commissioners said the developer will be allowed to proceed with Phase 1 while the remaining phases remain subject to review, and stressed that the council packet and later approvals should make clear the action covers phase 1 only.

The preliminary plat covers only the portion shown as Phase 1 on the developer's overall plan; the applicant told the commission the full project is proposed in three phases. Staff said the southern end of the property contains a flood zone that was not identified during the project's earlier review, and some lots that had been shown in prior versions were removed from the current proposal (staff indicated roughly 25 houses were dropped from the earlier layout).

Commissioners discussed long‑term right‑of‑way needs for 20 Second Avenue. Several commissioners asked whether the developer would reserve or vacate lots south of 20 Second so the city could extend the street in the future; staff and the applicant said reserving a right‑of‑way in a later phase would likely address that concern but that the current approval applies only to Phase 1.

Brian Norton, chief of Bridal County EMS, spoke during public comment and raised drainage and emergency‑access concerns. He said the new EMS building on the north side of the proposed development has required recent drainage repairs and that added impervious surface could direct more stormwater toward the EMS site unless retention and conveyance are handled to move runoff south toward Mineral Bayou. "Our concern is that they build this housing addition, will they push all the drainage to the south?" Norton said. He also asked that 20 Second remain a no‑parking street so ambulances can respond without parked‑vehicle obstructions.

Staff and commissioners noted the preliminary plat drawings do not show detailed stormwater retention for Phase 1. A planning staff member told the commission that architect and engineer plans and stormwater testing are required for a project of this size and that, under local rules for such developments, the project cannot increase runoff onto neighboring properties once those technical studies are complete.

A commissioner moved to approve the preliminary plat for Phase 1 with the condition that an environmental/water study be completed and approved before the final plat is filed; another commissioner seconded the motion. The commission voted unanimously to approve the motion (yes: Commissioner Newsome; Commissioner Kerr; Vice Chairman Knight; Chairman Jackson). The motion was recorded as approved.

Commissioners also asked staff to ensure the council submittal for final approval clearly states the action is Phase 1 only and to follow up on an earlier suggestion to work with the city attorney on an ordinance to prevent future development from blocking established city streets.

Next steps: the developer may proceed toward engineering and permitting for Phase 1, but staff said final plat approval and building permits will require completed engineering, stormwater plans and the environmental/water study noted by the commission.

The commission adjourned after a brief period of new‑business questions about local developments and an update that staff is coordinating drafts of ordinances and related materials with IT for commissioner review.