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Hampton Lake and Farm residents urge council to act after buffer clearing, flooding
Summary
Multiple Hampton Lake and Farm residents told council recent clearing in a buffer zone and intense rains have caused standing water, property damage and health concerns; residents asked for faster remediation and clearer developer accountability.
Residents from Hampton Lake, The Farm and nearby streets used the public‑comment period to press Bluffton officials for swift action after storms left standing water, sewer backflow and visible over‑clearing behind homes.
"We have homeowners that couldn't flush their toilets for a week," said Carrie Iams, who said she served on a community board for six years and listed prior inspections and BMP work done by residents and managers. She said some infrastructure and developer work was insufficient to prevent recent flooding.
Richard Evans, who said he lives at 57 Fording Court in Hampton Lake, told the council he does not oppose the planned Parkway apartment complex but asked for protections during construction: "We need several hundred yards of fencing…we need it now, not two or three years from now when the project is finished."
Doug Porter, reading on behalf of a neighbor, recounted a DRC meeting where developers acknowledged over‑clearing and promised to "make it right," and said the cleared buffer has increased noise, light pollution and visible standing water.
Jody Evans described a site behind her home as "a huge, festering cesspool" with water about three feet deep and said it had been designated wetlands previously. "It's an environmental disaster," she said, urging the council to inspect and act.
Council members and staff said they have been meeting with property owners, HOAs and developers and that the town has performed inspections. Kim, the staff presenter, said the town is meeting with HOA managers and relaying responsibilities for maintenance; she also emphasized limits to town authority where infrastructure is owned by DOT, county or private entities.
Council members encouraged continued engagement and asked staff to follow up; no enforcement action or final resolution was announced during the meeting.
The council invited residents to remain after the meeting for follow‑up and reiterated that staff will continue coordination with developers, HOAs and county officials.
