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Dennis Phelan of Thompson-Phelan Group Inc./Barber-McCalpin Associates was on hand to explain his firm's plans for the site and the implications for the community.

The city Planning Commission reviewed the site plans at its Aug. 16 meeting and accepted them with a few conditions. Those changes will need to be made on the plans and approved by the city engineer, Davis Land Surveying, before construction can begin.

City Council did not simply accept the planning commission's recommendation for approval, however.

Phelan told council he was at the meeting to obtain a building permit for the project and to, "push this forward, hopefully."

Drainage issues have been a concern with the project, and once again were discussed. Phelan blamed some of the drainage and flooding problems on the city's aging infrastructure, including a 12-inch rainwater culvert existing where a 14-inch or larger pipe is needed. Phelan explained the reason drainage solutions were not included in previous versions of the site plans was the poor state of the infrastructure.

Possible solutions include constructing a retention pond, berm, and swale to handle excess water and direct it away from neighboring homes.

"It seems to be a win for everyone," Phelan said of the project and its related drainage system.

Council Member Mike Lents did not agree, and stated that the issue of traffic, "needs to be addressed before any approval is given." Cars "stacking up" in the roadway while leaving the bank or exiting through neighboring business' parking lots were concerns expressed by Lents. The bank supplying funds to install a turn lane or do a traffic study of the area were also suggested by Lents.

"I think we're at a stalemate," Lents said of the situation.

"We've bent over backwards," Phelan told council of the bank's cooperation with the city's requirements.

Phelan will return at the next council meeting on Sept. 24 to try again to obtain a building permit for the project. The city engineer should be able to review the site plan and any changes by that time.

In other business:

*A resolution to abandon the city's rights to the alleyway by Carman Funeral Home was tabled after much discussion.

*County named City Manager Clint Holmes as street administrator.

*Brown City has received 194 income surveys back from residents. At least 250 are needed in order to apply for state funding.

*The necessary easements have been obtained by the city to install storm water catch basins near the BP gas station. Construction of the project should begin this week.