Chesterton Tribune

 

 

Porter planners discuss Summer Tree pond problems in lieu of duplexes

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By JEFF SCHULTZ

The Porter Plan Commission was ready to hear plans for new duplexes and multiplexes at Summer Tree subdivision, but no one showed up to tell them.

Instead, the Commission burned up a half an hour addressing an issue with a few Summer Tree residents sitting in the audience regarding an overflowing retention area immediately southwest of the subdivision.

Planner and Porter Public Works Director Brenda Brueckheimer said the pond’s overflow from the rain these past few days is flooding onto neighbors’ properties to the south , which it hadn’t done when a pump was there to get the water to the nearby existing manhole.

Brueckhemier inquired as to what happened to the pump and if one could be put there again to keep the water level from causing property damage.

She said the pond needs extensive work done such as dredging, trees removed, and pipes put in.

“The outlet is completely blocked,” said Brueckheimer. “Water is draining over the hill in the back corner.”

One of the audience members Jack Garzella, who is a former chair of the Summer Tree property owner’s association, said the pond was drained about a month ago and a baffle was found in one pipe. He agreed that work is needed but doesn’t think the association has enough funds on hand to cover it all, but members will work with the town in the effort to get the issues corrected, starting with the pump.

For his part, Garzella said he was unaware that there was a problem with the pond until recently, while Breuckheimer contended neighbors have talked to her about issues for the past five years or so.

Garzella said he would like to work toward a long-term solution and not just a temporary fix. He suggested that maybe the new developments being proposed could help share in the maintenance. “It’s a big expense to us,” he said.

Town Planner Jim Mandon said he would like to see original design for the pond 20 years ago to see how it had been approved and determine what kind of piping was used. Brueckheimer said she would like to know if the pipe is standpipe.

Garzella said he would check with the contractor right away about getting the pump back and would be in contact with Brueckheimer.

Development tabled

By unanimous vote, the Commission agreed to table the discussion with Fox Chase Development Group which proposed replatting and subdividing lots 1-4 in Summer Tree.

The Group had spoken to the Town’s Technical Advisory Committee in late June with plans to build duplex homes and add a three-unit house on Lot 25.

 

 

Posted 8/24/2015

 
 
 
 

 

 

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