HomeMy WebLinkAboutMiscellaneous Correspondence 2010-2-5
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225 FIFTH STREET
SPRINGFIELD, OR 97477
(541) 726-3753
FAX (541) 726-3689
www.ci.springfield.or.us
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Received 2/5/2010
Re: 836 & 850 6th Street, Springfield, OR
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Proposal
As we have indicated previously, we would like to rectify the situation as soon as possible. You
have stated that you have been advised that you are not liable for any part of the situation. We
too have been advised, formally, that we are not liable for the situation. That is why our
insurance company refuses to cover any costs here. .In their words "You have not done anything
wrong, so we cannot cOver this." , ., .
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In addition, as you probably are aware, it is not legal to build ahouse on top of an existing sewer
line. If you were to build your house today in Springfield, you would be required to move the
existing line at your eX:pense. Why? For exactly the reason we are hete today - it is hard to
maintain and eventually leads to failure of the sewer line.
You also know that the sewer line was in place 20 years before your house was built over it. It
was at that time that the line should have been moved, or the house built back further in the lot
and not on the line.
Now, we were not involved with the laying of the se:ner'line, and you were not involved with the
building ofthe house. That is why, when we first discussed this, we both generally
acknowledged that it was not directly anything that we did since living in the respective homes-
the problem pretty much was made when someone in 1961 built over the line in the first place,
So.. ...let's be fair. My first.thought was, that we could split the,cost, agree on an easement, get
the work done and move on. I was prepared to do that from day one.
You obvious feel that somehow, it is entirely our fault, and what is more, with the $500 easement
(easements when mutually agreed as the best way to go and a'best solution are $1) we should pay
for the privilege of doing ouT part to fix it.
Still, weare prepared to' do more than a fair share to get this done.
MOVING THE SEWER LINE
I. Agree on and secure easement and file the easement - we will make good copies, pay to have
them notarized, and pay to have them filed.
2. Hire a contractor to do the work.
3, Pay to secure a) Plumbing permit and b) Encroachment permit from the City of Springfield
4. Pay the contractor to: a) trench a new line to hook back into the sewer at the alley b) lay a
new sewer pipe c) tap into the main and oversee the required city inspection at that point d)
replace and/or make whole the fence,yard, walkway pavement and alley asphalt as needed e)
cap the existing pipe at the alley,
As far as actual costs, they are as follows:
I. Easement - $1 ,eas~ment, plus filing
$35.00approx.
2. Contractor - all work completed
$4,000 approx.
3:"Permits at the City of Springfield
$250 includes both oermits
$4,285 total
Your document states that the costs for cleaning up under your house would be $800. That
seems right as we had one bidder on the sewer line look at it and said he'd estimate his bid to not
exceed $900.
Given the proceeding discussion about fairness and fault, our part at $4,285 seems exceedingly
fair - more than falr. The total project - with our cost and the clean-up costs - would be $5,185
ofwnich we would be paying 83% of the total.
In addition, we have had several people at the City of Springfield state that this action, contrary
to what you implied in your proposal, should actually have no impact on the value of home as
the easement area is in a setback in which you cannot build permanent structure in the first
place., It could very well be an action that adds value to your home as the line would finally be
moved and placed in an area where it should have been when your house was built.
We are filing this statement with the Plumbing Inspector to make the City aware that we were
prepared to do our part days ago. That is why I came to you a few days ago to ask what was
taking so long. Your response was that you were looking at your options - and that took several
days.
There are a handful of small changes our attorney advised us to submit in the language of the
easement. I don't that's a problem if we can agree on the above division of costs.
Please let me know ASAP.
Dan