Council denies Clark's Crossing concept plan over drainage and process concerns

The Marion City Council voted unanimously Aug. 4 to deny the Clark's Crossing concept plan until county and both cities' requirements are met. Councilmember Phil Karrer moved to deny the plan and Councilmember Jeremiah Burns seconded; the motion passed unanimously.

Neighbors at the public hearing raised several concerns. Julia Foster said the project had inadequate drainage and that "this development needs greater planning and the lots need to be bigger. It would bring a better class of people and prevent overcrowded streets." Janet Johnson, who said she lives across from the proposed gated entrance, told the council an RV and horses on her property would make access difficult and repeated concerns about drainage and parking signs.

City Engineer Garry Montgomery told council he was still waiting for items requested from the developer. Commissioner Germann said the developer had not held a county pre-development meeting "as is the usual practice" and that the City of Santa Clara was "up in arms" over drainage and traffic where the subdivision overlaps Santa Clara's extraterritorial jurisdiction. The denial instructs the developer to meet county and both cities' requirements before returning to council.

What happens next: the developer must complete the county pre-development process and resolve items identified by Marion and Santa Clara before council will consider the concept plan again. No appeal or next date was recorded at the meeting.