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Developer and staff debate water‑main sizing, fire flow and drainage for proposed warehouse at 357 W. Fourth St.
Summary
At the July 2 DRC meeting, city staff and the applicant discussed detailed engineering questions for a proposed ~20,000‑sq‑ft warehouse at 357 W. Fourth Street, focusing on water‑main sizing, hydrant/riser dimensions, sprinkler/fire‑flow requirements and potential impacts of a detention/retention pond on existing drainage paths.
The DRC reviewed a site plan for an approximately 20,000‑square‑foot warehouse/office on Fourth Street. The applicant (identified in the record as Mr. Cooper) and city staff spent substantial time on utility and fire‑protection issues, and on drainage routing where a detention/retention pond and a retaining wall intersect existing overland flow.
Water main sizing and looping: staff noted a 12‑inch main along the south side of Fourth Street and asked that on‑site connections be clarified. A city comment requested a 10‑inch main loop across the street; the applicant questioned the need to upsize a short lateral from 6 to 10 inches and asked staff to justify the material and time costs. Staff said they would review hydraulic calculations and provide guidance; staff also noted that the on‑site riser is currently a 6‑inch riser and that hydrant service for a commercial use is typically designed with a larger feed (staff indicated an 8‑inch minimum to the hydrant would be preferred).
Fire protection and sprinkler design: staff requested the sprinkler contractor’s fire‑flow and design sheets be included with construction plans. The meeting record shows a 500 GPM minimum fire‑flow was cited as the review threshold and staff confirmed they would evaluate the submitted water calculations and pressures.
Sanitary, storm and grading issues: staff reviewed storm and sanitary elevations and asked the applicant to adjust grades so that storm lines attain the required cover (about three feet where noted). The applicant and staff discussed a local swale and existing downstream drainage that historically carried runoff east‑to‑west; staff emphasized the applicant must demonstrate that off‑site flows will continue to bypass the site or provide a reroute/bypass rather than block the existing flow. The applicant agreed to meet with the engineer and public works to resolve the drainage configuration.
Next steps: staff offered to speed up the process if the applicant and consultants resolve drainage and fire‑flow comments directly with public works and fire; if those items are satisfied administratively, the project may not need to return to the full DRC cycle. No formal action or vote was recorded.
