Planning Commission- City of White House

February 10th, 2025

David Lankster was signed up for public comment. He and his girlfriend live on the backside of the new Dorris Farms development on Patana Dr. They were at the meeting to address the flooding they have experienced.

They are looking for more information on phase 2 of this development now that the flooding on their property has been going on for three years. They have been passed around between the city and the developer for information and are at the point of an attorney. They had inches of water in their basement during the last rain, and their property value is decreasing. The flooding that damaged the high school came from their road. In December of 2022, they brought the first photos to the city. Nothing was done. Since then, the road has been re-dug as was a trench. However, the wash out continues into their property. Safe Harbor (developer) says it’s an engineering issue, talk to the city. They did pay for Serv Pro to come out and clean the garage. They bought this house in 2020, and knew the Dorris Farms project was coming, but didn’t expect this. Two years ago they put in $4k worth on landscaping, that’s gone. The water moved their shed. Tim Murphy asked if the water was in the house. For now it is just in the garage, but there is no where for any more water to go. The clay is stacked. Doreen Brown asked if Safe Harbor was going to move the clay. The owners are unsure of that right now. Mayor Corbitt added that they have a stop work order placed on them. City administrator Herman added that they will be held to cleaning up. There is still clay in the yard, but Safe Harbor has cleaned the garage. They are hiring inspectors for things where damage can be unseen. Herman added that the developer will have to make good on this. The owner added that their rock bed has shifted and they don’t know if there is damage to the foundation or their in ground pool. Herman told them that the city will stay on the developers. Lankster then asked what happens when they fill in the cut through that is there right now? It will be fixed for now, but eventually they will dig it back out. Herman stated that it needs to stay closed until the subdivision is complete. Corbitt added that they are working on cleaning the drains. Herman then told the couple that they need to keep a list and that the developer will be responsible for repairs. The previous owner stated that they did not have water on the property even in the 2010 flood, this home is not in a flood plain. City Engineer Jason Reynolds added that there is always a risky period during construction. Once the project is complete, the water will go into the new storm water system and the retention pond, but the homeowners need protection now. This has been going on since 2022. Reynolds added that at the end of the project, there will be ponds, and the ponds there now are supposed to help with the silt. Once construction is complete, the ponds catch the water and slow it as it leaves the development. Herman added that they are not cleaning the drains, but they do have an inspector out every day. The homeowners left with Herman telling them to call public works director Isiah Manfredi, or himself directly when this happens. They are on this builder trying to get these issues remedied.

Consent agenda items are items that need to be brought to the planning board just for their acknowledgement. Items 1-3 are bond extensions, 4-6 are reductions. Public works has inspected 4-6 and state they are ready for reductions. Item seven is the schedule for the planning commission for next year. Item eight needs approval so the parks department can apply for a grant.

Brown had some concerns about the canopy. Kevin Whittaker, parks department, stated this it is similar to the one at the dog park. It is heavy and will be anchored. Brown then asked about the benches with awnings. Whittaker stated that they are for shade and that when writing grants, the grant readers like to see things that are ADA compliant. These can be removed it it is too windy over there. Brown then asked about the trees and landscaping at the dog park. Whittaker stated that trees will need to be removed in order to move the disk golf hole, but there will be landscaping later. All of this can be discussed at a later date. This consent item is only to allow the parks department to apply for the grant. All eight were Approved.

Item # 9 Staff: Request Recommendation to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen to amend the Zoning Ordinance, Article V, Section 5.053.1, C-1, Central Business Service District, and Article V, Section 5.053.2, C-2, General Commercial regarding addition of public and private schools offering general education to be allowed by special exceptions. Jena Nelms, planning and codes, brought this to the board. There is a small private school looking at a piece of property and it seemed to make sense to allow for a special exception rather than a new zoning desigination. The city is in the process of studying land usage, so this is a good time to bring this up. Jennifer Collado shared concerns about traffic and distractions for children in a commercial zone. She is concerned about space for the children outdoors. Corbitt added that this doesn’t guarantee they can build, it just gives them the option to bring their plans to the board. Nelms stated they would still need to come before the planning board. Brown added that churches and day cares are already allowed. Nelms stated that it might not work in a C-2, but certainly in a C-1 and this school is really small. Collado added that they still need to be 1000 feet from a smoke shop. Dolly Peay added that this only grants them the option to ask. Approved only in C-1 zoning, not C-2.

Meeting Adjourned

If you are interested in the land use regulations, the city is having a study session tonight at 6pm at city hall.