Draper City clears up ‘misperceptions’ on anniversary of homes sliding off cliff
DRAPER, Utah (ABC4) — Today marks one year since two Draper homes collapsed, scattering debris across the hill and two trails nearby. Draper City released an update on the anniversary clarifying some “misperceptions” and saying the developer, Edge Homes, is still working to clean up the area.
On April 22, 2023, two previously evacuated homes near 2400 Springtime Road slid down a hill and collapsed, leading to the immediate evacuation of the two neighboring homes.
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Two houses collapsed from sliding in Draper on Apr. 22, 2023.(Courtesy of Jason Middaugh) Two houses collapsed from sliding in Draper on Apr. 22, 2023.(Courtesy of Jason Middaugh) Two houses collapsed from sliding in Draper on Apr. 22, 2023.(Courtesy of Jason Middaugh) Two houses collapsed from sliding in Draper on Apr. 22, 2023.(Courtesy of Jason Middaugh)
The collapsed homes had been evacuated several months prior, after the city building official inspected them and found them to be “unfit for habitation” due to “earth shifting.”
Draper officials said police and fire personnel were already on scene the morning of the collapse due to neighbors reporting sounds of possible shifting.
“Our personnel ensured no one was in or around the residences in harm’s way as the homes continued to shift and eventually collapsed down the hillside,” officials said in the latest update.
The aftermath
Following the collapse, officials said they worked with experts to determine if nearby roads and adjacent homes were stable. This led to the condemnation and evacuation of two other nearby homes.
Edge Homes then began cleanup efforts by demolishing the remainder of the destroyed homes and stabilizing the area with “soil nails” and backfilling. However, 365 days later, there is still evidence of the collapse with remaining debris blocking part of Ann’s Trail.
This is due, in part, to several challenges the developer faced in cleaning up the area, including deep snowpack and “a viable method to haul debris up the mountainside,” the update said. Additionally, Edge Homes needed to stabilize the area before it was possible to bring heavy equipment to the area for clean-up.
Edge Homes said they anticipate the final phase of construction in the area will be completed this year, and it will begin this last phase in the coming weeks once the weather improves.
While the majority of the clean-up is complete and both Clark’s Trail and Ann’s Trail have since reopened to the public, Ann’s Trail has a detour in place where it intersects with Edeilwess to avoid remaining debris, city officials said.
Edge Homes provided the following statement regarding the aftermath efforts:
“EDGEhomes has finished Phase 1 of the project, which involved stabilizing the slope with soil nails and shotcrete. After we finalize the design with our consultants and Draper city officials, we can begin the final phase of construction. We intend to begin construction in the coming weeks as the weather improves. We anticipate the project will be completed this year. We would like to thank all of those involved with this process during the past year and look forward to continuing to provide an outstanding lifestyle for our residents for years to come.”
Edge Homes statement
“Misperceptions”
Draper City said there had been misperceptions due to inaccurate media reports concerning the city’s role in the incident and clean-up. As part of the update, officials clarified the city’s part in the issue.
First, they clarified that the city never owned or sold the land to the developer.
They also emphasized that they inspected all public infrastructure and homes in the subdivision and it met code standards at the time. They added that the “engineered fill where the collapse happened” was inspected by professionals hired by Edge Homes.
They also commented on the role the city has played regarding the investigation and clean-up efforts following the collapse.
“It is the developer’s responsibility to investigate what caused the homes they built to collapse and to make any appropriate restitution to the homeowners. Draper City has received copies of investigative reports from Edge Homes. Our understanding is that contractors may not have followed the approved plans to their specifications,” city officials wrote in the update.
Following the incident, Edge Homes said they were working with homeowners to provide compensation, such as buying back houses and paying for relocation expenses.
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