Engineering design has been completed and the next step is approval by the City of Orchard Lake’s Zoning Board of Appeals scheduled for Monday, October 18th at their 7:00pm meeting in City Hall.
Below is a plan view of the proposed accessory structure housing the augmentation well and pump, proposed to be located in the Elmgate subdivision, on a vacant lot donated for this purpose by the Orchard Lake Country Club.
The 10’ wide, 20’ long and 10’ high building will have a faux-stone facade and metal roof and also be screened from view with arborvitae and existing vegetation. In addition, the area adjacent to the proposed building will have native plantings rather than grass as recommended by the City’s environmentalist in order to better filter the water run-off from the street and neighboring properties into the lake through the wetlands. This area will also be maintenance free. See the conceptual photo that follows.
In order for the Zoning Board of Appeals to effectively deliberate on this matter, they need to hear from you. Send them a clear message of support in person at the October 18th meeting (7:00pm at City Hall) or via an email to the City Clerk at [email protected]. If not approved, the well will be delayed and have to be relocated to a less desirable site around the lake, such as the Shady Beach Marina area. Spicer Engineering, the environmental firm hired by the Upper Straits Clean Lake Association and the Oakland County Water Resources Commission has concluded the Elmgate parcel is the optimum site for the well, plus the test boring completed last spring at a cost of over $30,000 has proven that the water quality and quantity are excellent for the application.
Please communicate your support to City Clerk before Oct. 18th.