Council approves two-lot plat for Grand Vista site; neighbor warns drainage diversion to Hebble Creek

Council approved Resolution 17-22 to establish two new city lots at 827 E. Xenia Drive, a roughly 15-acre site called Grand Vista that the city staff and applicant say will be platted to allow future industrial use on Lot 1 and commercial use on Lot 2. Kathleen Riggs said Planning Board recommended approval of the preliminary PUD modification and preliminary and final plat with the condition that the final plat be recorded with Greene County. Council adopted the resolution unanimously.

At the public hearing, resident Alan Carney objected strongly, presenting historical maps and asserting the site’s pre-development drainage historically flowed east to Little Beaver/Beaver Creek; he said recent street grading and a proposed northwest detention pond would divert runoff into Hebble Creek, increasing downstream flood risk. Carney warned of potential litigation, saying the City would face a class-action suit if runoff is routed into Hebble Creek. Staff replied that detailed stormwater and wetland assessments will be required at the later preliminary plan stage and are reviewed by the City Engineer before development proceeds.

Council members noted that wetland and topography questions are evaluated when the developer returns with detailed site plans. The lot split itself moves forward, but staff and many Council members emphasized that stormwater mitigation and any required site-level changes must be reviewed and approved administratively during the next stage of development.