By Bill Short
The Millington Planning Commission has approved a Design Plat for construction of the Huntington Estates subdivision southeast of the intersection of Shelby and Quito roads.
Commission members took the action during their March 15 regular monthly meeting on a motion offered by Leanna Dagen and seconded by Mike Caruthers.
The motion was passed by five affirmative votes, with Mayor Terry Jones and Curtis Park absent.
Charles Goforth, planning consultant for the city, said the subdivision will consist of 283 residential lots on 94.25 acres. He noted that it will tie in on the south to the Woodmere and White Oak subdivisions.
Because Field Oak and Hickory Meadows are both 60-foot “collector” roads south of the subdivision, Goforth said the “circulation” in there is very good.
He noted that Hickory Meadows Road dead-ends at the corner of Lions Park. So, a portion of the park will have to be taken for extension of the road.
Goforth said the proposed subdivision is “almost half-divided.” The western half is zoned R-1, Low-Density Residential, and the eastern half is R-2, Medium-Density Residential.
He noted that the “typical” R-1 lot will be 80-by-140 feet and the R-2 lot 65-by-125 feet.
Goforth acknowledged that Royster Creek on the east side of the subdivision has a flood plain, where the floodway is contained within the “ditch.” But because it extends out slightly to the “fingers” of the ditches, it will have to be addressed.
He recommended the Design Plat for approval with the following conditions:
(1) The front setback on all lots fronting Shelby Road must be increased by 10 feet. And all houses must be developed with an area in the front yard where vehicles can be backed out of the garage and driven forward onto the road.
(2) The land taken from Lions Park for the extension of Hickory Meadows Road must be replaced by land from the subdivision, and all improvements that are removed must be replaced.
(3) Shelby Road must be dedicated to 53 feet of right of way and improved to 24 feet of pavement south of the center line, with an 8-inch curb and a 24-inch gutter. A left-turn drive must be added at the intersection of Hickory Meadows and Quito roads for a total of 36 feet of pavement.
(4) Quito Road must be dedicated to 34 feet of right of way from the center line, with 22 feet of pavement, a 6-inch curb and a 30-inch gutter.
(5) Field Oak and Hickory Meadows roads must be dedicated to 60 feet of right of way and improved to 40 feet of pavement curb-to-curb. But the north 300 feet of Hickory Meadows must be dedicated to 68 feet of right of way and 48 feet of pavement curb-to-curb.
(6) A buffer of 150 feet must be maintained from the rear of all the lots to the top of the ditch.
(7) A number of ditches that extend westward into the property must be filled, subject to requirements of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. A wetlands analysis may be needed in that area.
(8) Stormwater detention will be required for the 25-year storm.
(9) A “phasing” plan must be provided for development of the property.
Goforth noted that water has been extended to the area, and sewer will be available in five months.
“So, by the time they can get engineering plans to us and get the property developed,” he said, “all the utilities will be there.”
During discussion shortly before the vote, Caruthers asked whether the “issues” with Royster Creek and bank erosion will be a problem on the development.
Goforth said the 150-foot buffer required from the top of the bank to the rear of the lots will provide “an area of protection.”
He noted that the city received some money from the state to do some “stabilization” up by the bridge. But he said the bridge is actually wide enough.
Although a small “median” is located there, Goforth said the road already has approximately 44 feet of pavement.
“If you drive across the bridge, there’s actually more than 24 feet of pavement on either side of that little median between the curbs,” he said. “So, it’s not an issue on the future development of the property.”
