Planning commission approves preliminary plat for Autumn Creek subdivision on Sugar Hill Road

The Texarkana Planning Commission approved the preliminary plat for Autumn Creek, a 45‑acre subdivision proposed by Check Properties LLC on Sugar Hill Road (Ward 6). The plat passed after engineering, utilities and the fire department completed reviews and provided approvals.

Staff said water and sewer service is available to the site and that engineers had reviewed street layouts, utilities and floodplain issues. MTG Engineers’ Joseph Shalafone told commissioners the design includes a detention pond sized to capture subdivision runoff (described on the plat as a proposed detention pond serving multiple blocks), and that finished‑floor elevations are planned two feet above the base flood elevation. The engineer said cul de sac lots will drain to the proposed pond and that the drainage design limits net additional discharge from the site.

A nearby resident, Kenneth Wilson, raised concerns about tree clearing adjacent to a low drainage area and the potential for fill or erosion to affect downstream properties; he asked whether trees in a steep topographic area would be preserved. Staff and the engineer said parts of the property would remain undeveloped because of steep topography and that the plat does include provisions for detention and stormwater control. The fire department had confirmed cul de sac fire access arrangements meet code.

Commissioners moved and unanimously approved the preliminary plat; staff will finalize signatures and the developer must install utilities and roads before returning with a final plat for approval.