Scottsburg panel approves drainage for proposed Wawa and allocates wastewater capacity for Moonbow Estates phases 2 and 3

Scottsburg’s Board of Works on an April 2024 meeting approved a drainage plan for a proposed Wawa convenience store at 1215 McLean Avenue and granted wastewater allocations and construction-permit approvals for Moonbow Estates phases 2 and 3.

City staff presented the drainage review and said city engineer Josh Coleman had examined the plans and recommended approval. Carmen, speaking for staff, said the drainage approval is required before the developer’s site plan goes before the Planning Commission. “This is just for the drainage,” Carmen said, describing the staff recommendation and noting the broader development plan will be reviewed by the planning commission.

On the Moonbow Estates items, staff described two separate requests: an allocation of wastewater flow and issuance of a construction permit for Moonbow Estates 2, and an allocation for Moonbow Estates 3, which remains in design. Staff said the wastewater plant and downstream collection system were reviewed and that phase 3 will require an upgrade to a lift station. A speaker representing the contractor/developer said the contractor was willing to pay half of the manhole/upgrade cost; staff said they would clarify whether that cost is part of the RDC allowance or a separate developer obligation.

Board members moved and seconded approval of the drainage plan for 1215 McLean Avenue and the allocations/permits for Moonbow Estates 2 and 3. The board approved the items by voice vote, with staff noting the final construction permit for phase 3 is contingent on completion of design and technical-advisory reviews and any required lift-station upgrade.

Why it matters: The drainage approval clears a key technical hurdle for the proposed convenience store with fuel sales at a site the city identified as a former water facility, and the Moonbow Estates approvals allow residential development to proceed once required lift-station improvements and reimbursement arrangements are finalized.

The board did not adopt substantive conditions on the approvals at the meeting; staff said follow-up coordination with the city engineer and the developer will determine how upgrade costs are allocated and what final permit conditions will include. The planning commission is scheduled to review the Wawa site plan at its next meeting, and the board reserved final construction permitting for Moonbow Estates phase 3 until design and lift-station upgrades are resolved.