Newcastle — The City Council on Nov. 10 approved the preliminary plat and PUD for Lamar’s Landing and granted a variance for sections of storm sewer that engineers proposed to be corrugated HDPE (ADS N-12) encased in flowable fill rather than larger reinforced‑concrete pipe.

Janae Greenlee of the planning department presented the PUD (R2025‑012), a roughly 48.6‑acre development adjacent to State Highway 9 and South Harvey Street that envisions a mix of commercial parcels, a hotel/office corridor and a heavy industrial block. Staff said the plan conforms to the future land‑use designation and that planning commission recommended approval 4–0.

Small Arrow Engineering’s John Volte explained the drainage constraints: flat grades, shallow groundwater and a wetland the developer will preserve for detention. He said that in low‑grade reaches the HDPE pipe offers better hydraulic characteristics for the available size and that encasing it in flowable fill would prevent buoyancy and provide the needed cover without substantially increasing pipe diameter.

Council members expressed concern about long‑term maintenance and whether plastic pipe under roadways would meet city standards. The developer agreed to add a condition requiring a minimum of one foot of cover above the encased pipe (in addition to flowable fill around the pipe) and to coordinate final designs with the city’s consulting engineer (WSB). Staff also noted a five‑year maintenance bond requirement for paving and drainage that will protect the city after dedication.

The motion to approve the variance as amended — HDPE with flowable fill and one foot of cover, with final design coordination and standard maintenance bond — passed on roll‑call vote. The council and applicant agreed the final design details will be vetted at the final‑plat stage.

Next steps: Applicant will return with final improvement plans for engineer review and the city will require the maintenance bond and final coordination before accepting public improvements.