Township staff recommend buying nearly three acres on McCully Road for stormwater work

Township staff told council on Wednesday that two adjacent parcels on McCully Road, together just under three acres, would make an appropriate site for stormwater detention and streambank restoration tied to new MS4 requirements.

A staff presenter described a central open area on the property as suitable for a detention basin and said Gourdhead Run runs through the parcel, increasing its value for stormwater mitigation. The parcels have been on the market for about 18 months and staff said negotiation reduced the seller’s asking price to $125,000; an appraisal reportedly supports that price.

Staff noted the township’s engineer is preparing restoration sketches and cost estimates; the basin could store roughly 160,000 gallons of stormwater. Staff said restoration work would not occur this year but could begin next year or the following year after acquisition and design work are complete.

On budget, staff said there appears to be projected surplus capacity at year end that could cover the purchase but that, because the cost would be outside the adopted capital projects list, the council could amend the budget—allowed under the township’s home‑rule charter—if needed.

Council asked staff to supply restoration cost estimates and a project schedule at the next meeting. Staff recommended the purchase be placed on the next meeting agenda for a formal vote.

Next steps: staff to supply restoration cost estimates and an engineer sketch, confirm whether a budget amendment is required, and present a purchase agreement for council action.