Residents in the Pinebrook neighborhood on Harper Lane say severe flash flooding started after house pads were installed by Carter Residential Builders. Neighbors reported raising concerns to county officials over the past seven months.
Megan Jacobs, who has lived in Pinebrook for nearly two decades, said the new construction has created unsafe conditions for families in the area.
“I worry that these new house pads leave nowhere for rainwater to drain, turning our neighborhood into a flood zone and lowering our property values. It’s now unsafe for our families and children,” Jacobs said.
Neighbors said construction is now paused after the Millwood County Board of Supervisors denied Carter Residential a permit. They described being shocked by the company’s response during a recent county meeting.
“At the meeting, supervisors asked the builder, ‘Do you not care that residents are being flooded out?’ and he responded with vulgar language,” Jacobs said.
Resident Mark Evans said the recent development surprised many in the community.
“These lots were bought for building, but for 50 years they sat empty because they flood. With these new house pads, the stormwater is being pushed onto neighbors’ yards,” Evans said.
Residents said the Millwood County Board of Supervisors is looking at new rules that would require permits before any large-scale dirt work. For now, neighbors say the board cannot legally order the builder to lower the house pads, so the pads must stay in place until the board makes a decision.
Carter Residential Builders did not respond to four requests for comment. Millwood County officials also did not reply after two days of inquiries.
Neighbors have started a petition calling for an end to the flooding and the removal of the house pads.
