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Greyhawk residents press Forney to fix failing drainage; council moves matter to executive session
Summary
Multiple Greyhawk residents told the Forney City Council that an approved drainage project is failing, threatened homes and roads, and that the developer and prior city inspections are at issue. Council moved the item into executive session and, after closed-door discussion, directed additional review with no immediate action.
Dozens of residents of the Greyhawk subdivision urged the Forney City Council on April 8 to require repairs after a drainage project they say has been failing for years began threatening backyards and community infrastructure.
The speakers described a deteriorating culvert and ditch system at the Little Gull entrance that they say has undermined yards at least 18 homes, produced sinkholes visible in historical imagery and, if not fixed, could damage Little Gull Street within five to 10 years. Tara Mansfield, speaking for the Greyhawk Community Homeowners Association, told the council, “The drainage project approved by the City of Forney in the early as early as 08/2018 is now failing.”
The residents asked the council to review permits and inspections for the original construction, identify funding or other remedies, and pursue the developer, Centurion American, as appropriate. “We respectfully request that the City of Forney take immediate action to protect this tax paying and voter community,” Mansfield said, reading the HOA’s request for a formal review and for the city to “facilitate collaborative discussions” with the developer.
Multiple other homeowners gave first-hand accounts of foundation cracking, yard undermining and rapid slope failures after storms. Daniel Murphy described a “30-foot” slope failure in a recent heavy rain and warned the group that such failures can happen quickly: “...when that falls, the bridal wall behind it will collapse and it will take a good chunk of the house behind its backyard in that one event.” Kenneth Hill, a retired architect, urged the council not to hide behind sovereign immunity and said city infrastructure responsibilities include pipes under streets that discharge to the drainage channel.
City staff allowed extended public comment and then council members voted to move the Greyhawk HOA item into executive session “to consult with legal counsel” under Texas Government Code. Councilmember Traylor made the motion and Councilmember Schlitzker seconded it; the council voted to send the matter into executive session. After the closed session, the council reported it would undertake “additional review and fact finding” and that it had no action to take that night.
What happened at the closed session was not disclosed publicly; the council’s stated next step is additional review and fact-finding before any formal action is directed or authorized.
Why this matters: Speakers said the problem predates the HOA’s control of the common areas, that the HOA lacks the funds to cover multimillion-dollar repair estimates, and that failing infrastructure could imperil homes and a nearby school. Residents said they have obtained multiple repair quotes ranging from about $899,000 to $1.9 million and that the HOA has spent more than $50,000 on engineering assessments. The council’s follow-up review will determine what steps the city can or will take and whether the city will pursue remedies against the developer or others.
Next steps: The council did not adopt any repair plan or funding commitment on April 8; the council directed staff and councilmembers to continue reviewing documents and options and to report back with findings before taking any final action.
