Landslide Victims: This is the Third Failure

Stafford, Va. – Residents of two homes now condemned after a landslide say Stafford County officials are dragging their feet when it comes to arranging a meeting between homeowners and property developers.

According to the two homeowners affected by the Sept. 10 landslide in Stafford’s Austin Ridge neighborhood, this is the third time land behind the homes has failed. After a prior failure, a retaining wall was build behind the homes by the property developer, said Stafford Board of Supervisors Chairman Mark Dudenhefer.

“I think the developer has some obligations to help these homeowners here, but I’m not a court and cannot make that kind of decision,” said Dudenhefer.

Dudenhefer, who represents the homeowners on the County Board, says is waiting until “the time is right” to contact the developer in an attempt to arrange a meeting between all parties involved.

Homeowners say they want the developer to stabilize the land and cannot afford repairs on their own, which they fear will run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. All of the displaced residents are staying in temporary housing and fund has been set up through a local church to provide aid to the families.

“As tax-paying citizens of Stafford County, we are hoping that county officials and elected representatives will stand with us in our desire to learn two important things: first, was the last repair to the failed slope constructed according to the engineering design and plan that the county approved; and second, is the land developer willing to be a part of the solution in repairing and restoring the land following its third failure?” said affected homeowner Dan O’Leary in a press release.

Adding insult to injury, insurance companies have left homeowners high and dry, according to the homeowners.

During a meeting Friday with homeowners and county officials, affected residents said they felt isolated after officials said the county is not obligated to repair the land. Stafford County Fire Chief Rob Brown continues to work with state and federal agencies to relief assistance for the homeowners, but nothing has materialized thus far.