Sylvania council to address flooding
5/21/2013Sylvania City Council will address citizens’ concerns regarding flooding and the area's storm water drainage system before approving a proposed residential development at 5930 Heidaway Lane.
At a 6:30 p.m. public hearing Monday on the development of 2.98 acres of land on Heidaway Lane, Sylvania resident Tom Ottney held up a photo of the water that lingered on his street for three days in 2006.
It was caused by an intense rainfall that happened in a matter of minutes. Although the powerful storm is rare he asked council members what happens if inches of rain pour down on his home, located on Quarry's Edge Lane, in a matter of minutes again. The parcel of land where the development is planned is set behind Rite Aid located on Centennial Road. His neighborhood is just north of it.
In April the Planning Commission unanimously approved the planned development of 18 villa-style homes just across the street from a current neighborhood comprised of ranch houses. If constructed the property would share nearby Schreiber Creek with Mr. Ottney’s neighborhood and the current resident’s on Heidaway Lane which is located off of Sylvania-Metamora Road.
Although he was in favor of the residential project developed by the family company Millstream Development in Sylvania, he wanted reassurance that a proper drainage system was included in the design plans for the 9 duplex ranch units to be constructed.
City Service Director Kevin Aller said that the site development plans include three drainage swales with a combined capacity of 75,000 gallons of water, and that the developers have met city requirements. In addition grates are in place to control the overflow of water to Scheiber Creek at a slowed rate to prevent flooding, Mr. Aller said. He said the city will also double check the specifications of the land grates, to ensure the proper drainage flow.
“If we exceed the storm levels, will the homeowners need to buy flood insurance, and does the (Quarry's Edge) condo association need it as well to protect the outside of the home,” Mr. Ottney asked.
Councilman Mike Brown, who lives near Schreiber Creek responded that because of the storm of 2006 there were major repairs done to Schreiber Creek and the retention ponds in Centennial Park to help with the flow of water downstream three years ago and that there have not been problems since in controlling the water.
Mayor Craig Stough, who sat in the audience during the public hearing, listened to another resident question who was responsible for cleaning the debris in Schreiber Creek.
At the council meeting that followed the public hearing, Mayor Stough requested that the water drainage plans for the site be reviewed.
“The concern about the cleaning the ditches, and overflowing, I want this to be part of the resolution when you pass it,” Mayor Stough said to council members.
Council voted unanimously to have the maintenance department and Mr. Aller address the concerns before the development is voted on June 3.
Before residents spoke, Ryan Wamsher part owner of Millstream Development and one of the investors of Port Lawrence Title and Trust of Toledo which owns the property of the proposed development, said each unit will contain two to three bedrooms.
Mr. Wamsher said the homes will priced at about $150,000, and will be marketed as starter homes or for empty nesters.
Although he said a builder has not been chosen, his family’s development company will handle the infrastructure upgrades to the property including street construction and installing water and gas lines.
He said they want to begin the project as soon as possible, and anticipate the homes will be ready to be moved into by September.
Contact Natalie Trusso Cafarello at: 419-206-0356 or ntrusso@theblade.com.