Title
Catalina Stormwater Improvements - Preliminary Engineering Design Services
History
The Catalina Subdivision has a history of stormwater related complaints. The general design for this 1970’s era development included a stormwater management and detention design that utilized streets and cul-de-sacs within the development for the temporary storage of stormwater when rains were of such intensity that the runoff was in excess of the piped-system capacity. This “ponding” is seen by the residents of Catalina as “flooding.”
Over the past decade, a comprehensive flood survey was performed within the Village to address and correct significant known chronic flooding, and today much has been accomplished to eliminate chronic flooding that has caused repeated property damage. During this same period, the residents of Catalina continued to press their case for relief from the street ponding that they continued to view as flooding. Staff is aware that during two recent intense events minor water did enter less than five homes in Catalina, attributed in large part to residential landscaping changes. With the event of June 6, 2011, several homes came perilously close to having significant water enter their homes as the street “ponds” had no remaining capacity.
It is agreed by staff and the Village’s Engineer that the street ponding that occurs within Catalina is consistent with the approved design, and generally functions very well as homes within the development do not flood. It is also acknowledged that residents do have an expectation that they be allowed to arrive and leave their homes during and immediately after heavy rains and see the ponding as flooding. With the street ponding design utilized for Catalina, free access to many homes is not possible as the streets and cul-de-sacs by design retain water for several hours following heavy rains.
In October 2010, staff met with representatives of Commonwealth Edison to confirm the ability to utilize the a...
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