Lake Zurich Planning Study to Explore Cause of Flooding

Lake Zurich resident Mary Dobrow met with village officials a few years ago thought there was a study underway to examine why her subdivision flooded.

Last week, her home flooded again. What Dobrow and other flood victims learned Monday is the village never did that study and have no answers as to why the latest flooding occurred.

“Everyone in the village knew there was a problem,” Dobrow said. “We were told a study was being done. We trusted everyone on the board. It’s your obligation to make sure the study is done.”

“We don’t have an answer,” Village President Thomas Poynton said. “We don’t have a study at this point. You may have had conversations about a study but it was not done. It is what it is.”

Lake Zurich’s board of trustees will discuss the study at its July 15 meeting

“I fully understand what you folks are going through,” Poynton said. “I want you to know it is moving forward as soon as the board approves it.”

Lake Zurich’s engineering department plan to conduct a basic drain study to determine whether the flooding, which occurred throughout the village, is due to a problem upstream or downstream.

It will take a little time to conduct the study, up to nine months, Poynton said. The study may take nine months or longer, officials said.

“I mean no disrespect, for the people here with flooding….we need more answers, faster,” one man said.

Trustee Mark Loewes said it’s important to do the study correctly.

The board of trustees did take quick action Monday evening to waive permit fees for flood victims who turn in an assessment form. The waiver will apply to hot water heaters, HVAC and other appliances.

It is “pure injustice” to ask people who have lost so much to pay permit fees, resident Don Mason said. Resident in the audience agreed, applauding Mason and others who spoke out against the permit fees.

Lake Zurich trustees had to take special action, declaring an emergency dealing with public safety, before developing a motion on the spot.

Peterson said his department can handle any influx of permit requests. He has made contact with 127 property owners but feels there are many more homes and families affected by the flooding. Residents who’ve had flooding will still have to go through the permit process, but no fee will be charged.