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Residents say chronic flooding in annexed Plainfield-area streets requires six-figure stormwater fixes, city staff says
Summary
Residents told the Joliet City Council that repeated basement flooding in an annexed area has persisted for years. City staff said the problem stems from historic township-style development and will likely require an extensive, costly stormwater project; staff promised a written cost estimate and follow-up to council.
Several residents told the Joliet City Council on Oct. 5 that chronic street and basement flooding in an area annexed from Plainfield has persisted for years and is causing repeated damage to homes. Anna Sanchez, who lives at 1403 Newson Avenue, said her basement flooded repeatedly despite adding a sump pump and making property improvements. “The sump pump did not…it was running every 40 seconds,” Sanchez said, describing one storm that left a foot to a foot-and-a-half of water in her basement. City staff described the drainage problem as complex and expensive to fix. Greg (city staff) told the council the neighborhood was developed as a township subdivision with low, flat topography and an elevated bike path on an old rail line that impedes drainage. “There’s an extensive pipe network that would have to be installed…It’s a very flat, low lying area,” Greg said, estimating a remedy would likely run into six figures and not be a simple pipe installation. Council members asked for follow-up and an action plan. Greg said staff is preparing an updated cost estimate to share with Councilwoman Suzanne Ibarra and other council members. “I will update that cost estimate and get it out to all the council members,” he said. Other residents urged more visible maintenance and code enforcement in annexed neighborhoods. Michael Vasinski, a former Plainfield-area resident, showed photos of standing water and urged the council to invest in upkeep, weed control and code enforcement to prevent neighborhood decline. Discussion at the meeting distinguished between immediate assistance and long-term infrastructure fixes. Officials acknowledged repeated staff contacts with residents and said a structural, city-led stormwater project would be required to fully resolve the problem. No ordinance or capital appropriation was adopted during the Oct. 5 meeting; staff committed to provide a written cost estimate and next steps to council for consideration.
