Applicants propose 28–29 stormwater structures; conservation groups press for stewardship agreements

The applicant’s civil engineer told the board the tentative plan includes roughly 28–29 stormwater-management structures dispersed across the site, most underground and some surface basins. The stated goal is to mitigate runoff rates, reduce total volume leaving the site and meet or exceed existing water-quality conditions in the Pickering Creek headwaters.

"Stormwater will be collected in catch basins. They'll be routed to the treatment facility, whether it be underground or above ground," Stratton testified, adding that the conceptual design will be detailed during final plan and conservation-district review. He said above-ground basins cannot be counted as open space acreage and that some surface basins are proposed near the natatorium parking area.

Bill Gladden of the French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust asked for early commitment to plant establishment and a conservation-area maintenance agreement with performance standards and stewardship funding before conveying responsibilities to an HOA. The applicant agreed to work with conservation partners, to delineate easement boundaries and to pursue a stewardship fund and maintenance agreement to ensure long-term habitat performance.

Township staff also recommended design reserve capacity for stormwater facilities (Dan Daley suggested designing principal facilities with an additional 20% capacity to account for sediment accumulation and maintenance over the facility life). The project team said it will evaluate whether additional reserve can be incorporated while complying with township ordinances.