Business owner presses Monongalia County for help after floodplain permit rescinded, leaving yards and basements flooded

Chad Matheny, a Monongalia County resident and business owner, told the Monongalia County Commission that a floodplain permit he was granted to raise two residential lots adjacent to his metal-roofing manufacturing facility was rescinded after a neighbor complaint, and the issue has stalled for more than two years.

Matheny said the backyards now hold about 2 feet of water in wet periods, flooding basements and creating what he described as a mosquito hazard. He told commissioners he has hauled multiple tri-axle loads of fill to raise the yards and that his company employs seven to eight people; the flooding limits his ability to expand parking and to rent one of the houses. Matheny said he has repeatedly sought answers from the county floodplain coordinator and has not received timely responses.

Matheny described a subsurface drainage pipe—approximately 20 inches across—that he said is silted and no longer flows, producing a swampy area and surface flooding that also affects Route 7. He asked the commission for assistance in obtaining a timely resolution and offered to show photographs documenting the flooding.

Commissioners acknowledged the complaint, said the county has had staffing changes in the floodplain coordinator role during the past two years, and promised follow-up. One commissioner said they would “light a fire under that” and asked staff and the floodplain coordinator (Jeff, referenced in the record) to address the matter at an upcoming meeting. The commission did not take a formal vote or approve a permit at the meeting.

Matheny said the standing water has caused hazardous basement conditions in at least one rental and interfered with business operations. Commissioners asked staff to follow up with the floodplain coordinator and report back to the commission.