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Residents press city for follow-up on Ridge neighborhood drainage as council approves budget funding
Summary
Residents of the Ridge neighborhood urged the city to complete Phase 2 of a drainage plan and asked officials to inspect local sites where new construction appears to be redirecting stormwater; city staff said Phase 2 is included in the budget and that staff will inspect the reported locations
Residents of the Ridge neighborhood asked Newcastle officials to ensure planned drainage work continues and to inspect specific properties they say are diverting stormwater into neighboring yards and buildings.
Farrah Coffey, speaking for Ridge residents, said Phase 1 of a two-phase drainage plan covered the current fiscal year and asked that Phase 2 be included and funded in the coming budget year. She asked whether the contractors have surety (performance) bonds and whether the work schedule is clear; staff said performance bonds are in place during construction with maintenance bonds triggering on formal acceptance of improvements.
Tammy Kabir, a Ridge resident who described property damage behind her home, said two recent new builds on Marlin/Merlin Court appear to be sending large volumes of water downhill. "It's coming out just a tiny spigot of water...all the rest of it that's on that property is rolling straight down behind it," Kabir said. She described water overtopping retaining walls, damaging an outbuilding and causing seepage into neighboring homes’ rooms.
City staff and council acknowledged the complaints and described next steps. The community development director and city manager said they will inspect the addresses residents identified, compare conditions to the recorded drainage plans and determine whether builders altered or blocked intended swales and channels. The city manager said construction-related private improvements on older lots may be a private-property issue, but staff said they would review the sites and the subdivision’s recorded drainage designs and report back.
Why it matters: Council had just approved the annual city budget, which staff said includes funds for the drainage work that residents requested. That budget approval was recorded at the meeting; residents and staff said they expect the Phase 2 work to mitigate some neighborhood flooding but that previously filled or altered swales on earlier phases could be redirecting flows and worsening local damage.
Public-safety and emergency response: City staff said the street department and emergency crews responded to widespread storm washouts following heavy rains and that city crews worked extended shifts to reopen narrow roads. The city manager and emergency manager said they are compiling hours, equipment and damage documentation to submit as part of a potential disaster declaration to the state for reimbursement of emergency repairs.
Next steps: staff asked residents to provide specific addresses and photos; staff committed to inspecting the properties, reviewing recorded drainage plans, and reporting findings to the community development director and council. If city staff identify private improvements that block required drainage easements, staff said they will identify remedial steps and advise affected homeowners of options.
