Learn from the Rolling Hills mess

The drainage problems that beset the Rolling Hills neighborhood must be resolved promptly. The periodic flooding that has damaged property and left residents with huge repair bills must be stopped.

The cost of the proposed storm sewer is substantial. The city is considering levying assessments on property owners to pay some of the cost of the project. In most cases, these assessments are expected to be in the $1,000 to $2,000 range and would be paid over a 10-year period. For two churches in the affected area, the estimated bill will be much heftier — more than $7,000 for Rolling Hills Community Church and just under that amount for Northfield Church of Christ. Even annualized over a decade, the contributions these nonprofit organizations may be asked to bear are significant.

It’s reasonable that property owners who will benefit from this project should pay some of its cost. Property values will increase once flooding is controlled.

The city should take a hard look at why this problem developed. It seems likely that the plans of those who engineered and developed this neighborhood were inadequately scrutinized by city officials many years ago. It may be difficult to assess blame today, but a careful review of what happened could prevent similar mistakes in the future.

The Messenger urges the City Council to do the following:

• Put the storm sewer project on the fast track for completion to prevent additional damage to property.

• Create and empower a committee of disinterested parties to evaluate how the mistakes that apparently were made came to pass.

• If it appears there was substantial negligence by the parties who were involved in developing this neighborhood, explore fully any available legal remedies.

• Take a second look at the assessments for the churches. Since those properties are less likely than homes to be sold for a profit, any benefits received from higher property values are less relevant to these nonprofit entities.