that water is not top runoff; it's a hydrology issue CAUSED by these new homes, and foundations not being built to high drainage standards. the local homeowners need that hydrology report. It' s not THAT expensive, and go to the city and developer with that loaded in their appeal to common sense. THEN get ready to sue.!!!
That will lower property value and you risk getting termites from most conditions in the soil. It’s a shame the city said there’s nothing can do after someone lowered her property value.
bigger homes pay more taxes so the city officials are all for pushing out the small home owners if they cared they would have made the new regulations retroactive and forced the builder to remediate the problems caused!!
@@johnbalogna803 In BC if we as developer/home builder hit old infrastructure, it's on our nickel to upgrade to TODAYS' compliance standards, drainage, etc. It's incredulous that in 2019 various US jurisdictions can be so far behind the times, but they are. MCMansions have been an issue in Wash. state since MicroSoft started being based there, in 1980!!!! i.e. it's been almost HALF A CENTURY. wow. j;;ust wow.
Most new development communities have homeowners associations which in some cases can enforce rules about the size and type of homes built within that specific community. However, I'm thinking this must be an older community without a homeowners association which means homeowners would be on their own against a development company coming in and building homes that don't match others in the community.
Because they’re not doing anything wrong with how the building code currently is. It’s not their fault. Blame the damn city for not including how runoff form new residential construction would affect other lots.
Couldn’t theoretically the builders of the mcmansions be forced to install proper drainage for these houses thus eliminating the problem, like they in places could just add divots that are structured to carry the water to the street
In the subdivision where I live, all the homes are approximately the same size, but a few are on lots where the backyard has a downward slope which creates flooding issues when it rains. In those cases, the individual homeowners fixed the problem by installing a french drain in their backyard.
Divots won’t work, my grandmother had to put a fancy drain underground, rent backhoes, whole yard was dug up and then sod was laid, $15k, and it wasn’t even close to that much water. This will be an expensive fix.
I can't even extend my patio slab without getting a permit and having runoff inspected in ny area. Not sure why they are able to build entire houses without taking that into consideration.
Its happening everywhere, If you live close to the Downtown area of a growing city expect this to happen to you. Also what its doing is raising property values so those on fixed incomes cant afford the property taxes.
i guess if kirkwood is changing regulations the developer quit paying them off or wasn't paying enough. very common between developers and city halls. i worked for a developer in oregon and was told that all regulations can be bypassed for money to the right officials.
I don't think she can sue the developer because the city says they built the house 'to code' so "technically", they didn't do anything wrong but if I were her, I would look into suing whoever the homeowner will be, for the specific damage that occurs to my property every time it rains. It might force them to have a professional come in and create a drainage solution that would stop the problem.
That one lady said it's already cost her *twenty thousand*. That's ridiculous. Somebody mentioned another of the same situation where the old neighbors built a French drain (something like build a hole, put in rocks and pebbles). This is greed though, sure seems like. I would hate to have someone build a huge structure right next to me where there never was one before.
@@TaDarling1 - Thank you for your answer.... I guess I'm just saying there was negligent somewhere, & if they can pull all the legal papers on the house, construction, building inspectors notes, etc... I bet they'd find who's responsible! It's worth a shot! I like your thoughts on the matter - You opened my eyes! Thanks!
I would get a good law firm and sue the city (a way out of town law firm on CONTINGENCY FEE). Definitely a law suit here (city, builder, city engineers, mayor, owner(s), and if necessary, sue the governor. AND also make the new owners or the builders or city, responsible for implementing the drainage system immediately, and make sure the lawsuit requires penalties by the day for every single day until it is completed. French drain could work, with the iron gate/grate on top (hopefully at the bottom of the slope of the offending owners own property). The city engineers may have a better solution than the french drain. Let's see what your lawyers say. There you go. Then the offending owner of the mcmansion, can sue the builder for their expenses. I'm liking this more and more. Aren't you? Did I leave anything out? Anyone? Feel free to add your comments.
Only if the little man let's them. A good case will be taken up by a good law firm, to make a lot of $$$$. Class Action suit or not. This will get a lot of press too. Can't afford it? Get a lawyer who will take the case on Contingency Fee. Some law firms will. There's lots of $$$$ to be made on this case.
Why do they keep destroying historical neighborhoods with those ticky tacky tract homes that will look like garbage within 20-30 years? My understanding is that the builders are probably investing into the campaigns of the politicians that will be their puppets. Also, the city can charge more property taxation on larger homes. I think the people allowing the permits for these to be built are also being paid off or have some sort of incentive to turn a blind eye.
Why? They are providing a product for which other people gladly pay. The construction of those houses were good for local economy. The developers operated within the boundries of local law, code, and ordinance.
@@truckertriesfarming9792 just because something follows all the rules, doesn't mean it's good. Sure they built those houses to "code", but those new constructions are causing damage to neighboring homes, costing them thousands of dollars. The builders of the McMansions are absolutely at fault, as is the city for not taking steps to protect their constituents.
@@sungshin393 The builder raised the newly built house, with the water flow being the way it is, because that is what the code, and the inspector, required. Again, not the fault of the builder.
TruckerTriesFarming , that’s not true. And, U already know the code and inspector did NOT required the builder raised up the house. Oh come on. Be real
The City engineers should make this problem go away! But to stop people from building new homes is good for the neighborhoods especially when the area homes taken away probably were eye sores.
0:59 to people complaining about the looks of McMansions I would say you do have a believable complaint here. I will never agree to call the look horrible, but it does look like someone just tossed bunch of architectural elements to the wind. The main complaint I have is instead being a carefully put together work of art it seems it is more of way to appear very wealthy. I would get kind of p'd off if someone wanted to tell me I can only use a column to hold something up. In my religion they are used as quadrant markers and decoration. 1:04 just looks like a large house made of cheap materials. Appears someone took a box and tried to fit some fancy architecture on it. It can be easily done on a computer. If someone wants to feel and look filthy rich that should be their right so as long as it doesn't violate neighbors' rights and the codes.
The system is corrupt all over the country. These new homes remind me of the Barbie townhouse, cheaply constructed and cheap materials. Think about why they build higher either very dumb or want to cause the homes around the newly constructed eyesores to want to move! Plus it helps when people in power have their pockets lined. Truly ashame!
It's like any town, when a big time million dollar construction company rolls in, they pay off any government officials to do what they want. We have the same issue here in Mount pleasant Pennsylvania. Our towns are corrupted. If you have money, your favored. I mean look you see how guilty the city hall officials act. And sticking up for the home builders. And again, why? Because they were paid off.
i have same problem in my town.but all the houses are old.my lot ended up lower than the rest and it took on water very bad.so i built a 1ft.burm around my lot.no more floods.
Honestly, why would you ever build a mcmansion in the first place? I get it, in some places land isn't cheap. But why would you settle for historic homes?
These companies buy the older houses for a relatively low price, raze it, and build the big new house for a big profit. A lot of these older homes have only one bathroom, and are small. I had one in a neighborhood near Kirkwood, and they had built a couple in my street too.
@@ytreece the problem here isn't that they're razing the historic homes, honestly could care less about old homes that haven't had a good update in decades to make em more attractive in the market. what i care about is having big backyards and frontyards it looks to me with some of these mcmansions, may not be with all, just pointing this out, there ain't a good size back or front yard, and the house sits pretty close to the road. now if it was a subdivision that was designed like that with houses that close together, i could understand it, not a older neighborhood that just needs a simple update to look a bit more modern on the inside and keep the big front and back yards they usually have.
@@Zeakthecat In my neighborhood the houses were already close together. The huge rebuilds take up most of the property. The front yard doesn’t change much as the houses were already set close to the road, but zero side/back yard. It’s a very desirable location and that big house would be around $600k. My house was designed to be one floor, but the basement and attic had been refinished with two baths added. I sold it a few years back for $300k and it flew off the market so I underpriced it a bit. They tried to buy my house but I refused to sell it as a tear down because I like my neighbors.
@@ytreece hmm interesting. there is older neighborhoods with little to 0 of anything for a back and front yard. but i was refering to the ones thats bigger.
@@Zeakthecat there’s some areas with somewhat bigger yards, but my house was built in the 1940’s and it was all brick craftsman houses very close together. I was in Brentwood which is right outside St Louis city. A lot of houses don’t even have a driveway. I had a shared driveway. The house was right on the driveway and so was the neighbor I shared it with. The other neighbor was 15-20 feet from my house. So they’re pretty tightly packed. That’s why it’s so aggravating when someone sticks a giant house up. Messes up the vibe of the neighborhood, not to mention the drainage issues. I live in Wyoming now, in the Rockies, so I got PLENTY of yard. There was 4 deer out there this afternoon and I drove past a herd of 10-15 running to Radio Shack this afternoon :)
Some code somewhere in the town or county is regulating runoff requirements. This town is silly and should be sued - the builder too. I don't care if something is "to code" if the effect is the opposite of what the code intends.
Why are they not just installing a French drain with the iron grate on the side or the driveway closest to the neighbors house? That would divert the water and still allow cars in the driveway.
That's a good idea, maybe they have not even though of it. Also I'd like to see someone build a wall so the water would back up to the new houses basements, see how they would like that, the builders. Then they might get sued by the new owner. BUT that one house and driveway is so close to the new house property there is no room for the drain.
They would have to dig up some of the hot top all the way down. Why should they? Have it done on the offenders property by court order (lawsuit). AND hopefully, people (city workers) will lose their jobs over this. They better.
The homeowners with flooding could plant a barrier with grasses and plants that absorb large amounts of water. Just thinking might be cheaper than $60,000 in flooding damage.
Make the regulations on controlling water runoff from a new construction affecting neighbours retroactive? If new construction is affecting neighbours houses with massive surface water runoff the new homeowners should be responsible. Their contractor did the property grading that has caused the problem. A bit of drainage tile just might solve the issue in some cases. It sure sounds like the city counsellors are not supporting the older homeowners in this and they should be. Class action lawsuit on the city or municipality just might make them wake up to the issue.
Right? Rent a trenching machine, install a french drain all along that swamp that runs into the sewer and you're done. Take a 1-3 days and cost 5 grand, 10 grand tops. Really not very difficult. She doesn't seem capable or smart at all. Not that she *should* have to deal with the problem caused by these mcmansion sumbags but still, that's what I would do.
So from my understanding. The new homes (besides size) are being elevated upwards, that now are creating man made hills (per say) That water in aspect runs down the hill away from the home, and ventures into other residents home. So my question is, would it be illegal for a home owner to build a brick wall on their side of the property to create a man made dam in the sense XD. I wonder how fast those McMansions developers will cry to the city about that.
A brick wall isn't going to do anything to water. Water will run right through it and under it. Even if you built a full actual concrete dam, that would be way more expensive than just installing a french drain. 1. Rent a trenching machine. 2. trench the yard in a couple hours. 3. install french drain. Done. Very easy and not terribly expensive either. My guess would be 5-10 grand.
Local city/county govt., real estate developers, and house sales all go hand in hand. That's why the by laws aren't amended and changed: huge coin to be make, and local lawyers representing all those interests make sure "de nada" happens. Similar to pot growing and greenhouse operations in Canadwa: the draw down on local water tables is HUGE; TENS of thousands of gallons per day. Hydrology issues are created by the shear weight of those homes and foundations. It's NOT run off water, though it looks like it. The city SHOULD have insisted on a hydrology report ( and one may even exist). In BC Canada if we dig up an old Owooden hoop storm drain, it's replacement and upgrade is ON US, THE DEVELOPER or custom home builder. We do it all the time on BC Van. north shore, as the storm drains often date back 100 years. Oops. But US local govt. compliance is ALSO 100 years behind the times. It's on local govt. AND local developers and lawyers. Ouch for those already living there.
It is possible the older home is out of code in so many ways its better to build a new one. But this mixed stuff isn’t good . It happens out here but haven’t heard of any neighbors complaining about run off . When our other home was built with the whole neighborhood they had to allow for drainage and have natural areas foecthr wayer to accumulate. The neighborhood is in charge of those areas that that are fenced and protected to keep the drainage going. It is Oregon by Portland you dont want to mess with rain .
That new code shows that they know there is a problem but now they are trying to cover there butts from any lawsuits. All the affected homeowners need to band together and sue to get something done to save their homes and recover costs of any repairs already done.
They should put up a containment pony wall.. plus look into federal law because the army corp of engineers says you can not build anything or modify your property that will cause neighbors property or neighboring property to flood.
@@AccusingSteak technically maybe not but laws are made and enforced with their guidelines. Kinda like atf doesn't have the power to make gunlaws but they do in a way
@@jimmieburleigh9549 no the atf has no authority to make gun laws, alcohol laws or tobacco laws. They only specialize in investigations about illegal activities involving those products
Once the water leaves your property there's no responsibility. A pump and a hose aimed at their driveway or front door.. Or side of house. Just spray it back. Just gotta make a bigger mess to properly communicate the severity of the situation.
Build a concrete wall, though it might cost a bit. But it would make the water run back onto the new mc house and give the builders something to think about.
Yeah that's wrong. If you divert the water you are responsible for that. Like if I installed gutters on my property at the roof line and pointed them right at the side of your home, and they flowed right onto your windows, that would be my fault. Clearly. You don't know what you're talking about.
@@user-nh3gu1ge3d by your logic her neighbors would be responsible for the water damage already concurred. City Council deemed they were not. So no.. You are not responsible for what happens after it leaves your property. Tit for tat, jack.
@@bluerxstandard Yes, that's correct, they would be responsible. Again, city council does not judge legal cases. Their opinion on this is not relevant, legally. City council is legislative in nature, the court system is judicial. CC can pass laws as long as those laws are consistent with state and federal laws. They don't judge cases. And higher laws override their "lowly" laws. For example if they tried to pass a law stating murder was legal in their jurisdiction, that would not be valid because a higher law makes that illegal. Make sense? This is the same thing, the mcmansion caused damage, the homeowner is entitled to legal protections, regardless of what city council says. City council is wrong. Yes it happens sometimes. People break and/or misinterpret the law all the time, even law makers. Your appeal to authority argument is weak. You are responsible for damages you directly cause. Period. There is no debate about this. Whether or not these people get caught, prosecuted, etc. yeah that's a whole other matter but they are wrong, legally. Just because people get away with crimes and offenses doesn't mean they are right in doing so. People get away with crimes all the time. By your silly logic, anyone could simply launch water with a high powered water cannon directly into any neighbors property. Why don't you go try that and see how long it takes for you to be arrested? Your blanket "you are not responsible for what happens after it leaves your property" statement is so naïve and silly. As for this "Tit for tat, jack.", yeah, whatever that means.... good one, I guess?
@@user-nh3gu1ge3d cc's dont make laws but they do set precedents which dependant on jurisdiction is just as good when accompanied by malicious intent (provable by them NOT doing anything about the original policy violation and leaving it up to the elderly to discern grandfather policy.) Which would also supersede any new policy unless said resident willingly gives that up. I would argue it. But im not used to rolling over for folks. Maybe you are. Rules are meant to be changed. Law is not always blind justice. Theres room for discretion. Blind justice is rarely applicable in council cases. Ir is and is supposed to be a good ole boys club of sorts.. Thats why its policy and NOT LAW.
These are McMansions? They just look like slightly bigger two story homes with attached garages. The older homes seem very small, and in many, have no garages. Having said that. Yeah, developers do whatever they want, and nothing ever happens.
This is just plain SAD !!! It's all about GREED AND MONEY !!!!! Screw the residents that have now suffered over these EYE SORES !!!! I would see if the develpoers , ect. can be sued !!!!
A McMansion is not just a large mass production home on a small lot. A McMansion is home that is large and poorly designed. It has to disobey the rules of classical architecture. If you build a 3000 sq ft colonial revival on a small log it’s not a McMansion. The home next to hers is not a McMansion.
Don't you know where the water is coming from get a storage pump well I hose and pump it into the basement of those houses that were in that story run that for about two days and flood their whole house and maybe they will clean up
Those are not mcmansions...they look like slightly larger than usual middle class homes, pretty common on the west coast. Sounds like more of a building issue than the size of the homes. I know it's trendy now to hate people who can still afford a nice home for their family, and we should all go green and live in shipping containers...but it's the cities fault for allowing this construction without considering drainage. On the other hand, a low income apartment.complex was put up in my small town and it caused the same flooding in the neighborhood it butted up against.
Apparently since it's all built to code there are no grounds, but that's a huge amount of damage to the neighbor's property from these big new raised homes.
@@lizh1988 The new homeowner built something that caused damages to the existing home owner's property. That is grounds. "Built to code" is irrelevant in this case where damages are occurring. She can sue and probably would win.
@@user-nh3gu1ge3d I agree, but the town keeps saying that since the methods of building were pre-approved, there are no grounds for a lawsuit, the runoff is due to rain and not to the new house. Or whatever. The town's engineer is saying there is no legal grounds for suit. By now I don't remember if they've tried to sue but I believe at least one person has, and lost due to the above mentioned inspections and building according to code. Yeah, the runoff is due to the new house and the way the ground was built up, but for some reason they are being told it's a problem they have to deal with on their own. I don't think it's fair that they can't sue, since the damage seems to be due to the new house and changes to the lot, but the judge ain't listenin', and it's expensive to sue.
@@lizh1988 Ok but the town's engineer isn't a lawyer or a judge. He's an engineer. I don't care what his opinion on legal grounds for a suit is. Same with any city council or politician. As for the "someone else sued and lost", well, if that's true that's unfortunate. But you can always sue, I get that it's expensive though. Maybe they didn't sue? Maybe their lawyer sucked? Maybe they need to appeal? I don't know the legal specifics with this case and I don't plan on investigating it either.
Lady just dig a moat in your backyard. You have a huge yard just make a deep deep moat that is like 5’ wide and 10’ deep to drain that water for you and your neighbors
That costs money too and sounds like a safety issue. Maybe a hydro engineer could tell them how to put some concrete walls in so it flows back into the mcbasements.
i guess i could just build a levee around my house. would it flood the offending property? hopefully! those things are so cheaply made it might just float down the road in the first good rain....
Where did the engineer go to school? Raising the height of plot of land and increasing roof/house size? No one saw this coming? WoW. just speechless.
They probably did but mass developers only care about money, which is why they build McMansions(built cheap and sold for a fortune)
@@bullenmabior9220 Yup and the houses they are selling are fine so what to do they care?
probably was paid off
There should be a code that requires proper drainage. This is affecting others property and should be standard code to prevent this
that water is not top runoff; it's a hydrology issue CAUSED by these new homes, and foundations not being built to high drainage standards. the local homeowners need that hydrology report. It' s not THAT expensive, and go to the city and developer with that loaded in their appeal to common sense. THEN get ready to sue.!!!
Definitely sue the city! Thats your only hope, mom! I hate that you gotta deal with this stress.
There is a code. Well at least in BC Canada there is. It's drainage rock system. It's the builders responsibility.
There usually are. The engineer and the town code enforcement should be sued. You can't drain onto someone else's property
That will lower property value and you risk getting termites from most conditions in the soil. It’s a shame the city said there’s nothing can do after someone lowered her property value.
I can’t understand how people or companies get away with this and why the affected have to pay for it.
bigger homes pay more taxes so the city officials are all for pushing out the small home owners if they cared they would have made the new regulations retroactive and forced the builder to remediate the problems caused!!
@@johnbalogna803 yup
@@johnbalogna803 In BC if we as developer/home builder hit old infrastructure, it's on our nickel to upgrade to TODAYS' compliance standards, drainage, etc. It's incredulous that in 2019 various US jurisdictions can be so far behind the times, but they are. MCMansions have been an issue in Wash. state since MicroSoft started being based there, in 1980!!!! i.e. it's been almost HALF A CENTURY. wow. j;;ust wow.
Most new development communities have homeowners associations which in some cases can enforce rules about the size and type of homes built within that specific community. However, I'm thinking this must be an older community without a homeowners association which means homeowners would be on their own against a development company coming in and building homes that don't match others in the community.
Because they’re not doing anything wrong with how the building code currently is. It’s not their fault. Blame the damn city for not including how runoff form new residential construction would affect other lots.
This is true journalism. Thanks for sharing keep up the good work. Please do more stories
The developer knows what they are doing . They are trying to force the others out
This is poor city management, the city should perform some type of environmental impact survey prior to issuing a build permit.
You'd think.... 😞
Can you say" Class action?" Get busy!
Exactly!!!
Sadly American doesn't always have the rules it should, its possible no laws were broken.
Then the lawyers get all the money.
Couldn’t theoretically the builders of the mcmansions be forced to install proper drainage for these houses thus eliminating the problem, like they in places could just add divots that are structured to carry the water to the street
In the subdivision where I live, all the homes are approximately the same size, but a few are on lots where the backyard has a downward slope which creates flooding issues when it rains. In those cases, the individual homeowners fixed the problem by installing a french drain in their backyard.
This is the correct answer a drain why is everyone not thinking of drainage very good answer
Divots won’t work, my grandmother had to put a fancy drain underground, rent backhoes, whole yard was dug up and then sod was laid, $15k, and it wasn’t even close to that much water. This will be an expensive fix.
This is so unacceptable. Its clear the city doesn't give a dam about these people
I wonder what would happen if some of these older neighbors built a wall that made the water run back to the McMansion side. 🤭😋😂🌊
A dam is exactly what I was thinking...lol
I can't even extend my patio slab without getting a permit and having runoff inspected in ny area. Not sure why they are able to build entire houses without taking that into consideration.
There's a King OF The Hill episode about this
Its happening everywhere, If you live close to the Downtown area of a growing city expect this to happen to you. Also what its doing is raising property values so those on fixed incomes cant afford the property taxes.
Yeah, I don't get why your neighbor raising their property value raises yours and not just theirs.
i guess if kirkwood is changing regulations the developer quit paying them off or wasn't paying enough. very common between developers and city halls. i worked for a developer in oregon and was told that all regulations can be bypassed for money to the right officials.
Can't she sue this developer? Makes no sense that they just throw their hands up in the air & "Oh Well!" No Responsibility! S M H 🤔
I don't think she can sue the developer because the city says they built the house 'to code' so "technically", they didn't do anything wrong but if I were her, I would look into suing whoever the homeowner will be, for the specific damage that occurs to my property every time it rains. It might force them to have a professional come in and create a drainage solution that would stop the problem.
That one lady said it's already cost her *twenty thousand*. That's ridiculous. Somebody mentioned another of the same situation where the old neighbors built a French drain (something like build a hole, put in rocks and pebbles).
This is greed though, sure seems like. I would hate to have someone build a huge structure right next to me where there never was one before.
@@TaDarling1 - Thank you for your answer....
I guess I'm just saying there was negligent somewhere, & if they can pull all the legal papers on the house, construction, building inspectors notes, etc... I bet they'd find who's responsible! It's worth a shot!
I like your thoughts on the matter - You opened my eyes! Thanks!
@@nolawest5183 I see your point as well and you're right, it is worth a shot!
She doesn’t have the money for legal representation.
Same happened to me. I live on a high water table, the turned a forest behind me into a subdivision so now I have standing water in my back yard
I would get a good law firm and sue the city (a way out of town law firm on CONTINGENCY FEE). Definitely a law suit here (city, builder, city engineers, mayor, owner(s), and if necessary, sue the governor. AND also make the new owners or the builders or city, responsible for implementing the drainage system immediately, and make sure the lawsuit requires penalties by the day for every single day until it is completed. French drain could work, with the iron gate/grate on top (hopefully at the bottom of the slope of the offending owners own property). The city engineers may have a better solution than the french drain. Let's see what your lawyers say. There you go. Then the offending owner of the mcmansion, can sue the builder for their expenses. I'm liking this more and more. Aren't you?
Did I leave anything out? Anyone? Feel free to add your comments.
Wake up to reality, I live in East Hampton, they have been doing this for over 20 years. As long as you have money, the little man will lose out.
Unless the little guy puts up a big stink.
Only if the little man let's them. A good case will be taken up by a good law firm, to make a lot of $$$$. Class Action suit or not. This will get a lot of press too. Can't afford it? Get a lawyer who will take the case on Contingency Fee. Some law firms will. There's lots of $$$$ to be made on this case.
Why do they keep destroying historical neighborhoods with those ticky tacky tract homes that will look like garbage within 20-30 years? My understanding is that the builders are probably investing into the campaigns of the politicians that will be their puppets. Also, the city can charge more property taxation on larger homes. I think the people allowing the permits for these to be built are also being paid off or have some sort of incentive to turn a blind eye.
Always follow the money.
The people who built those mcmansions are terrible people
Why? They are providing a product for which other people gladly pay. The construction of those houses were good for local economy. The developers operated within the boundries of local law, code, and ordinance.
@@truckertriesfarming9792 just because something follows all the rules, doesn't mean it's good. Sure they built those houses to "code", but those new constructions are causing damage to neighboring homes, costing them thousands of dollars. The builders of the McMansions are absolutely at fault, as is the city for not taking steps to protect their constituents.
Teepicgamer73, Also builder purposely raised up newly built house so water can flow down next door neighbors both side. Shame on them
@@sungshin393 The builder raised the newly built house, with the water flow being the way it is, because that is what the code, and the inspector, required. Again, not the fault of the builder.
TruckerTriesFarming , that’s not true. And, U already know the code and inspector did NOT required the builder raised up the house. Oh come on. Be real
Great story. Can we have updates on this story until the matter is settled? Would love that. TY
They'll probably need a U boat to get through all the flooding all these McMansions are causing.
Not really relevant, but those older houses were so so cute. A shame...
Yes, those MCmansions are simply ugly. Big but ugly
As a resident, I must say this is bs. Kirkwood thinks they're perfect. I'd be screaming my head off.
The City engineers should make this problem go away! But to stop people from building new homes is good for the neighborhoods especially when the area homes taken away probably were eye sores.
This new ordinance is like closing the gate after the cow got out
0:59 to people complaining about the looks of McMansions I would say you do have a believable complaint here. I will never agree to call the look horrible, but it does look like someone just tossed bunch of architectural elements to the wind. The main complaint I have is instead being a carefully put together work of art it seems it is more of way to appear very wealthy. I would get kind of p'd off if someone wanted to tell me I can only use a column to hold something up. In my religion they are used as quadrant markers and decoration. 1:04 just looks like a large house made of cheap materials. Appears someone took a box and tried to fit some fancy architecture on it. It can be easily done on a computer. If someone wants to feel and look filthy rich that should be their right so as long as it doesn't violate neighbors' rights and the codes.
The system is corrupt all over the country. These new homes remind me of the Barbie townhouse, cheaply constructed and cheap materials. Think about why they build higher either very dumb or want to cause the homes around the newly constructed eyesores to want to move! Plus it helps when people in power have their pockets lined. Truly ashame!
It's like any town, when a big time million dollar construction company rolls in, they pay off any government officials to do what they want. We have the same issue here in Mount pleasant Pennsylvania. Our towns are corrupted. If you have money, your favored. I mean look you see how guilty the city hall officials act. And sticking up for the home builders. And again, why? Because they were paid off.
i have same problem in my town.but all the houses are old.my lot ended up lower than the rest and it took on water very bad.so i built a 1ft.burm around my lot.no more floods.
That is not allowed in Harris County, Texas. If you change the natural flow of rainwater, they will shut you down.
as they should
Honestly, why would you ever build a mcmansion in the first place? I get it, in some places land isn't cheap. But why would you settle for historic homes?
These companies buy the older houses for a relatively low price, raze it, and build the big new house for a big profit. A lot of these older homes have only one bathroom, and are small. I had one in a neighborhood near Kirkwood, and they had built a couple in my street too.
@@ytreece
the problem here isn't that they're razing the historic homes, honestly could care less about old homes that haven't had a good update in decades to make em more attractive in the market.
what i care about is having big backyards and frontyards
it looks to me with some of these mcmansions, may not be with all, just pointing this out, there ain't a good size back or front yard, and the house sits pretty close to the road.
now if it was a subdivision that was designed like that with houses that close together, i could understand it, not a older neighborhood that just needs a simple update to look a bit more modern on the inside and keep the big front and back yards they usually have.
@@Zeakthecat In my neighborhood the houses were already close together. The huge rebuilds take up most of the property. The front yard doesn’t change much as the houses were already set close to the road, but zero side/back yard. It’s a very desirable location and that big house would be around $600k. My house was designed to be one floor, but the basement and attic had been refinished with two baths added. I sold it a few years back for $300k and it flew off the market so I underpriced it a bit. They tried to buy my house but I refused to sell it as a tear down because I like my neighbors.
@@ytreece hmm interesting. there is older neighborhoods with little to 0 of anything for a back and front yard.
but i was refering to the ones thats bigger.
@@Zeakthecat there’s some areas with somewhat bigger yards, but my house was built in the 1940’s and it was all brick craftsman houses very close together. I was in Brentwood which is right outside St Louis city. A lot of houses don’t even have a driveway. I had a shared driveway. The house was right on the driveway and so was the neighbor I shared it with. The other neighbor was 15-20 feet from my house. So they’re pretty tightly packed. That’s why it’s so aggravating when someone sticks a giant house up. Messes up the vibe of the neighborhood, not to mention the drainage issues. I live in Wyoming now, in the Rockies, so I got PLENTY of yard. There was 4 deer out there this afternoon and I drove past a herd of 10-15 running to Radio Shack this afternoon :)
Unscrupulous developers and corrupt city officials result in this.
Time to regulate developers.
Some code somewhere in the town or county is regulating runoff requirements. This town is silly and should be sued - the builder too. I don't care if something is "to code" if the effect is the opposite of what the code intends.
Why are they not just installing a French drain with the iron grate on the side or the driveway closest to the neighbors house? That would divert the water and still allow cars in the driveway.
That's a good idea, maybe they have not even though of it. Also I'd like to see someone build a wall so the water would back up to the new houses basements, see how they would like that, the builders. Then they might get sued by the new owner.
BUT that one house and driveway is so close to the new house property there is no room for the drain.
Because they are stupid. That is the very simple, easy, and obvious solution.
They would have to dig up some of the hot top all the way down. Why should they? Have it done on the offenders property by court order (lawsuit). AND hopefully, people (city workers) will lose their jobs over this. They better.
The homeowners with flooding could plant a barrier with grasses and plants that absorb large amounts of water.
Just thinking might be cheaper than $60,000 in flooding damage.
Anne still looking fine as heck after leaving us here in Boston.
Make the regulations on controlling water runoff from a new construction affecting neighbours retroactive? If new construction is affecting neighbours houses with massive surface water runoff the new homeowners should be responsible. Their contractor did the property grading that has caused the problem. A bit of drainage tile just might solve the issue in some cases. It sure sounds like the city counsellors are not supporting the older homeowners in this and they should be. Class action lawsuit on the city or municipality just might make them wake up to the issue.
Boy if she spent 80 grand and it's just a bandage she has more money then sense
I'd suggest spending the 80 on an Eng. Hydrology report and see if the city/developer will do the right thing.
Right? Rent a trenching machine, install a french drain all along that swamp that runs into the sewer and you're done. Take a 1-3 days and cost 5 grand, 10 grand tops. Really not very difficult. She doesn't seem capable or smart at all. Not that she *should* have to deal with the problem caused by these mcmansion sumbags but still, that's what I would do.
It will cost money, but she could have a retaining wall built on her property, designed to back-channel the water into the McMansion's property.
So from my understanding. The new homes (besides size) are being elevated upwards, that now are creating man made hills (per say) That water in aspect runs down the hill away from the home, and ventures into other residents home. So my question is, would it be illegal for a home owner to build a brick wall on their side of the property to create a man made dam in the sense XD. I wonder how fast those McMansions developers will cry to the city about that.
A brick wall isn't going to do anything to water. Water will run right through it and under it. Even if you built a full actual concrete dam, that would be way more expensive than just installing a french drain. 1. Rent a trenching machine. 2. trench the yard in a couple hours. 3. install french drain. Done. Very easy and not terribly expensive either. My guess would be 5-10 grand.
Mr & Mrs McMansion can afford to be good neighbors: fix the drainage then have a block party to celebrate.
Local city/county govt., real estate developers, and house sales all go hand in hand. That's why the by laws aren't amended and changed: huge coin to be make, and local lawyers representing all those interests make sure "de nada" happens. Similar to pot growing and greenhouse operations in Canadwa: the draw down on local water tables is HUGE; TENS of thousands of gallons per day. Hydrology issues are created by the shear weight of those homes and foundations. It's NOT run off water, though it looks like it. The city SHOULD have insisted on a hydrology report ( and one may even exist). In BC Canada if we dig up an old Owooden hoop storm drain, it's replacement and upgrade is ON US, THE DEVELOPER or custom home builder. We do it all the time on BC Van. north shore, as the storm drains often date back 100 years. Oops. But US local govt. compliance is ALSO 100 years behind the times. It's on local govt. AND local developers and lawyers. Ouch for those already living there.
It is possible the older home is out of code in so many ways its better to build a new one. But this mixed stuff isn’t good . It happens out here but haven’t heard of any neighbors complaining about run off . When our other home was built with the whole neighborhood they had to allow for drainage and have natural areas foecthr wayer to accumulate. The neighborhood is in charge of those areas that that are fenced and protected to keep the drainage going. It is Oregon by Portland you dont want to mess with rain .
But hold on a second here the engineer singed of on it lol
Pinky rings for everyone
This can just inspire another kill dozer to visit them new Mansions
That new code shows that they know there is a problem but now they are trying to cover there butts from any lawsuits. All the affected homeowners need to band together and sue to get something done to save their homes and recover costs of any repairs already done.
They should put up a containment pony wall.. plus look into federal law because the army corp of engineers says you can not build anything or modify your property that will cause neighbors property or neighboring property to flood.
The army corp of engineers doesn't have the authority to make policy or laws.
@@AccusingSteak technically maybe not but laws are made and enforced with their guidelines. Kinda like atf doesn't have the power to make gunlaws but they do in a way
@@jimmieburleigh9549 no the atf has no authority to make gun laws, alcohol laws or tobacco laws. They only specialize in investigations about illegal activities involving those products
Because developers own city hall---plain and simple.
Of it doesn’t apply. People need to make sure they get their kickbacks
Somebody got paid. My guess it's the guy sitting across from you.
They should have drainage/overflow landscaping areas inbetween developments
Once the water leaves your property there's no responsibility. A pump and a hose aimed at their driveway or front door.. Or side of house. Just spray it back. Just gotta make a bigger mess to properly communicate the severity of the situation.
Build a concrete wall, though it might cost a bit. But it would make the water run back onto the new mc house and give the builders something to think about.
Yeah that's wrong. If you divert the water you are responsible for that. Like if I installed gutters on my property at the roof line and pointed them right at the side of your home, and they flowed right onto your windows, that would be my fault. Clearly. You don't know what you're talking about.
@@user-nh3gu1ge3d by your logic her neighbors would be responsible for the water damage already concurred. City Council deemed they were not. So no.. You are not responsible for what happens after it leaves your property. Tit for tat, jack.
@@bluerxstandard Yes, that's correct, they would be responsible. Again, city council does not judge legal cases. Their opinion on this is not relevant, legally. City council is legislative in nature, the court system is judicial. CC can pass laws as long as those laws are consistent with state and federal laws. They don't judge cases. And higher laws override their "lowly" laws. For example if they tried to pass a law stating murder was legal in their jurisdiction, that would not be valid because a higher law makes that illegal. Make sense? This is the same thing, the mcmansion caused damage, the homeowner is entitled to legal protections, regardless of what city council says. City council is wrong. Yes it happens sometimes. People break and/or misinterpret the law all the time, even law makers. Your appeal to authority argument is weak.
You are responsible for damages you directly cause. Period. There is no debate about this. Whether or not these people get caught, prosecuted, etc. yeah that's a whole other matter but they are wrong, legally. Just because people get away with crimes and offenses doesn't mean they are right in doing so. People get away with crimes all the time. By your silly logic, anyone could simply launch water with a high powered water cannon directly into any neighbors property. Why don't you go try that and see how long it takes for you to be arrested? Your blanket "you are not responsible for what happens after it leaves your property" statement is so naïve and silly. As for this "Tit for tat, jack.", yeah, whatever that means.... good one, I guess?
@@user-nh3gu1ge3d cc's dont make laws but they do set precedents which dependant on jurisdiction is just as good when accompanied by malicious intent (provable by them NOT doing anything about the original policy violation and leaving it up to the elderly to discern grandfather policy.) Which would also supersede any new policy unless said resident willingly gives that up. I would argue it. But im not used to rolling over for folks. Maybe you are. Rules are meant to be changed. Law is not always blind justice. Theres room for discretion. Blind justice is rarely applicable in council cases. Ir is and is supposed to be a good ole boys club of sorts.. Thats why its policy and NOT LAW.
How sad that they destroy the town’s historical homes for these crap hole new homes
Get a lawyer.
Money, money, money!!!
These are McMansions? They just look like slightly bigger two story homes with attached garages. The older homes seem very small, and in many, have no garages.
Having said that. Yeah, developers do whatever they want, and nothing ever happens.
Shit she coulda took that 22 thousand that she used to try to help her home and put that down on one of those new nice houses
This is just plain SAD !!! It's all about GREED AND MONEY !!!!! Screw the residents that have now suffered over these EYE SORES !!!! I would see if the develpoers , ect. can be sued !!!!
any in old Glenmoor?
Feel bad for this flooded lady but PJ is such a cutie:)!
the city engineer is obviously incompetent, as is the city attorney. The new, approved construction has and is damaging the neighbors....
don't they have stormwater management requirement with all new home permits? Just sue the neighbor
Pup the water back in to the neighbors.
LAWYER UP!!!
Why doesn’t she dig a ditch that flows to the road?
It is a public hazard. As well as serious health hazard. Need to plant some thing to help absorb. But this is a hazard to all.
Bro, are you serious? A plant isn't going to suck up all that water. She needs a proper drainage system aka a "French drain".
@@user-nh3gu1ge3d it was an idea. Doesn't seem like they had to many going around lol. Never heard of french drain.
@@user-nh3gu1ge3d not a bro though!!!🤪😆😁
if the city is not holding the mcmansion homeowners liable for damage; the city is gonna have end up spending money on installing more “drains” 🙄
A McMansion is not just a large mass production home on a small lot.
A McMansion is home that is large and poorly designed. It has to disobey the rules of classical architecture. If you build a 3000 sq ft colonial revival on a small log it’s not a McMansion. The home next to hers is not a McMansion.
No ring on the reporter's finger. That's what I took away from this entire segment. :)
I know, right?
She is gorgeous & super professional!
You goooo Steve....
Wink-wink 😉
Call Ask This Old House!
They don't care. They have McMoney.
Don't you know where the water is coming from get a storage pump well I hose and pump it into the basement of those houses that were in that story run that for about two days and flood their whole house and maybe they will clean up
Build a wall that will block the water and make it back up into the m basements, that seems more legal.
Those are not mcmansions...they look like slightly larger than usual middle class homes, pretty common on the west coast. Sounds like more of a building issue than the size of the homes. I know it's trendy now to hate people who can still afford a nice home for their family, and we should all go green and live in shipping containers...but it's the cities fault for allowing this construction without considering drainage. On the other hand, a low income apartment.complex was put up in my small town and it caused the same flooding in the neighborhood it butted up against.
What is wrong with these people? Sue Sue Sue!
Apparently since it's all built to code there are no grounds, but that's a huge amount of damage to the neighbor's property from these big new raised homes.
@@lizh1988 The new homeowner built something that caused damages to the existing home owner's property. That is grounds. "Built to code" is irrelevant in this case where damages are occurring. She can sue and probably would win.
@@user-nh3gu1ge3d I agree, but the town keeps saying that since the methods of building were pre-approved, there are no grounds for a lawsuit, the runoff is due to rain and not to the new house. Or whatever. The town's engineer is saying there is no legal grounds for suit.
By now I don't remember if they've tried to sue but I believe at least one person has, and lost due to the above mentioned inspections and building according to code.
Yeah, the runoff is due to the new house and the way the ground was built up, but for some reason they are being told it's a problem they have to deal with on their own.
I don't think it's fair that they can't sue, since the damage seems to be due to the new house and changes to the lot, but the judge ain't listenin', and it's expensive to sue.
@@lizh1988 Ok but the town's engineer isn't a lawyer or a judge. He's an engineer. I don't care what his opinion on legal grounds for a suit is. Same with any city council or politician.
As for the "someone else sued and lost", well, if that's true that's unfortunate. But you can always sue, I get that it's expensive though. Maybe they didn't sue? Maybe their lawyer sucked? Maybe they need to appeal? I don't know the legal specifics with this case and I don't plan on investigating it either.
@@user-nh3gu1ge3d I believe the suit was simply turned down, reason already cited. So long.
i do the city is getting a kick back from the owners
Install French Drains emptying into street?
your driveway is failing. Water won't drain out of a hole and your driveway is holding water in a hole.
Someone got paid off .
Silly city can install drains to mitigate most of this.
I'd drive in fast so every time that muddy water coats the side fo the white house. They'll fix it asap.
There is a federal law about rerouting water. and to me that is what happen there, BLM is the federal agence to check with.
The city is getting my tax money for the bigger McMansion's so the city is going to protect their money.
Lady just dig a moat in your backyard. You have a huge yard just make a deep deep moat that is like 5’ wide and 10’ deep to drain that water for you and your neighbors
That costs money too and sounds like a safety issue. Maybe a hydro engineer could tell them how to put some concrete walls in so it flows back into the mcbasements.
NOT A McMansion! just an average size gone these days
If you dont like it move lady
Kirkwood is pathetic. I would be furious!
The interview was hilariously brief and pointless. Boom. Roasted.
Corrupt citypeople
All they have to do is lift their house up 3 feet... code of building is a bich
i guess i could just build a levee around my house. would it flood the offending property? hopefully! those things are so cheaply made it might just float down the road in the first good rain....
Proper drainage my ass.
This woman lives in a McMansion herself...tone deaf
They came to Brentwood with those ugly houses too :(
What about freedom?? If you don't like it move.
She said 69
Terrible
Mcmansions xD
Is call Capitalism.
this is so unfair. mcmansions can choke