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3.4 -C- Does the storm water from this area flow to Upper Mallets Creek through the Churchill / Morehead neighborhoods?

Posted by Lori Byron on 22 Dec, 2013
Category: Category 3 - other City projects

Frank Burdick’s Log Number: 64
Submitted by: Burdick log
Category (1,2,3): 3
Status: Closed
Estimated date to address: N/A

Q. Extensive site development is currently being performed in Pittsfield Township on Oak Valley Drive, near the Pittsfield Branch Library / Target.  Does the storm water from this area flow to Upper Mallets Creek through the Churchill / Morehead neighborhoods? If so, what enforcement mechanisms are in place to prevent the same clogged and failed detention ponds that occurred at the A2 Ice Cube facility in April of 2013? 

Comments

Lori Byron on 8 Jan, 2014:

Developments in that area are outside the City boundaries and are under the enforcement responsibilities of Pittsfield Township.

Michelle Lovasz on 22 Jan, 2014:

I think it's a pertinent question.  If my tree branch grows over into a neighbor's yard, I require their permission to remove it.  Property lines extend up into the air and down below the ground.  If what Pittsfield Township does or does not do regarding water runoff UNDERGROUND impacting what is in Ann Arbor's surface boundaries, shouldn't this be considered?

Lori Byron on 23 Jan, 2014:

FROM HARRY SHEEHAN, Environmental Manager, Washtenaw County Water Resources:

The smart map on the uppermallettsstudy.org web site defines the watershed: http://207.10.206.43/uppermalletts/smartmap/
 
Any ponds built in that area are the responsibility of the owner and, if not maintained, the jurisdictional entity. If it discharges directly to Malletts Creek, it would generally be our jurisdiction. Otherwise, it would be the Township’s.
 
As a for instance, the Target pond is currently not functioning. Pittsfield Twp’s engineer is working with the landowner to make the repair. Despite recent failures at Ice Cube and Target, the failure rate is pretty low.
 
Currently we have a grant pending to develop a geo-based asset management system that would allow us to more proactively monitor major facilities that affect the system, whether we have jurisdiction or not.

Michelle Lovasz on 23 Jan, 2014:

Thanks Lori. Direct discharge and watershedding are not the same thing.
Out of CAC’s area of concern, however, I would like to give it just a
little nod here, as the City considers water issues.