School addition has property owner concerned
|
Turns out Beckwith is feeling low because his entire home is at a low point. It?s so low, in fact, it now floods regularly when there are heavy rains, a problem that he feels has been created by the extensive construction and paving in his neighborhood over the years.
Beckwith has publicly opposed much of the recent construction, including the new Eckerds, because he feels every section of newly paved property creates more run-off that ends up on his Spring Street property, which is the lowest point in the area.
Now the long-suffering resident is concerned about a 60 x 25 foot building the county is constructing behind Warren Academy. The structure, which was built by WCHS students and moved to the site, will reportedly house classroom lab facilities for the alternative school.
Though Beckwith isn?t against additional classroom space, he is upset that yet another significant area will be covered, producing yet more runoff to add to his troubles.
The house where Beckwith and his mother live is located at 415 N. Spring Street near Warren Academy, and has some historical significance since it was built well over a century ago, in 1892. Beckwith says, from what he has learned, the home never had any problems with flooding until the 1960s, when a ball field was constructed behind the property, creating drainage problems that plague him to this day.
?Fast forward to 2000, and after a week of storms and wet weather, 415 N. Spring Street had five feet of water in the yard, three feet of water in the garage, and one foot of water in the basement,? Beckwith said, ?which disabled the furnace and hot water. This still happens today.?
Beckwith has made the rounds of local officials, both city and county, and says he has gotten no satisfaction. He says all he really wants is for the county or city to create a holding pond in the now unused ballpark area to help cut down on flooding during wet weather.
?Eckerd had to build one,? Beckwith said. ?Wal-Mart had to build one. It?s part of the building codes in McMinnville.?
County Executive John Pelham says he understands Beckwith?s concerns, and is willing to do what he can. But since the building was approved by the full county commission, and meets city codes, according to school system building and grounds supervisor Donnie Caldwell, Pelham says he will have to check into the situation before making any kind of decision.
?I don?t know what we can do,? Pelham said. ?But if there?s a reasonable answer to it, if there?s some way that we can help him, or any citizen, that?s always our desire.?
Beckwith says certain entities don?t seem to be subject to regular building codes, such as churches and county or city governments.
?City building codes have not been enforced for decades,? Beckwith said. ?First Baptist Church has made many additions with buildings and parking lots causing increased runoff. Churches in McMinnville, customarily, have not been required to get building permits, so codes or respect for adjacent properties have never been considered.?
The county owns the property where the new building is being placed, and Beckwith says it should be subject to regular city building codes, but apparently isn?t.
Beckwith says if the problem is not addressed, he and his mother will suffer the consequences.
?Another year of haphazard building and my mother and I will be forced to move from the home she has occupied for 50 years,? Beckwith said.