Residents warn Keller council a planned Bluebonnet sidewalk could worsen flooding and damage foundations

KELLER, Texas — Two residents and property owners told Keller’s City Council on Jan. 6 they oppose a planned sidewalk along Bluebonnet Drive, saying drainage in the neighborhood is already problematic and that the city did not sufficiently notify property owners.

John Gabrielson, a Keller resident of more than 55 years, said the neighborhood has persistent backyard flooding that flows into the street and that "there's a major flooding problem over there." He said homeowners were not informed and warned a sidewalk at curb level would "restrict the surface water flow."

Property manager Aaron Miller, who owns rental units on Bluebonnet, told council that existing French drains are only "about an inch under the grass" and that a curb-level sidewalk would require contractors to either cut them off or dig them deeper so water could run under the sidewalk — outcomes he called infeasible. "It is impossible for your contractors to avoid one of these two scenarios," Miller said, and he suggested alternate alignments (south side of Bluebonnet or routing via Meadowbrook Lane).

Staff response: City staff offered to have the public-works director, Alonzo, meet with the residents after the meeting to gather additional information and examine drainage solutions. Council did not take immediate action on the sidewalk project during the Jan. 6 meeting.

What happens next: Staff indicated follow-up meetings and further engineering review with public works to assess grading, drainage structures and possible sidewalk routings.