...Storm Water Management Act? I moved into a townhome in 2003. Above our house to the one side there is a hill. Construction started there and a temporary retention pond was placed above our homes to manage storm water run off. Once the construction was finished, the builder removed the pond. The effect was immediate. Now anytime a heavy rain comes, we get a deluge of water. It becomes a literal raging white water river. It has created a 4 foot ravine in the back of my house. I have three small children. I have a background in environmental science, and my understanding of the law is that the township must enforce the flow of water to be the same after the construction as it was before. If not, it's on them. The problem is we've taken it to the township several times. We contacted the builder. An escrow was in place, but the township released it to the builder even though we brought this matter to their attention. Then we followed the township engineers recommendation to fix it at the HOA's cost, and it failed. Again, we took it to the township. My HOA hired a HOA lawyer, however they have decided it would not be cost beneficial to go to court, even though it's clearly stated in the act that the violator is responsible for court costs. It's estimated it will cost $50K to fix.
There was even an article done in our paper about it...and I have pictures too.
Does anyone know of an individual or firm that would be willing to take this on, or perhaps help me fight them myself...or at least tell me if I have a case strong enough to fight. I have copies of most pertinent letters to and from the HOA and the township/engineer on this matter as I was a member of the HOA board for a time.
There was even an article done in our paper about it...and I have pictures too.
Does anyone know of an individual or firm that would be willing to take this on, or perhaps help me fight them myself...or at least tell me if I have a case strong enough to fight. I have copies of most pertinent letters to and from the HOA and the township/engineer on this matter as I was a member of the HOA board for a time.