Northlake Wood-CS 890731 602 Wildlife Parkway
Grand Prlir,, T. xal 75050
Mr. Allen Ratlif
City Manager, Coppell City Hall
P.O. Box 478
Coppell, TX 75019
Dear Sir:
I am: a long established resident of the City of Coppell.
Probably more so than most. Nevertheless, there seems to
have been much controversy recently over certai~
~itY, with what some seem to think are~
First, let's establish some facts.
No. 1 City can't control rainfall.
No. 2 Hills, creeks, valleys, branches, etc.
were all here before Coppell.
No.3. Water is naturally going to run down
' branches, creeks & rivers.
These are all things that no one has, or ever will have,
control over.
No. 4 I~ built my home in 1977 on Lot at 548 ROcky Branch.
Spring of '76 rained so hard & long that Belt Line Ro~d
between McArthur & N. Fork of Trinity River was flooded,
but at the same time water in Branch behind my home was
naturallY a rageing stream, but nonetheless it wasn't
out of bounds & as soon as the rain stopped the water
· was gone. 'Not until City approved development of Fox &
Jacobs addition north of Bethel School Road did I, or
we, ever have.any measurable problems w/drainage. Granted
the City didn't'sell Lot at 548 Rocky Branch ~o me, but it
did approve it for development and it also set guidelines
for construction of home. At this time all land North of
North Lake Woodlands'w/zoned agriculture - Then F & J
comes in and buys property, gets zoned Single Family,
small lots, paved streets and'alleys and the city approves
all this. Which is fine, if this is what the city wants.
'.., FORWARDED TO
AYOR ASTD COUNCIL
Page two:
City'never took in consideration of where all the runoff
of those roofs, streets, alleys, and driveways were going,
Right down Rocky Branch. Now, I protested all this
development, not the development itself, but the fact
that the city wasn't doing anything to divert or control
the runoff it was creating. Like drainage canals,
storm sewers and diversions to distribute runoff oger
large areas. Another problem is that previous to 1983,
we never had water in the creek unless it was raining,
but for the past five years Rocky Branch has never dried
up completely. This is causing stagnation, mosquitos,
disease & stench an~ according to Texas A & M Agriculture
Department due to the rising water table, has caused three of
my trees to die, which for the last five years have been
standing in water. One of these trees is a 50-60 year old
Pecan Tree. Right down the middle of creek bed on
Rocky Branch is city sewer easement which also floods eyery
time it rains. I am sure this contributes to stench problem
and along with everyone up stream and down stream dumping
grass clippings, tree limbs and old building materials in
creek to.wash down and hang up on numerous trees and bushes
which the city doesn't require homeowners to keep easements
clean. Therefore, hanging up on numerous objects causing
beaver damns so water can't drain properly.
NoW I have a keeling through past experience that this is a
problem I will probably have to live with, but if there is
any consideration of drainage relief in any portion of this
city, it better start right over here on Rocky Branch first.
Thank you,
T~ax pa~er/&~
Forrest Jenson
FJ/gjs