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Residents press council over retention‑pond flood risk during Converse Huff Road rezoning hearings
Summary
Two rezoning public hearings for large planned‑unit developments on Converse Huff Road prompted residents to raise concerns that a proposed retention pond could increase basement flooding; the developer and village engineer said geotechnical borings and required inspections will guide pond design.
Plain City held public hearings April 13 on two rezoning applications for large parcels on Converse Huff Road and heard resident concerns about stormwater infrastructure.
Roger Spring of 218 Warbler Lane told council he is worried a proposed retention pond adjacent to homes could increase groundwater infiltration into basements; he said his sump pump runs roughly every 15 minutes and that he was told the retention pond would not include a dedicated liner. Developer representative Drew Miller of Arbor Homes said the development team will use a "controlled stormwater mitigation approach" and committed to sharing contact information and answering residents’ technical questions.
Village Planner Derek Hutchinson and Village Engineer Randy VanTilburg said final engineering has not been completed and that geotechnical borings will determine soil type and appropriate pond construction. VanTilburg emphasized that required construction standards and inspections will be enforced during plan review. The developer said some clay soils can provide performance comparable to manufactured liners and that liner decisions depend on geotechnical results and maintenance considerations.
Council agreed to add a discussion item titled "Converse Huff Road Development Retention Pond" (motion by Councilmember Toni Arnold; second by Councilmember Jim Eudaily), and staff committed to provide updates to residents, using Mr. Spring’s contact information for direct notifications. Council noted that the current agenda items were limited to rezoning; detailed engineering review will follow final development plans.
Next steps: engineers will complete borings and the developer will submit final engineering plans for village review and inspection prior to construction.
