Original Communication
Norfolk Development originally proposed a site condominium development of 37 homes situated on ½ acre to 1 acre lots on the Doolittle property adjacent to Loch Alpine. That property is 37 acres in size and straddles the Scio/Webster border.
These homes were to be served by individual wells and septic systems.
The only access to these the development was to be from Joy Road.
Norfolk did make informal inquiries with LASA and the LAIA about the possibility of hooking into to Loch Alpine’s water/sewer system, and establishing road connections at Rondo Ct. and/or Climbing Way. LASA informed Norfolk that it might not have the sewer capacity to add such a large number of homes and that a study would have to be done to determine whether the capacity existed. This study would have to be funded by the developer, and if our system required expansion, the developer would have to pay for that expansion. Norfolk was, and is not interested in pursuing a potentially expensive study and/or expansion.
Norfolk also made informal inquiries of the LAIA Board about establishing road connections to Loch Alpine at Rondo Ct. and/or Climbing Way. Allowing access to Loch Alpine’s roads would increase traffic, wear and tear, and liability while reducing safety. Connections at Rondo Ct. or Climbing Way would both involve sightline problems such as curves, hills, vegetation, etc. Connections would also require a revision of the Master Agreement, something that takes 75% of residents to accomplish. Given these circumstances, and the fact that Norfolk was certainly not offering to pay for these connections, the LAIA Board informed Norfolk that such connections were unlikely.
During or just before the initial presentation of these plans to the Scio Township Planning Commission, it was discovered that the developer could only use ½ acre lots in Scio if water and sewer were provided. Since Norfolk was not proposing to do this, the minimum lot size would be 1 acre. Therefore, Norfolk’s revised plan now calls for 26 homes to be built on the entire property.
Current plans also call for several “dry detention” basins to capture storm water runoff and slow its release into Loch Alpine.
The plans presented by Norfolk raise several significant red flags. The proposed development threatens Loch Alpine’s water source. It introduces a large number of septic fields into an area that may recharge the aquifer for Loch Alpine’s wells. Engineering studies have come to conflicting conclusions as to whether the clay layer below these fields is sufficient to prevent contamination of the underlying aquifer. Norfolk contends that the layer is sufficient, and that its septic fields are 200’ from our wells as the law requires. However, drainage from the property flows into Loch Alpine immediately adjacent to two of our wells. Therefore, surface contamination from septic fields, road, and lawn chemicals may percolate into our wells as these contaminants flow almost directly over our wells.
The proposed development also threatens our lakes. Storm water from both Granite Hills and the Preserves will flow into Boyden Creek and into our lakes. Both developments incorporate dry detention ponds. If these are appropriately sized they may control flow rates at best. They are not designed to eliminate contaminants from the water that flows into Loch Alpine. Salts, lawn chemicals, etc can still flow into the lakes we have spent so much to maintain.
Norfolk went before the Webster Planning Commission last week. Representatives of LASA and Loch Alpine presented their concerns. Norfolk was neither granted nor denied preliminary site plan approval. Rather, they were directed to ask LASA directly if they could hook up to our water and sewer system. Furthermore, they were directed to submit site plans to the Washtenaw County Drain Commissioner for review. The Commissioner’s recommendations are not binding on the Planning Commission, but the Planning Commission considers them carefully.