Drainage questions lead Howard County board to table Cookamo convenience store proposal

The Howard County Drainage Board on March 16 heard a presentation for a proposed convenience store and gas station at the northwest corner of State Road 26 and County Road 200 West (Dixon). Rick Burgger of JPS Consulting Engineers presented the project on behalf of the applicant, Timothy Higgby.

Burgger said the development would include an on-site septic system, public water and an underground detention system beneath the parking area to meet county release-rate requirements. “All the shaded area is going to be underground storage,” Burgger said, describing modular plastic chambers “kind of like egg crates” that store runoff and route it to a structure that would release at a reduced rate. He said the team planned release rates of roughly 0.1 inches for a 10‑year storm and 0.3 inches for a 100‑year storm, and that the detailed calculations had not yet been submitted to the county.

Board members raised concerns about downstream capacity, noting a culvert under Dixon Road and existing ponds on the east side that "can’t handle any additional water" unless the proposed system meets county standards. Committee members also asked whether INDOT would approve the proposed right‑in/right‑out access and the required deceleration and acceleration lanes.

Members requested that final drainage calculations and the applicant’s final drawings be submitted to the surveyor’s office at least 10 days before the next hearing for staff review. Mike and Paul recommended a surveyor review before scheduling final action. Mr. Olry moved to table the Cookamo plat pending the surveyor office’s review of the submitted materials; Mr. Dodd seconded. The motion carried by voice vote.

The applicant said it intends to submit final drawings and the drainage report before the April 20 meeting and requested to be placed on that agenda; the board instructed staff to review submissions and notify the applicant whether an earlier placement is possible.