Homeowners call for City action on slumping riverbank

A group of homeowners affected by the slumping riverbank between 11th Street East and Saskatchewan Crescent said the problem won't be resolved without the City of Saskatoon's participation.

More specifically, they're calling on the city to fix Cherry Lane, which runs between 11th Street East and Saskatchewan Crescent, bisecting the affected area.

"Walking away should not be an option. It certainly isn't for the neighbouring property owners," Lou Gossner told city council's Standing Police Committee on Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services.

Specifically, Gossner called for "a more comprehensive de-watering and storm drainage plan," noting "the city's own investigation has stated that it was due to a high water table causing a slip at the glacial till 30 feet or more below the surface".

It's a bit of a pipe dream to think that we can get together and co-ordinate something that's as complicated as this- Mark Lees, affected homeowner

He emphasized that the residents don't expect the city to pay for residential property damage or remediation.

And he pointed to warnings by engineers that, if nothing is done, more public and private property along 11th Street East will eventually become involved in the slope failure.

"Without city leadership, it is unreasonable and unprecedented to expect a resident-led remediation to be co-ordinated, timely, safe and holistic," Gossner told the committee.

Another resident, Mark Lees, told reporters outside the council chamber "it's a bit of a pipe dream to think that we can get together and co-ordinate something that's as complicated as this. And so the reality is that without civic leadership there will be no solution, there will be more movement, more damage, more losses."

Among the many unanswered questions is how the estimated $10 - 20 million dollar repair cost will be apportioned among all of the affected public and private properties.

"We need the city to actually answer those questions and move things forward," Lees said.

The committee passed a motion calling on the city administration to explore the situation and the issues facing property owners in the area, and report back to city council by the end of March.

But Lees said "there are houses that really can't wait that long, the fix needs to be happening before that".