Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
Purpose:
This petition was created to collect required signatures in support of moving forward with a Road Improvement/Replacement Project for the Homestead Subdivision.
The petition is required because the road replacement costs will be allocated via a Special Assessment District (SAD) tax levied by Van Buren Township to each benefited parcel/unit within the subdivision. Benefited means an advantage gained from the improvement that is greater than that shared by the general public, such as improved road conditions, increased property value, community aesthetics, etc.
A successful and valid petition requires that the owners of record in good financial standing relative to property taxes agree to share the cost of improvements. Benefited property owners signify their approval of the project by signing the petition form. A threshold of 60% (160 unit’s signatures) was recommended to ensure that the petition is given serious consideration in the next phase of the project. The Homestead subdivision has 267 units. The signer must be an owner of record on the warranty deed. Otherwise, the signature will be discarded by the Township.
Background:
A typical road rehabilitation project (mill and fill), with adequate drainage, has a useful service life of 10 years. With a diligent maintenance program, this service life can be extended several additional years. The roads within The Homestead subdivision are 15+ years old, and the community has patched the roads periodically since the initial construction. Moreover, the annual assessment of $360-$375 per unit does not cover the current minimal cost of $1.575M for road overhaul or replacement. The plan moving forward is to build the reserve fund to avoid special assessments. However, our current financial status coupled with the scope of work required to improve/replace the roads requires us to seek financing from the Township.
Assessment:
All benefited parcels within the sub-division boundary will be charged an equal portion on a per parcel basis of the actual total costs for the improvement.
These costs may include, without limitation, design, engineering, administration costs, professional services, and financing costs and interest.
Owners of properties within the sub-division boundary, who oppose the project, should the proposal pass, will also be assessed as their parcels will still be benefited by the improvement.
The cost will be taxed as a special assessment district resulting in an annual property tax increase between $1,130 - $1,709 plus 1%-3% interest over 5 years.
In a Special Assessment District, a charge is assessed against real property, and as such, is enforceable through a foreclosure process in the same manner as for non-payment of property taxes, and are prior and paramount to all liens except municipal tax liens. The tax will remain on the parcel until the debt has been paid in full. Once the project has been completed, the actual cost of the public improvement will be assessed to each benefited parcel and payable in the manner provided by the ordinance levying the special assessment roll.
Scope of Work:
- All roads, Sadie Lane, Anna Drive, Sophie Road, Maude Court, Rebecca Court, and Florence Lane
- Milling and repaving (with 1.5” hot mix asphalt overlay thickness) the 2 lane, 24 feet roadway
- Removing and replacing areas of broken curb and gutter
- Repairing the roadway full depth at areas of apparent roadway subgrade failure
- Removal of the asphalt pavement, aggregate base, and possible subgrade undercutting, subgrade stability verification, and new base in areas of severe alligator cracking and large pavement cracks
- Spot removal and replacement of curbs and gutters (may result in turf restoration and mailbox relocation as needed)
- Minor traffic control for work zone safety and traffic rerouting
- Design and Construction services
More like this
Homestead Road Project Follow Up Petition II
BFHA Road Project
Updates
April 13, 2021
The momentum for the Homestead Road Project is growing faster than I anticipated. It is clear that our community is ready for better roads.
Reached 100 supporters
April 13, 2021
25 Comments
I agree 100%. Our taxes were $5,000 in 2020. We simply cannot afford an extra $2000+ for the next x years.. i'm not sure if people realize this who have lived here for many many years. As much as we agree that the roads need to be fixed, it's not as simple as putting the burden on us. After this pandemic, this is the last thing on my mind right now.
The entire roads in the Homestead subdivision is deplorable and pose a safety risk for the entire community. A blown tire could end up in bad situation and not including costly damage repairs for tires and rims.
Yes please lets fix the roads....such a nice subdivision...but these crappy roads make it an undesirable place to buy...should have kept the 1m bond for the roads that was in place...anyway this is a must do project...
I agree on fixing the road but I hope they fix them right . So they will last and don’t after go threw this again before the five years is up .....
I had to repair my car from 2 potholes at my driveway entrance. I sent a letter and a copy of the $2200 I paid out of pocket for a damaged chassis. It was rude and discouraging to ignore my response. More care needs to be given to the residents and, at least reply. Our roads weren't bad when I moved here 19 years ago. The huge trucks hauling dirt and heavy equipment caused the deterioration. Those companies need to be held accountable as well. So will you lean on the residents wherever there's a problem? Where is the fairness in that? This seems like a form of covert bullying; however, of course i'm signing.
Please fix our roads!!!! Very damaging to our cars
This petition is very misleading. I thought I was logging in to vote “yay” or “nay” and next thing I know it stated that I signed the petition. Until I can figure out how to remove my vote I would like say here in this public forum that I AM NOT in favor of this petition and would like my vote removed. So however many signatures appear here, subtract one from the total count please and thank you!
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Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
Purpose:
This petition was created to collect required signatures in support of moving forward with a Road Improvement/Replacement Project for the Homestead Subdivision.
The petition is required because the road replacement costs will be allocated via a Special Assessment District (SAD) tax levied by Van Buren Township to each benefited parcel/unit within the subdivision. Benefited means an advantage gained from the improvement that is greater than that shared by the general public, such as improved road conditions, increased property value, community aesthetics, etc.
A successful and valid petition requires that the owners of record in good financial standing relative to property taxes agree to share the cost of improvements. Benefited property owners signify their approval of the project by signing the petition form. A threshold of 60% (160 unit’s signatures) was recommended to ensure that the petition is given serious consideration in the next phase of the project. The Homestead subdivision has 267 units. The signer must be an owner of record on the warranty deed. Otherwise, the signature will be discarded by the Township.
Background:
A typical road rehabilitation project (mill and fill), with adequate drainage, has a useful service life of 10 years. With a diligent maintenance program, this service life can be extended several additional years. The roads within The Homestead subdivision are 15+ years old, and the community has patched the roads periodically since the initial construction. Moreover, the annual assessment of $360-$375 per unit does not cover the current minimal cost of $1.575M for road overhaul or replacement. The plan moving forward is to build the reserve fund to avoid special assessments. However, our current financial status coupled with the scope of work required to improve/replace the roads requires us to seek financing from the Township.
Assessment:
All benefited parcels within the sub-division boundary will be charged an equal portion on a per parcel basis of the actual total costs for the improvement.
These costs may include, without limitation, design, engineering, administration costs, professional services, and financing costs and interest.
Owners of properties within the sub-division boundary, who oppose the project, should the proposal pass, will also be assessed as their parcels will still be benefited by the improvement.
The cost will be taxed as a special assessment district resulting in an annual property tax increase between $1,130 - $1,709 plus 1%-3% interest over 5 years.
In a Special Assessment District, a charge is assessed against real property, and as such, is enforceable through a foreclosure process in the same manner as for non-payment of property taxes, and are prior and paramount to all liens except municipal tax liens. The tax will remain on the parcel until the debt has been paid in full. Once the project has been completed, the actual cost of the public improvement will be assessed to each benefited parcel and payable in the manner provided by the ordinance levying the special assessment roll.
Scope of Work:
- All roads, Sadie Lane, Anna Drive, Sophie Road, Maude Court, Rebecca Court, and Florence Lane
- Milling and repaving (with 1.5” hot mix asphalt overlay thickness) the 2 lane, 24 feet roadway
- Removing and replacing areas of broken curb and gutter
- Repairing the roadway full depth at areas of apparent roadway subgrade failure
- Removal of the asphalt pavement, aggregate base, and possible subgrade undercutting, subgrade stability verification, and new base in areas of severe alligator cracking and large pavement cracks
- Spot removal and replacement of curbs and gutters (may result in turf restoration and mailbox relocation as needed)
- Minor traffic control for work zone safety and traffic rerouting
- Design and Construction services
Updates
April 13, 2021
The momentum for the Homestead Road Project is growing faster than I anticipated. It is clear that our community is ready for better roads.
Reached 100 supporters
April 13, 2021
25 Comments
As a new fairly new resident, I feel it is unfair to be punished for mismanagement. There needs to be funds for new roads planned for in the yearly budget. 560 or so from each residence per year.
I agree 100%. Our taxes were $5,000 in 2020. We simply cannot afford an extra $2000+ for the next x years.. i'm not sure if people realize this who have lived here for many many years. As much as we agree that the roads need to be fixed, it's not as simple as putting the burden on us. After this pandemic, this is the last thing on my mind right now.
The entire roads in the Homestead subdivision is deplorable and pose a safety risk for the entire community. A blown tire could end up in bad situation and not including costly damage repairs for tires and rims.
Yes please lets fix the roads....such a nice subdivision...but these crappy roads make it an undesirable place to buy...should have kept the 1m bond for the roads that was in place...anyway this is a must do project...
I agree on fixing the road but I hope they fix them right . So they will last and don’t after go threw this again before the five years is up .....
I had to repair my car from 2 potholes at my driveway entrance. I sent a letter and a copy of the $2200 I paid out of pocket for a damaged chassis. It was rude and discouraging to ignore my response. More care needs to be given to the residents and, at least reply. Our roads weren't bad when I moved here 19 years ago. The huge trucks hauling dirt and heavy equipment caused the deterioration. Those companies need to be held accountable as well. So will you lean on the residents wherever there's a problem? Where is the fairness in that? This seems like a form of covert bullying; however, of course i'm signing.
Please fix our roads!!!! Very damaging to our cars
This petition is very misleading. I thought I was logging in to vote “yay” or “nay” and next thing I know it stated that I signed the petition. Until I can figure out how to remove my vote I would like say here in this public forum that I AM NOT in favor of this petition and would like my vote removed. So however many signatures appear here, subtract one from the total count please and thank you!
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As a new fairly new resident, I feel it is unfair to be punished for mismanagement. There needs to be funds for new roads planned for in the yearly budget. 560 or so from each residence per year.