I've watched as developers have had forests removed and steep hillsides "modified" so that they could replace formerly wooded lots with houses and pavement.

And then you see the houses below the development flooded out in heavy rains, and the poorly constructed homes' foundations cracking and slowly eroding down the hillside.

Just look at somewhere like the corner of Old Hickory Blvd and Amalie Blvd. near Brentwood, TN. Steep (limestone) hills with high density development. It's a ree-sip for disaster.

A friend of mine showed me another place in his (desirable) neighborhood where developers just went up the hill and started putting homes on steep grades, and now one spec home which recently was completed now has a very prominent gully running right up to the front stoop. I looked around at the other houses; same deal. No terracing done, insufficient street drainage, lackluster drainage surrounding the basement levels of these half-million dollar homes.

Buyer f-in' beware.

____________________________

On tops of mountains, as everywhere to hopeful souls, it is always morning. --H. Thoreau

Great post. You may have missed yesterday when Victor Jernigan spoke as an "expert" before Knox County Commission telling the Commission where growth was occurring so they could withhold money for the Hardin Valley High School. He also told them about land owned by the Knox County Schools that could be sold to raise money. Land he felt could be used for commercial or residential purposes.

What is not well known is that Victor Jernigan has received variances on his subdivisions that have caused flooding. James McMillan could write a book on the favors that Victor Jernigan has received from County Commission. Jernigan was instrumental in R. Larry Smith's win in District 7. Jernigan is also a key figure in the midway Industrial Park. Although he owns no land in the 370 acre park he owns land just outside it.

Jernigan has become an expert witness for both County Commission and individual commissioners. He speaks very well and is always prepared. His views on drainage and flooding are simple. As long as he is given a variance he feels justice is served. Jernigan is not the problem. He is a shrewd business man. The main problem is County Commission but the local media is equally at fault. Metro Pulse once referred to James McMillan as the "flood control freak". Can you believe that? County Commission is supposed to vote on a new storm water ordinance by the end of the year. We need more ""flood control freaks" to get involved.

Here is a big cheerleading promotional piece about Jernigan in KNS's bizness section today. Speaking of stormwater runoff, I couldn't help to note that one of the "improvements" he made to these houses was to create more impermeable surfaces by concreting over all the gravel driveways.

"The goal is to completely change the long-term view of the Springbrook neighborhood. and generally provide affordable housing," said Blue Ribbon owner Victor Jernigan.

Now we in Alcoa may be in trouble. I don't think the "long-term view" of Springbrook needs to be changed. It is a beautiful city neighborhood. The homes he bought from Monday are the worst in the area, so let him fix his little corner of the neighborhood. Our job now, I suppose, is to work to not let his company own more houses in Springbrook.