Editor's note: This article has been corrected to change a title.

The Chelsea City Council has taken the initial step in setting up a special assessment district for homeowners in Chelsea Fairways, a city subdivision that's yet to have its roads dedicated as public streets.

In total, about $426,000 in work is needed to have its storm sewers certified and its roads, sidewalks and curbs fixed so they can be turned over to the city.

Matt Jordan, a Chelsea Fairways Homeowner’s Association board member, has appeared before the City Council on several occasions requesting the city’s assistance to get the subdivision’s roads up to city standards and dedicated so, among other things, they are plowed in the winter.

There are about 70 homes and about 34 vacant lots in the subdivision, which has entrances off Freer Road and Old US-12 and is about 10 years old. About 32 of the undeveloped lots Jordan said he thought had been bought by a development company.

“I want to offer my gratitude and appreciation in helping to get this going. We’re well on our way to a resolution,” he said.

The city unanimously adopted a resolution to “consider moving forward with a special assessment district in the Chelsea Fairways neighborhood,” and agreed to contribute up to 50 percent of the total costs for the work.

It’s expected that it will cost homeowners about $175-$200 annually for about 10 years, said John Hanifan, city manager, but the exact costs have not been calculated.

The City Council also set a public hearing for Aug. 9 to explain “the necessity of the proposed special assessment.”

On Aug. 23, there will be another public hearing on the proposed tax roll for homeowners in the subdivision.

Lisa Allmendinger is a regional reporter for AnnArbor.com. She can be reached at lisaallmendinger@annarbor.com. For more Chelsea stories, visit our Chelsea page.