Residents air flood complaints

State, city officials meet with homeowners to discuss ways to prevent future water damage

Web posted July 6, 2000

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By Heidi Coryell
Staff Writer

Three weeks and one day had done little to ease the tensions of homeowners who attended a town hall meeting organized by residents of west Augusta's Commonwealth subdivision.

Report flood damage Residents can report flood damage by calling the Richmond County Emergency Management Agency at (706) 821-1155.

Nearly 150 homeowners from throughout the city filled the wooden bleachers of the Warren Road recreation center Wednesday night. Among them were Archie and Phyllis Morris, Dominion Court residents who say the county should buy all the homes on their street to avoid future losses.

``I even don't like to go to sleep when it's raining,'' Mrs. Morris said shortly before the meeting, ``I want out of here.''

She and her husband had their home on the market until flash-flood waters swept through their neighborhood June 13.

``We're not going to sell the house because we're not dishonest,'' she said.

Politicians at the meeting, including state Sen. Don Cheeks, Rep. Robin Williams and Mayor Bob Young, were able to offer a few answers to those in the Commonwealth subdivision, but attendees from the Forest Hills Racquet Club area and those who live on Rocky and Rae's creeks went home in relative uncertainty about what efforts are under way that will benefit their subdivisions.

Mr. Cheeks told the audience about his efforts to divert federal and state transportation funds toward the proposed construction of a $3.1 million retention pond on Crane Creek, which engineers say they believe would help lessen flood damage on Dominion Way and other areas downstream.

Proposals to expand the drainage capacity under Interstate 20 simply would cause more problems downstream, he said.

``I-20 is a priority; .ƒ.ƒ. it was designed wrong, and I think we can get federal funding to fix the problem,'' Mr. Cheeks said. ``There's nothing we can do to alleviate it right now. I hear your pleas, I know what you are asking for.''

The delegation also is looking to secure money from the governor to help purchase homes repeatedly damaged by flood waters, he said.

Many of the complaints voiced Wednesday were aimed at commercial development in west Augusta; some questioned the actions of city planning officials who did not stop the construction of homes in flood plain areas.

Mr. Young requested that residents form a committee to help advise city officials on flood damage solutions.

``We have some questions as to how permits were awarded to construct some of the buildings in this area, and whether property owners were sufficiently notified that they were buying in a designated flood area,'' Dominion Court homeowner Heather Thompson said. ``The experience of the last two years is sufficient in itself to declare this a flood disaster zone area.''

City officials said they believed they had no legal right to stop building on Dominion Court because the subdivision was approved for development prior to ordinances that prohibit construction in the lower part of the flood plain.

Although the homes do not appear to violate any ordinances, officials told flood victims they might have some legal recourse if they were misinformed about living in a flood plain by professionals involved in the purchase of their homes.

And Mr. Young offered the services of government workers, including engineers, planning officials and the city attorney, to help residents research the history of their properties.

``There may be some occasions for you to go back to the developer you bought from, and you might find information that you may have some liability,'' Mr. Young said. ``We've got nothing to hide in all of this process.''

Former Congressman Doug Barnard attended the meeting to support his son, Steve Farrell, who lives on Dominion Court.

``The property owners need to be considered, protected and compensated,'' Mr. Barnard said. ``I don't think their request is unreasonable.''

Reach Heidi Coryell at (706) 823-3215.