West Haven residents talk of flooding amid development plans

WEST HAVEN — When it rains, it pours.

Especially in the area of Washington and Campbell avenues.

That’s why neighbors are asking city commissions to do something to address the issue.

“I don’t know if the city could afford to fix this the way it really needs to be fixed,” said resident Mike Lipsett. “After 80 years of neglect, a Band-Aid’s not going to do it.”

Lipsett was among about a dozen people who attended an Inland Wetlands Agency public hearing this week to ask how the city plans to address flooding concerns as applicants for a proposed mixed-use development in the area obtain the necessary approvals to start building.

He said the area is plagued by a number of piping and drainage issues that take bad storms and make them worse.

Commissioner Of Public Works Tom McCarthy affirmed there are issues for the city to address.

“I don’t care whether this apartment deal goes through or not, but I’m here to tell you no matter what happens there are issues at Washington Avenue that need to get fixed,” he said.

He said one pipe becomes an “open trench” because of tree roots growing through a pipe.

“We can see that the joints are compromised,” McCarthy said.

The proposed development at 291 Campbell Ave. and 288 Washington Ave. falls within 200 feet of the Old Field Creek. An engineer for the developer said the proposal would include rain gardens and catch basins to mitigate rainfall.

“The apartment complex could not have been more accommodating to the city,” McCarthy said.

Melissa Saint, a representative for developer Ocean Management, said the developers are “concerned about flooding, too,” and the site plan reflects that — such as keeping new construction away from easements on the property.

“We’re not trying to build something that’s not going to work. It’s not going to benefit us and it’s not going to benefit you,” she told neighbors.

Resident Tom Sciarappa said that, even if problems with the city’s water system were addressed, he questions whether it would impact him and his property. Because the proposed apartments would include the construction of a parking lot, he said it’s common sense that the property would be unable to contain all excess rainwater.

“The city moves at a snail’s pace,” he said. “When I walk out my door, the developer does what they’re supposed to do, but the city doesn’t fix that wetlands pipe, the river, the pipe, the whole deal. What happens to me, for how long? You know what happens to me? I get water like you’ve never seen before.”

McCarthy rejected that characterization, saying his department responds to issues within days.

“I have no interest in dragging my feet on this,” he said.

However, McCarthy said extreme rain likely always would have a negative impact on a shoreline city. He said he frequently hears that pipes are clogged, but he contends there are outflow pipes that function as expected but get backed up with water during unexpectedly large storms.

“It’s a fact of living seven feet above sea level,” he said.

Planning Director Chris Soto said that storm water is a consideration in every development proposal.

“We didn’t do that before, but now it’s a rule,” he said.