Speaking on flooding
Onerous regs
Regarding “New development” editorial (Page A35, April 8), though the populations of “builders” and “developers” intersect, they are not one and the same. The homeowners, Realtors, builders and others who spoke against the mayor’s proposal have legitimate concerns about the practical effects of the new regulations. For instance, building to 500year Base Flood Elevation plus 2 feet adds to building costs borne by already financially strapped flood victims. It dampens the market for builders to purchase lots that flood victims are desperately trying to sell. It makes it much more difficult for homeowners to age in place in a new building. Instead of attributing self-serving motivations to these parties, the editorial board would do well to realize that flood victims are by definition stakeholders in real estate and the real estate market.
There is literally no one arguing that changes do not need to be made, nor that these changes should not include strengthening building regulations. But there must be a reasonable balance that prevents flooding, avoids shifting flood control to the backs of homeowners and allows flood victims to recover. The last time I checked, the Addicks and Barker flood pools and Katy Prairie you reference in the editorial were not in the city of Houston. Development in those areas ran amok on the watch of Harris County and the Army Corps of Engineers, not the city of Houston. There are very few instances where homes located in the city of Houston and built to the current code flooded.
Your editorial correctly points out that Galveston’s decision to build the seawall — a major infrastructure improvement — has resulted in flood protection for that city to this day. You are doing flood victims a serious disservice by creating drama where there is, in reality, none and failing to focus on the fact that, six months since Hurricane Harvey, no infrastructure improvement has been announced or has commenced to protect the city of Houston. Karen C. Harpold, Houston
(Harvey flood victim)
Do something
Regarding “Got the message: Buy flood insurance” (Page A1, Wednesday), really? The suggestion that we buy flood insurance is wise. In fact, we have that. But the insinuation that our focus should be on that idea is ludicrous and insulting. Buying flood insurance is not going to save our citizens from another year of flood horror. Harris County doing something about the reservoirs is where officials need to focus their attention and act. Joni Richards, Houston