Comments on: City Responds To Flooding in Midway Woods

By: Paula

Paula — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:43:00 +0000

Beth – do you know what kinds of penalties can be levied against the builder for not following whatever agreements were in place, and who is responsible for enforcing them?

By: BethSEGreen

BethSEGreen — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 23:01:38 +0000

This development has had at least a 10 year history. Just so everyone is up to date. According to the original agreement that got approved by the City a 30′ tree buffer was supposed to be left on the front side of the development to provide neighbors that separation. Those came down when the City required a larger sized drainage system. The developer clearly really doesn’t care about the trees and has basically said that all the trees had to come down because the topography was more difficult than orginally planned even though there were sevreal specimen trees that were supposed to be left. The City of Decatur rushed out the day the bulk of the tree cutting happened but in the end what could they really do? In regards, to the zoning reverting at this point it would simply revert back to residential that could clear cut everything so reverting back to the original zoning doesn’t really matter at this point. Here’s the problem (if you want to hear me lament about the removal of trees you can read my blog on the website) moving forward is what critical snd that this developer and let me make this clear – the developer is only supposed to put in streets, sewage and electric taps, no one has made a whiff of mention about houses – has either horibbly misrepresented himself in being able to handle this kind of development or has really become a victim to the weather. The real problem is how do we stop the erosion? Clearly the entire Eastern wall and retention fences and what looks to be about a third of the Eastern side of the property washed away this weekend. Where’s the wall? Where are the fences? I think Belvedere will be cleaning them out at a creek clean-up. What is going to be done? At this rate the whole hill will wash away. Both the front wall and the western wall on the side have already had cracking and pieces washing away. I really feel sorry for Ryan and his family because the destabilization of the hill could really effect his home. At this point it is clear the developer needs fines and site visits after every rain to force him to pay more attention and really start enforcing some type of structural integrity on the hill. We can have another system wide failure like we did this weekend if quick action is not taken.

By: BethSEGreen

BethSEGreen — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 22:42:01 +0000

The only community garden for Midway Woods I know of discussed is actually at the abandoned Oldfield property where another three acres were clear cut where we were promised it would not happen. Not the one on Midway since it is in the City of Decatur.

By: Trixie in Dixie

Trixie in Dixie — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 18:55:24 +0000

Well — I know for a fact that there was at least one development idea for this site a few years ago that kept almost all the trees. A few neighbors were INCENSED at the thought of any development and simply would not compromise at all. The developer, after spending a lot of money on plans, meetings, talking with neighbors, etc. finally had to give up. It’s a shame that a couple loud people were able to run a responsible developer out so that this kind of thing could move in.

By: writerchad

writerchad — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 16:10:46 +0000

You’re right, Nellie, the city limits line is very confusing around there. But this particular location was chosen specifically because it is in the Winnona Park school district. This development was highly contested by many residents because of obvious reasons; loss of green space, influx to schools, flooding/drainage concerns, etc. (Proper drainage to Shoal Creek was a huge issue and was supposed to be addressed accordingly. Hmph.)
I’m not particularly bothered by these types of subdivisions in Decatur. It’s what a lot of people want—a new house with all the amenities and no imperfections. What irks me is when they do all the land-moving, tree cutting, etc and then the work stops leaving behind an eyesore and a hazard. Many of these developments have fallen prey to the economy, but the one on Midway was begun well AFTER the economy tanked.