Unimproved Streets

There are some streets in Royal Oak that are considered unimproved (i.e. gravel, chip seal, seal coat, etc.), as shown on the adjacent map. The initial paving of unimproved streets is performed by special assessment to the adjacent property owners per city commission policy adopted in 1958.

Property owners may petition to have a street paved by special assessment by sending a written request to the Engineering Division. The City Commission may order a street paved as an assessment project with or without a petition.  However, when a petition is submitted, it has generally been the requirement that property owners representing 50% or more of the assessable frontage must sign the petition.

Unimproved Roads (Click to enlarge)

Thumbnail of unimproved roads map

Local Road Millage

Unimproved streets are not scheduled for paving as part of the road millage, except by special assessment to the adjacent property owners.  The City Commission has adopted a policy to pay for 50% of the full frontage rate of special assessment paving approved during the millage period. In addition, the city will also cover 75% of the full frontage rate for the first 150 feet of side-lot frontage on an unimproved street.

 

Procedure to Pave a Street by Special Assessment:


1. Send a letter or e-mail to the Engineering Division to request a petition.  The petition will include a rough cost estimate for the project, including the estimated cost per property.

2. Secure signatures on the petition from owners of the adjacent property.  Typically 50% or more of the assessable frontage must sign the petition in order for it to be approved by the City Commission.

3. Return the petition to the Engineering Division.   Note that the final page of the petition must be signed by the circulator and notarized.

4. The petition will be presented to the City Commission, and the following steps must take place.  The following items typically require three to four months before the project can be designed and bid:

  • Standard Resolution 1:  The percentage of assessable frontage signing in favor of the project will be reported to the City Commission.  The City Commission will decide whether to adopt the "First Resolution" which orders preliminary plans and estimate of cost prepared by city engineer, and directs city assessor to prepare a special assessment district.  City assessor refers topic back to City Commission when special assessment district is prepared.
  • Standard Resolution 2:  The City Commission establishes a Special Assessment District, setting forth the estimated cost to the city and to the assessment district, and sets a date for the Public Hearing of Necessity.  A notice regarding the public hearing is sent to the affected property owners and published in a newspaper by the City Clerk.
  • Standard Resolutions 3 & 4 and Public Hearing of Necessity:  The Public Hearing of Necessity is held on the scheduled date and any objections are registered.  If the proposed improvement is deemed a necessity, then the City Commission declares that a necessity exists, directs the city assessor to prepare a special assessment roll, and sets a date for the Public Hearing of Assessment to review the assessments proposed to be levied.  A notice regarding the public hearing is sent to the affected property owners and published in a newspaper by the City Clerk.
  • Public Hearing of Assessment:  The hearing is held on the scheduled date and any objections are registered. If it is still the desire of the City Commission to proceed, then the improvement is "Advanced and Tabled" to await the receipt of bids.    
5. The project will move forward for construction unless the lowest bid for the project is greater than 5% above the original estimate provided to residents.  If the lowest bid is 5% over the estimated cost, another public hearing will be held.  

6. Standard Resolution 5:  After the construction is completed, the City Commission confirms the Special Assessment Roll which sets forth the number of years over which the Special Assessments will be spread and the dates when these payments are due.  The time allowed for special assessments to be repaid is typically determined by the City Commission to be 15 years.  The standard interest rate of special assessments in 6% beginning with the second consecutive payment upon the unpaid assessed balance.