Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Eastland Crossing Water Main topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board allows preparatory site work for Eastland Crossing Phase 2 while city pursues easement and approvals
Summary
The Board of Works authorized a developer to begin moving dirt for Eastland Crossing Phase 2 on the condition that the city negotiate and, if needed, purchase an easement for a ~400‑ft water main; staff said any water-main construction remains contingent on IDEM and final approvals.
The Board of Works voted to allow preparatory site work for Eastland Crossing Phase 2 while the city pursues an easement and necessary approvals for a water main required by a prior Board agreement.
City staff and an engineering consultant described the background: a 2021 agreement with the prior developer requires that water main extensions for subsequent phases be installed along State Road 827 to the north property line. David Brown of DEA Brown Engineering told the board the first phase of the new development does not require the new water main for immediate service, but the prior agreement still obligates future phases. He explained tradeoffs between an 8-inch main (sufficient for the phase’s domestic and fire protection needs) and a 12-inch main that would support longer-term buildout; oversizing would impose an upcharge on the developer.
Brown and staff said the main challenge for the project is securing a roughly 400‑foot easement across private property so the line can be placed out of the state road right-of-way. Construction inside the state right-of-way would add coordination with NDOT and could increase construction costs; Brown estimated work in the road could run about 50% higher in cost compared with placing the line outside the right-of-way, though exact bids were not available. Staff also noted that IDEM approval and the city’s acceptance of the easement would be required before water-main construction could proceed.
The developer asked to begin grading and site work so the project would not be delayed while the easement negotiations and approvals proceed. The board approved a motion (the motion referenced "Mr. Sturry") to allow the developer to begin moving dirt, subject to an agreement that an easement would be sought or negotiated within 30 days and that an appraisal would be completed. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Board members directed staff (Amanda and the mayor’s designees) to negotiate terms, seek clarity on whether the mayor can be authorized to negotiate a dollar amount for an easement, and return with an update in roughly 30 days. Staff emphasized that any work on the water main itself will remain contingent on final approvals.
