By PAULENE POPARAD

Drainage proved to be a primary interest for Porter Plan Commission members as they got their first look Wednesday at a proposed eight-lot addition to 46-home Hunter’s Glen subdivision on Oak Hill Road at Quail Ridge Drive.

C & C Development by Todd Martin and Royal Church propose to replat/plat 4.4 acres west of Quail Ridge. The meeting was a preliminary hearing and a public hearing was set by a 6-0 vote for April 16.

It will be a short-handed Plan Commission that decides whether to approve the petition. Member Greg Stinson, who owns adjoining property, recused himself and did not participate in any discussion. Commission member Michele Bollinger also lives in Hunter’s Glen but after the meeting said she does not live near the C & C Development parcel.

Martin said it was formerly platted in the 1990s as eight lots but is being replatted to meet the 2008 zoning requirements.

Commission president Lorain Bell asked developers, “Are you going to clear up the drainage problems there now?” Martin said what they propose will make things better. Town planner Jim Mandon said developers have to provide for pass-through stormwater flow from adjacent land in a safe way.

Bell cited a Jan. 28 letter from town engineer Haas & Associates requesting additional information about drainage plans. C & C Development engineer Jeanette Hicks of Davies-Rensberger Surveying said since that time they worked with Haas and several of the items have been resolved. “I want to hear it from our engineer,” said Bell.

Bollinger asked about an easement in the original subdivision covenants for open space around the pond because the easement would abut back yards. Martin said the open space was disclosed and will allow people to walk around the pond, not have parties there.

Bell told Martin it seems his development has a great effect on the people of Quail Ridge Drive. Hicks described the proposed drainage plan, said the detention pond will be expanded and that additional field studies are being performed.

Commission member Brenda Brueckheimer, Porter Public Works director, told Hicks to confirm with the Indiana Department of Enviromental Management what size sanitary sewer line it recommends. “I don’t want to see any more issues at all,” said Brueckheimer, referring to an agreed order between IDEM and Porter over upgrading its sewer collection system, estimated to cost between $4 million and $10 million.

In other business Wednesday, resident Keenan Comer said it was a misunderstanding and drummed his fingers on the town hall podium in frustration.

His pleas fell on deaf ears. The Plan Commission declined to conduct a public hearing for Comer after he gave notice to the public and his neighbors it would. Mandon said Comer did not follow commission rules and was to have a preliminary hearing only last night.

Comer said he needs to move quickly to tear down his 333 Michigan St. home so construction can begin on a new one that will be completed in the fall so his family has a place to live. “I just want to take down a 1939 house that’s rotting and put up a new one in its place.”

Commission member Dave Babcock said Comer can take down his existing home any time if he obtains a demolition permit, but he would do so at his own risk that he wouldn’t get Plan Commission approval to replat Lots 1 and 2 into one lot of record for the new construction. The lots are on the southwest corner of Michigan Street and Porter Avenue.

Mandon, who said he never told Comer to shortcut the process and advertise directly for public hearing, suggested possibly opening a hearing last night but taking no action and continuing the matter until April 16. Town attorney Patrick Lyp recommended against it saying Comer’s petition was listed as a preliminary hearing on the commission’s agenda.

Lyp said if the commission has enough information after next month’s hearing, it could vote on Comer’s replat request at that time. The commission apparently has no provision for a petitioner to request and pay for a special meeting to expedite a petition.

A public hearing was conducted Wednesday for Andrew Brack on his request to replat Lots 10 and 11 at 124 Rankin St. in downtown Porter into one lot of record. No one commented and the commission voted 7-0 to approve. Brack plans to build an addition on the west side of his home. A setback variance also was granted during the Board of Zoning Appeals meeting for the project.

The Plan Commission, which was to begin at 7:30 p.m., didn’t convene until 8:34 p.m. due to a lengthy BZA public hearing prior.

Posted 3/20/2008