HOME TEAR DOWNS/FLOODING

November 3, 2016 · Filed Under Events and News 

FORT WORTH CITY COUNCIL WILL VOTE NOV. 15th to approve a program using FEMA grant money to purchase homes in Western Arlington Heights that are prone to flooding during heavy rain storms.  Homes purchased will be torn down leaving vacant lots.  Arlington Heights Neighborhood Association Executive Board opposes this program given this is not a SOLUTION to improve storm water drainage in our neighborhood.  We are collecting signed petitions to present to Councilman Shingleton.  Please consider signing the petition, then scan or take a picture of the signed petition, and reply to this email (vicepresident@arlingtonheightna.com) with the signed petition attached.  Our deadline is Fri., Nov. 11th.  CLICK HERE –> floodpetitionnov2016

Again, taking into consideration and listening to our neighbors, the Arlington Heights Neighborhood Association Executive Board continues to oppose this program given this is not a SOLUTION to improve storm water drainage in our neighborhood.   The cover story in the July/August 2014 AHNA Newsletter by Christina Patoski “Flash Floods Slam Central Arlington Heights” laid out additional reasons why this is (still) not a solution, in fact, it can very simply create additional issues for our neighborhood:  “…The other solution the city proposed for a 100% fix was tearing down specific houses and creating what they describe as permanent greenway surface detention. This solution was soundly and repeatedly rejected by a vast majority of the property owners for a variety of reasons. First, tearing down just one or two homes would not provide significant mitigation, according to city staff. In order for this solution to really work requires purchasing and tearing down 30 to 35 houses in the Western, Carleton, Ashland area. Most of the homeowners found this to be a drastic measure that would sacrifice the character of our historic and affluent neighborhood. Also, in order to achieve the buy out of 30 to 35 homes would almost certainly require the city to use eminent domain to force out those who do not wish to sell their homes. Suing the city would be the only defense for those who wish to stay. “The other thing I don’t like about tearing down all those homes is that it takes all that property off the tax rolls forever, and on top of that it will cost the city money to maintain that land every month,” points out Doug Griffey who has lived on Ashland for more than sixty years. Another neighbor points out that the city quit maintaining the alleys, so why should we assume they would always maintain greenways?”

From the City of Fort Worth’s website (fortworthtexas.gov):  When rain hits any hard surface, such as your roof or driveway, it can’t soak into the ground so it runs off your property. Uncontrolled runoff can lead to flooding, erosion and pollution problems. It is the city’s job to help control this runoff.  The city’s Stormwater Management program is working to modernize the Fort Worth storm water system and educate the public about the dangers of flash flooding.

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