Join us September 26 from 6-8pm at the Decatur Recreation Center (231 Sycamore Street) as we kick off a year-long update to our 2004 Stormwater Master Plan.
For most, stormwater’s a topic considered only in times of crisis, obscuring just how important effective stormwater management can be — from the comfort and safety of our own personal property to the performance and livability of our public spaces.
We’re looking to spotlight that importance through a community-wide examination of where we are, and where we need to be.
Call it planning for a rainy day — identifying the next decade efforts and infrastructure goals that will promote the health of our local environment, make wise use of our tax dollars, and contribute to the safety and quality of life we share and value.
YOU CAN HELP
Getting there will require data and that begins with you. You’re the expert. Decatur residents can help us get rolling with first-hand, on-the-ground insights into:
> Flooding issues on or around your property
> Flooding within your broader neighborhood
> Water quality in creeks and streams
> Environmental priorities
> Renovation and landscaping impacts
> Issues with current regulations
> Utility fee funding
Now’s the time to join the conversation, so be sure to save the date. Then, over the next year, we’ll host subsequent public meetings and workshops to drill down, further identifying, discussing, and refining our evolving goals and plans.
Everyone’s welcome, so see you Wednesday the 26th.
Enter your address and we’ll email you whenever we post.
Thank you for taking up this issue. I won’t be able to attend the meeting, but want to let you know that I agree that this is an important issue. I’ve encountered some drainage failures on some roads just outside of Decatur (water pouring OUT of a drain and onto the street), and hope that we can avoid those types of problems as the area develops.
Also, I would love to hear if there are any resources to help manage/limit runoff from individual properties.
I was at the meeting and we were promised that two website addresses related to the new stormwater planning initiative (one for comments and one for mapping problem areas) would be provided. When will those be published and when will they be operational?
Hi, Steve. The summary of Wednesday’s meeting is currently being written up and should go live on Tuesday. It will include the two items you mention — links for problem mapping and comment/photo submission — as well as the evening’s presentation, display boards, and photos.
I am not physically able to sit through long meetings, but would like to provide some feedback to the Stormwater Master Planning Committee. I have been a resident on and off for 55 years almost all of which has been on Mount Vernon Drive. My family and I live at 265 Mt. Vernon which we purchased in 1993. For reference, it’s the 2nd house on the left on the side closest to Forkner. Some observations:
1. Stormwater is diverted from Forkner onto Mt. Vernon about six houses up from mine. Historically, there was a retention pond on Mt. Vernon to assist with runoff during heavy rains. A house replaced this pond many years ago.
2. The area on the street around my house has been a problem spot for a long time. I spoke to the City Commission in the early 2000’s and was told the City was aware of it, but there were probably 6 or 7 worse spots in the City.
3. During heavy rain, this side of Mt. Vernon now looks a bit like a river coming down the street and it has gotten to over a foot deep in front of the house. The runoff overflows into yards around here and runs down to the culvert across the street.
4. I have contacted the City’s Flood Management Department several times over the last few years to make sure they are still aware of this problem spot and that it continues to get worse.
I can provide more detail as necessary, but can’t follow e-mail on a daily basis.