Edgefield homeowner continues 10 year struggle with flooding

“It’s been one year and one month since I brought this to your attention,” Lori McKinney told members of the Hohenwald Planning Commission.  “Can you tell me what has been done?”

“I wonder if it has been put on the back burner,” she continued.

“I can assure you it has not,” Mayor Don Jones replied.

When she and her husband purchased the lot in the Edgefield subdivision just over 10 years ago from Contractors Bill and Bret Hankins, the father/son team had no hydrology study performed on the new subdivision.

None was required then by Hohenwald building codes and everything they did was legal.  But in light of recent issues with drainage, a moratorium on future construction is in effect pending a complete  hydrology study.

Stop work orders were issued on two footers for new homes in the subdivision recently, prompting Hankins to question actions of the Hohenwald Planning Commission.

“My final approvals are filed at the Court House.  The new construction is three streets removed from the problem.  There is no problem, you are trying to make one,” Hankins told the Commission.

Drainage from the subdivision puddles on the McKinney lot, at times accumulating as much as six inches in the crawl space of their home.  Photographs taken over the past year and a 15 page mold report were produced by McKinney as evidence a problem does exist in her home.  The family has had to replace carpeting numerous times and  their daughter has severe allergic reactions each time she visits.

“I have a useless investment.  I cannot sell it and I am trying to get it fixed,” McKinney said.

“You are basing this whole thing on 80 inches of rainfall,” Hankins countered.

“It’s in my yard and under my house,” she responded.

“You picked the lot; I didn’t,” Hankins said.

“How was I supposed to know there would be a water problem?” she asked.

“Stopping building permits is not going to change that,” he said.

When the Planning Commission was made aware of the problem in April of 2009, they approved a motion to allow no future building permits for the subdivision until the flood waters were re-routed and the homeowner’s issues were amended.

Each new construction job sends a fresh supply of silt and mud into the streets which all funnel into the lowest point in the subdivision:  the McKinney’s property.

Discussion ensued concerning a hydrology study created by local engineer, Braden Hinson, which identifies the grade and proposes a solution.

“Don’t listen to me, I’ve just been doing this 55 years,” Hankins muttered.

Operations Chief Sam Livingston explained easements and legal descriptions are being prepared and utilities considered for the construction of a catch basis and sodded sway across a lot owned by Hankins.

Another sway will be necessary on the McKinney property to the street.  The City of Hohenwald increased drainage from an eight inches in diameter drain installed by the contractor to three 10 inches in diameter drains last year.

When the sways or drainage ditches are added, a 30-36 inches drain will replace the 10 inch drains, Codes Enforcer Billy Jackson explained this week.

Water will be diverted from the property onto property owned by Bill Skelton, who agreed on an easement on his farm land.

“I have 20 men out of work.  This is stupidity and there is no reason for it,” Hankins said.

“You have done a good job” building homes in Hohenwald,” Chairman Rick Morrow responded.  “But your reputation is on the line here.”

Planning Commission member and City Councilman Don Barber disclosed the new construction was his daughter’s home.  “We have identified a problem and are trying to solve the city’s side of the problem.

Mr. Hankins told the Commission and Mayor Don Jones how he saved the City of Hohenwald $20,000 in the past by providing an easement to then mayor, Guy Nicholson.

“She wants her yard work done by someone else other than her husband,” he added.  “I’m not doing it.  If we have to end up in court, we will.  I have done nothing wrong,” he said.

City Planner Jim Lech explained the City will continue to withhold future building permits for the subdivision until a hydrology study is complete.

“You don’t want 20 people to work,” Hankins said.

Several members of the Commission explained City codes and regulations should be followed.

“My interest is not to hold up progress but to prevent additional problems for residents in the subdivision,” Councilman Barber said.

Discussion followed about the recorded plat at the court house and the Commission determined an opinion would be necessary from the City Attorney Mike Spitzer.

Hankins asked McKinney if she opposed his company continuing construction. She deferred to the Commission who put the moratorium in place.  No member of the Commission made a motion to allow a building permit for Hankins and he abruptly left the meeting.

The Planning Commission is scheduled to meet again in two weeks.