PORTAGE | The Plan Commission on Monday again tabled any action on the proposed Midland Estates subdivision as developers tweaked final details.
And residents, who live in adjacent subdivisions, continued to voice their opposition to construction of the 14-lot subdivision on the northeast corner of Portage Avenue and Crisman Road, despite assurances from developers and city officials that the proposal meets all city requirements.
Attorney Bill Ferngren, representing developer Jim Kopp, told planners and the audience that Kopp has downsized the subdivision from 19 to 14 lots. Kopp will participate in a project to improve sanitary sewers in the adjacent subdivision, is providing a 100-foot tree preservation easement and has designed a stormwater system that will keep all runoff from the subdivision on subdivision property.
A half-dozen residents from neighboring Stormy Street and Pennsylvania Street -- all of whom suffered flooding and sewer backups during the September storms -- told the commission that they didn't want any more building in the area that could harm their homes, which are in an area with high water tables. In a near unanimous voice, they told officials they wanted improvements to benefit current residents before any more building were to be allowed.
"We are doing everything we can to use this opportunity to make this better," commission member James Snyder said, telling residents the developer has worked with the city to plan a project that should benefit the proposed subdivision's neighbors.
"We need to thank Mr. Kopp for making huge concessions," Snyder said.
City Engineer and commission member Craig Hendrix tried to assure residents that the runoff from the subdivision will be minimal and "it won't run off the site."
Still, residents speaking from their seats after the public hearing was closed, voiced their disbelief and wanted to know who was going to pay for further damages to their homes if more flooding occurs.
The proposal, which has been before the city for a year, was tabled so developers could answer a few more questions. Action on the proposal now likely will come at the commission's Jan. 5 meeting.
