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| This $330k property's drain assessment was $20k. The GIS Hydrology viewer lists the "area" as about 6000 square-feet. |
The property owners on the east side of Delta Township are losing their minds over the size of the assessment to upgrade the water drain that serves their area.
The assessment is (supposedly) based on the square-feet of "impermeable" surface on their property. That is, the square-feet of roof + square-feet of pavement + square-feet of swimming pool and other improvements.
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| Example of how the drain zigs-and-zags. |
The drain runs about 2 miles from south-to-north (direction of water flow) but it swerves and snakes so its linear length is significantly longer. It was built and added onto as subdivisions were added and the area developed. Consequently, the oldest and now most congested areas are served with 14" and 16" drains (circa 1900-ish) while newer areas farther from the river are served with 48" drains. Needless to say, the drain backs up when there is a heavy rain.
The cost of the project and the associated assessments were announced about two months ago. The cost is about $60 million which is exacerbated by the fact that most of those drains are now beneath paved roads.
The 1900 property owners who are being charged for the work are outraged. There is no appeal process for the assessments. The process for calculating impermeable surface is opaque and seems to have been done with a ouija board.
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| 15 acres, almost entirely paved. Listed as 110k square-feet in the GIS Hydrology viewer. My 10 acres with 4000 square-feet of buildings and 1000 square-feet of gravel driveway is listed as having 70k square-feet. |
Once again, I am happy that I don't live in the city.
Property owners in very liberal voting Delta Township are outraged when told to "pay their fair share". It has even generated disputes about who should pay for the square-footage of the sidewalks. The property owners? They didn't install them. The county? While they "own" some of the roads they didn't install the sidewalks. Delta Township? Most of the sidewalks were installed by Delta Township but they don't have budget to pay the assessment. On the other hand, why should residents of Bellevue Township pay for sidewalks in Delta Township which is what would happen if the assessment was assigned to the county?
While it may seem to be petty, the square-footage of the sidewalks adds up to a substantial amount of square-feet of impermeable surface. And if you live on a corner lot, could almost double your assessment.
There's something similar taking place in my little burgh with the sewer lines. Residents in-town are being assessed fee's in order to upgrade them. Corner lots are getting hammered as some have 2-connections to the sewer (one on main street, one on the side street). None of the property owners feel it is their responsibility to pay for it in taxes/property assessments. Residents outside the city limits feel the same but with a stronger case (mostly rural, septic).
ReplyDeleteI think it's a sign of the times. The stuff installed a century ago was only designed to last 100 years. Here we are! The problem (as I see it) is the can's been kicked by every generation previous, but it can't be kicked any longer (leaky pipes don't carry water). The piper will be paid.