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Residents and engineers press drainage fixes; board approves drainage easement and reviews NPDES report
Summary
A River Ridge resident reported slab moisture and ponding; the board discussed drainage responsibilities, received a Lee County NPDES annual report due to FDEP by Nov. 1, approved a template Grant of Easement for drainage from PSGRC to RRCDD, and discussed longer-term storm surge resilience planning.
A resident told the River Ridge board that high moisture beneath her slab and ponded water behind her unit have caused buckling and mold, and she asked the district and HOA to coordinate drainage remedies.
"I need help to get the downspouts farther from the home, and to install the drain tiles," Oak Run resident Lynde Sorensen said, describing moisture and mold under her master bedroom floor and a foundation specialists recommendation to install drain tiles and extend downspouts 5 to 10 feet. Inspections reviewed during the comment noted no plumbing or HVAC leak and identified a floor-warranty issue; a leak-detection specialist found very high moisture levels.
Board and engineering staff discussed drainage mapping and ownership. District Engineer Charlie Krebs said the drainage was not installed originally because the location was an indigenous preserve and, after rezoning, became Club land and not part of the water management system. Chair Bob Schultz and staff reiterated that drain tiles are most likely an HOA responsibility, but the Board accepted the residents report and requested coordination among parties.
On the regulatory side, Johnson Engineering reported that the Lee County NPDES Permit FLS000035-004 Cycle 4 Year 7 Annual Report has been reviewed and approved by Lee County and will be submitted to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection in advance of the Nov. 1, 2024 deadline. Staff advised that new permit requirements and water-sampling protocols may change in future permit cycles and that stormwater ponds are expected to catch and retain runoff and are not held to the same standard as natural lakes.
The Board also approved a Proposed Grant of Easement for drainage from PSGRC to the River Ridge CDD, on a motion by Mr. Blumenthal seconded by Mr. Schultz and approved "with all in favor." Counsel said a template Grant of Easement can be used repeatedly but each easement will be accompanied by a specific sketch and legal description when brought for approval.
Separately, Mr. Long led a discussion on storm surge protection and resilience planning; he described an action plan and the potential creation of an advisory panel and asked the CDD to designate board and staff representatives to assist. Long cited a hypothetical topographic analysis in which a 10'9 to 12'9 storm surge could have flooded 45% to 55% of the community, stressing that addressing surge risk will require coordination with state, county and village agencies and possibly take a decade to implement.
The board asked staff and engineering to provide further information and to coordinate with neighborhood HOAs and county partners as needed.
