The Howard County Drainage Board met in public session to consider multiple subdivision drainage requests, approving several connection requests and scheduling a new public hearing while staff said driveway and culvert details would be handled through permit review.

Brian Pierce of 40th Parallel Surveying described the first item, Road Subdivision, as “a 2 lot subdivision encompassing 1.76 acres gross, and Lot 1 encompasses the existing improvements,” and said the perimeter drain will tie into a field tile to the east. Staff clarified that although two-lot subdivisions often trigger a stormwater (SWIP) permit at one acre of disturbance, this project does not create an acre of new disturbance because one lot is already developed; the board voted to approve the subdivision connection.

At the Faiella Estates public hearing the applicant requested permission to connect a new perimeter tile into the West Hockstetler regulated drain for a parcel the presenter described as about 3.5 acres. Neighbor Tom Chopp, who identified himself as living at 4692 East 50 North, asked whether the applicant’s planned driveway might block a natural drain across his property. "If he moves that driveway over there, it isn't gonna be blocking the water and backing it up on me," Chopp said. Staff (Mr. Blake) responded that the TAC review and the driveway permit process would require a culvert under the drive so it does not block water.

Following public comment, the board recorded a motion (transcribed as “approval of finance of the bidding”) moved by mister Olery and seconded by mister Bray; the motion passed by voice vote. The minutes record the board’s approval of the Faiella Estates connection as entered in the hearing record.

In new business the board accepted for public hearing Merrill Ridge, described by the applicant as a one-lot subdivision of roughly 14.69 net acres; staff said a perimeter drain was not required because the seasonal water table depth and compact till exceed 60 inches. The board set a public hearing for Merrill Ridge on Dec. 15.

The board also considered Kokomo Oaks, an existing mobile home park site plan the presenter said will use low-impact development measures including a “waffle” design to reduce impervious surface. Staff said this project requires a stormwater permit and that updated calculations were in progress; the board approved the applicant’s request to connect to the Tudor regulated drain.

Votes at a glance
- Approval of November minutes: motion recorded as made by "mister Ollery," second by "mister Bray;" voice vote recorded as ayes and the minutes were approved.
- Road Subdivision (connection to field tile): motion recorded as moved by "mister Bridal," second by "mister Olery;" approved by voice vote.
- Faiella Estates (connection to West Hockstetler regulated drain): motion text in the transcript reads "approval of finance of the bidding" (recorded moved by "mister Olery," second by "mister Bray"); voice vote recorded as ayes and the action was entered as approved in the record.
- Merrill Ridge: motion to set public hearing for 12/15 (moved by "mister Ulrich," second by "mister Bray"); approved.
- Kokomo Oaks (connection to Tudor regulated drain): motion recorded moved by "mister Brace," second by "mister Ollory;" approved.

What the board said about permits and next steps
Staff repeatedly noted that projects requiring new disturbance or new impervious surfaces must complete stormwater permitting. For projects with driveway work, staff said permit review (and TAC follow-up) will require a culvert where needed to preserve existing drainage flow. Several approvals were contingent on final plan revisions and completion of technical review, which staff said would occur at upcoming TAC or technical meetings.

The meeting record shows multiple voice votes approving the items listed above. The transcript contains several inconsistent name spellings for board members and minute text (for example: "Olery," "Ollery," "Ollory," "Ulrich," "Brains/Bridal/Brace"); the motions and seconds are reported using the forms that appear in the hearing record. The transcript ends as the chair called for a motion to adjourn; no formal adjournment vote appears in the record supplied.

Quotes
"A 2 lot subdivision encompassing 1.76 acres gross," — Brian Pierce, 40th Parallel Surveying, on Road Subdivision.
"If he moves that driveway over there, it isn't gonna be blocking the water and backing it up on me," — Tom Chopp, neighboring property owner, asking whether a driveway will block his natural drain.
"This does require a stormwater permit," — staff member (project reviewer) on Kokomo Oaks stormwater requirements.

Next steps
The record shows the board will proceed with the scheduled technical review (TAC) items and that Merrill Ridge will return at a public hearing on Dec. 15. Staff advised applicants to complete required stormwater calculations and plan revisions before final approval.