Detention pond on Westway Publix project stirs officials

A plan to nix one detention pond on the Westway development on U.S. 84 West and put in another one—more removed from existing Westbrook property owners—did not bode well with city planning staff.

But this time the objections did not originate with Westbrook homeowners.

During Wednesday’s Dothan Planning Commission meeting, engineer Ron Reeves and property owner Tom West asked if an already-approved detention pond behind the Publix development, could be moved further to the west, on property West owns.

There are no plans to develop that 60-plus acre tract as of now, but if the pond is relocated there, only one pond will be needed for the entire development. It would be larger than the one submitted with Aronov’s development plans on the Publix project and it would be at a lower elevation.

West said it would be less obtrusive to current Westbrook residents. The area behind the proposed site has been platted, but no homeowners abut that area. One home is under construction in that area.

“Moving it allows for more options and development on the property to the west,” West said. “I’ve discussed this with Aronov since last April. We have the engineering drawings, subject to working some things out with Aronov…. and their approval. We feel like it is better for residents in Westbrook subdivision.”

Planning Director Todd McDonald said there were too many unanswered questions and undeveloped plans regarding buffers, landscaping and maintenance.

“Aronov needs to be a part of the agreement…. If they want to do this, that’s fine, but right now they have a bona fide development plan approval from you. Nobody questions whether or not this is a good deal. It is a better arrangement for everybody,” McDonald said.

“I am concerned we don’t know what we are doing. Aronov went the extra mile and had meetings with residents. There are a lot of questions in our minds. We just went through this with (residential complaints on the pond at) Tractor Supply. I am always going to move with caution. Once we start knocking down trees, we can’t put them back. I want us to understand the full consequences of what we are doing.”

McDonald was also cautious because a buffer agreement established for the Cottonwood Corners Publix development on Cottonwood Road at Ross Clark Circle was not honored.

“The Cottonwood buffer approved was gone in 30 minutes. Everybody would like to see one pond, but you know what, there are ponds all over the city. The potential negative ramifications are greater than the positive, in my mind,” he said.

Aronov has a grading permit and will be moving forward with the original pond in the next two to three weeks, so West asked that the board approve it.

Planning commission member Albert Kirkland said he favored the change. “I have a vested interest. I build homes in there. I have no problem with it. I think it is common sense.”

West added he would not do anything that might be detrimental to his own developments, referring to both the commercial property on 84 and Westbrook Subdivision, which he developed.

The commission will reconvene at noon Monday to reconsider the matter, with more information being provided from Reeves.

Cottonwood Corners is having a groundbreaking on the Publix project at 11 a.m. Thursday at the site.