Hunter's Path Phase 4 heads to council after Planning Commission split; staff to provide missing technical materials

Council heard extended public comment and a staff update on Hunter's Path Phase 4, a single-family residential development that received a 2-2 vote at the Planning Commission and will come before council for final consideration.

Resident Joe Sider asked the council to reconsider and to ensure the Planning Commission process was followed and better public materials were available online. City Manager Ms. Whitman acknowledged the concern and told council that staff reviewed the Planning Commission record and concluded that supporting technical materials — grading plans, stormwater detention information and the traffic analysis — were not included in the final development plan presented to the Planning Commission. Ms. Whitman told council staff will provide those materials in the next meeting packet via Dropbox because the documents exceed 500 pages.

Ms. Whitman also said the developer must restore the creek to its natural condition "before releasing the bond." Oversight on that restoration will include Montgomery County Soil and Water, the Ohio EPA and engineering review by the city.

Staff noted a reconsideration by the Planning Commission would likely delay the schedule into late summer or early fall because of quorum and holiday scheduling constraints, and that the city charter allows the matter to move directly to council. Notices for the May 21 council hearing have already been sent, Ms. Whitman said, and she apologized to council for not notifying members prior to that public notice going out.

Council members emphasized that if council is to act contrary to the Planning Commission's recommendation, they must "do their homework" and review the technical materials before a final vote.