Parkland commission approves Pine Tree Estates road repair plan after decades of dispute

The City of Parkland commission voted unanimously on Aug. 13 to move forward with Pine Tree Estates roadway improvements, authorizing staff to negotiate a construction contract with Asphalt Paving Systems Inc. The city plans to contribute $2 million toward repairs; remaining costs will be assessed to Pine Tree residents.

The action follows a multi-year dispute over maintenance responsibility for the neighborhood’s roads, litigation and a negotiated class-action settlement that resolved who is obligated to maintain and repair the streets. City staff recommended a change in construction method to full-depth reclamation, reducing estimated construction costs from an estimated $23.7 million for full reconstruction to about $6.4 million.

City Manager Nancy Mirando told the commission the problem dates back decades and that the city and residents reached a legal settlement that requires the city to handle future maintenance. Richard (city engineer) summarized the procurement: staff issued an RFP, received three proposals and the evaluation committee — which included a Pine Tree resident representative, Marjorie Galant — unanimously recommended Asphalt Paving Systems as the top-ranked proposer.

Marjorie Galant, who served on the selection committee and helped organize neighborhood outreach, thanked city staff and residents and said, “We were amazed at how quickly [the contractor] proposed to do the job. It’s just a wonderful outcome.” She told commissioners that when she and neighbors began researching the issue they discovered a 1976 city resolution that declared the roads public, which became part of the factual record that led to settlement and the city contribution.

Staff said the estimated construction cost using full-depth reclamation is $6.4 million (this does not include assessment-related attorney or bank fees), producing an estimated savings of roughly $17.3 million compared with the original full-reconstruction estimate. If the commission approves a final contract at a later meeting, staff will return with a clearer estimate of the assessment that will be levied to the Pine Tree property owners, and with contract terms for final approval.

Commissioners praised staff for cost-saving work that reduced the project price and framed the decision as problem solving after a long history of dispute. A motion to award the contract negotiation to Asphalt Paving Systems Inc. was made by Commissioner Canterman, seconded by Commissioner Breyer; the roll call vote was unanimous.

The city said it expects to bring the negotiated contract back to the commission at a future meeting and then prepare a detailed estimate of the assessment for affected residents. The contractor’s proposed start date was discussed as possibly in October, subject to final contract execution and permitting.

Marjorie Galant and multiple commissioners emphasized that the community — not litigation — is the chief beneficiary: “Now the only tears they’ll cry are tears of joy,” one commissioner said, reflecting residents’ relief at a long-awaited solution.

The commission’s vote authorizes staff to finalize terms and return to the commission for contract approval and assessment details; no construction contract was executed on Aug. 13.