Costs for installing a 15 inch storm drain on Park Island Road will be split between a developer and the Village of Lake Orion.
A few weeks ago, some councilmen had been reluctant to spend up to $15,000 on the project and thought the size of the pipe was too big, but voted on Nov. 8 to do the project.
LO Village Manager JoAnn Van Tassel had recommended the money be spent by the village because neighbors in that area had complained about drainage problems
Hubbell, Roth and Clark’s Tom Biehl told council members on that Monday that his engineering firm had recommended the 15 inch pipe be installed.
‘It’s properly sized by today’s standards,? he said. Biehl indicated the current six inch pipe isn’t adequate.
The biggest problem, according to Biehl, is the drain pipe only has two feet of cover and has frozen, creating drainage difficulties.
The village’s board of zoning appeals had recommended the village share in the cost with Symphony Homes. The developer is building condominiums at 65 Park Island.
When the council last discussed sharing in the cost, the village’s Downtown Development Authority had agreed to pick up the cost because the property was in the DDA district.
LO Village Manager JoAnn Van Tassel informed council members on Nov. 8 that after investigating it was discovered the property wasn’t in the DDA. If the village wanted to participate in upgrading the drainage on Park Island, monies would have to come out of the village’s General Fund.
According to Biehl, 90 percent of the water that will be running into the drain will be coming from the road, not the development.
Symphony Homes already has approval for building a water detention area on the site and doesn’t have to install the new larger pipe.
‘He’s trying to improve the area. If you don’t do this, you’ll be looking at paying for a solution (in the future) by yourself,? Van Tassel warned council members.
‘This will be a cheap win/win situation,? councilman Bob Hollenbeck said. ‘We’ve been talking about upgrading other areas like Hauxwell.?
Councilman Harry Stephen pointed out to Hollenbeck that financing for these other drain improvements was to be supported by residents (SADs) rather than by the village’s general fund.
‘We’re behind the eight ball; we’re going to have to do this, but this isn’t a general fund thing. Administration should have been more aggressive (in getting the developer to pay for the new drainage),? councilman Douglas Dendel said.
Council president Bill Siver reminded the council that the planning commission knew all about the drain proposal and didn’t make any recommendations that Symphony Homes pay for the new drainage.