New owners of a home on North Shore will be able to pave the shoulder in front of their property despite some worry by village officials of possible future drainage problems.
Lake Orion Village Council members agreed on Dec. 13 to grant permission to Robert and Colette Judge to cover a village right-of-way.
The couple said the parking area is often muddy/dirty and they have problems keeping their yard and house clean. They believe their parking area negatively effects the look of their property.
LO Village Manager JoAnn Van Tassel reminded the council it had OK’d a similar request last year by a homeowner on Shadbolt.
‘There is a difference,? councilman Tom Albert said. ‘The Yamasakis used pavers.?
Albert contends water is still able to seep into the ground with pavers. Concrete isn’t porous and water wouldn’t be able to absorb into the ground.
The village has had drainage problems on North Shore, especially after the street was resurfaced a few years ago.
‘We’re gun-shy. It seems like when we do fix things, there are other problems and we’ve had to fix them,? Albert said.
Councilman Harry Stephen was also concerned about drainage because the Judges live on a hill. He suggested they be required to install some type of drainage system such as a leech basin and/or have the concrete tip back to their property.
According to Robert, gravelly mud is currently going down the street from his house and that would be eliminated when he paves the area.
Village attorney Gary Dovre suggested the Judges submit a plan to the village showing what he plans to do.
‘We don’t have the expertise to look at a drawing,? councilman Bob Hollenbeck said.
Van Tassel suggested the plan could be referred to village engineers.
‘We don’t want to make homeowners? improvements cost prohibitive,? Hollenbeck said.
Robert estimated his paving project will cost him about $1,000.
He said he understands if there are any problems with drainage he would have to take care of them.
Dovre said he would fine tune the agreement that was made with the Yamasakis to include drainage issues.
Van Tassel told Robert there is a type of porous pavement on the market he might want to look into.