ROCHESTER — Long standing drainage issues at Plumb Corner Mall have become a major stumbling block for developers seeking to build age-restricted housing.

When developers began planning the over-55 housing project on an adjacent lot, the pre-existing drainage problems surfaced at Plumb Corner and brought the plans to a halt. For months, plans have been in the works to solve the problem of stormwater discharge being directed into an isolated wetland on the property. 

According to John Churchill of JC Engineering, part of the solution would include catch basins and retention ponds. Developers would also need five waivers to be approved by the Planning Board before alterations move forward. 

The board said that the housing project and the drainage issues are separate but undeniably linked. Before developers can finalize plans for housing, the drainage issue must be addressed. 

The board reviewed plans for a drainage system on Oct. 23 which would potentially fix the 30-year-old issues on the property, but took issue with the design for including an “open basin” as opposed to an underground system.

“I do not support the idea of an open basin for drainage,” said Chair Arnold Johnson. “If this is the best you’ve got, then I’m out.” 

Owner of REPurpose Properties Mike LaCava said that the current plans are better than previous proposals.

“First off, that system that doesn’t pass engineering muster with our engineering,” said Johnson. “It works if you throw away our regulations, mostly.”

Johnson added that he doesn’t want to add an “ugly” open basin in the middle of the historic district. Another major concern he had was possible trash and leaves filling the basin. 

Clerk Ben Bailey asked what the added cost of building an underground system would be, suggesting that it could be “ungodly expensive.”

Churchill suggested that costs could rise by about $50,000 or $60,000. 

Johnson suggested that the board should have a joint committee meeting with the Conservation Commission to discuss building an underground system at Plumb Corner.  

The plans proposed at Tuesday’s meeting also included moving a playground belonging to Countryside Childcare.

“What we would like to do is at least move the playground more toward their property,” said Churchill. 

The board expressed concern about moving the playground because it would place it nearer to a set of dumpsters.

There was some discussion about finding a new arrangement for the dumpsters in the future and the board generally agreed with developers that the playground could be moved. 

LaCava added that the daycare would not be required to pay for move the playground. 

The board will tentatively hold a joint committee meeting with the Conservation Commission on  Nov. 7.