Planning commission recommends preliminary plat for Oak Grove PD Phase 4 amid neighbor concerns over setbacks, trees and drainage

The Collierville Planning Commission recommended approval of the preliminary subdivision plat for Oak Grove PD Phase 4 on a vote taken after residents raised concerns about setbacks, tree removal and stormwater drainage.

Allison, planning staff, told commissioners the application covers roughly 24.5 acres north of Shelby Drive and west of Byhalia, proposes 55 new detached single-family lots and yields a density of about 2.05 dwelling units per acre (below the PD maximum of 2.1). She said the outline plan (approved in 1999) allows the development pattern and reviewed minimum lot sizes (11,250 square feet) and required lot width at the front setback (90 feet). "So with the addition of the 55 lots that are being proposed tonight, that would create a density of 2.05," Allison said.

Residents who spoke urged changes. Wes Ashworth, a longtime resident and practicing civil engineer, said three primary concerns focus on the south-of-creek lots: building setbacks that break the established rhythm along Shelby Drive, lot sizes, and preservation of trees and detention capacity. "We don't feel like this plan adequately addresses the existing rhythm and nature of the existing houses on Shelby Drive in this area," he said, and asked that some lots be combined and that buffers be preserved.

Other neighbors echoed the worries. Matt Yoki cited PD ordinance provisions calling for transitions to protect adjacent properties; Joe Finch, president of the Woodlawn Village HOA, warned that loss of trees and brush in the 'ditch' could accelerate water flow onto Woodlawn properties and asked for reconsideration of detention and buffering; Bob Rogers asked for entrance-drive design that matches adjacent subdivisions and urged further staff-developer-neighbor coordination.

Developer Steven Williams said the project will disturb ‘‘as little as possible’’ and stressed that the PD and conceptual layouts date back many years. He said the developer plans to preserve many trees where practicable, has coordinated with the fire department on the emergency connection, and that the developer will plant the post-development tree mitigation required by the town. "We certainly don't want our neighbors to have water issues," Williams said.

Commissioners probed grading plans, riparian-zone expectations (staff said the ditch in question is a man-made drainage feature and therefore not subject to TDEC riparian-buffer requirements), minimum lot widths and the limits of the commission’s authority because the PD and outline plan precede later compatibility standards. Staff noted that the layout appears to be bound by earlier approvals and that staff will require the developer to meet conditions (including tree mitigation and technical stormwater review) before final approvals.

A motion to recommend approval of the preliminary plat for Oak Grove PD Phase 4, subject to the conditions listed in Exhibit 2, was made, seconded and passed by roll call.

The recommendation is preliminary; detailed engineering, grading, final plat and building-envelope approvals will follow. Staff and the developer said they are willing to meet with concerned neighbors to discuss buffering and construction sequencing as the project moves through final plan review.