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Drainage board adopts Research Village Phase 3 as regulated drain No. 503 with $45-per-lot annual assessment
Summary
The Tippecanoe County Drainage Board accepted Research Village Phase 3 as regulated drain No. 503, establishing a maintenance fund and an annual assessment of $45 per lot; the board adopted findings and conditions from prior construction approval.
The Tippecanoe County Drainage Board adopted Resolution No. 2025-04-DB on Oct. 8, designating Research Village Phase 3 as Tippecanoe County regulated drain No. 503 and establishing a maintenance fund with an annual assessment rate of $45 per lot.
During the item, County Surveyor Doug (name not otherwise specified) summarized the location as north of County Road Cal Bur (on Yeager Road), describing the work as covering the single-family residential portion of the larger development. The board’s county attorney read the resolution’s findings into the record and cited Indiana Code provisions that authorize the board’s action. The attorney read that petitioner BC West Lafayette Land Holdings, through director Steven Franks, submitted a petition requesting acceptance of a private or mutual drain as a regulated drain and establishment of a maintenance rate.
The attorney read statutory and local findings, including that the drainage board granted construction approval on July 9, 2025, that the developer must file a three-year maintenance bond or other acceptable guarantee, and that the surveyor’s maintenance report estimated the drain will consist of 31 manholes/inlets and various sizes of storm sewer pipe. The transcript includes the attorney’s reading that “the estimated annual cost of maintenance is $4,500” and that “each lot should be assessed at the rate of $45 per lot per year” with collection to begin in the first calendar year following the three-year post-bond period.
Board member Zach moved to approve Resolution No. 2025-04-DB; the motion was seconded and adopted by voice vote. The resolution as adopted accepts the drain subject to the conditions in the July 9, 2025 construction approval and establishes the maintenance fund and assessment schedule described in the resolution.
During discussion before the motion, board members asked whether future nearby development would be consolidated into regulated drains or handled individually; the county surveyor explained the board’s historical approach: regulated drains are typically used for single-family residential areas that will have multiple private lot owners, while commercial properties that remain under single ownership have generally not pursued county regulated drains and instead maintain drainage infrastructure privately. The surveyor said developers have been “very well aware” of that approach and that other nearby developments (including Timberbrook north on 600 North) have been pursuing regulated drain status and creating maintenance funds.
The resolution and the attorney’s reading referenced Indiana Code sections authorizing regulated drains (IC 36-9-27-18) and settings for assessments (IC 36-9-27-43). The transcript does not record a roll-call vote or individual vote tallies; the record shows the motion was adopted by voice vote.
