Concern over stormwater drainage and a late revision to roadway plans led to the denial of a proposed variance for a heavily wooded section of Date Street just off Citrona Drive at Tuesday's city commission meeting.
Owners of 3.2 acres at 420 Citrona Drive who are subdividing the parcel for the construction of four homes facing Citrona, were seeking a variance from the city's street requirements in order to preserve more tree canopy on the road that dead ends at Egans Creek.
The variance sought to use an inverted crown, a modified T-turnaround, and removing concrete curbs on the Date Street development.
The variance failed on a 3-2 vote (four votes are needed for approval) with Commissioner Joyce Tuten and Mayor James Antun voting in opposition.
The proposal included a swale in the city's right-of-way to catch rain runoff that was located on a property on the northside of Date Street.
"I'm extremely concerned about this water because if you go to a topographic map of the area.... it's a bowl off Citrona....and now we're sending more water to it," Tuten said about the road plan, voicing concerns about that neighbor's property.
Tuten also cited requirements in the city's Comprehensive Plan for stormwater design that meet's standards of stormwater management in the case of a 100-year flood event.
"If you do the calculation, there's no way that swale (proposed) is not overflowing," she said. "Now it's flooding her (the neighbor) garage. How is this benefiting the city?"
But Commissioner Tim Poynter said whether the variance was approved or denied, the developer would have to satisfy stormwater removal requirements mandated by the city.
"The concerns I keep hearing are what about the water? They're not going to get approval from the TRC (Technical Review Committee) if they can't prove they're keeping the water on their property plain and simple."
Antun sought to have the variance vote postponed due to a change in the road's design that was submitted just one day before the meeting.
"I'm in favor of doing this right the first time," Antun said. "I am in favor of these plans, but as a part principle and process there have been some errors. I would be in favor of hearing a motion of postponement."
When it came to the vote, however, Antun voted against the variance.
"I believe in saving the trees, I appreciate the applicant's willingness to improve the road, however I believe in principle. An incomplete application would be better to come back to the city when all of this is able to be reviewed not only by us, but by any constituents who should choose to speak up," he said.
Poynter, Vice Mayor Darron Ayscue and Commissioner Gence Minshew voted to approve the variance.
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