Published: October 08, 2008 11:13 am      

Choctaw’s looming lagoon looks to become a reality

The Choctaw Planning Commission recommended approval to the city council Thursday for a contract to develop an area of land on S.E. 29th Street and Choctaw Road. This contract includes the building of a 300 feet by 200 feet sewage lagoon in the area.

Dr. Chris Jordan, acting chairman of the committee, said the committee reviewed the contract to make sure everything was in line with the Department of Environmental Quality.

The contract should be voted on by the city council at their next meeting on Oct. 14. Jordan said he expects the contract to be approved.

“Their plans are now DEQ consistent,” he stated.

Jordan explained that many citizens may not understand that the city is bound to approve a contract if a developer follows all regulations given to them. Many citizens, especially those located in the Scottsdale Housing Addition adjacent to the property, opposed the building of a sewage lagoon and voiced their opinions at the last city council meeting. However, in this case, Jordan said, the developer met all regulations and made changes to the original plan based on concerns voiced by the city.

Jordan suggested that those citizens still unhappy with the contract visit with their council members to change regulations for future development projects.

In their reviewing, the committee tweaked the contract so that the property owners association would be in charge of all fees associated with maintenance of the lagoon. If the association fails on their responsibilities, the city will have the right to cut off their water.

“If there’s no water, that causes everyone to get with the program,” said Jordan.