STARKVILLE — Developers might soon have a choice in how they build streets in subdivisions.
The Starkville Board of Aldermen will hold a public hearing to discuss reworking the city’s subdivision regulations to allow one-stage street pavement during their regularly scheduled meeting tonight at 5:30.
Numerous developers and engineers have asked the city to allow a one-phase pavement installation at the outset of construction, which would provide a more stable street to haul materials and ensure residents have complete streets while other houses are being built.
Currently, the city allows only a two-stage construction that allows the installation of the final layer of asphalt after 85 percent of housing construction is complete. The two-stage regulation ensures the city will inherit a street that hasn’t been heavily patched or repaired.
Starkville Mayor Parker Wiseman said allowing developers to build their streets from the outset would provide certainty that streets will be completed on time.
“In very narrow cases where developers fail to do so, it can be an issue when it comes time for the city to accept the street,” Wiseman said. “Having the one-stage option not only ensures streets will be complete, but the damage from heavy equipment and weather should be less on a completed street than a partial street.”
According to a memo from City Engineer Edward Kemp, the primary disadvantage to one-stage construction is the finished product of the roadway, which could have 8-10 years of wear and repair. There’s also a possibility water can penetrate the layers of asphalt and create weak areas.
Kemp noted that in each method of construction, the developer is required to post a bond to the city for either the outstanding improvements in two-stage development or the final asphalt layer in one stage. The bond is for 150 percent of the estimated cost to cover future price increases.
Wiseman said two-stage development would still be an option for developers if the ordinance is amended.
The board is also scheduled to hear from Hotel Chester owner David Mollendor, who says his water and sewage bills for August, September and October should be adjusted after he had to flush “unusable and turbid” water from his system.
In a public appearance request letter to the city, Mollendor said he had to flush his system nine times in the three-month span to rid the brown water caused by increased chlorine levels mandated by the Mississippi Department of Health. The chlorine causes oxidation of iron deposits in the lining of pipes that turn the water brown. The city has previously stated that the water was safe to drink.
According to the meeting e-packet on cityofstarkville.org, Mollendor has previous unpaid sewer and water balances of more than $11,000.
“An attempt to resolve the matter with Mr. Charles Box with the water and sewage department fell on deaf ears,” Mollendor said. “His position is that the water is safe and usable, and if it goes through the meter, you pay for it. I feel his demeanor about both the water quality and usability to be completely unacceptable, and intend to appeal the same to the board.”
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