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City of Ann Arbor SSWWEP - Citizens Advisory Committee Coordination — City of Ann Arbor

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2.62 -C- What about sump pumps devaluing homes?

Posted by Lori Byron on 21 Dec, 2013
Category: Category 2 - about potential recommendations

Frank Burdick’s Log Number: 8
Submitted by: Burdick log
Category (1,2,3): 2
Status: Closed
Estimated date to address: N/A 

Q. The City is requiring the installation of the sump pumps. These are ultimately reducing the home's value due to new inherent flooding. Why should the homeowners be required to pay for additional costs for back up systems, revised (more distant) locations within the basements, and repairs to finishes and landscaping not completed by the contractor? Why doesn’t the City cover all the related costs for the homeowner? 

A. The existence of a sump pump does not reduce a home's value. If there are damages caused by an FDD installation, we urge the resident to report any incidents to the City. The City is looking into the legality of supplying backup systems for homeowners who’ve experienced frequent power outages, etc. This must be reviewed because backup systems are not required by State Building Code. 

Comments

Lori Byron on 7 Nov, 2014:

Update (11/6/14)

As the City has considered the matter of providing backup pumps to past City FDD participants, the following concerns were identified:

1.     Recommendation requires all rate payers to pay for backup systems for FDD program participants, although backups are not required by Code.

2.     Property owners typically pay for backup systems when building a new home or installing a sump for other reasons.

3.     Differential treatment for different properties raises policy and community relations concerns.