Advisory board recommends approval of Hamlet final development plan, citing expanded parkland and public art program

The New Albany Parks and Trails Advisory Board voted 5–0 on Aug. 5 to recommend approval of final development plan FDP532024 for the Hamlet mixed‑use development, endorsing parkland and open‑space elements while asking the applicant and city staff to finalize pedestrian crossing and floodplain details.

City planning staff opened the review by explaining the board’s advisory role on parkland and pedestrian connectivity. Staff noted that Hamlet zoning requires dedication of 25% of the developable area as parkland and that the applicant is proposing about 10.6 acres — roughly 33% of the site — for parkland and open space, including the project’s centerpiece, Sugar Run Park, which is described as just over 8 acres.

Justin Lyda of Steiner Associates, the applicant’s project lead, told the board the plan preserves specimen trees and centers the development on Sugar Run Creek. "We’ve been working very closely with the city and all of our consultants over the past couple of years," Lyda said, describing design refinements, tree surveys and efforts to preserve two‑thirds‑mile trail connectivity and specimen 54‑inch oaks. Lyda and his team also described alternative stormwater measures including permeable pavers, underground storage and vegetated bioretention areas.

Board members asked technical questions about creek access, floodplain mapping and cleanup. Franco Mendo of MH and D said final path siting will be determined on site and estimated that paved paths could be "within between 25, 50 feet" of the water, noting that the project team would use the FEMA line work once it is finalized. Mendo outlined planned streambank restoration and invasive‑species removal to stabilize eroded banks.

Members pressed the applicant for pedestrian safety details at crossings across 605 that will connect residents to an east‑side playground. The applicant said crossings will use signalized crosswalks or flashing pedestrian warning devices and that the plan reserves 200 feet of right‑of‑way to accommodate a full signal or roundabout in the future.

Hailey, the applicant’s public‑art lead, described a local art selection process and themes tied explicitly to New Albany: "All of the art relate to New Albany," she said, describing an RFP to select two to four local artists for sculptures, plaques and interactive elements such as birdhouses and photo‑friendly pieces intended to draw visitors.

A member moved to accept the staff report with an explicit addition requiring trash and recycling containers in park spaces; the board voted to accept the staff documents. The board then moved, seconded and voted 5–0 to recommend approval of FDP532024 "based on the findings of the staff report and the conditions listed," with the approvals conditioned on final staff sign‑offs for details such as trash/recycling placement, final FEMA floodplain lines and detailed crossing design.

The advisory board’s recommendation now moves the final development plan to the planning commission for final action. The board did not set any additional modifications to parkland acreage; the applicant’s submittal exceeds the minimum parkland percentage in the Hamlet zoning text. The planning commission will consider the record and conditions recommended by staff and the board before issuing a final decision.

The meeting adjourned with no further business.