Retention pond planned, paving way for new subdivision near Kleefeld

Plans are in place for a water retention pond, which will then allow a subdivision to happen southeast of Kleefeld. 

In late December, Hanover Council approved a rural residential development at the junction of Road 32N and Road 28E. The subdivision will see the creation of 65 new lots.

However, the proposal by Kleefeld Developments, on behalf of Darrin and Alwiera Warkentin, was met by opposition at the public hearing. Those against the subdivision noted drainage concerns in that area and the potential for traffic woes.

In approving the subdivision, Council's requirement was that the developer must enter into a development agreement with the municipality, including a study on drainage. Council also wanted to take a closer look at traffic flows in that area.

Four months later, Hanover Reeve Jim Funk says they have an update on that subdivision. He says they have run traffic counts there and at this point, it seems unlikely that any improvements will need to be made to that road. 

Funk says they have also come to an agreement with the Seine Rat Roseau Watershed District, which will address the drainage concerns in that area. He explains the Watershed District will be digging a retention pond on the north side of Ridge Road, straight north of the development. Funk says the developer owns land there and they will use about 25 acres for the retention project. They will also place a 36-inch culvert through Ridge Road and then an 18-inch culvert in the pond to release the water once the retention is full. 

"According to Seine Rat, that should take care of our drainage problem there," says Funk. "If we have three or four inches of rain, that of course would be a different scenario, but for the most part, this should take care of our problem."

Funk says the project is expected to cost about $25,000. It will be paid for by a government grant through the Watershed District. He adds the cost of the culvert will be covered by the municipality.

"Simply because Council feels this was an existing problem prior to the development," explains Funk. "This probably should have been addressed almost 25 years ago and never got addressed. So now with this development coming up, it will get addressed."

Funk says the Seine Rat Roseau Watershed District has indicated that this will quite likely be one of the first projects they tackle this spring. He is hopeful the work is completed within the next couple of months. 

Funk says in the end this is a win-win situation, noting the municipality and developer all benefit from this project.