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Health & Fitness

Residents Petition Twp. For Money to Buy Out Flooded Homes

Two residents came before the Board of Commissioners last Thursday seeking assistance in order to attain a federal FEMA buyout of their properties in Ancient Oaks on Spring Creek Rd.

Two residents came before the Board of Commissioners last Thursday seeking assistance in order to attain a federal FEMA buyout of their properties in Ancient Oaks on Spring Creek Rd.

The FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program utilizes 75 percent federal funds, 22 percent state funds and 3 percent from other sources. In this case the residents are requesting township funding to cover the 3 percent.

I had the chance to visit one couple who owns one of these 3 homes yesterday located in Ancient Oaks. It's important to note the gentleman I spoke with purchased his home in 1996. This was before the last building boom and more importantly before the Wal-Mart was built. 

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I firmly believe that the Wal-Mart swale (that floods out Spring Creek Road after most major rain events) is a major contributor to our flooding issues. As most township residents can attest and have seen first hand, the waterflow across Spring Creek from Wal Mart and Upper Macungie Township resembles a raging river during floods. 

I mention this because I believe this entire neighborhood within Ancient Oaks (approx a dozen homes) is affected because of development decisions made by UMT and LMT over the past two decades. I especially feel for the residents who purchased their homes long before these decisions were made and the floodplain increased.

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At 4 p.m. today (Thursday) the residents will plead their case in front of Doug Brown and Ron Eichenberg at the planning and zoning committee.

I fully support the township stepping up and funding 3 percent of the costs to buy-out these homes. Again, especially in the case of homeowners who purchased their homes in the 90s the township has a moral responsibility to make amends for poor development decisions of the past.

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