Complaints persist at Cooper Crest

Some in subdivision still report problems; developers say they're working on solutions

By Matt Batcheldor | The Olympian • Published March 12, 2008

Runoff

The state Department of Ecology has issued at least 36 permit violations, said Ecology inspector Stephanie Werkman. The violations include not securing dirt loads on site, sending muddy runoff into nearby streams in violation of state standards. SoundBuilt now holds the state stormwater permit and is accountable for violations.

"There's a history of noncompliance," Werkman said Friday. "It still remains out of compliance."

As for the number of violations issued, she said Cooper Crest was "one off the more extreme" cases.

Koshar said SoundBuilt has been trying to comply but said violations will happen regardless of how diligent the builder is. Examples are when a piece of plastic is ripped or straw gets blown away, he said.

"These things happen," Koshar said.

Soil

Neighbors say the soil was never mixed properly, leaving dirt where grass struggles to grow.

"They did not give us proper soil," said Thalhamer, who bought his home in the subdivision more than a year ago.

Koshar said he's not sure the soil needs to be fixed. He said his company has complied with more than one soil recipe, a set of standards for soil makeup, from the city.

He said the company plans to test 52 yards where homeowners have consented to tests before deciding what, if anything, needs to be done about the soil. He said it will take about a week to do the tests.

Trench drainage

Some neighbors say improperly built trench drains, which carry runoff, have caused flooding, including in their homes' crawl spaces. Thalhamer said he fears that pooled water will cause mold problems that will ruin his house.

Koshar said the crawl space flooding is limited to a handful of homes. The proposed solution: digging a new trench drain to carry water around the houses, instead of having it land in them.

"We expect that's going to alleviate a big piece of the problem," he said.

Koshar said SoundBuilt has received bids to do the work but must wait for drier weather.

Erosion

Plastic sheets are draped over parts of the lawns in a row of houses because of what neighbors say are erosion problems.

"It's a sloping lot," said resident Prabakaran Manoharan. "The water needs to be taken off site."

Koshar said an engineering firm has looked at the problems. Possible solutions are leveling the area and planting it, he said. He pledged to fix the problem by the end of June.

Soil, vegetative protective areas

The areas were not built to handle stormwater, according to the city. Olympia officials want the issue to be addressed, said Tom Hill, the city's inspections manager.

The city has leverage to get that and other issues fixed. Triway posted a $400,000 bond to the city for the subdivision.

"Until we come to a comprehensive resolution, that bond does not get released," he said. "It's still a very multifaceted project out there with a lot of pieces that still need to come together."

Matt Batcheldor covers the city of Olympia for The Olympian. He can be reached at 360-704-6869 or mbatcheldor@theolympian.com.