Residents press council on drainage at 12 North Birch and want clarity on 401 Grove Avenue project

Two Petersburg residents used the public-comment period at the April 1 council work session to request city help: one asked that the city include Foley Street and nearby properties in a storm- and flood-study after ongoing backyard flooding; another asked for clearer information about an approved two-story development next door.

Pamela Lundy (identified in the meeting record with variant spellings), who lives at 12 North Birch Street in the Blandford neighborhood, told council the area has no drainage system on Foley Street and that stormwater runs into Birch Street, flooding yards, causing mold and rodent problems and making vehicle access impossible at times. Lundy asked that Public Works include her block in the citys current storm and flood study.

Harriet Wynn, who lives at 405 Grove Avenue, said she received plans for a proposed two-story rental-and-office building at 401 Grove Avenue and wants clearer explanations of setbacks, proximity to her house, and parking. Wynn said she had met with a development staff member (Maxwell) who reviewed plans with her but that she still had safety concerns about the small lot and the approved parking.

Vice Mayor Hill asked staff to get contact information from Lundy and for Public Works to follow up. City staff confirmed they would work with Councilman Cuthbert and the city manager on both issues and to deliver permit documents and a staff explanation to Wynn. No council action was taken that evening; staff pledged to follow up with the residents.

Why it matters: Local drainage failures can cause property damage, public-health hazards and higher repair costs for homeowners; neighbors asked for inclusion in the citys storm/flood study and for clearer communication from development/permit staff about an approved project on a parcel next to a residents home.