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Neighbors press planners over traffic and runoff for Southbrook Phase 1 proposal
Summary
The Planning Commission heard extensive public concern Feb. 17 about traffic, cut-through routes and stormwater for Southbrook Phase 1 (55 lots on 11.1 acres at 2401 Country Club Road); the developer and staff said a full stormwater analysis was completed and road improvements are planned but specifics on contractor haul routes are not yet known.
The City of Decatur Planning Commission on Feb. 17 heard sustained neighborhood opposition to aspects of the proposed Southbrook Phase 1 subdivision at 2401 Country Club Road, where the preliminary plat would subdivide 11.1 acres into 55 residential lots and three community lots.
Residents asked whether construction or final access would connect to 6th Avenue, worried that without an alternate outlet all traffic would funnel onto Country Club Road, and warned of increased cut-through traffic in adjacent neighborhoods. "If they don't let any of the exit out of this project onto 6th Avenue, it's gonna get worse and worse," resident Richard Walter said, citing existing congestion at school dismissal and shift-change times.
Denise Williams, who lives on Verway Drive, told commissioners she is "really worried not only about the traffic, I'm also worried about the run off." She asked how many heavy trucks will use Fairway Drive during construction and whether the neighborhood's children would be put at risk. Roy Lane Price, a resident and quality engineer, pointed out a typographical address error on the applicant's drawing and said prior construction had caused road deterioration.
Developer David Horwath (Land Innovations) told the commission his team has worked with the City and Decatur Utilities on required off-site improvements, including widening Country Club Road to three lanes and later widening Country Club Lane, and that the applicant engaged P. Wright McAnally to perform a full build-out stormwater analysis that covers phase 1 and later development. "This is not just a phase 1 analysis; this is a full build-out, master stormwater analysis," Horwath said.
Staff and commissioners discussed whether the commission can stipulate contractor haul routes to keep trucks off residential Fairway Drive. Staff said enforcement is limited without a specific contractor and site plan, but recommended minimizing mud tracking, designating construction entrances (the plan shows two entrances, one on Country Club Lane and one on Country Club), and including construction controls as conditions in the development review process.
The commission did not take a final vote on Southbrook Phase 1 during the segment of the transcript covering public comment and developer response; future actions (final plat approval and construction permitting) will require submittal of site plans, drainage calculations and compliance with fire marshal conditions and other requirements.
