WOODY CREEK — Homeowners in the Woody Creek mobile home park subdivision are expected to pay approximately $30,000 to remove the controversial 3,000-plus-cubic-yard mound of dirt and rock located in central Woody Creek that resulted from excavations to upgrade the subdivision’s infrastructure.
According to Elam Construction’s area manager, Dave Heiberger, an agreement was made with the Woody Creek Park Subdivision Homeowner’s Association to haul the estimated 300 truckloads to the nearby gravel pit, at cost, to its processing area. He said he believes it could be completed by the end of the month.
The mound of earth accumulated during the last two years as the Woody Creek Park Subdivision significantly upgraded the infrastructure to include water and sewer mains, natural gas, electric, phone, and other amenities to the homeowners. The process required excavating, then dumping the debris in an open field across the street from the post office and one block south of the main plaza.
“Homeowners had a collaborative idea to process (the excavated material) and have people come take it,” project manager Jim Korpela of Beach Resource Management said. The situation became complex after several buyers opted out of purchasing it due to high fees required by the county and other issues. “It’s been a problem since last summer.”
As the cost will be billed to homeowners in the subdivision, neighboring members of the Woody Creek Caucus have various opinions — some have cheered, others jeered, and still others have offered suggestions to stop the pile of boulders, gravel, riprap (rocks 6 feet, 10 inches or greater) and dirt from becoming a mountain.
“It was exciting to think that we could mitigate some of our expenses with the sale of the riprap. But as it turns out, the valley supply is maxed partly due to all the construction,” said Peg O’Brien, board member of the homeowner’s association and Woody Creek Community Center.
Bill Dinsmoor, a member of the Woody Creek Caucus, expressed deep concern at the June 26 meeting, asking the county to get involved in enforcing the local codes.
“This is a result of a poorly managed situation from the very inception.” Dinsmoor said. When asked about the removal of the dirt he replied, “The people who are least able to absorb the cost are the ones having to pay for the mistake.”
Another board member of the association, Gus Filiss, said he does not mind the pile. “It doesn’t bother me one bit. But I know it bothers some other residents, so that worries me.”
Regarding the gravel pit’s involvement in the apparent solution, Korpela gave credit to Elam Construction as being a good neighbor. “They are not charging the park any dump fees, just moving,” he said. In addition to granting an easement to the subdivision, “they are putting down pavement for a discount.”
It is unclear, however, exactly how much money each homeowner will have to pay for the removal of the mound.
“I would just like to see the pile, and the controversy, go away,” said Lanny Curtis, president of the homeowners association.
He appears to be getting his wish. Crews were breaking down the mound and hauling dirt away yesterday.
