Part of the former Germantown Country Club is in a flood plain, but local developer Spence Ray believes he has a plan to mitigate any impacts to future homeowners in the Glasgow residential development.
A plan for a conservation area was unanimously approved Tuesday, Feb. 1, by the Germantown Planning Commission. The conservation area is 28.3 acres on the northern portion of a larger 178-acre tract. Farmington-Kimbrough Development Group plans 366 homes. The Glasgow homeowners association will be responsible for the upkeep of the conservation area.
The construction of two large ponds are part of the primary drainage solution for the site. Those also will help remove water from residences of existing homeowners.
Tuesday was one of the last times where the Planning Commission did not review a tree mitigation plan, according to Cameron Ross, director of economic and community development. City leaders are reviewing a tree mitigation ordinance that would take that responsibility from the Design Review Commission and hand it to the Planning Commission.
However, the tree mitigation plan was noted during a presentation by Sheila Pounders, assistant director of economic development. Of the 569 trees in the conservation area, 278 will remain and an additional 355 will be planted in that 28-acre portion of the project.
Developers plan to remove portions of the 100-year flood plain to meet Federal Emergency Management Agency rules that homes must be 30 inches above the 100-year flood plain. The lowest home will also be three inches above the 500-year flood plain according to FEMA maps, Ray told commissioners.
No residents spoke for or against the project. Chairman Mike Harless attributed that to Ray’s communication with nearby homeowners, adding that he expects the development to be a “crowned jewel” for the suburb.
Staff is asking the conservation area be developed as part of the first phase, which includes 150 homes. The agricultural zoning on the northern portion of the property required the conservation plan seek separate approval, Pounders said.
Ray hopes residents to move into the final homes in early 2026. Construction could begin early this summer if the project gains approval by city leaders. The next step for Glasgow is to seek review of by the Design Review Commission.
The Planning Commission was the first of the year, which included the election of officers. Harless was reappointed chairman of the commission, while Tony Salvaggio was appointed vice chairman. George Hernandez was appointed secretary.