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MSD seeks easement appropriation for Camargo Canyon pump-station fix; Kenwood Hills sewer project may get $4 million grant
Summary
MSD asked the Hamilton County commission to authorize appropriation proceedings for a permanent easement needed to remove the Camargo Canyon pump station and to install about 900 feet of gravity sewer; MSD also reported a potential $4 million regionalization grant and 0% loan for the Kenwood Hills sewer project and asked the commission to set a follow-up public hearing.
Representatives of the Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) asked the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners to authorize steps to appropriate a permanent easement from the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company to permit a project that would eliminate the Camargo Canyon pump station and install roughly 900 feet of new gravity sewer.
Camargo Canyon pump station: MSD said the pump station, built in 1990, is operating at full capacity, which limits sewer availability and development for nearby unsewered residents and has generated complaints about noise and odors. MSD told commissioners it had been unable to negotiate the purchase of a permanent easement from the railroad and that it is common for the railroad to withhold settlement until appropriation proceedings are initiated. No construction funding was requested at this time; MSD said it would return to the commission for construction funding after appropriation proceedings conclude.
Kenwood Hills update: MSD also updated the commission on the Kenwood Hills local sewer project (City of Madeira). MSD said the project may be eligible for a regionalization grant of about $4,000,000 and a 0% interest loan for remaining costs. MSD and county staff said that, because the grant award timeline requires action in the coming weeks, the commission should schedule another public hearing in the community before the end of January to accept updated public comment and to close the hearing process. Commissioners noted the prior hearing had been closely split in property-owner responses (a polling cited in the meeting showed 81 in favor and 79 opposed out of about 160 properties), and they said the grant could substantially reduce property-owner costs and perhaps change the community response.
Why it matters: The Camargo Canyon appropriation would remove a constrained pump station, potentially increasing sewer capacity and reducing neighborhood impacts; the Kenwood Hills grant opportunity could materially lower costs to residents for sewer connection.
Formal action: The commission approved the MSD item authorizing steps to appropriate the easement for the Camargo project (no construction funding was requested at the time). Separately, MSD and county staff will coordinate a new public hearing for the Kenwood Hills project and continue to pursue the grant and loan options.
Ending: MSD said it will return to the commission with appropriation conclusions (Camargo) and with final funding requests if the Kenwood Hills grant is confirmed. Commissioners asked for outreach to Madeira officials about the Kenwood update; MSD reported county staff had contacted Madeira’s assistant administrator to share the draft grant news.
