Drainage problems
November 26th, 2008 by 
Alica
According to one resident of the Stone Ridge Addition, some lots are having bad drainage problems. Brent Lyng told the city council recently that his yard, and those of three of his neighbors, has standing water. It’s difficult to mow, he said. He wanted the city to do something about it.
When new neighborhoods are built, it’s the developer’s responsibility to make sure the drainage is appropriate in the first place. But what if the developer doesn’t do that?
Council members are quoted in a Nov. 19 Brandon Valley Challenger story as saying it’s the property owner’s responsibility to fix drainage problems on their own property. Do you agree?
Under what circumstances should the city fix drainage problems, in your opinion?
Posted in Uncategorized, City business | 
November 26th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
I think the city should only fix drainage problems that arise because of work that was done on the city’s behalf. We shouldn’t be looking for the government to make it right every time we think a developer, or builder, or anyone else, has caused us grief with work that wasn’t well planned or executed. If the city is going to guarantee everyone’s work, I have a lot of receipts to take over to city hall for reimbursement.
November 26th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
The issue in Stone Ridge was a result of a city employee. Dave Swier signed off on the corner lot to be six inches higher than the house next to it. The result, water doesnt drain uphill..Whos fault? Dave Swier
November 26th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Dude, Its common sense, the minute you drive into that development you can tell that you would not want to be a house at the bottom of the hill. Where do you think all the water is going to go? down the hill to your house. That is one of the worst development’s I think in the county. There was no engineering involved what so ever! All it is, is houses built on the side of a hill, they should have staggered the houses out and stair-stepped the hill (Like the Bluffs) that is a well developed plan.
November 26th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Ok, so I’m pretty convinced that I’m hosed on my yard as “It’s not the city’s problem”. So whose problem is it when we have to drive through 6 inches of mud to exit our development? I have had to call the city to scoop the area under the bridge, “BECAUSE OF THE DRAINAGE”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now whose is that? Oh, I was told it is Meryl and Roy’s, still the city has no part is taking responsibility for anything. I don’t see Meryl and Roy’s doing the snow removal or cleaning of the streets when the Miracle House was being shown on TV. I believe it was a city street sweeper with a city employee driving it. Step up and do something for your tax payers. We can divert people from buying the lots up here. Word of mouth travels fast.
November 26th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
Doesn’t the city have regulations that developers have to follow so develoments are put in properly? If they don’t they better get up to speed so this doesn’t happen again in the future. The city should require the developers to be responsible for adequate drainage.
November 27th, 2008 at 8:26 am
I remember when we were thinking of building in this addition, thank goodness we did not. I spoke to someone who is a very well respected, “dirt guy”, in Brandon. I was told that there were very few lots that you would want to build on in that area due to the way it was developed. Listening to this blog affirms that point. As far as the comment about Dave Swier signing off on it, does that surprise anyone? I sat at a city council meeting and listened to him say that he was not going to go out and check property pins. This comment was made when the city was talking about regulations for contractors, due to some lot lines being hosed up. He actually said he was not going to do his job in front of citizens and the city council. Apparently that was okay, so does it surprise me, or should it surprise anyone that he signed off on this mess. The city should be concerned because I bet if the residents went to a mediator and got some legal advice on what should be done, city hall may just be looking for a way out. Too many people stroking each other for the last few years on our city council, and it is gonna catch up to us, just watch. The ordinary little guy is gonna end up footing the bill because somebody decided to take a shortcut so his buddy could make a profit……just my opinion
November 28th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
This seems to be evidence of a pattern of sloppy work on the part of the city. Look at the French Creek addition and how hosed up that became. Look at the Eagle Creek/Bluffs traffic issues. Look at the drainage issues out by the golf course. Now Stone Ridge is sliding down the hill. Aren’t developments reviewed by the city’s contracted engineering staff prior to their approval? Is anyone in charge and willing to take responsibility for making sure problems like these are prevented?
November 28th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
It surely don’t seem like it now does it. As long as they get people in and the tax bracket, money, money, money. Is that why our slogan is, “Buy Brandon”. Someone is getting rich and it’s not the tax payers. Nope, it’s not our responsibility? Then what is? Why do we need building inspections then we can be responsible for our own mistakes, since we are now required to take care of them ourselves anyway.
November 29th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
Don’t you old ladies have anything better to do? Instead of putting an unsubstantiated accusation in as a topic on an anonymous blog, why not talk to some builders, the city’s engineer or some developers and get the story from those involved.
Nuf Said
November 29th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
What makes you think we are “old ladies”? People have been talking to builders, city leaders/employees, and developers. Nothing changes. Story stays the same - still the same old problems, over and over.
By the way, the newspaper starts the topic, not just anyone. We are only responding to the topic.
November 29th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
we went to an open house up there in this addition. Our realter pointed out there may be water problems. We chose NOT to purchase a house. Time these residents up there suck it up, realize they made a BAD decision and move on. 2 options. Put up a for sale sign, or shut up! Take ownership of their actions.
November 30th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
#11 You are missing the point. People had to buy the homes BEFORE they would know that there are drainage problems. Buyers are trusting the developers, builders, and city employees that things are in order before they buy their homes. It is pretty easy to come in after the fact and say “don’t buy, there are drainage issues with these homes”. You are lucky this was disclosed to you BEFORE you bought up there. Other homeowners are obviously not so lucky.
The point is this, developers continue to put in developments that have “issues” (drainage in this case). This should not be happening. The city should not be “signing off” on the developments and letting builders build homes until everything is “OK” to build on.
There are several areas in Brandon that have had drainage issues. The city should have learned years ago to not continue to allow this to happen. Areas that I know of that have had drainage issues are: Tallgrass Village park area (affected homes), French Creek, Golf Course addition, development north of the middle school (no formal name), and now Stone Ridge Addition. Did you ever notice that some of these additions don’t even have storm sewer drains???? The roads are supposed to be the “drainage” system. Crazy….
December 1st, 2008 at 8:43 am
The issue is very simple, the city should require all developers to submit drainage plans that can be approved by the city engineer. If the plans submitted can be approved. That is the problem in this development. I can only wonder that the developer told the city that the drainage would work. Our council and city individuals, Sweir, Olson,etc. oh and lets see do we have any realators on the council?, they all said okay as the developer would not do any thing wrong.
Its the good ole boy club still at work and going strong. Mr.
December 3rd, 2008 at 4:12 pm
The best thing about this whole deal is how Blaine Jones sat at the meeting and said he went through the same thing himself, fought the city and lost. He didnt like the outcome. Well now he is on the council and can make a difference so others dont have to go through the same thing, and he does nothing. After he stated when he was campaigning that he wanted to make a difference that is why he ran for council. Well Jones you had a chance to make a difference and you did nothing. What a coward.
December 3rd, 2008 at 5:15 pm
No need to call people names. If Blaine did vote to do something he would only be over run by the GOB still present on the council. One member of our fine council who works for the realtor that is promoting the sell of the lots in Stone Ridge, hidden agendas? Yes!
We have a lot of nice homes up here with a lot of nice neighbors; it would only take a small amount out of Gene Johnson millions he may make on these lots to FIX the problems. Will Mr. Johnson do the right thing, will the city? Only time will tell but I’m not holding my breath. I will just have to apologize to my neighbors and just fix my problems to drain off my property and then so on down the line till it’s done. That’s what the city told us to do. Good luck down stream sorry neighbors. Hope floats.
December 4th, 2008 at 7:38 am
I think it’s about time, that the people in Stone Ridge get together and make sure it is about impossible for Mr. Johnson to sale all those lots he has for sale up the hill. Put up signs do anything. I bet if he sits on those lots for awhile he might think again about doing some changes.
December 5th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Nice to see the council is spending time on resources on “adult bookstores”, which dont even exist in town, rather than helping the people that pay taxes and already live here. Lets see, what is more important, helping “citizen x” with his drainage problem that exists because of builder, devoloper and city errors, or worrying about an “adult bookstore” that noone has even hinted at opening. Nice job boys way to use your time and resources wisely.
December 5th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
I will have to disagree with you #17. FINALLY the City Council is being pro-active! I am so glad they have decided to enact regulations regarding “adult businesses”. They are popping up EVERYWHERE and are disgusting. Kudos to the City COuncil on this one!
December 5th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
#14. I appreciate your forwardness. It amazes me how you can be so vocal when you hide behind an anon name. I sit at the council chambers at a minimum of 4 times per month. If you would like to visit, I invite you to join us. Until then, you may want to open a book and educate yourself. I do not have the ability, nor does the council to abate, nor write state law. Again, as I’ve said in the past, my name is Blaine Jones, would you care to tell me yours?
December 5th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
Good answer Blaine.
December 6th, 2008 at 9:10 am
#19. I am confused by your statement about “not having the ability, nor does the council to abate, nor write state law”. What does that statement have to do with the council not dealing with bad developers, poor contractors, etc. Please explain.
December 6th, 2008 at 11:19 am
Id be happy to do so at the City Council Chambers or any other meeting place that would require you to intorduce yourself and tell me who you are.
December 6th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
Blaine - I am “Anon” not “Anonymous”. I personally do not have the schedule to allow me attend city council meetings - many people also do not. Some of us do not work 8-5.
Therefore, since you are a representative of the City of Brandon, maybe you could inform the citizens you do represent of why you (and other council members) are unable to to deal with city issues (see my #21 post).
I do not believe the only way you can communicate with Brandon citizens is at a City Council meeting. I would think you would want to communicate with citizens ANY way you can. During your campaign you had a website so I do know you believe in that mode of communication.
Furthermore, WHY does it matter who I am - does stating my name somehow change the situation in any way?
December 8th, 2008 at 7:49 am
I as a member of ward one, would tend to think that if you, Blaine feel that answering questions on a blog is something your not going to do just because you can not identify the individuals, is wrong. You by even posting, tells me a lot about you, and perhaps your ability to be a council member. I would think that if your follish enough to post on this blog, then you just as well state your posistion on the matters you post on or DON’T POST.
December 8th, 2008 at 10:24 am
Well I see we now have the “Great Wall” built here in Stone Ridge located on Quartz St. Oh yes, it looks great all that concrete blends in well with the modern housing I see here? What a joke, just another round about way for Mr. Johnson to not admit we have problems here!
December 12th, 2008 at 7:10 am
#23,
We can all make excuses for not attending meetings, BUT their are ways of communicating with our council members that don’t involve city meetings. Have you contacted Mr. Jones via the city website through his city email address? I’d be willing to bet if you did, he’d be more than happy to arrange time to talk to you.
And for #14,
A coward does not post on this blog under his own name. Others involved with the council have hidden behind the anonymity, but Mr. Jones is completely upfront. I commend him for doing so. Kathy Ford (city attorney) also used to post on this blog and it was a breath of fresh air.
December 12th, 2008 at 10:21 am
Correction… I meant Kathy Ford (city council person)
December 12th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
And #26 “Excuses” lectures fellow bloggers about hidden anonymity, while he or blogs anonymously as well. Gotta love hypocrisy!
December 12th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
To #28… I don’t see where “Excuses” lectured anyone about anonymity, they only said others have posted anonymously.
December 13th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
“”A coward does not post on this blog under his own name. Others involved with the council have hidden behind the anonymity,”"
Sound like a lecture to me.
December 13th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
guess my definition of lecture is different than yours. I always thought is was a long, tedious, speech, not 2 sentences of fact or opinion.