Residents oppose zoning change impacting Mary's Creek flood safety near Chapin culverts

The Benbrook Planning and Zoning meeting held on July 10, 2025, focused on significant community concerns regarding proposed developments and their potential impact on local flooding issues. The meeting featured passionate testimonies from residents, highlighting the urgency of addressing these environmental challenges.

Ashley Nave, a resident of Mary's Creek, voiced strong opposition to a proposed Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR) and associated zoning changes. Nave emphasized the dangers posed by flooding, citing personal experiences of severe water flow during heavy rains. She presented alarming findings from an engineering report that raised questions about the feasibility and safety of the proposed development, which includes plans for over 170 new homes. Nave pointed out that the project could exacerbate flooding by narrowing the floodway, thereby increasing water velocity, which contradicts Benbrook's flood ordinances.

Nave also criticized the lack of transparency from the developer regarding land ownership and the specifics of the proposed changes. She expressed concern over the absence of a long-term maintenance plan for the proposed flood management solutions, which rely on temporary measures that may not be sustainable.

In her closing remarks, Nave urged the city to establish a contractor and developer registry to ensure that future proposals are vetted thoroughly, aiming to protect the community from potential risks associated with inadequate planning.

The meeting underscored the residents' commitment to safeguarding their homes and the environment, as they called for more rigorous oversight and accountability in local development projects. The discussions highlighted the ongoing tension between growth and environmental sustainability in Benbrook, setting the stage for further deliberations on these critical issues.