Commission approves Murphy Gardens construction plat amid safety and drainage questions

The Murphy Planning and Zoning Commission approved a construction plat for Murphy Gardens, a 16-lot single-family residential subdivision at 311 McMillan Road, after staff and the applicant answered questions about floodplain areas, utilities, drainage and street design.

Reagan, planning staff, said the zoning for the site is planned development with SF-11 base zoning and that the concept plan approved in 2024 showed roughly 16 lots of about 12,000 square feet or larger. Neil Schafer, the city engineer, had reviewed engineering plans and provided comments; staff recommended approval subject to those engineering comments.

Mark Webb, president of Webb Consulting Group and the engineer on the project, explained lot utilities, an existing sanitary sewer in a 20-foot easement in the rear of several lots, and a proposed additional utility easement parallel to McMillan that will avoid building in the small FEMA-designated floodplain on Lot 1. Webb said roof drains will be directed to the front and that, overall, “this 1 just drains beautifully.” He described the homes as custom, not tract, houses.

A substantial portion of the commission’s discussion focused on a median cut/curb cut at Betsy Lane that provides a left-turn entry into the new neighborhood. One commissioner said that left turns from Betsy across fast-moving traffic raised safety concerns and urged staff to revisit whether the median/left-turn lane must remain; Reagan and Webb said the left-turn allowance had been part of the prior zoning approval and that the planning commission cannot unilaterally remove an off-site median cut at this stage. Webb said eliminating the turn would be preferred by the developer if feasible but noted the cut was originally required as a zoning condition.

Commissioners also asked about drainage patterns, street lighting (three streetlights over roughly 900 feet), and the location of utilities; staff and the applicant said drainage will be collected in two inlets and routed to an upgraded storm pipe that discharges to the existing creek. Reagan clarified that the final plat approval process and any remaining engineering conditions will be addressed later in the process and that the final plat goes to City Council (not the commission) for final approval.

A motion to approve the construction plat was moved and seconded; the commission approved the plat by voice vote. The commission requested staff research the history and justification for the Betsy Lane median cut and report back.