Boone County drainage board clears path for Heritage Trail by vacating and reconstructing Scott and Simpson drain tiles

The Boone County Drainage Board voted April 20 to vacate portions of the Simpson and Scott regulated drain tiles to allow construction of courtyards for the Heritage Trail subdivision and separately approved reconstruction of the lower Scott regulated drain.

Carol, a representative of the surveyor's office, told the board the petition to vacate was filed by Kim Lakehorn on behalf of Epcon Communities and covers parcels now under contract for the development. She said Epcon will construct a storm-sewer system that will pick up surface water and tie private subsurface laterals into the new system, and that the county expects the outlet work and as-built documentation to meet county standards.

Resident Patrick Whitehill, who identified himself during public comment, asked whether the changes would alter pipes beneath the road or increase flooding on his property. "My main concern was the pipes that were under the road now allowed water to flow across pond," Whitehill said. Carol responded that the project will not alter the culvert pipes under the road and that the development will install new tiles and structures to direct surface flow into the storm-sewer system.

For the reconstruction, staff described replacing the existing 12-inch clay tile with an 18-inch polypropylene pipe to provide an appropriate outlet for an upstream detention pond. Carol said all reconstruction costs will be paid by Epcon Communities, construction will be overseen by the surveyor's inspection team, and performance and maintenance bonds plus video/as-built deliverables will be required.

The board approved the vacation and then approved the reconstruction, each by voice vote. The motions were recorded as passed with ayes from the board; no roll-call vote or individual tallies were recorded in the transcript.

Next steps: staff will prepare the formal order documenting the vacation (including easement releases) and will require final construction plans and county sign-off before any letting for the reconstruction work.