06/17/2009-Memo re construction issues

Home Browse Search

! � June 17, 2009 Memo to: file From: Lyle Oman Building Official �� 2510 Casco Point Road Owner: Beverly Morris -Met with daughter Penny Re: Issues from construction next door at 2500 Casco Point Stated issues during construction Large equipment over the property line Large equipment struck house Trees cut over property line Oronos response at time. Inspector visited site and spoke to contractor. Stated issues post construction Drainage flowing over property line Drainage causing retaining wall failure Drainage causing garage foundation failure Smell of dead animal in kitchen from neighbors furnace exhaust Analysis of issues Penny contacted me in early April to inform the city of these issues. I met with Tom Kellogg City Engineer on site (Penny and her Mother were not available). Tom had inspected and approved the grading prior to issuing the certificate of occupancy and determined that it had not changed since that time. We witnessed water trails into and following the swale that was provided. The only water we could see flowing toward the garage and retaining wall was from their own property. I tried to arrange a meeting with Penny but due to Mrs. Morris's health issues Penny did not call back until recently. I met with her on June 17, 2009 on site. I informed her that Tom and I agreed that the drainage was working and the only water going to her retaining wall and garage was from her own property. It was our opinion that the retaining wall was poorly constructed and failed on its own. The wall consists of two tiers approximately two and half feet high each. It is constructed of flat ledge stone dry stacked against the bank. The only resistance to failure is the weight of the stone stacked up. There is no adhesive or mortar holding the wall together. There is no provision for drainage behind the wall and the original soil was not replaced with something that would allow the release of static water pressure. The garage was built in 1965 and consists of concrete blocks with a deck over the top of it. The walls are cracked and leaning away from the property line. Penny and her mother feel that the proximity of the large machine has caused the walls to lean. It is obvious to me that the garage has been failing for a long time. Typical foundations would have the weight of the a house on them which provides the strength required to hold the pressure of the earth against it. With only the weight of a deck and no other bracing this design is bound to fail over time. I told Penny that I did not know what was causing the dead animal smell besides maybe a dead mouse in her house. She said it was coming from the furnace exhaust from next door but furnace exhaust has a different odor and the furnace has probably not run much recently. I told her the furnace installation and exhaust location meets code.