DR9101-CS 890626RICHARD W. BARRETT
133 N. Oak Trail
Coppell, Texas 75019
(214) 393-2444
June 26, 1989
Mr. Russell Doyle
City Engineer
City of Coppell
255 Parkway Blvd.
Coppell, Texas 75019
re:
Nuisance and Negligently
Designed Drainage System;
141,133 and 129 N. Oak Trail
Coppell, Texas
CERTIFIED MAIL
Return Receipt Requested
Dear Mr. Doyle:
I have called your office, as well as Ms. Knewitz, requesting your
assistance in remedying the water drainage problem regarding our
residences' located on N. Oak Trail. In addition, Mr. and Mrs. Michael
Ferguson have also been impacted by this problem. As you know, we have
also contacted Mr. Steve Goram, Mr. Larry Jackson and Mr. Dean
Wilkerson.
The problem, as we see it, is that there has been a wrongful diversion
of the natural flow of rainwater. There is absolutely no drainage of
rainwater and the net result is ponding water reaching depths of four
(4) feet to eight (8) feet and covering an area of land approximately
one hundred and fifty (150) feet by ninety (90) feet. In our opinion,
the interference with the natural flow of water is the direct result of
the negligent design of the drainage system by the engineers and
developers of the Summer Place project and the City of Coppell in its
approval of a final plat that had a negligently designed drainage
system.
The ponding water, which is the direct result of the wrongful diversion
of the natural flow of water by a third party, is creating a nuisance.
The ponding water is becoming stagnant, thereby putting all parties at
risk for violations of antipollution statutes, environmental hazards
(serious illness caused by mosquitos, etc.) and destruction or injury
to trees and other natural habitat. In addition, this nuisance could
have a serious impact on the property values of our homes.
Mr. Russell Doyle
page 2
Mr. Goram's office has pumped the water from our land on two different
occasions and our detrimental reliance on his department has helped
reduce everybody's liability exposure. Our main concern is that your
department not lose its momentum in finding a solution to this very
aggravating problem. We are looking to your department as well as the
City of Coppell to cure this very serious situation.
We appreciate your help thus far and look forward to an immediate
resolution of this problem.
Very truly yours,
Richard W. Barrett, Ms. Carol Knewi~'z. Mr. & Mrs. Michael Ferguson
Esquire
RWB/bkt
cc: Mr. Andrew E. Emerson, Attorney at Law
Mr. Larry Jackson, City Attorney, City of Coppell
Mr. Alan D. Ratliff, City Manager, City of Coppell
Mr. Steve Goram, Department of Public Works, City of Coppell
Mr. Dean Wilkerson, Mayor Pro-Tem, City of Coppell
Mr. Walter Pettijohn, Former City Councilman, City of Coppell
Mr. Mark Wolfe, Mayor, City of Coppell
2967A