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Commission defers 15 Stacy Drive rebuild as neighbors and staff press for broader stormwater solutions
Summary
A proposed new home at 15 Stacy Drive was deferred after residents and staff described chronic backyard flooding and asked the petitioner to meet on‑site with neighbors and the city's stormwater consultant; the commission requested updated arborist and stormwater materials before returning.
Olivette — The Planning & Community Development Commission on Dec. 19 agreed to defer action on a proposed new single‑family home at 15 Stacy Drive after neighbors reported chronic standing water and staff said the drainage problem extends beyond the limits of the lot.
Staff told commissioners the lot historically collects stormwater from an uphill area and a nearby retaining wall and that prior demolition and grading left a low, poorly drained pocket. An arborist report submitted with the petition used a six‑inch diameter threshold while the city’s submission standards typically rely on a four‑inch caliper; staff asked the petitioner to align tree survey mapping with the city standard. The staff report indicated 15 of 24 viable trees on the lot would be removed under the current plan.
Neighbors, including Bobby and Colin Miller, described prolonged standing water in their yards since the adjacent house was removed and said existing French drains and catch basins were at capacity. “There’s one to two feet of standing water in the backyard at all times,” a neighbor said. A local trustee and a real‑estate agent also urged the builder to consider underground mitigation rather than side‑swales alone.
Petitioner Alex Barnsmeyer (McKelvey Homes) said the builder will update the arborist report to the city standard, work with the stormwater consultant and meet on site with neighbors to explore further mitigation (French drains, swales, grading adjustments). Staff and the petitioner agreed to coordinate an on‑site meeting involving the stormwater consultant; the commission and staff targeted the Jan. 16 meeting for a possible return once consultant comments and neighbor coordination are complete.
What’s next: Petitioner to update the arborist survey to match city caliper thresholds, coordinate an on‑site meeting with neighbors and the stormwater consultant, and submit revised stormwater mitigation plans for consultant review and a future commission hearing.
