The developers of a Valparaiso subdivision are promising that drainage and erosion issues along Beauty Creek will be resolved by the time construction is done. Crews are making preparations to extend Vale Park Road as part of the Brooks at Vale Park development. An erosion incident caused by rain and melting snow last month brought concerns from local residents.
But the developers' attorney, Todd Leeth, says it's unfair to call the event a flood. "No homes have been flooded. No streets have been impacted. The water is where the water is supposed to be — maybe not 100 percent of the time, but it's not flooding someone or a critical infrastructure like utilities or roadways," Leeth told the Valparaiso Board of Works last week.
He said soil erosion control measures like silt fencing are in place, and the developers have been responsive when issues arise.
Consulting Engineer Adam McAlpine stressed that the current measures are only temporary, and they'll put Beauty Creek back when they're done. "You can't look at any construction site in the middle of a construction progress and expect it to look like a finished product. We're building the foundation right now. And it's a mess, but we're going to put it back. It's going to look fantastic when we're done, and I think everybody will think that," McAlpine said.
However, residents continued to voice concerns with what they believe is a lack of oversight and a lack of preparation for the rain and snow melt, among other issues.