Robertsdale Council approves drainage study for Palmer Street crossing

By John Underwood / john@gulfcoastmedia.com
Posted 3/29/17

ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — When it comes to dealing with drainage there is, at least on the surface, a simple answer, if not a simple solution. There is just more water to deal with than there was just …

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Robertsdale Council approves drainage study for Palmer Street crossing

Posted

ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — When it comes to dealing with drainage there is, at least on the surface, a simple answer, if not a simple solution. There is just more water to deal with than there was just a few decades ago.

“In just the past few years, we have had three major rain events, one of them was labeled a 500-year event,” said a representative of Dewberry/Preble Rish at the Robertsdale City Council meeting March 20. “The fact is we are simply experiencing more rain than we were when our major infrastructure was built and in a lot of cases it is simply not able to handle the volume.”

As a result of the flooding, in 2014, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) increased the numbers for what is considered a major event.

“Before, 13 inches was considered a 100-year flood,” he said, “today it is 60.”

The council voted at its meeting to contract with the Daphne-based firm to analyze the drainage basin for storm water crossing along Palmer Street (County Road 65) south of Alabama 104.

According to paperwork presented at the meeting, the work will include:

•Collecting necessary field data to support the drainage analysis.

•Reporting the functionality of the crossing.

•The current state of the crossing.

•Current and anticipated up-stream and downstream effects as they relate to any proposed revisions to the drainage way.

The city will provide all CIS data and as-built information for the surrounding infrastructure in order to offset excessive work. Analysis of the drainage basin will not be based primarily on the GIS information already on hand or provided and no permitting or contract documents will be provided as a result of the contract.

The council voted to approve the contract at a cost not to exceed $6,720.

In other business, the council voted to deny a request to rezone property on Frey Lane from R-1, single family residential, to M-U, multi-use district.

According to analysis presented at the meeting by city engineer Greg Smith, the property lies on the west side of Palmer Street just south of Alabama 59 at Frey Lane.

Property to the south, north and west are also zoned R-1 and have single-family homes on them. St. Patrick’s Catholic Church sits on the east side of the property, which is currently zoned R-2, two-family residential.

The property in question is currently vacant, according to the report, and no specific use for the property has been given.

“Southbound traffic is usually still moving since the turn off of (Highway) 59 is only a slight curve,” according to the report. “Any commercial use at this location may pose a traffic concern for vehicles entering and exiting.”

Based on Smith’s recommendation and the recommendation of the city’s Planning Commission, the council voted unanimously to deny the request.

The council also voted March 20 to purchase advertising in the Central Baldwin Chamber of Commerce’s annual magazine at a cost of $2,550; and voted to appoint Ruthie Campbell as a voting delegate to the Annual Convention of the Alabama League of Municipalities during the annual business session which will be held May 22. Brent Kendrick will serve as first alternate; Sue Cooper as second alternate.