Sundance subdivision at 5600 Fiebel Lane draws intensive questions about septic, drainage and karst geology from residents and health staff

Developers and neighbors sparred over drainage, septic suitability and karst geology at the Oldham County Technical Review Committee meeting on Dec. 18 for TRC24‑019, a 38‑lot preliminary subdivision proposal called Sundance at 5600 Fiebel Lane in Crestwood.

Applicant co‑owner Alma Simic described a site plan of 38 lots ranging about 1–2 acres, two cul‑de‑sacs and roads connecting Fiebel Lane and Carpenter Drive. The developer’s presentation said electrical lines will be underground and that individual septic systems are proposed for each lot.

Oldham County health department staff (Charlie) said his preliminary subdivision site evaluation (conducted in 2023) indicated the properties meet the county’s one‑acre minimum for on‑site sewage disposal. He explained that his review was a sampling and that individual, detailed site evaluations and permits will be required for each lot at the time a house is proposed; lateral field siting depends on house location, driveway, number of bedrooms and local soil conditions. Charlie stressed he will perform two site visits at permit time (initial site evaluation and final inspection) and that, where needed, upgrades or different systems (for example mounds or pretreatment) can be specified but depend on site‑specific soils.

County and developer engineers discussed stormwater design. Developer engineer Mohammed Nuri said the plan divides the site into seven sub‑drainage areas with smaller detention basins at each outlet; the goal is to keep post‑development discharge equal to or less than existing conditions. County engineering staff noted detention basin locations should appear on the Planning Commission plan (preliminary sizing), that outfalls and basin maintenance access must meet ordinance setbacks (15 feet from property lines for outfalls), and that construction plan review will follow planning approval. County staff also noted a blue‑line stream mapped on or near the western side of the property; impacts to jurisdictional waters would require Division of Water and Army Corps permitting.

Several nearby residents described current flooding and washed‑out culverts and showed photos and video of standing water, a pond outfall and an eroded driveway. Residents asked how the development’s drainage basins would prevent existing downstream washouts and how groundwater and sinkholes in karst terrain would be protected; several attendees recounted prior sinkhole and foundation problems on Fiebel Lane. Developer engineer said conceptual basin placement and smaller local outlets are intended to manage runoff and said the design would include water‑quality measures. County engineering reiterated that staff would review detailed basin sizing and outlets during construction plan review and that preliminary basin locations should be on the planning‑commission submittal.

Other agency and staff notes: LaGrange Utilities and Oldham County Water said there is no sewer infrastructure on the site and discussed required water connections and hydrant locations for fire protection; KYTC reviewed Fiebel Lane access and said one approved commercial entrance would be allowed with specified throat width and radii and that existing roadside vegetation may need clearing to open sight lines; LaGrange Fire Rescue said hydrant location and minimum turning/access requirements must be met. Director Fisher told the audience the county posts Planning Commission agendas and that adjoining property owners will be notified if the applicant files for the hearing.

No votes were taken; the developer was instructed to provide corrected owner lists, preliminary basin locations, and to coordinate septic details with the health department and water/hydrant design with utilities and fire.