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Resident urges action on stormwater flooding near Westville Park Estates; mayor says city will follow up
Summary
At the May 20 meeting a Westville Park Estates resident described repeated flooding after heavy rain, blamed increased impervious surface and called for construction of a retention pond; the mayor acknowledged the issue and staff inspected the property.
Susan Pfeiffer, a resident of Westville Park Estates, told the Gainesville Mayor and Council on May 20 that repeated stormwater runoff and recent flooding on May 12 have damaged property and that the city has delayed constructing a retention pond on land near an abandoned fire station.
"What has been done to manage all the additional runoff for our city? Do the right thing for the people that you serve," Pfeiffer told the council, saying the overgrown ditch at the fire station with three incoming pipes and one small outgoing pipe "could not handle the runoff" and had washed away part of her fence.
Why it matters: Pfeiffer said roughly 10 multi-story buildings and parking decks have been added within a half-mile of the square over the past five years, increasing impervious surface and runoff; if correct, that kind of development can raise local flood risk and strain stormwater infrastructure.
Pfeiffer asked the council to build a retention pond on two adjoining lots owned by the city and to more aggressively enforce rules such as fines for yard trash in gutters. She said a prior meeting with the Westville Park HOA raised the retention-pond idea but "nothing has been done."
Mayor Sam Cuveon thanked Pfeiffer for coming and said he and the council had taken many calls and messages about the May 12 flooding. "I do understand we have an issue. You every point you made is very valid, and I understand exactly what you're saying," Cuveon said, and added the council would be back in touch.
City staff involvement: Pfeiffer said she had emailed water management staff and that Ms. Blackstone from the water management department visited and inspected the property. The mayor also said he did not want to promise anything he could not follow through on but acknowledged the concern and thanked her for raising it publicly.
No formal council action was taken during the May 20 meeting on the stormwater concerns; council members said staff would follow up with the resident.
