PORTAGE | Residents to the east of the proposed Midland Estates subdivision remain skeptical that the development won't cause flooding in their area.

"Fix the problem and build all you want, but they can't prove it to us they fixed the problem," said Les Doepping Sr., of 2206 Stormy St.

John Hannon, of Great Lakes Engineering, representing developer Jim Kopp, presented revised plans for the subdivision proposed at the northeast corner of Portage Avenue and Crisman Road.

Hannon said there have been several revisions to the plans. The subdivision has been downsized from 20 to 14 lots. A natural drainage area on the north side will remain. A swale will direct water to the depression area and will be within a 100-foot tree preservation area that can't be disturbed by residents.

The subdivision proposal came before the Plan Commission for a sketch plan review Monday. There was no public hearing and no vote. Hannon was looking for a consensus on the new proposal, but he got few comments from commission members.

Member Liz Modesto said, while she liked the new proposal, she would be "very reluctant" to approve it or any further development in the city in flooding or drainage problem areas.

Director of Public Works Craig Hendrix, a commission member, said some of the issues, such as not building close to the railroad tracks and maintaining the drainage detention plan, had been resolved.

Residents, who have attended several meetings on the issue said, however, they weren't satisfied.

Tom and Kathy Hewitt, of 2222 Stormy St., said they are still pumping water from their crawl space after the mid-September deluge. Their neighborhood is lower in elevation than the proposed subdivision and they, along with other neighbors, are concerned water from the new development will drain to their lower lying area and cause more flooding.

If the developer moves forward with the plans, the proposal is likely to face a public hearing at either the commission's November or December meeting.