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Neighbors press county on drainage, wells and septic as commission approves 32‑lot Hamilton Place subdivision
Summary
After residents raised runoff, artesian‑well contamination and septic concerns, an engineer told the Jefferson County Planning and Zoning Commission the Hamilton Place developer will require stormwater controls, soil testing and county review; the commission approved the final plat 8–1.
The Jefferson County Planning and Zoning Commission voted to approve the final plat for Hamilton Place, a 32‑lot subdivision on Old Tuscaloosa Highway, after neighbors raised questions about drainage, septic systems and potential impacts on nearby artesian wells.
Several nearby residents told the commission they feared new drainage ditches and construction runoff would flow toward private wells. "It's going to run directly into that artesian well and possibly contaminate our well water," said Johnny Green, a neighbor who spoke during public comment.
Why it matters: The project covers about 57 acres and will be divided into lots averaging about 1.8 acres; residents said existing roadside grades and undersized driveway pipes already cause standing water and flooding during heavy rain. If unaddressed, neighbors said, construction runoff and long‑term stormwater routing could harm private water supplies and worsen local flooding.
Engineer Joe Schifano of Engineering Design Group, the project's surveyor, told the commission the developer will implement standard erosion and sediment controls during construction — including silt fences, construction entrances and sediment ponds — and that a stormwater study is required and is being coordinated with county staff. "We're going to follow the standards of practice to ensure... and not have a detrimental effect on the downstream properties," Schifano said. He also said lots will use individual septic systems permitted through the Jefferson County Health Department and that a soils scientist is completing required on‑site testing.
Schifano said the team had met on site with a resident and county staff about roadway grading and that the developer was "amenable to going in and helping to... regrade those ditches" within the county right of way and to install appropriately sized driveway pipes to relieve existing standing water.
The commission closed the public hearing, asked staff to confirm outstanding technical reviews, and voted to approve the plat. The motion passed on a roll call vote, 8–1.
Procedural note: County staff and the health department will review required construction and septic permits, and county Transportation will review the stormwater study and site distance/street improvements before any final construction permits are issued.
Next steps: Approval grants permission to record the plat as presented; Schifano told residents the developer cannot add lots beyond those approved without returning to the commission for another review.
Ending: Residents and applicants were advised to follow up with county staff for detailed timelines on the stormwater study and health‑department septic approvals.
