Tag Archives: storm water

3 HOAs need help managing their stormwater ponds

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Suburban pond lake sidewalk storm water woes

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities It’s been 15 – 20 years since the construction boom of the early 21st century. And now that thousands of planned communities are reaching maturity, it’s time for homeowners associations to dredge retention ponds, clean out stormwater detention basins, and unclog drain pipes. Homeowners and residents complain about unattractive, foul-smelling, stormwater ponds, some of which periodically overflow and flood nearby property. But many HOA boards are discovering that stormwater Continue Reading3 HOAs need help managing their stormwater ponds→

IL HOAs ask Village to change policy for dedication of private roads

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities    More and more homeowners are discovering that, after a few years, the allure and prestige of living on a private road loses its charm. It’s not easy to find reliable contractors to plow snow in the winter and fix potholes in the warmer seasons. It’s hard to keep up with cracked and crumbling roads, and poor storm drainage, too. HOA board members and property owners are sick and Continue ReadingIL HOAs ask Village to change policy for dedication of private roads→

HOA Realities — living next to a retention pond or wetland

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Suburban pond lake sidewalk storm water woes

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Have you ever seen a real estate ad for a home boasting its “water view” or a “lake” view? Today’s post is a Buyer Beware message. Unless you’re viewing a home near a recreational lake — a real lake used for boating, fishing, swimming and other water sports — that ornamental “lake” is nothing more than a retention pond. Its primary purpose is to collect stormwater runoff for environmental Continue ReadingHOA Realities — living next to a retention pond or wetland→

How will local government deal with epidemic of crumbling private roads?

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Local governments must work on solutions to repair crumbling private roads, because most homeowners don’t have the equipment, expertise, or money to maintain them. Private roads are a burden for many homeowners associations (HOAs). But the problem is even more acute for subdivisions where no HOA exists.   Ohio: homeowners can’t get in or out of their subdivision after road washed out in a flood Owners of 32 homes Continue ReadingHow will local government deal with epidemic of crumbling private roads?→