Centerville OKs plan for 67 houses

Some neighbors objected because of runoff issues.

A proposed development that would add housing at Yankee Trace will move forward despite some concerns from residents already living near the proposed area.

The expansion, called the Woodland Greens at Yankee Trace, will feature 67 lots on an approximately 20-acre piece of land near Paragon Road. The new homes will range in price from $330,000 to $600,000, according to a final development plan approved by the planning commission.

“It provides certainly additional housing opportunities located here in the city of Centerville,” said Centerville City Planner Andrew Rodney. “It also adds to the Yankee Trace community by providing an additional option for folks that are looking to move into the community.”

Some residents already living at Yankee Trace said they are concerned with the flow of storm water from the new development, especially when some areas near Sand Wedge Court already deal with flooding when it rains.

“Our property lines are going away, because the water is eroding into the properties that we already own,” said Martha Gardner, who lives along a creek on Sand Wedge, where some of the storm water will be funneled when it is completed about three years after construction begins.

Gardner believes additional water may flow into the creek because of the new homes and is also concerned for her neighbors.

“The other houses right along here with me are going to be affected by the amount of water coming off there,” Gardner said.

Rodney and the Centerville Planning Commission addressed Gardner’s concerns during a planning meeting this week. Planning commission members decided to require the developer to construct the complete storm drainage system to address citizen concerns, and Rodney said the city will ensure storm drain water doesn’t increase in the area.

“As a planning staff as an engineering staff we’ll ensure that ordinances are followed and that no additional storm water issues are created for an adjacent property,” Rodney said.

Gardner said she was pleased with the commission’s decision to require the entire storm drain system to be constructed from the onset.

Yankee Trace resident Ron Camp said he is anticipating the new development, which will be located a short distance from his current residence on MacKenzie Court.

“We’re actually in favor of it,” Camp said. “The homes are going to be between $330,000 and $600,000, which is good for us, because that’s more than our is worth, so it’ll raise our property values.”

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