Sylvan Springs HOA asks Stayton to take ownership of 11-acre wetland tied to stormwater system

Members of the Village of Sylvan Springs Homeowners Association asked the Stayton City Council on June 16 to accept ownership of an 10.83–11 acre wetland and its detention pond that the HOA currently maintains.

The HOA representatives said the detention pond and a section of Lucas Ditch are integral parts of the city’s stormwater management system and that the cost, labor and technical demands of maintaining them now fall almost entirely on the 37-home HOA. "We believe the city of Stayton should accept ownership of the wetland property," said Steven Spangler, a member of the Village of Sylvan Springs HOA.

HOA leaders described a history of developer transfers and documents they say left the wetlands deeded to the small HOA before homes were built. The HOA presented a timeline showing developer transfers in the 2000s, a 2005 deed to the HOA, and later gaps in documentation and maintenance responsibility. Casey Falconer, representing the HOA, told council that the pond was built in 2002 by the developer to meet city design standards and now serves 112 properties directly and many more indirectly. Falconer said the detention pond and the portion of Lucas Ditch that bisects the wetland provide pollutant control and help the city meet requirements from external regulators.

The HOA said the detention pond, Lucas Ditch and related work account for an estimated 85.5% of the HOA’s yearly general budget, 70% of its reserve fund, and 94% of volunteer labor hours. The HOA described recurring expenses for beaver removal, dredging, erosion control and contractor work; speakers said volunteer labor alone totals hundreds of hours per key volunteers.

City staff and councilors asked clarifying questions and said staff will follow up. Julia (city staff) told the council the property is not city-owned and that the contact on the public record for the Lone Oak/Sylvan parcel appeared to be deceased; staff said they reached out to Weddell’s Funeral Home and obtained additional contact information and that Chief Johns provided a contact at the Odd Fellows. No formal action to transfer ownership was taken. Mayor Brian Quigley said staff and council will continue to vet the request with public works and legal staff and follow up with the HOA.

Council discussion focused on clarifying ownership history, the developer’s transfer practices, the mix of properties that benefit from the pond and potential next steps. The council did not vote on ownership at the June 16 meeting; staff were directed to investigate ownership details and to coordinate further reconnaissance and conversation with the HOA and public works.

The council’s next steps will include staff follow-up with Public Works and legal review; HOA leaders offered to provide tours and records to help staff evaluation.