Draper mayor and former homeowner remembers double home collapse on Utah hillside

Monday marked one year since two condemned homes collapsed down the hillside in a landslide and the mayor and a former homeowner had words of caution for those looking to buy or build in those kinds of areas.

[@robs4517]

The city and the developer are both responsible. Considering that the entire west side of that mountain is a sand and gravel pit that tells you, you shouldn't be building on it.

[@brianbice1427]

When you deregulate industries and leave it up to companies to regulate themselves then profit always comes first

[@robs4517]

@brianbice1427 The problem is that it is regulated by the state, the county, and the city. Government corruption is worse than corporate corruption. I can always Sue a business. It's very hard to sue a government.

[@jameswernsman1363]

The lesson should be don't issue building permits in these areas

[@theicemanmypass]

Right that's exactly what I came here to say the audacity of them are to get in front of a camera as if their department wasn't liable for the whole situation because that homeowner had gone to the city multiple times to tell them that there were multiple code infractions that needed to be addressed for the safety of his home the city denied that there was anything wrong with the home on multiple occasions and at multiple public meetings they refused to admit that there city engineer Had lied and given a false Report

[@theicemanmypass]

Right it's why they fired there city engineer it's why the homeowner sued the city's assessor and the city because the guy missed several importance structural defects to this home on the inspection and just rubber-stamped it and the city did not want to admit that they were at fault literally tell the point where the house fell off of the cliff on video and they couldn't deny That their rubber-stamped approval of this home was complete bs

[@cherylmarquez2645]

The key point is don't build a house on the side of a hill or cliff, water & erosion are going to win in the end.

[@oldauntzibby4395]

Don't build a house in a flood plain, either. Maybe consult with a geologist and hydrologist before you purchase a house or a lot to build on. Often "freedom" in parts of the country means no one is enforcing any common sense or best-practice building codes, starting with the site.

[@Steamzombie1838]

My house is on a hill and is over 100 years old. There's nothing wrong with it as long as it's stable.

[@kpepperl319]

As a home inspector on KZbin said... That Ain't Right. The city has much responsibility as the builders... And to think you can build a better house in 2024 is naive

[@bambjr6045]

Considering The Cost of EVerYThinG, i say "no duh" respectfully and bitterly. We're going backwards, tHeY have seen to that. Also: dont blindly believe "officials" who encourage you to build on a slippery slope? Money caint buy sense or immunity from physics

[@billrobbins5874]

Naive

[@theicemanmypass]

Right and the homeowner sued both the city and their building inspector who failed to do his job and rubber-stamped that the house was fine and structurally sound and the city backed him up because they didn't want to admit that they were at fault in the negligence and that the house was structurally inefficient literally Condemned Because it would mean admitting that the city and the developer were in cohoots The homeowner went to multiple city meetings that we're public demanding answers that the town refused to admit it wasn't until the point where the house literally fell off of the cliff on video from alive news agency that the town realized not only were they now legally liable but that their reputation wasn't complete shambles because they were claiming to the public the house was fine structurally And telling this guy to come back in the middle of a rainstorm telling him his house was fine he literally escaped within minutes

[@Anne-ee1pw]

Greed, it’s all greed. Not one house should be built on that slope until soil tests and ground stability has been done. Before purchasing or building. These builders that are putting families at risk should be asked about the soil tests. Home owners insurance should also require it.

[@oldreprobate2748]

Yes, and the mayor and city inspectors are every bit culpable. Soil core test should always be done in hillsides before any permit is issued.

[@justingraham7387]

No !! If you build a house there it's your fault not the tax payers problem.. call your engineers insurance they approved it

[@jackson2009ify]

@@justingraham7387right they need to

[@gonetimeless]

@@justingraham7387 Do you really think the engineer’s insurance would pay up?

[@oldauntzibby4395]

I don't think any engineer was involved. Someone bought the land so they could make money subdividing. Someone hired a construction company that followed a set of plans drawn up by an architect elsewhere. Maybe they checked on the soil type and climate so they knew how deep footings should be, but I doubt anyone investigated the site as a whole.

[@lottiestanley7696]

@@justingraham7387 Sounds as though it was a development of homes, and he bought it after it was already built.

[@steveeymann6374]

Geography doesn't change overnight. Someone involved knew this would likely be an issue.

[@Coastal_Cruzer]

Then what are sinkholes?

[@steveeymann6374]

You're arguing apples and oranges. Sinkholes are far different from a hillside that shows signs of instability long before it happens.

[@stevemcqueen1904]

I'm surprised homeowners insurance would insure such properties to begin with.

[@svgehatheadventurebegins9225]

The city that allowed the permits in the developer that defoliated the entire hillside are directly responsible for what's happening they removed all the grass the trees the shrubs that held the soil in place and then they act amazed when the hill comes sliding down😮

[@Grungefan2018]

Yeah, the officials are culpable, but not accountable they seem to get away with murder. It’s ridiculous.

[@juliafox52]

Opposite: the newer the home, the less well made it is.

[@BarB2-90Nine]

Oh yes; the facts are proven

[@Coastal_Cruzer]

Or get this there is a range of quality that has always existed and you only ever hear about the ones that fail

[@BrandonDenny-we1rw]

​@@Coastal_Cruzer Average quality is factually garbage for new developments using cheap fast grown pine versus older hardwoods like a lot of older homes were made with

[@Coastal_Cruzer]

@@BrandonDenny-we1rw when you put it like that it makes more sense

[@paleofemme]

There is a collapse of the hill on the other side of this mountain with no homes on it. The blame goes deep on this fiasco.

[@TheOnlyKateslate]

Have you no geologists and engineers in Utah?

[@skateart1180]

Kinda weird, isn't it? The biggest expense of their lives and no one knows what they are building on. 🤨

[@LynnRPerry]

It was laughable. They built homes on a sand and gravel bench. Who could have guessed.

[@Makeusqueak]

Plenty. It's just that they all line their pockets with bribes by crooked developers, contractors and politicians.

[@davechongle]

i think we have a surplus, actually!

[@The_Brew_Dog]

@@LynnRPerryexactly. Born and raised in Sandy, it was always well known it was a very bad idea to develop corner canyon but they did it anyways.

[@ringo1692]

Why are there not zoning laws preventing people from building on unstable land when they are that stupid to build there? Probably because of the money they rake in from those suckers on various and multiple permits and inspections, taxes and the like... smdh lmfao

[@shannonmcdougall478]

In Washington State there is a place called Wash Away Beach "Real Name North Cove". Every house washed away into the ocean.

[@katiedid1851]

Glad you are wealthy enough to afford a second home on the flats . Some of us are still trying to buy our 1st ever home.

[@shandelebroyles1099]

I'm sure he got insurance.

[@stephaniecarlin4703]

Jealous much?? 🤨

[@swchampi]

Don’t try to bring someone down for their successes.

[@sooverit3258]

Hi first home no longer exists. So he had to rent or buy an existing home to live in. Would you rather he be homeless? Would that make you feel better about your own situation?

[@Princess__Buttercup]

@@stephaniecarlin4703yes. And?

[@gonetimeless]

Why didn’t you, Mr Mayor, make sure they built it right ?😊

[@stevenkaskus6173]

A geologist report should have been done, Many can spot with the naked eye potential problem areas because of evidence of past slides. Too much emphasis placed on MONEY, THE MORE HOUSES BUILT AND SOLD THE MORE MONEY THE BUILDER WILL MAKE BUT ALSO THE TAX REVENUE TO THE CITY AND COUNTY. NOT ENOUGH ATTENTION TO PROPER PROTOCOLS FOLLOWED TO ASSURE THE SITE'S ARE SAFE AND VIABLE TO BUILD ON AND HAVE A LONG LASTING HOME/NEIGHBORHOOD.

[@JediLoreen]

Stop "yelling". 🤦🤷

[@Ellen24493]

Do they not have building inspectors in that state to check the structure is sound and up to code??

[@wesman7837]

We do, but obviously there was either massive corruption or incompetence going on here! 🙄

[@mangomum99]

Greedy councillors & mayors pass the plans for the house to be built it’s not just the builders as the town planners know the lay of the land & they try to get away with approving on land that shouldn’t be built on

[@MarieJackson-sp3be]

Too much, too little, too late. Buyer beware. The land will never follow a plan.

[@WhiteoutMonster]

Difficult for you financially yet you can afford to move to a new home.

[@Mcfunface]

Of course. He moved on the bench of Draper for prestige reasons in the first place. He's not poor

[@tamipierce5916]

He probably also has insurance....!!

[@tamaraelsberry6630]

Home collapses: homeowner loses AlL furniture and probably most of their possessions. If there were cars in the garage those were lost too! You think that wouldn't cause an immediate financial hardship!? No place to live, no clothes, no cars.. It takes a while to relace all your earthly possessions and insurance may not cover everything that was lost, depending on their policy..

[@wesman7837]

What are you trying to say? Are you jealous? 🤔

[@WhiteoutMonster]

@@wesman7837 I'm not the jealous type. Just not a fan of people being crybabies about something that they can very quickly recover from 😂

[@sookie4195]

People that have money, build along coast lines and mountain cliffs, and then expect the rest of us to pay higher homeowners insurance to support their ignorance.

[@vicpetrishak7705]

Some insurance companies are not insuring in Florida today ! Homeowners in low risk areas are tired of subsidizing high risk areas through higher rates !

[@peggycollie2333]

They are all wrong, the city, the inspector and the one that bought the house on the hillside!

[@wesman7837]

How is the home buyer "wrong?" 🤔 This is what home inspectors, geological studies, and engineers are for, but obviously incompetence or corruption was in play here! 🙄

[@dianepeters7485]

I couldn’t believe they built houses on top of a gravel pile anyway. Surprised it took so long for something like that to happen.

[@wesman7837]

So long? The house is brand new!

[@robertcraig156]

Moral truth: Never Build your house on a cliff!!

[@Kinikia95]

Imagine living in that neighborhood now.

[@PInk77W1]

Probably fine now that they got rid of the neighbors

[@warrenthunell2557]

Gravity always wins!

[@seand5719]

The Bible says thou shalt built the house not on sand but solid ground or something like that.

[@sookie4195]

Build your house upon the rocks

[@asylumlover]

THAT SINKING FEELING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@SnailedItAquatics]

These new homes are thrown together so quickly; there's no way theyve been built well.

[@Psalm-yg6yi]

Same thing in La Jolla Beach, California. In 2013, I went on that Seven Cave Kayak Tour and that was one of the things our beautiful guide had pointed out to us. A cliff with million dollars homes built upon it and they're ready to fall into the Sea. ❤Matthew 7:26 (King James Holy Bible) And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

[@LynnRPerry]

Your eyes & a walk on sand & gravel, where the hillside collapses with a push of a tennis shoe. The developer put chicken boxes on top of a gravel pit and the City approved.

[@pattytheseeker8902]

It looks similar to something that happened in the UK. It was along the coast.

[@collettedobrocke4518]

Oh my gosh...you poor people 😮😮😮😮

[@user-jo2li8un1j]

Did he say solid ground?

[@ocean12]

Lets build a house on a sand barg and be shocked when it disappears into the water.. Why is there no common sense anymore?

[@sunshinelizard1]

For the SLC Olympics, they dug a bunch of sand out of the area to improve the highways. It was pure sand. Then they built houses right up to the edge of the sandy cliff.

[@beverlysmith2640]

Unstable around like Florida

[@nancyharris6648]

The mayor is very clearly casting blame on homeowners who had no way of knowing it was over a sinkhole.

[@brc9064]

The mayor has to stop investors from buying property that underneath is not suitable for development

[@silverwingss77]

HOW HORRIBLY SAD.

[@Sahmgirl]

Poor man!

[@DennisSmith-dq6iu]

City engineers and developers fault.

[@DennisSmith-dq6iu]

🎉..

[@ruthkelty3249]

That’s bull crap

[@silverrose7554]

Stupid built on a falt line That will move . Daaaaaa

[@elizabetheaton3882]

What a shame 😠

[@mikel3612]

We built a new home in WA by what we thought by a reputable builder after tons of in investigation. WRONG: 3 years of fighting to get warranty work done. -had to jackhammer and redo foundation -so many framing issues to count -re mud inside 3 times paint 4 times -repaint outside Twice -spent 6 months in Hotel out of my pocket -$12k to repair roof that leaked again out of my pocket. And 20 other small items. Our sales agent said they should have burnt it down and started over builder would be money ahead. Still have things wrong that will never be fixed. No quality anymore buy old and remodel.

[@cynthiaparris7549]

Very sad😢

[@donhagerty5669]

THAT HILL DOESN'T EVEN LOOK THAT STEEP, IT DEFINITELY IS NOT A MOUNTAIN

[@tannerbriggs9127]

The sad part is builders didn't learn anything and just attribute this to all that snow in 23'

[@gingercox6468]

In this day there are more scammers in every field than ever before.

[@EdwardM919]

"My homes on flat ground it wont sink again" tell the people of Florida that when theres a sink hole.

[@deannaforrest9571]

Lots of issues here being glossed over. Buyers building a home hanging off a mountainside is a foolish vanity. Having city inspectors that don't do their job if enough money is involved. And builders who build without responsibly doing impact studies. And cities giving approval fast and furiously for revenue. Yet they still continue to build higher and higher up the mountainsides. Hard to feel sorry for people whose main goal is to sit above the last row in a prestige move.

[@libbylandscape3560]

I don’t understand WHY homes, or any buildings for that matter, are still being built on unstable land. I remember waaaaay back in the 70’s, possibly late 60’s, seeing news reports of landslides/mudslides taking out homes. Evidently history has not impressed itself on us. I guess when the insurance companies finally decide to say “No” to those foolish enough to take their chances and build, then maybe it’ll stop. I’m sorry to see this happen, especially to the families who were snookered into believing things were safe. My guess the builders who took their money are long gone.

[@shadyhollowfarm]

All the locals knew building on that mountain was a very bad idea. The railroad bridge at the foot of that mountain used to wash out almost every year.

[@tonis204]

What does the year 2022 make a difference in house building? Crooked people still exist. These builders are CROOKED!!!! Meanwhile, it was very nice of him to move his house so the house across the street has that nice view now!👍

[@nickinurse6433]

Never live on a hill, never live on the coast, never live in a flood zone which is any City less than 200 ft above sea level. Never live in tornado Alley.

[@paddycraig]

Utah, the wild west of regulations unless its alcohol

[@peterbilt9996]

Don't ever build a home on a hill ever.

[@JoshP81]

I wish Utah would stop building on the sides of mountains. It would be like building on marsh land and being surprised these things happen. But I am a fan of dense development and open space surrounding the density, like the development and building in Europe.

[@soyoucametosee7860]

Oh please please please government protect me from my own stupidity.

[@hoorayitsjackie6166]

‘They got to do it right’ Leaves all the blame on them

[@JeffGarrett-ou9xs]

Its not solid ground, there is a fracture of the fault that runs right through there

[@lordpunriq]

Who was keeping tabs on the foundation and the construction?.... why does it take the collapse of two houses for actions to be taken...

[@duchessmartinez2035]

Quit building, there are so many empty apartments and houses.....

[@LynnRPerry]

Really, apparently you have not been to Utah lately.

[@StancyInTheCity]

Doesn’t the city permit the development? You can’t really blame the developer, they are solely profit motivated. When they go for permits to build on land like this city engineers should be responsible.

[@michaelj8460]

About the only thing a residential developer gets right is how to take your money.

[@andrewquick7667]

Yeah Utah sucks don’t live here, go back to California and keep California expensive. Utah should be protected

[@venetianphantom]

No view is worth that. Every house on that hill is a potential disaster.

[@BobbieJeanM]

The homeowner needs to watch some home inspection videos to know what new construction is really like. It’s actually horrifying because at least half of what you will see is before drywall is put up. Once things are covered, there’s no indication of any problem until things start falling apart…or it slides down a hill. 😖

[@cynthiaswain4070]

I'm in agreement with others. The City, county and contractors are all responsible. Was the land improperly inspected. Maybe a case where $ spoke louder than reality?

[@anncodec]

Is there no USGS in Utah? I don't understand how you allocate and spend this much money on shifting ground and then get couples and families to mortgage this BS..

[@B.Huntley_Sharpe]

The wise man builds his house upon the stone ...

[@jBKht931]

Don't allow building permits on land unstable and naturally won't be stable in over 100 years. A total screwup by multiple people involved. Equal shared cost.

[@ThatisTB]

Why TF would you even buy a house on a hillside?

[@redcurrantart]

There’s so many housing projects that get approved that are in such unsafe areas. At this point, I don’t know how anybody even trust new construction, especially in any of these really questionable spaces.

[@allencollins6031]

"Edge Homes." That would have been enough for me.

[@Clarice-rp7mh]

My daughter and her husband built a home in 2020-21. They wanted to buy an older, better built home, but thanks to CA residents driving up markets in other states, because their CA state is such a sh!thole, they had to build a new one. Ca residents were paying $60,000 cash over asking price, driving locals out of the market. Several times a week my daughter would stop by to check on progress. There were empty cases of beer around all the time. The builder did not care, nor did inspectors or the city. This 3,500 sq ft home is cheep trash. I, having shopped for a new home a few years before, expected nothing less.

[@sunshinelizard1]

I don't feel for them. When I saw those homes being build, I could see the sand being dug out of the hill. I marveled that a builder would build, that a bank would loan, that inspectors would approve of building there. I'm not in construction but it was plain to see.

[@SparkyWaxAll]

😢

[@BreatheDJOY]

Very Sad ~ And So Wrong 😢

[@robertwoodliff2536]

The builder got it " right "...

[@jenniferglover9905]

You have to watch the building happen. You don't know them or their employees. Completely unsupervised work is an unknown. Or at least be there for the inspection before closing. It's hard to get money back in certain situations, this is one.

[@DanielGloverTheGreat]

Who could have seen that coming

[@batipapo]

What are the regulations around that (if any)?

[@ReganNA-qi4qy]

The government charged to be there and when something happens they say it’s your fault and then look at their feet and whistle while walking away.

[@Romulus609]

City inspectors inspected the work right??

[@lukasgelu1834]

"If a home is going to be built in 2022 its going to be built right" dude was born yesterday 🙃.

[@basengelblik5199]

That's why there is something called a building code ... Government is usually good at these things ... In Europe that is.

[@austingreenland8788]

Bet you that was was over a million in salt lake. I don’t think he has any financial burden

[@bishop1412]

we need geologists to clear inspections

[@fishingbob8374]

My town built a bunch of fancy houses on a swamp right after Covid. No one knows it was a swamp. It's a joke.

[@judson4364]

Edge Homes: "We build crappy homes... on the edges of cliffs."

[@sagesufferswell]

Little boxes, on the hillside, little boxes made of ticky tacky.... Good ol boy system alive and well in Utah.

[@marcariotto1709]

I built here for the Vieeewieeeeeeeeeeeee!

[@connethorpe2688]

If you have lived here your whole life you should know where to buy a safe home. I've lived here my whole life and I wouldn't have bought a home in that area because I know what the land does there. We do have common slide areas here. Examples bug cottonwood canyon, little cottonwood canyon and Draper I think it's Eagle mountain .

[@frankdavidson644]

Sadly

[@josephkoehn]

The mayor's voice sounds just like Nicholas Cage.

[@thisbushnell2012]

A hidden meaning for the company "Edge Homes".

[@blondie7240]

Edge Homes are extremely cheaply built. Most of their contractors have no idea what they’re doing