Bills Electric seeks lot split and three-lot subdivision; staff urges preliminary plat, road and drainage plans

Zach Hicks, representing Bills Electric (BEI), told the Development Review Committee on Jan. 28 that the owner of a parent parcel has a buyer for roughly 6 acres on the north side and proposes to split the remainder into three lots: two buildable lots and one lot reserved for regional detention.

"What has changed since then is the owner has a buyer for 6 acres on the north side of this parent parcel," Hicks said, describing the revised lot-split and the plan to use the northwest lot for a detention pond sized to accommodate drainage for all three lots at full buildout.

Why it matters: planning staff said the property has had prior splits and that further division may exceed the allotment for minor subdivisions, which would trigger major-subdivision review by the Planning Board and a longer timeline.

Staff advised that showing road improvements and proposed detention on a preliminary plat would reduce the risk of the Planning Board objecting to concurrent lot splits without infrastructure commitments. A planning staff member said, "the Planning Board has not been too receptive to just concurrent lot splits without any infrastructure improvements," and recommended including the main road and detention on preliminary materials.

Access and emergency services: the fire marshal said buildings on the site may require a fire loop and multiple hydrants. The marshal estimated spacing and quantity, saying they would likely need "5 fire hydrants" spaced at about 300 feet for a looped system; he also reiterated that any private road longer than 500 feet requires a turnaround (cul-de-sac or hammerhead) to allow apparatus to turn around.

Addressing and 911: Dakota, the county 911/GIS administrator, confirmed an existing site address (12401 West Highway 72) and said the county will assign additional addresses for new structures as they are permitted. Dakota also explained the private-road petition process for naming a private road used by multiple structures to assist emergency response.

Permitting timeline and technical submittals: staff explained that a minor subdivision review can be processed in roughly one week, while preliminary plats, major subdivisions and site-plan reviews commonly take 6–8 weeks; the committee suggested a preliminary-plat approach to show grading, drainage, utilities and the detention area early in the process.

Next steps: Hicks said the owner will proceed with the minor subdivision where allowed and pursue necessary drainage and grading plans; staff encouraged early coordination with ARDOT for the Highway 72 connection and to secure utility letters, septic approval and other service sign-offs before formal plat applications. No formal vote or Planning Board action was taken at the DRC meeting.