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Benton alderman leaves panel, chides local builders |
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Wednesday, 28 January 2009 |
Benton Alderman Larry Wolf, who headed the City Council’s Drainage Committee, resigned from that responsibility this week, saying he believes “a large percentage” of the city’s drainage problems are “the result of developers and builders building on property that is subject to flooding.”
He contended that Mayor Rick Holland’s administration “has no intentions of stopping the construction on lots which should not be developed.”
Wolf cited as an example a lot where a home is being built near Wolf’s home on Lynnwood Drive.
“It is my understanding that community development tired to convince the new owner this was a problem lot that they should not build on,” Wolf said.
He said political pressure was applied to push the project through, and said he isn’t willing to chair the committee under these circumstances.
Marsha Guffey, the city’s director of community development, said she agreed with Wolf that the lot has problems. She noted, however, that it was “platted 50 years ago” and said the city has no legal grounds to stop construction in such areas.
“The only legal option the city would have would be to acquire the property through eminent domain,” Alderman Doug Stracener said.
Scooter McClure reportedly is building a house on the lot.
Wolf’s reference about political pressure apparently was to Alderman Bill Donnor, who said today that he had asked whether the property was in compliance with the city’s drainage requirements. His discussion had been with Guffey and that was the extent of his involvement, Donnor said.
Donnor said he has never visited the property.
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Razorbacks
