Brighton Council Told Progress Made in SIte Condo Violations

9/5/14 - Brighton City Council members were told at Thursday night’s meeting that the developer of a site condominium development off Flint Road is making progress in correcting various site plan and code violations. The city filed suit last month against SDG Homes owner Trevor Surdu and his company after it failed to correct problems connected with the Springhill development next to I-96 that were primarily caused by erosion. City Manager Dana Foster tells WHMI that at a meeting with City Attorney Paul Burns this week, the developer agreed to a “stipulated” court order. In a stipulated order, both sides agree to the conditions before the order is issued by the court. At the August 7 meeting, residents complained that boulder walls had failed, back yards were being washed away, retaining walls had been compromised and a drop off between the sidewalk and a steep slope posed a safety hazard. Engineer Gary Markstrom of Tetra Tech told council at the meeting that Surdu had not addressed 5 of 12 “unacceptable” items. Markstrom said that retaining walls have to be restored and stabilized, grading must be restored, and common areas landscaped with a mix of grass types to guard against future erosion. He also said Surdu must replace curb and gutter and install new pavement. Burns told council Thursday night that many of the violations have now been corrected and Markstrom has been at the site every day to make sure all of them are made. The city has said that they have to be completed in a timely manner before inclement weather sets in. (TT)