Issues about storm water retention and how the mail will be delivered were talking points as the Tullahoma Planning Commission approved a preliminary plat for Atlas Estates with the issues arising out of the debate sparking a need to update the existing subdivision regulations.

The planning commission unanimously approved the preliminary plat for Atlas Estates after considerable discussion. The request for the preliminary plat was for six lots on Westside Drive off of Park Lane. The lot is 2.92 acres and Park Lane would be made into a cul-de-sac during the development of the subdivision.

The first question was that of how many entrances the subdivision would have but then discussion turned to who would pay for water retention and a proposed mail kiosk.

“Most subdivisions are required to have two means of egress and I only see one,” pointed out planning member Brett Gregory.

Director of Planning and Development Samuel Luthi revealed that the egress requirement is only if there are over 30 lots in a subdivisions.

“If it’s under 30 lots then one entrance will suffice,” he said.

Board Chairman Alex Rice pointed out there would need to be a water detention maintenance agreement in the deed since there would likely be upkeep on any filtration system used in the detention area that serves the lots. He worried that the purchasers still might not understand the financial burden that it could cost a household.

“I have concerns that this is not an HOA,” he said. “In five or 10 years they forget all about that agreement and whenever it needs servicing they don’t have the funds to service it and then it becomes a problem for everyone to deal with because all of a sudden the water quality is not what it’s supposed to be.”

When the contractor representative did not assure the commission that an HOA would be put in place, Rice said he would have a hard time voting in favor of the plat.

Luthi interjected that current ordinances allow for the situation to exist. “We don’t require them to be controlled by an HOA, we merely require them to be maintained.” Luthi said.

It was also pointed out the mailbox kiosk for the area would have to be maintained and it would also have to have a pull off and be ADA accessible.

Luthi explained a lot of things can change between the preliminary plat, which was before the planning commission, and when they come back with a final plat to be considered. Among those things could be the establishment of an HOA or not using a mail kiosk in favor of having mailboxes at each residence.

“I’d rather see an HOA in these circumstances because of the costs associated,” Rice said. “But those are things that can be ironed out between now and the final plan.”

Rice said the whole Atlas issue demonstrates the need for the city to reexamine its subdivision regulations.

The planning commission unanimously approved the preliminary plat for Atlas Estates.