The Koch Meadow Hills subdivision hit another snag Wednesday as city officials continue to review plans for the mixed-use development in north Dickinson.
Two days after the Dickinson City Commission agreed to put a proposed annexation of the 83-acre fifth addition on hold, the Planning and Zoning Commission on Wednesday voted against a final plat after developer Mike Koch and downstream landowners failed to reach a development agreement.
Koch told commissioners that after more than a year of discussions, he and fellow developers have done everything the city has asked of them, but neighbors voiced concerns over ongoing drainage issues stemming from earlier additions. Out of almost 20 conditions outlined in the development agreement, some have yet to be resolved, including an item outlining $15,000 in payments to landowners over damages from a year ago.
“I have a problem with this agreement,” neighbor Janet Prchal said, noting she had only been made aware of the document Tuesday. “I don’t think it should be approved.”
Engineer Dave Thompson, whose Toman Engineering Company is partnering with Koch on the subdivision, said the fifth addition’s retention pond meets city standards.
“It’s not our intent to damage anyone,” Thompson said. “We’re trying to do things right, we’ve tried to work with city staff to correct whatever problems may have been there.”
Commissioner Gene Jackson said that though he wants to see the plat move forward to allow for the development of more much-needed residential land in the city, “it can’t move forward until we have this resolved one way or the other.”
Community Development Director Ed Courton recommended continuing the matter until the commission’s October meeting, after which, if it passes, it will go before the city commission for final approval. But first, all parties have to sign off on the development agreement.
“This is not to be kicked down the road to the city commission,” he said. “It needs to be agreed upon.”
Faulx is a reporter for The Dickinson Press. Contact her at 701-456-1207.
