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Kirkwood McMansions surround, destroy elderly woman's home

"[They're] bigger and bigger and bigger. They've been allowed to build on the smaller lots,"

KIRKWOOD, Mo. – She's lived in the same home for more than 50 years. But now the 95-year-old woman has to abandon it.

Why?

Her family blames large, newly-built "McMansions" that border her Kirkwood property.

Drive down almost any street in Kirkwood and you'll see giants.

"[They're] bigger and bigger and bigger. They've been allowed to build on the smaller lots," said Maureen Reed.

Reed is talking about McMansions.

But Reed said those large homes are creating problems for long-time residents like her.

Reed's mother has lived in a small home on West Adams Avenue for 55 years. Reed grew up in that home.

But now at age 95, she may have to move out because three recently built McMansions on West Washington that tower over her home are creating a series of problems.

"There's a half inch of water in the basement right now. When was the last time it rained?" asked Nikki Difani, Reed's daughter.

Reed said the large homes are too close and too high.

In fact, even the basement of the homes are higher than Reed's property.

And Reed said, the three homes are constantly dumping water into her mother's property.

"The runoff has been so bad. We've had to sandbag," said Reed.

Since the homes were built around 2015, Reed said her mother's basement has constantly been flooded and her backyard has turned into a swamp.

For Reed's daughter, the situation is devastating.

"It's ruining memories that were wonderful," said Reed.

A representative from the city of Kirkwood declined to comment Thursday.

The ITeam recently discovered a Kirkwood ordinance that said new developments cannot cause water run-off problems for surrounding properties.

But attorney Paul G. Henry said getting the city to enforce it could be difficult.

"Under the law, there's never been a case where you could hold the agency that approved the development responsible," said Henry, a specialist in run-off issues.

So, what about the Reed family?

They've come to the conclusion that their mother's home is no longer safe. They plan to move her out.

"We're assuming it's going to be a teardown. We didn't have any idea it would be in our backyard, but nobody is safe anymore," said Difani.

We repeatedly asked Kirkwood officials about why they don't appear to be enforcing their own ordinance but they declined to answer. Instead, they recommended that we file an information request.

Henry recommends anyone in this situation consider dealing directly with the property owner to resolve run-off issues. Legally, the owner of the property can be held responsible for damage caused to neighboring properties.

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