Residents report persistent drainage and near-flooding at Pinehurst monument; board directs engineer inspection

At the July 23 River Ridge Community Development District meeting, resident Shari Perkins told the board that "a week after the street drains were plugged, the drainage issues persist; water has been overflowing in the triangle monument area." She also relayed concerns from resident Fred Kronke about a retention pond between River 8 and River 9 that appears non-functional and is "nearly 1' above the drain," creating a risk of localized flooding.

Board members and staff discussed the mechanics of the plugged inlet. District Engineer John Baker said that prior to plugging, water from one system backed up and flowed into a lower system through the pipe; by plugging the inlet the pushing action stopped but "there is no place for the water to go" and the result can be water sitting in a pipe like a "very tiny pond." Baker said resolving the issue will likely require additional study and emphasized the need for photographic or video evidence.

Perkins said she will provide video and photographs to CDD staff to help diagnose the problem. A board member said the board will direct the District Engineer to view the drainage firsthand. The board asked staff to gather the visual evidence and follow up with a site inspection; no formal motion or budget decision was made at the meeting.

The board also heard from resident Ed Nowak seeking clarification on the location of the outflow at the northern end of Pinehurst Greens Drive. District Manager Chuck Adams explained that the pipes at issue run between houses, across the street, across the golf course and into a ditch that drains to the Estero River.

Next steps recorded in the meeting: staff to collect photographs and video from residents, District Engineer to inspect the site, and staff to report findings at a future meeting.