In a recent government meeting, city officials discussed an appeal regarding a drainage maintenance policy decision that has significant implications for the Provence Homeowners Association (HOA) and the surrounding community. The appeal centers on ongoing erosion issues affecting the Provence HOA property, which city staff previously declined to address, citing that erosion is a natural phenomenon and the responsibility of private property owners.

Danny Still, a drainage engineer with the city, presented the case, highlighting the history of the erosion problem that began after the construction of a retention pond by the Stonebridge HOA in 2005. The pond, designed with grouted rock riprap for slope protection, has shown signs of failure since at least 2017, with erosion encroaching onto the Provence property by 2021. Despite requests for city assistance from both the Provence and Stonebridge HOAs, city policy dictates intervention only when public infrastructure or permitted private structures are threatened, which officials determined is not the case here.

The appeal raised concerns about safety risks and economic impacts for homeowners in the Provence community. A quote from a contractor indicated that the cost to address the erosion issue would be approximately $60 per homeowner if shared with the Stonebridge HOA, a significant amount for many residents. The 2016 plat for the Provence development explicitly states that the HOA is solely responsible for the maintenance of common areas, including erosion control.

As the meeting concluded, officials acknowledged the ongoing nature of the erosion problem, exacerbated by recent heavy storms, and the potential for further damage if no action is taken. The city remains firm in its stance that the responsibility lies with the homeowners, leaving the future of the Provence HOA's erosion issues uncertain.