The St. Clair County Road Commission would like to conduct a study of Long Island Court. Even if you have questions or concerns about paving Long Island Court, initiating this study is essential to improving its management. It will also address issues discussed by homeowners during the last group meeting. This is NOT a vote on any project, only a vote on the study of road improvement feasibility. But more importantly, there is new funding available for this improvement that needs a completed study to ensure allocation. Signing this petition will initiate this study.

In order to consider improving Long Island Court, the county road commission was requiring an engineering study at an estimated cost of $22,000. If the project is approved, this cost could be wrapped into the project cost. If it is deemed unfeasible based on this study, the cost would fall to the homeowners. However, a much-less-costly option called a Topographical Survey has been negotiated at a cost of only $4,900 or about $98 per residence. This will determine if the project is feasible and if there are any trouble spots. If the road commission determines it is feasible based on this survey, the $98 cost could be wrapped into the total cost of the project. But more importantly, this project can get funding allocated while reducing the risk of an expensive engineering study. This is a great way to take advantage of this new available funding. It would also allow items to be addressed before the full engineering study helping ensure a projects approval.

The new funding that has come to light is an opportunity to allocate $100,000 in each of two consecutive years and the township has forwarded an opportunity to match. The owner of the new development has also tentatively offered to pay more than his allocated per-lot percentage. This could amount to a best-case-scenario of over $500,000 of the estimated $600,000 total cost leaving approximately $100,000 or approximately $2,500 per residence. That’s about half what it cost to dredge the canal and this is most certainly more beneficial to property values and the maintenance of homes, lawns and vehicles. It would also be a completely engineered project including pavement, drainage, curbs and other improvements while keeping ownership and maintenance with the county. This is all provisional until a vote of the residence is taken and the project is approved. However, to even be considered for these new funding opportunities it is imperative that we submit this project for consideration as soon as possible by initiating the Topographical Study.