HomeMy WebLinkAboutReport of Engineer July 19760 VILLAGE OF CAYUGA HEIGHTS
REPORT OF ENGINEER - July 1976
On July Ilth, 1976, the largest rain fell in a short period of time that the
Engineer has witnessed in his 24 years with the Village. Three point one inches
of rain fell in two hours. The fast and heavy rainfall runoff caused erosion
damage and flooding of cellars in many different places throughout the Village.
Considering the intensity of the rain, the extent of damage to Village property,
except for damage to the Village Sewage Treatment Plant, was not excessive; however
there was severe damage to a number of private residences in the Village. The one
hardest hit was the Tucker property on Berkshire Road. A diverted stream complete-
ly filled the basement, damaged foundation walls, and caused soil erosion around
the house. The excess water that flowed onto the Tucker property was +he result
of a backup of water in the Town of Lansing, where the stream flows under the
extension of Highland Road Just north of the Village line. From here the water
flowed south on Highland Road Into the Village through the woods in back of
Dr. Farrow's house and the property at 409 Highgate Road. From here, the flow:of
water went onto the Tucker property Into the rear of the east side of the house.
The flow of water, after leaving 1•he Tucker property, went out into Berkshire Rd.,
doing severe erosion of the road ditches and causing damage to Village and per-
sonal property on Cayuga Heights Road and on North Sunset Drive. To prevent a
reoccurrence and to prevent further runoff down in this direction, the Village of
Cayuga Heights work force dug a diversion ditch along the west side of Upland Rd.,
as a temporary measure in the emergency period, leading the water back Into the
stream bed from which it came on the west side of Highland Road. Also, a diversion
ditch was dug on the Village of Cayuga Heights sewer line right of way on the
Tucker property at his request. This not only protected the Tucker property but
also protected further damage to the Village property on Berkshire Road, Cayuga
Heights Road, and North Sunset Drive. The Village of Lansing Public Works Dept.
was notified of this problem, and it was suggested to them that the capacity of
the culvert under Highland Road be investigated for adequacy.
The other major house flooding in the Village occurred at Professor Davis's house
on North Triphammer Road. Here, the two culverts leading under North Triphammer
Road became blocked with debris backing up water into Professor Davis's garage and
basement. An examination of the two culverts for adequacy and obstructions at
their entrance is underway.
The damage at the Village Treatment Plant was severe. The cause was an improperly
constructed and maintained catch basin of a culvert system carrying water under
Route 13 and the New York State Department of Transportation property of Route 13.
A 3 -foot diameter culvert runs into this catch basin. The Village's 4-foot oval
culvert running out of the catch basin carries water under the Treatment Plant.
A grating was placed in front of the 4j -foot oval culvert, having openings of
approximately 4 or 5 inches square. Debris, rocks, gravel was caught In this
grating and completely filled the catch basin, causing the water flowing under
Route 13 to be discharged on the surface which then flowed down over the bank
• under Route 13 to be discharged on the surface. This then flowed down over the
bank into the Treatment Plant parking lot area and into the settlement tanks.
Some 30 truck loads of rocks, gravel, dirt, and debris were deposited in our park-
ing area and some in the settlement tanks. Because of the emergencies, the request
for State Department of Transportation personnel to lend assistance in preventing
REPORT OF ENGINEER /ZONING OFFICER - July 1976 page 2
further damage and in cleaning up this debris was denied. Village forces and some
contract labor did the Job to prevent further damage to the Treatment plant. The
Department of Transportation has been notified of the cause of the problem of our
damage and of the opinion of the Engineer that the liability for the damage rests
with the State for not removing the grate in their catch basin as has been reque-
ted for over a two or three year period.
REPORT OF THE ZONING OFFICER - July 1376
During the past month, two ar_rmits were issued for alterations and additions for
an estimated construction cost of $2,000. Ono permit was issued for'now construc-
tion for an estimated cost of $65,000. One permit was issued for a swimming pool
for an estimated cost of $8,000.
Five road opening permits wore also Issued during this. period.
The Zoning Board of Appeals nbt twice and granted variances to Edward and Marsha
Andrews owners of the property at 601 HIghIalid Road, ertabiishing that there was
a pre - existing use and that the rear of this property could be sold as a building
lot. The Zoning Board of Appeals also Issued a variance to W. K. Waldman at
110 Simsbury Drive, allowing him to cover.03% greater than the required 12% of the
area.
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