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Sherwood board approves Stommel Road reconstruction amid neighbor pushback over trail
Summary
Trustees awarded reconstruction contracts for Pigeon and Stommel roads and approved a Forest Lane drainage project while residents pressed to move an off‑street trail from the east to the west side of Stommel Road; the town and several property owners debated right‑of‑way and safety for adjacent homes.
The Village of Sherwood approved multi‑phase street reconstruction and drainage projects in 2006 while grappling with sustained public opposition to the location of a planned off‑street trail on Stommel Road.
The board awarded multiple contracts for the work and approved periodic payments to contractors. Jennifer Schaff, the village engineer, told the board that poor soil conditions required additional excavation and aggregate fill on Stommel Road to avoid premature failure, raising project costs and prompting change orders. The board approved Change Order #2 for the Pigeon and Stommel Road project to address unforeseen base conditions and proceeded with final grading and paving schedules.
Why it mattered: The reconstruction includes concrete curb and gutter, storm sewer and utility work intended to improve drainage and long‑term roadway performance. Many residents objected that urbanizing the road and placing a trail directly adjacent to some homes would harm the rural character, reduce setbacks and pose safety concerns for properties set close to the right‑of‑way.
Opposition and board response: At multiple meetings, nearby homeowners including Robert Miller and others pressed that their homes sit too close to the east‑side alignment and asked the board to locate the trail in the Town of Harrison right‑of‑way on the road’s west side. Trustee David Petrie moved to relocate the trail to the west side contingent on property owner and Town of Harrison approvals; trustees later voted to pursue that alignment when feasible and to seek town approval. The coordinator, Josh Van Lieshout, reported the contractor had already been directed to grade the east trail as originally planned after the town initially denied a request to use its right‑of‑way.
Project timing and disruptions: Schaff and Van Lieshout said crews worked through adverse weather and sometimes needed full closures to trench and install culverts. Paving of Pigeon and Stommel Roads and trail grading were scheduled for summer 2006; restoration work and punch lists were to follow. The board acknowledged unhappy residents but emphasized the necessity of the repairs after engineers identified subgrade instability.
What’s next: The village committed to provide construction schedules to affected property owners and to explore the west‑side trail option where the town and adjacent landowners agree. The board also approved related special assessment procedures for Forest Lane drainage improvements, allowing payment in installments per the final assessment resolution.
