Sugar Grove puts off action on Mallard Point flooding issues
Sugar Grove trustees Tuesday postponed starting a special taxing district to pay for maintenance of storm sewage drainage in Mallard Point.
They did so following resident after resident, speaking at a two-hour public hearing, criticized the village, saying it was premature to start the process without knowing the costs, or if the problem is just a stormwater problem.
More than 100 people packed the board room, prompting officials to move the hearing across Municipal Drive to a larger room at the Sugar Grove Fire Protection District.
Along with Mallard Point, residents of the Rolling Oaks subdivision, which would also be in the district, had received notices of the hearing that also included information about the maximum rate that could legally be charged: $1.50 per $100 of equalized assessed value. The letter said that on a $200,000 home, that would mean a maximum annual charge of $1,000 a year.
Many were outraged by that figure, saying they couldn't afford it.
Others questioned whether it is stormwater causing the flooding problems, given that their sump pumps are running 24 hours a day, seven days a week, whether there has been rain or not. They suggested that there might be underground springs running through the property.
Some residents asked why they are being asked to pay for maintenance of a private retention pond on a farm to the south of the subdivision, that is designated to handle water from the subdivision.
The pond was originally owned by one of Mallard Point's developers, but is now owned by Sugar Grove Police Chief Brad Sauer, who owns the farm.
Sauer is also president of the Rob Roy Drainage District, which oversees drainage throughout Sugar Grove and which is also investigating the flooding issues, along with Kane County officials.
And some residents criticized the village for not doing better inspections and fixing problems when the homes were built starting in the mid-1990s. They recalled seeing foundation holes fill up with water immediately after excavation. Engineers investigating the flooding issues have found some sewer overflows called for in construction plans are missing, and some drain pipes are too small. Residents also criticized village officials for allowing developers get by without forming a homeowners association, as was required in the original Mallard Point development agreement. In other subdivisions in town, HOAs are responsible for stormwater drainage, and charge residents an assessment for upkeep.
"But now when it comes to us, we have to have an SSA (special service area) when the village has consistently screwed up, and then you are asking us to trust you with the SSA funds?" said Blair Peters, a Brookhaven Circle resident, drawing applause and cheers.
There are also broken field tiles in farmland near it that affect the subdivisions' drainage, according to an engineering firm hired by the village, but the SSA would not deal with the field tiles. The Rob Roy Drainage District likely will come up with a plan for those, according to village officials, and could levy a separate tax for that work.
Trustee Kevin Geary, who lives in Mallard Point, moved to table the issue. Other trustees agreed, saying they wanted additional information. The matter will be considered again Nov. 17.