Springtree West Cove homeowners press Sunrise commission over collapsing canal bank; city urges HOA to form working group, coordinate with Broward County

Dozens of homeowners from the Springtree West Cove neighborhood asked the Sunrise City Commission on July 8 for help stabilizing a failing canal bank that residents say threatens several houses.

Resident Alex Guerrero told the commission the ground under his and nearby homes has “caves forming underneath it” and that “structural collapse” could occur. Homeowners described a decades‑long problem dating to the 1990s, litigation that produced a 2018 consent judgment and previous emergency work after a 2010 collapse. HOA president John Suarez said prior leadership, missed disclosures and a default judgment left the association facing an estimated $3.8 million repair bill — about $70,000 per home in the association’s current calculation — and that many homeowners could not afford such assessments.

Commissioners and staff pressed residents to form a small working subcommittee to collect and submit the association’s engineering reports, consent and court documents, permit records, insurance and reserve balances. City Manager Mark Lebowski and staff said the association had received an environmental resource permit in May 2025 and that county staff have previously been involved; staff encouraged the HOA to coordinate directly with the county attorney’s office to search for financing or phased solutions.

Mayor Michael Ryan and several commissioners repeatedly urged residents to pick a small group to meet with staff so the city can assemble project history, identify contractors who performed nearby canal stabilization work and explore funding tools. Commissioners emphasized the limited options the city can offer when liability and private property assessments are involved, but said staff could help mediate a meeting with Broward County and provide lists of contractors and past permit history.

Residents described safety fears and disruptive household impacts; one homeowner said a backyard “fell into the canal” and that families had been displaced during prior incidents. Several speakers also complained of a lack of transparency and documentation from the HOA’s board. Commissioners acknowledged those governance problems and said city staff can explain state resources — including the state HOA ombudsman — and assist with procedural steps, but that the homeowners association must supply financial and engineering records for staff and county review.

Mayor Ryan concluded the public comment segment by saying staff would coordinate next steps: “Emily [deputy city manager] will give you the information, how to contact, maybe set up a call right away, how do you get this information, whoever wants to do it.”