Retention pond or pond?

It's not the HOA's choice. It's up to the land use department of the city or county.

Drainage is a big legal issue and rather thoroughly regulated these days.

Ellen these were installed by the developers. Do not know if there are laws in our specific area on if pond or retention. Good point to find out. We are in a weird place. Two cities and in county... The two different developers too. One owns the HOA and it is different city than other developer uses for addresses. So it will not be easy to know what applies.

The developers would have to get approval for drainage from the city or county where the land is located. Give a ring to your county's or city's land use department; tell them about the situation; and ask them to summarize the approval process for retention ponds and so on.

Mel

To me a pond has water in it all the time. Think what you have is drainage swales that will contain water after a rain/flooding event and are meant to help drain the water away. I am quite sure permission would be required to make it a true retention pond. Permission from who I do not know. If made in a pond, there would need to be a fountain for water aeration purposes.

My initial blush is leave as is and just work with the landscaper to maintain/mow.

In my old development, the developer (and the civil engineers that they hired) designed the entire system of wet pond, dry ponds, and flood plain in cooperation with the local water management district. The final plan was approved by the WMD and any changes would need to again be approved. I would suggest making sure your water management infrastructure was not approved by a government entity that will require any changes be approved by them. If so there is a good chance that any changes would require design and calculations by a civil engineer at association expense. That alone should be enough to put the kibosh on any changes.

Not fully relevant, but FWIW, a normally small stream (5-10 feed wide) passes through a corner of our common area. This portion of the common area is designated as a conservation area and no changes are allowed without approval from the WMD. We've come to find out that during hurricanes, this tiny stream can rise close to 15 feet and become around 250 yards wide. During Hurricane Ian last year at least 12 houses flooded in our community, mostly without flood insurance because there where not designated as being in a flood zone. The next community downstream was mostly built 2-3 foot lower and most of the 32 homes flooded. 100s of homes flooded in our general area. Prior hurricanes had water lapping at a couple of homes, but no flooding.

Things have taken a turn... It appears others are now jumping onto the "Make it a pond" bandwagon. Plus now they want a Pool and clubhouse built. Trying to tell them this is a BIG mistake!!! We are still Developer controlled and owned. So they have NO idea the actual expenses we will be facing. They think the number I tossed out to them as an EXAMPLE are "fantasy". Mind you I am keeping my number fantastical LOW!

I forgot I lived in a neighborhood with young children and adults who have not "adulted" yet. A few had parents buy them or help them buy their homes etc... So they think nothing about having others contribute to "the cause". I am like NO I am NOT contributing a $1 - $2 K and $500 a month to something 4 months can swim or seldom use clubhouse. That makes no financial sense.

My response going to let it lie now for them to start talking amongst themselves. Sometimes you got to give enough information and knowledge for people to gnaw on and digest before they realize reality. Which is going to be hard lesson for them to learn. Going to step out of their way to learn it...

Otherwise, my advice to them is to complain about the lawncare issue to the Developer and the PM. They own and control us. You want these things go to them. Until we own the HOA it matters not what we want... It will once we contribute the money to pay for things. I for one will sell and move if any of these idiots decide it's okay to pay $300 in monthly dues...

Agreed Douglas. Have people already posting how my numbers are so wrong and that 5K a year not bad etc... I am like it is ONLY 5 K for the insurance...

I am like thanks for spending other people's money for them... Have not tossed out there if you do not pay that extra $200 a month for a barely used clubhouse and 4 months of pool for 12 months a year the HOA can lien or foreclosed for it...

Hoping these math geniuses start doing the math... I keep tossing another thing onto the pile...

I gave them an example of a close private pool club that pool pump and pumphouse blew up recently. Told them to imagine a Business that charges 300 dollars can not afford or get parts for months to replace their equipment, what can volunteers do?