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Council seeks flexibility for JDR courthouse site, asks staff to preserve slab area and prioritize stormwater planning
Summary
Council discussed a conceptual master plan for the juvenile and domestic relations district (JDR) courthouse site, pressing staff to preserve roughly half of the existing 47,652 sq ft concrete slab area for future court‑related uses, to prioritize a comprehensive stormwater approach and to keep Beverly Street frontage as green, multi‑use space.
On March 26 the Stanton City Council spent extensive time on a conceptual master plan for the remaining JDR courthouse property, asking staff and the consultant to preserve options for future government uses while addressing stormwater, parking and pedestrian access.
Mr. Rhodess opened the item seeking council direction and noted that developing over the existing concrete slabs would require relocating stormwater facilities and could remove trail and park areas. When asked about the total slab area, staff confirmed "47,652 ft." Several council members urged preserving a portion of those slabs for future court‑related services or flexible community space; one council member suggested "have 25,000 square ft of that concrete pad saved for future office space." Councilors repeatedly emphasized flexibility: preserve green frontage on Beverly Street, avoid locking the site into a single use, and plan stormwater to meet water‑quality needs.
Engineering staff explained tradeoffs between underground detention (which handles quantity) and ponds or on‑site treatment (often required for water quality). Council discussed using permeable pavers or reducing impervious surfaces to shrink required retention volume. Members also raised access and ADA concerns for proposed trails; staff noted steep topography limits some park‑style uses and that an ADA‑compliant trail alignment would be more feasible only if slabs or grades are preserved or reconfigured.
Council directed staff to work with Mosley on a master plan that tests alternatives—including different pond footprints, permeable parking areas and a range of future building footprints—and to return with a refined plan and stormwater concept in time to allow project completion this calendar year. The consultant process will include iterations with staff; Council asked staff to provide more detailed stormwater sizing scenarios tied to specific additional impervious square footage during that next iteration.
Next steps: staff will engage Mosley to develop alternatives, explore permeable pavement and parking strategies, and return to Council with a refined master plan before the end of the year; public outreach will continue as part of the master‑planning process.
