Brian Price/THE POST Tim Lynn speaks to city council members about a solution to the water drainage problem in the Oakmont housing development. Lynn represents Lynn Engineering in Zanesville, Ohio, a company hired by J.B. Hayes Excavating and Pipeline.

After heated debate, the city's planning and development committee delayed giving its recommendation for the completion of the Oakmont housing subdivision.

Yesterday marked the third time the project has come before the committee and been postponed because of water drainage problems.

Oakmont is being built in phases. Residents of phase two have expressed concerns about the additional water run-off created by the possible development of phase three.

Jim Norris, the city's assistant safety service director, offered three options for solving the drainage problems, two of which were presented at the Oct. 12 committee meeting.

The owner of the property, Brent Hayes of J.B. Hayes Excavating and Pipeline of Athens, could build a pipeline between phases two and three.

The second option would be a build a swale, or grassy ditch, between the two properties.

The third option, which Tim Lynn, of Lynn Engineering based in Zanesville, presented a different approach: a combination of a trench and swale.

The trench would run along the back of the phase two and phase three lots and would be lined with stone to prevent erosion.

If installed, two check dams within the channel will filter the water and slow its speed. Another dam, located outside the trench, will help drainage problems on the properties.

"This is a fairly simplistic solution, relatively inexpensive with low maintenance and will blend in to make the lots more attractive for potential owners," Lynn said.

Resident Christine Knisely voiced other concerns through a letter signed by other residents.

The letter addressed the need for a traffic impact study and useable green space or recreational areas.

The study would concentrate on the overall effect the development would have on pedestrian, traffic and emergency vehicles.

"I think a comprehensive plan is essential," she said.

Resident Ken Hicks said he doesn't want the city to look back on yesterday's meeting as a missed opportunity to protect children from increased traffic.

Because people often speed through the area, Hicks said he is surprised children who play in the street haven't been struck by a vehicle.

A park would provide an area for children to play so that they wouldn't have to play in the streets, he said.

"The green space currently given to us is useless," Hicks said.

"It would be wonderful if the city would look at this issue to make a better community," he said.

Resident Robert Dakin said without an access route to U.S. State Route 33 there should be no further development of Oakmont.

"I would have been delighted if phase two had never been developed," he said.

Hayes said he is confused by the delays and doesn't know what else he can do to move the project forward.

"We aren't in Kansas; we're in Athens, Ohio," he said. "Everything is either on a hill or in a flood plain."

In other news, council adopted an ordinance placing car videos into two Athens Police Department cruisers.

These cameras will resolve any questions concerning an officer's conduct, ensure public and officer safety and assist in court cases, said Athens Mayor Ric Abel.