From Deseret News archives:
Draper family left hanging after slide erodes yard
"I don't know who to be upset with, " Jason Robles said Thursday. "You assume the area is reliable to have a house on when you buy it."
Robles has been waiting for a few days to hear back from an attorney who specializes in property cases.
"I'm not a greedy person," he said. "I don't want any money. I just want my yard and grass back. If someone can do the job cheaper than $80,000, then that would be great, as long as it's done right."
Since Robles hasn't consulted with an attorney yet, he isn't sure of any of the details.
"I would hesitate to say who we will name in the lawsuit." said Robles. "I don't know the laws. I don't know who was legally responsible. That will be the attorney's decision."
The Robles family, including three children, moved into the Draper home two years ago. They were unaware of any problems with their property, which had been developed in 2001.
On June 10, the Robles discovered that the fence separating their yard from the ravine behind was hanging in midair. Their back yard had washed away, stopping just a foot and a half from their deck.
"We noticed some cracks in our deck in back," Jason Robles said. "But it was right after the big rainstorms that the landslide happened."
Robles believes the landslide was caused over time by a combination of the usual runoff from precipitation, drainage from the neighbors' yards above him and the recent storm.
The city of Draper sent five people to the Robles' property at 119 Steep Mountain Drive to check out the damage a couple of days after the landslide. Draper officials did not return phone calls Thursday seeking comment.
City engineer David Decker, one of the inspectors, told the Draper Journal that he couldn't determine whether a leaky sprinkler was the cause or groundwater from the homes above.
"They say it was the sprinklers," Robles said. "I don't think it was."
Robles checked his water usage and found it was the same as last year and similar to that of his neighbors. Even after he turned his irrigation water off two weeks later, the ground was still wet.
Comments
- Study says hoops refs are biased 1:13 p.m.
- Sanford faces 37 ethics charges 1:03 p.m.
- Woman killed in fall identified 1:00 p.m.
- October sales gains lift hopes 12:58 p.m.
- Home and garden news and notes 12:58 p.m.
- Ungrateful teen in your house? 12:54 p.m.
- Every Mon. Matters: Be neighborly 12:52 p.m.
- New offerings from past winners 12:50 p.m.
- Make a pilgrim to celebrate season 12:46 p.m.
- Mauer is American League MVP 12:38 p.m.
- Buttars wants to limit gay rights laws
212 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
206 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
178 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
178 - BYU records with win
132 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
129 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
102 - Jazz finally win in San Antonio
99 - Utes knock off rival Aggies
93
A survey by Accountemps says that this year, fewer people plan to shop...
A little after midnight Wednesday morning, about 21 hours ago as I write...
If you are going back 8 years then the record is the Utes winning five out of...
It's people like you that give BYU a bad name. Do you realize that BYU is...
I love the very first comment on this article: "They are gonna lose and...
Think about it | 11:40 a.m. Nov. 23, 2009 What tax is considered to be...
I'm amazed that you lefties can say that Palin is unqualified. How about the...
Fitting that these two are players of the week...they'll hook up numerous...
If I were a BYU fan I would be "really" hoping for a win this year...
Boise State, especially Kellen Moore, is so overrated it's ridiculous. Top...
you be MVP if you didn't play the whole season?
A little bird told me the parade will be on Tuesday the 24th (tomorrow) at...



You can be the first to comment on this story.