Angry residents protest water problems

Leonard Thornton
Diversity Institute Fellow

04.01.04

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A group of irate residents led by David Whitt came to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting in Hendersonville on Tuesday to voice their concerns about the retention of water in crawl spaces in homes.

The problem of foundation and other structural damage involves 34 homes, 11 subdivisions and 10 home builders and is due to the lack of soil testing, according to city codes that determine the type of drainage and grading that is to be done.

Whitt, who lives on Margaret Drive, explained that the soil is a type of clay that retains water longer, but with proper construction the problem can be eliminated. He came prepared with pictures and a large binder filled with documentation, and blamed the board and the city planning commission for not enforcing builders to follow the codes.

"Mr. Mayor," said Whitt, his voice rising, "at the planning commission you made a statement that you have a sump pump under your house, and we felt like you were making light of our problem."

Whitt began his fight in June 2003 after he was forced to pay $25,000 in repair costs for his home. He has since been joined by others who have been faced with the same problems.

Ricky Stahl, another homeowner, who experienced problems with the doors of his new home not shutting and doorjambs splitting, said, "When you pay $225,000 for a house 10 months old, you should not have to worry about it falling apart."

The board promised to take a more serious look at the problem with the planning commission.

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