Preliminary site plan for 6502 Fourth Street deferred over grading, lighting and drainage issues

On Dec. 9 the Planning and Zoning Commission voted to defer SDP25005, a preliminary site plan for a proposed office-and-retail development at 6502 Fourth Street NW, after staff identified outstanding technical issues that must be corrected before approval.

Director Schultz told commissioners that, although the layout generally met parking and landscape quantity requirements, the grading and drainage submittal was deficient and a lighting plan demonstrating compliance with the village's dark-skies regulations was missing. "Because of the outstanding issues identified in the staff report, particularly the grading and drainage report and requirements, staff is recommending a one-month deferral," Schultz said.

Applicant Chris Bachco (representing N Megan Plaza LLC) acknowledged the missing lighting plan and said he would address drainage corrections after receiving the village engineer's comments. "As soon as we see them, we'll address them," Bachco said.

Commissioners also questioned refuse handling, tree placement and irrigation scheduling; the applicant said individual waste bins would replace a communal dumpster and that recycling and container management would be resolved in the next submittal. Commissioner Haywood raised concerns about irrigation quantities and tree survival, and the applicant agreed to work with a landscape architect to select appropriate species and irrigation timing.

The commission voted to defer review for approximately one month to allow the applicant to return with corrected grading/drainage, a lighting plan, irrigation details and any necessary adjustments to tree spacing. The motion to defer carried by roll call vote.