Steve Hall, who heads up the homeowners’ association, met with us Monday. He said seven homes and nearly two dozen people are impacted. At that time, Hall said beaver dams burst and clogged the culvert, causing the road to crumble. He said a fix is complex due to layers of land ownership in the area. […]
Tax dispute pauses restoration of four flooded dams in Midland and Gladwin counties (MI)
In a complaint filed in Midland County Circuit Court late last month, lawyers for the Heron Cove Association of property owners said the assessments are “grossly disproportionate” to any expected increase in the properties’ market value and amount to an unconstitutional taking of property without due process or just compensation. Read the article…………………………….
When has a Condominium Building Reached the End of its Service Life? (CA)
If you read the earlier installments of this series, you know that the service lives of condominium buildings are shortened by inspection, maintenance, and funding failures. Recognizing when a building may begin to reach the end of its service life may be easy or hard, depending on the type of failure. A catastrophic failure by […]
A CT dam disagreement emerges as climate change impacts state. ‘It’s for our safety… our family’
The lake is remote, nestled in the woods in eastern Connecticut, with just an appliance store and an auto exhaust servicer nearby. Ashford Lake’s 53 acres are surrounded by residences, members of the Ashford Lake Property Owners’ Association, who enjoy kayaking in the summer and ice fishing in the winter. Read the article…………………………….
Hidden Trouble: How Aging Infrastructure Threatens Homeowner Associations
It’s easy to overlook the critical infrastructure subtly running behind the scenes of every homeowner association (HOA) community. While residents enjoy manicured lawns, sparkling pools, and pothole-free roads, the inner workings powering these amenities face a ticking clock. Read the article…………………………….
Spanish Main Yacht Club installs $1M of potable water pipes (FL)
Chairman of the Water Committee Tom Freiwald said Spanish Main Yacht Club was a 55-plus community in both the age of its residents and potable water lines. Due to repeated system failures, the Spanish Main Yacht Club had to replace its potable waterRead the article……………………………. lines, which were original to the condominium’s construction in 1966.
An Orange County neighborhood ripped out its septic tanks to protect Wekiwa Springs. Now it’s sorry. (FL)
The gated community of more than 180 homes was the first of 17 neighborhoods in Orange County near the springs to buy into a septic-to-sewer conversion, a multiphase project originally estimated to cost $123 million. Read the article…………………………….
The Essential Role of a Structural Engineer in Condominium and HOA Repair Projects
In today’s evolving infrastructure landscape, the role of a structural engineer is paramount, especially when it comes to repair projects for condominiums or homeowners associations (HOA). Their contribution not only ensures that the repair works are of high quality but also that the process remains transparent and in line with the expectations of the board […]
Alpine St. residents asking for help (WV)
“Going forward, if the homeowners association in that area would be willing to take this street into their HOA for future maintenance, that’s part of our processes and plan going forward,” said Commissioner Jeff Arnett. “With the Orphan Road Grant, there has to be a plan going forward,” he said. Read the article……………………………
Five Years and Counting on a Fix at Beach Point (MA)
The Ebb Tide on the Bay Condominiums at Beach Point are closer to the water than any of the other Shore Road dwellings around them, and over the last several years the three buildings, comprising six condo units, have suffered damage to their foundations and decks whenever there is a big storm. Read the article………………………..
Liberty Hill neighbors worry about growing hole on their street (TX)
A neighborhood road in the Santa Rita Ranch development is sinking and cracking around a manhole cover, and there is no known reason why it’s happening. It has neighbors in the area very concerned. Read the article………………………..
Residents of Stonebrook not all happy with street paving assessment (MI)
A proposed project to resurface the roads in the Stonebrook subdivision isn’t meeting with rave reviews from many of its residents who are unhappy with the cost of the special assessment The homeowner’s association for Stonebrook, located at the southeast corner of Irish and Atherton roads, submitted petitions to Davison Township signed by 51 percent […]
Century-old dam that keeps Lake Lansing homes from flooding needs major repairs (MI)
The cost is not clear, Pratt said. A consultant is being hired to determine the scope of problems and the expected price of any fixes, he added. Property owners expect to have to share a portion of the cost, and want to make sure repairs don’t end up costing millions of dollars, said Steve Carpenter, […]
Southwick sues Sunnyside Ranch developers for failure to complete streets (MA)
Potholes and cracked pavement dot Overlook Lane, part of Sunnyside Ranch Estates in Southwick. One of the subdivision’s original developers has sued the Southwick Planning Board to have a decision it made to impose a security bond of $560,000 on it last July vacated. Read the article………………………..
Councilman postpones measure allowing county to maintain eligible private roads (HI)
At a Tuesday meeting of the council’s Policy Committee on Health, Safety and Well-being, Puna Councilman Matt Kaneali‘i-Kleinfelder proposed a measure that would allow the county to perform maintenance on certain qualifying “private, nondedicated and nonsurrendered roads” in order to ensure continued access to parts of the island in the event of an emergency. Read […]
County makes progress to replace ‘bad’ bridge near Arnold (MO)
While subdivision streets must meet certain standards before the county will take them over, Jonas, who proposed the program and coordinates it, has said he wants to bring as many bridges as possible under county control because most subdivision homeowners associations lack the financial wherewithal to maintain, replace or repair failing bridges. Read the article………………………..
Volusia homeowners install piles as retention pond threatens foundations (FL)
As Florida prepares for hurricane season, one Volusia County couple is spending thousands to protect their property before another big storm. Over the years, the bank of the retention pond behind their home has severely eroded, driving the pond dangerously close to their propert Read the article………………………..
The Dramatic Results of Improved Drainage Infrastructure (SC)
This barrier island community isn’t waiting to see what happens if a once-in-a-century rainfall occurs and we’re not gambling with the speed of storm surge recovery. In 2019, the community association formed a Water Management Task Force to address existing flooding susceptibilities by optimizing our drainage system. Read the article………………………..
HOA Capital Improvements: How to Maintain and Upgrade Community Infrastructure (CA)
As an HOA board member, you know that maintaining community infrastructure is crucial. From roads and sidewalks to community buildings and amenities, these structures play a vital role in keeping your residents safe and happy. Therefore, it is essential to plan and execute regular capital improvement projects. Read the article………………………..
City promises to work on sinking, slimy road for desperate neighbors (TN)
ity officials have promised to work on an ongoing issue involving flooding in a Southwest Memphis neighborhood after frustrated neighbors called the WREG Problem Solvers. Candy Banks said she was tired of seeing puddles on her street when it wasn’t raining. Read the article………………………..
Upscale Conway community in Ascension has chronic street flooding. A fix remains fraught (LA)
The builders have made features out of the large live oaks on the former 344-acre cattle ranch and honed architectural details, but residents say Conway has a significant and unexpected problem now several years into construction: chronic street flooding that can linger for days after moderate rains and at one point blocked the neighborhood’s entrance. […]
Report Reveals Dozens of Parking Garages Have Structural Problems (NY)
New York City is known for slamming the door after the horse has left the barn. When mortar worked loose from a building and killed a pedestrian, the city passed Local Law 11, now known as the Facade Inspection and Safety Program, which requires inspections and necessary repairs every five years. When faulty gas lines […]
Charlotte homeowners concerned over who’s paying to fix subdivision roads (NC)
Lawmakers in Raleigh are seeking solutions to the problems highlighted in months of WBTV investigations into HOAs, developers, and orphan roads. More than half a dozen bills were filed by state legislators and several of them are still moving forward or seeking state funding to fix the issues addressed in WBTV’s reporting. Read the article………………………..
Road conditions in a private Mill Spring community threaten home mail delivery (NC)
According to letters from the Columbus Post Office, residents in the Silver Creek Community will no longer receive mail delivery to their homes due to poor road conditions, unless repairs are made. Read the article………………………..
Road project finalized for Flagstone Pointe subdivision (MI)
One of Flint Township’s largest subdivisions will be getting a long-awaited rehabilitation for its roads this summer. Read the article………………………..
Frustrated condo tenants bump heads with manager over property’s costly pothole problem (LA)
The parking lot at Concord Condominiums is covered in potholes, and in some areas, the original concrete is exposed. Cars have to be very careful driving around the holes to make sure they don’t damage their cars. Read the article………………………..
“Grand Canyon” of potholes shows size of HOA vs Developer problem (NC)
In the Bethel Glen subdivision, there’s a pothole so massive that it acquired a nickname from a national park. “You come in Midland Road, turn right, and the Grand Canyon is there to greet you,” Chris Edmonds said. Read the article………………………..
Most of Holiday Island sewer plant’s fines unpaid since 1992 (NC)
A nonprofit sewer district in Perquimans County has been assessed civil penalties for ongoing problems at its wastewater treatment plant for more than three decades Read the article………………………..
Sinkhole nightmare growing at Marietta condo complex (GA)
Residents of the Bently Ridge Condominiums in Cobb County are still dealing with a sinkhole that has been growing for nearly three weeks. Dozens of resident are having to walk a long way to their units to avoid it since the road remains closed off. Read the article………………………..
Maintaining roads in Coconino County pricey, difficult after historic weather events (AZ)
Residents throughout Coconino County are paying the price of weathering an aggressive winter — sometimes quite literally. Outside of the city, not all community roads are considered “county maintained,” despite providing ingress and egress to subdivisions and neighborhoods. Read the article………………………..
Neighbors in Henry’s Mill Flooded With Concern Over Stormwater Management (MD)
Another issue stems from Henry’s Green not having an HOA, so Henry’s Mill HOA president Candi Combs said maintenance costs fall on her neighborhood. “Henry’s Green, they don’t have an HOA so we’re solely responsible for the maintenance of this pond, we get all their stormwater,” said Combs. Read the article………………………..
Homeowner Association Pond Management (BC)
If you sit on the board of a Homeowner Association, you take pride in how your community looks. From clean streets, green grass, and pristine ponds. Pond management is a challenge for any HOA, whether one pond, a series of connected ponds, or water hazards on a community golf course. This blog delves into common […]
Judge dismisses some property owners from cattle dam suit, might add others (OH)
A visiting judge dismissed some parties involved in the lawsuit regarding ownership of the Knox Cattle Company Dam on Yauger Road but left the door open for additional parties to be added. Read the article………………………..
Flooding problems in Waterford create division among neighbors (MI)
…..one problem remains. Bryson says a divided homeowners association is preventing more work from being done on a private street. “We can’t build a drain on private property. The homeowners association would have to give us a permanent easement. They haven’t been able to do that. We understand their frustration and share that,” says Bryson. […]
House Bill Would Authorize Local Governments To Create An Infrastructure Fund (MD)
House Bill 55, now pending in the Maryland General Assembly, would authorize a county or municipality to “establish a local trust fund or other appropriate fund for the purpose of repairing or rehabilitating infrastructure with communities that are subject to the requirements of the Maryland Condominium Act or the Maryland Homeowners Association Act.” Read the […]
Sea Oaks Assessed Betterment For Sewer Main Installation In Mashpee (MA)
Sea Oaks condominium owners will be responsible for paying 70 percent of a 70/30 apportionment split with the Town of Mashpee for a betterment to install sewer main to connect to the town’s wastewater treatment facility. Read the article………………………..
Property owners learn they’re responsible for fixing the potholes on their road (LA)
Folks who live off Brightside View Drive say their hands are tied after the city told them, it’s not their responsibility to fix. There’s no Homeowners Association for maintenance repairs. Joshua Kim says his apartment has had some close calls when it comes to flooding. Read the article………………………..
Hoover council OKs $3 million road and dam repair, annexation of Riverchase Country Club (AL)
While the dam and property beneath the road are on private property, the Riverchase Country Club cannot afford to pay to fix the problem, City Administrator Allan Rice said. Thus, the section of the road that goes across the dam has remained closed for more than a year. Read the article………………………..
Trafalgar officials, developer, residents remain in standoff over drainage problem )IN)
A backyard in the Crest Ridge Estates subdivision in Trafalgar is submerged in water regularly during heavy rain, and no one is sure who is at fault for it. Read the article………………………..
Quest to privatize Lakewood Ranch CDD roads hits road block (FL)
District Authority had a desire to make its gated public roads private, an attorney for the governing body said significant obstacles remain. The IDA had hoped once the bonds used to finance the roads had been fully paid, it might make privatization an easier process. IDA Attorney Andy Cohen said during a Jan. 17 meeting […]
Wood County Commission approves road maintenance association (WV)
The original developer, who still owns a lot in the area and who did not sign on to be part of the road maintenance association, claims he was exempt from any road maintenance responsibilities until 2030 as part of an original homeowners association agreement. His attorney had said the road maintenance association is a way […]
Everything you wanted to know about private streets in Pittsburgh (PA)
In communities around Pittsburgh, there are streets designated as “private.” Sometimes they’re winding roads on college campuses, or they could be narrow spans seemingly tucked away in city neighborhoods. Read the article………………………..
Rotonda West residents concerned with bridge repair timetable; cite safety issues (FL)
It could be two years before a bridge might be back to normal after Hurricane Ian. The bridge on Rotonda Boulevard South was hit hard by Ian, and it’s been closed ever since, making life difficult for those who live there. Read the article………………………..
Hundreds of aging Georgia dams sit upstream of homes and major roads—and are in urgent need of upgrade and repair
Nearly 200 dams—more than in any other state—are described as high-hazard and in poor condition by the National Inventory of Dams, an official database maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Read the article………………………..
Rockingham County updates Massanutten POA on effort to purchase water system (VA)
The executive committee of the Massanutten Property Owners Association (MPOA) held a special meeting on Monday alongside Rockingham County officials. The meeting was held to update property owners on the county’s effort to purchase the Massanutten water system. Read the article………………………..
Whitefish neighborhood approaches city with road issues (MT)
The condition of the roads in The Lakes neighborhood has spurred the residents to bring the situation to the attention of the Whitefish City Council. John Murray, a resident of the Lakes Homeowners Association, told Council at its Dec. 5 meeting that safety has become an issue when driving through the subdivision. Read the article………………………..
The Lakes subdivision approaches Council with road issues (MT)
The condition of the roads in The Lakes neighborhood has spurred the residents to bring the situation to the attention of the Whitefish City Council. John Murray, a resident of the Lakes Homeowners Association represented the residents at the Dec. 5 council meeting because safety has become an issue when navigating through the subdivision. Read […]
Battle brews over who’s responsible for dangerous holes in Pinellas neighborhood road (FL)
Ellen Connolly and other residents who use Estancia Boulevard were thrilled when Pinellas County workers put a steel plate over a dangerous hole in the street. “We were laughing and celebrating and like, ‘This is great.’ But we didn’t know that wasn’t a permanent fix,” Ellen Connolly said. Read the article………………………..
(HOA’s) Among Those Awarded Drinking Water and Wastewater System Grants (ID)
Bear Lake West Homeowners Association, Inc. in Bear Lake County was awarded $35,000 to prepare a drinking water planning study to evaluate the current drinking water system and identify needed improvements. The total eligible project cost is $70,000, and the remaining $35,000 will be funded by Bear Lake West Homeowners Association, Inc. Read the article………………………..
Problem Solved: Owners Squabbling Over Necessary Structural Repairs (NY)
The diagnosis. In the spring of 2017 I was called by a senior building manager of a 19-story Upper West Side condominium about the electrical service room located below a pedestrian plaza. The room had extensive water infiltration, and, as a result, the electrical equipment and its cabinets had severely corroded. Read the article………………………..