Kenosha Utility Committee approves stormwater maintenance and access agreements for new developments

The Kenosha Utility Committee approved multiple stormwater agreements on Monday, July 6, clarifying who will maintain on-site stormwater facilities at several new developments and granting city access to those facilities in emergencies.

A staff member described one site as "This is the new Starbucks," located off the south side of 80th Street, and said the agreements are the final step in completing developer obligations. A clerk introduced item language that the agreements define maintenance responsibilities between the City of Kenosha and Horizon SBX Kenosha LLC, Tierra Woods LLC and other developers.

Committee members asked technical questions about the facilities. A committee member said the Starbucks site uses "an underground system with, some treatment," and explained routine upkeep: "It can be cleaned out. It can be cleaning the filters. It can be swapping out filters." The committee was told that smaller parcels typically place stormwater systems under parking areas and may rely on proprietary filter devices and vacuuming trucks for maintenance.

The committee voted to approve the stormwater management practices maintenance agreement and the stormwater management and access agreement for Horizon SBX Kenosha LLC. It also approved similar maintenance/access agreements for Tierra Woods LLC and a first amendment to a development agreement among the city, the Kenosha Water Utility and Kenosha Downtown Block I, LLC covering property between 7th and 8th Avenue and 55th and 56th Street. All motions were made, seconded and carried on voice votes with the chair recording aye votes.

A committee member raised a separate concern about an existing detention pond at Tyler's Ridge, reporting they had met with an HOA representative who pointed out a blocked grate and a concrete flow path that diverts water into a holding area. The member said they were unsure whether responsibility for that feature lies with the HOA or under an existing development agreement and asked that the observation be placed on the record.

The committee adjourned after the votes. No statutes, ordinances or funding sources were specified in the discussion; the agreements presented were described as contract documents between the city and private developers and as primarily establishing maintenance responsibilities and city access.