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Residents press council on zoning and stormwater damage tied to Preserve development
Summary
During public comment, residents described erosion and property damage they attribute to nearby development, ongoing disputes and litigation, and asked the city council for continued engagement and resolution.
At the end of the Aug. 25 Hoover City Council meeting, two residents used the public-comment period to raise zoning and stormwater concerns linked to nearby development and to thank city officials for engagement.
Chris Silko, identifying himself from 2152 Chapel Road, said he and other neighbors had a recent meeting with the mayor and city staff about an ongoing zoning issue. He described that meeting as “productive” and thanked city officials for responsiveness while noting the issue predated the current election cycle and would continue beyond it. Silko told the council he looks forward to ongoing engagement to reach a resolution.
Matthew Winter (recorded in the transcript as a long public comment) described property he purchased that is bisected by Hurricane Branch, an ephemeral stream. Winter said a land-clearing operation installed a large concrete culvert that delivered concentrated flows into the ephemeral channel; after heavy rains the culverts washed out, sending rocks, sediment and debris into downstream properties and Paradise Lake. Winter said he has pursued engineering and legal remedies, including filing a lawsuit against the developer he identified as United States Steel, and criticized the city’s handling of stormwater infrastructure. He said his family relocated to Hoover for schools and quality of life and urged the city to address stormwater infrastructure and developer impacts.
Both speakers asked the council and staff to continue engagement; Winter said his experience led him to attend council meetings and pay closer attention to local policy. Council leadership acknowledged the comments and the meeting concluded.
Quoted from the meeting: Matthew Winter said he found a “land clearing operation with an enormous concrete pipe so large I could walk into it” and reported that subsequent washouts “sent a torrent of water carrying rocks, sediment, trees, and other debris into Hurricane Branch.” Chris Silko said the meeting with the mayor and staff was “productive” and thanked officials for their responsiveness.
