SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Sandy Springs resident Lawrence Kass rose Nov. 7 to thank the City Council for ending his 14 years of frustration with the city over flooding at his family home on Thornhill Lane.
Public Works Director Marty Matrin presented a resolution authorizing a contract award to Vertical Earth to construct a drainage improvement project at 7236 Thornhill Lane.
Overall, the $800,000 project will install retaining walls to create additional stormwater storage capacity and improve runoff rates. The contract also calls for replacing and improving pipes, reconstructing a concrete driveway and adding some erosion control.
Kass, a wealth management adviser for Merrill Lynch, lives with his family at the address. He told councilmembers he was glad the city was taking responsibility for a problem it had identified since 2009.
“It has taken us a long time to get here,” Kass said. “I’d like to thank all who have worked hard on this project.”
A long process
Kass recognized Christopher Venissat, a stormwater project manager for the city, for ensuring the issue made its way to the City Council for approval.
“You see, the City of Sandy Springs was aware that improvements were needed, and acknowledged this failed storm drain system as early as April 22, 2009,” Kass said.
When the failed storm drain flooded the Kass family’s home in 2016, Lawrence said city officials told him the drain system was his family’s responsibility.
Kass said he and his family tried to address the storm drain issues by consulting with a waterproofing company, burying drains and landscaping on their property.
The Kass family home has flooded three of the last four years, he said.
“I’m not sure any of you have had to deal with water flooding your home,” Kass said. “I can assure you, it’s not fun.”
Muddy view of city openness
After Kass filed a…
Read the full article here
