Don't stick taxpayers with subdivision costs
Express-News Editorial Board -
The road conditions in the Ventura Heights neighborhood in northeast Bexar County are a nightmare.
Some of the potholes in this unincorporated area are half a street wide, Express-News real estate writer Jennifer Hiller reported.
Unfortunately for the homeowners in this middle-income neighborhood, the streets in their subdivision were never accepted for maintenance by Bexar County because the streets were not built to county specifications and the needed fixes were not done, Hiller reported.
Now, the developer has gone under and the cost of the repairs has fallen on homeowners' shoulders. Fixing the growing problems will cost an estimated $1.3 million, which translates to an assessment of roughly $7,731 per household.
That's a hefty bill to pay on top of the mortgage, but it looks like residents may have no other choice.
The county is offering a road assessment program that would allow the county to pay for the repairs and place a lien on the property for the expense, which would be required to be paid back if the property is ever sold.
As unpopular as this solution is among some homeowners, Ventura Heights should vote in favor of this move or they will see their property values decline more than the cost of this remedy.
County officials say this is not an isolated case. County Engineer Renee Green told the Express-News there are more than 60 other developments outside the city limits with streets in disrepair that are not eligible for county maintenance because they never met Bexar specifications.
That is unconscionable.
County commissioners have limited authority over activities in the unincorporated areas of Bexar County but recently voted to require developers to have an 18-month warranty bond for 10 percent of the road construction price.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/opinion/dont_stick_taxpayers_with_subdivision_costs_93718419.html
Comments:
blew4511:51 PM
Report abuse Report Abuse I bet if this was your home or subdivision you would have a change of heart, mind and response. Take a drive to this neighborhood and drive down the street... watch out !!!, becasue your car might fall in the gaping hole. The county must take some of the responsibilty. They allowed the builder to complete a street that did not meet compliance. who is more responsible then the builder and the city/county??? you are not safe guarded unless someone is on your side, espcially when a tax is paid, city taxes may not be paid but county taxes are. If you own a home "INSIDE and Guardian", did you ask these questions before you bought your house. Did you ask if street repair met the code compliance? do i pay for street repairs? did you ask if you home was built by a bonded builder? DId you ask if your electrician was certifyied? I bet you didnt!!! i bet you assumed just like many others that this is handled correctly, by the builder, by the city, by the county, by the state, by the inspectors or the house would not be for sale. It is not only a matter of an ugly looking street, it is a matter of safety. Not only for the residence that live there but for the others that drive on those streets, including GOVERNMENT officials and its employees. A fire truck can not drive through this street in an emergency, there is no way possible it could weave through the 3-4 feet deep holes and cracks. How can some one render aid if they can not get to the injured? Because you are blind to the issue (its obvious) you havnet seen or driven on these streets or you wouldnt have written your simple response. it is much more then a damaged road, its damaging a communtiy, its people, and the city we ALL live in.... 
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