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Richard Larson, Timberwood Estates Drainage Problems.J I May 9 > 1996 CITY OF ` CHANHASSEN 690 COULTER DRIVE • P.O. BOX 147 • CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317 (612) 937 -1900 • FAX (612) 937 -5739 ' Mr. Richard G. Larson 8141 Pinewood Circle Chanhassen, Minnesota 55317 1 Re: Drainage problems in the Timberwood Estate Development r C Dear Mr. Larson: This letter is a follow -up response to our meeting last week. I have checked with the City' s Storm Water Management Plan (SWMP) and this area has been included as a future storm water project site. However, because of the sparse population' that would benefit from such a project, it is considered a low priority. We have discussed your problem with Charles Folch, the City's Public Works Director, and he has authorized staff to prepare a cost estimate study to determine the feasibility of such improvements as part of the 1996 surface water improvement projects. If such construction is approved it would take place in the fall. We will update you and your contractor, Dave Otterdahl, as to the results of the City's study. If there are any questions concerning this matter, feel free to call me at 937 -1900, extension 105. Sincerely, CITY OF CHANHASSEN ej - i — - Phillip A. Elkin Water Resources Coordinator c: Charles Folch, Public Works Director Dave Hempel, Assistant City Engineer Dave Otterdahl, Corrective Building Services, Inc. g:Ieng\phil I ip\espmseVa[saL3.res Richard and Elizabeth Larson 8141 Pinewood Circle Chanhassen, MN 55317 I May 15, 1996 Phillip A. Elkin ' City of Chanhassen 690 Coulter Drive P.O. Box 147 Chanhassen, MN 55317 Dear Phillip: ' Thank you and Dave Hempel for visiting our house last Tuesday to inspect the drainage problems we have had. We appreciate the time you showed and the interest you have taken in our problem. ' We are disappointed in hearing that you have categorized the problem as low priority. We realize the population is low density. Nonetheless, the development is getting close to 10 years old now, and little has been done to adequately deal with the development's drainage problems. We have asked the City for help with our drainage problems since 1991. We have never received any help and are now urging the City to help solve the drainage problems not only of our yard, but for a major portion of Timberwood Estates where we live. LI J We hired a consulting engineering firm, Guy Engineering, to inspect the property last summer due to our increasing concern over our house's structural integrity. They assessed the water problems we have and issued an alarming report. (Please find enclosed a copy of their report; Guy's principal engineer, Jeff Gillson, would be happy to discuss any questions with you). Guy Engineering recommended we contact Corrective Building Services for the actual repairs. Some of the major items to consider: 1. Our house sits at the lowest end of a cul de sac and serves as a collection place for the neighborhood's water. Due to the low lying site, the water has little inclination to move away from our lot and as such collects around the foundation and yard. 2. We built a pond in our back yard at our own expense 2 years ago to capture the surface and sub- surface water. We consulted with City engineers on the project and received approval for the pond as a way to help solve some of the drainage problems. The pond appears to have not helped very much. 3. The water collection problem has resulted in the footings of both of our decks severely heaving due to the water pressure buildup and frost heave during the winters. One of our decks is only 3 years old and is damaged enough to need an estimated $5000- 7000.00 in repairs. We had a City engineer inspect the damage the spring after we first noticed the heaving. 4. Corrective Building Services will not repair our decks until we authorize them to repair our drainage. Their drainage solution as I understand it is dependent on the City installing catch basins and pipe deep enough in the ground in the public drainage swales to carry water away all throughout the year. 5. The house's foundation is now seriously shifting, which has caused a major crack in the foundation. More foundation damage will result if we do not fix the problems. I J May 14, 1996 Phillip A. Elkin City of Chanhassen Page 2 6. A few years ago, our driveway sunk over 18 inches in places, requiring expensive repairs. It has now started to sink again, which will result in more costly repairs. 7. We have standing water in our garage every time it rains more than 1/4 ". We also have a pool of standing water at the end of our driveway with each rainfall. This pool was not there last year and seems to grow each time it rains. 8. Our house's sump pump runs every 5 -10 minutes all year around. It seems that we only pump the water out of the house to have it seep back in eventually. It certainly appears to be a vicious circle. Our decks are extremely unsafe and gradually sustaining more damage as we wait for a solution. We are concerned about the possibility of personal injury from both a personal and legal viewpoint. It is imperative that the City complete the water project as soon as possible this year. We cannot repair our property or prevent future damage until the City completes its work . We eagerly await the staffs cost estimate study and strongly urge the City to include the proposed project this year. We have talked to City engineers several times over the past several years and have been patient. The damage happening to our property is causing us now to take a more proactive stance. Please callus at 470 -5210 to discuss anything or if you have any questions. Also feel free to call Dave Otterdahl at Corrective Building Services or Jeff Gillson at Guy Engineering if you have technical questions. Sincerely, Richard and Elizabeth Larson cc: Charles Folch, Public Works Director Dave Hempel, Assistant City Engineer Dave Otterdahl, Corrective Building Services 1corrective Building ervi s l i nc. 8200 Grand Avenue South Bloomington, Minnesota 55420 ' Phone (612) 885 -9808 FAX (612) 885 -9796 I May 17, 1996 Mr. Richard G. Larson ' 8141 Pinewood Circle Chanhassen, MN 55317 L J' L RE: Drainage Problem and Deck Repair Dear Mr. Larson: This letter is in follow -up to our meeting with the City of Chanhassen on May 7, 1996. In my opinion, the repair of the drainage problem that was discussed needs to be taken care of before we can fully repair your deck. Although, as we talked about on the phone today, we could certainly replace all of the deck footings and repair the deck itself this year. However, I cannot guarantee that the high water table that exists would not begin damaging the deck again to some degree. I estimate the cost of replacing the deck footings and repairing the deck to be $6,000 - $7,200. In my opinion, the storm sewer and catch basin installation really needs to be done this year in order to properly correct the existing problems. My initial estimation of the drainage work is $10,000 - $15,000 (depending on the distance to the catch basin). I await any further correspondence from either you or the City of Chanhassen. Si ce ly, L_Z� i G David L. Otterdahl ' President ' DLO /sa