Attention Fountain Trace Homeowners 

 

As most of you are probably aware, another sinkhole opening developed at the pond during all the recent heavy rain. Although it is near where the original opening developed and was repaired, it is not certain that it is the same sinkhole opening. The new sinkhole opening appeared on May 25 and worsened during the multiple heavy rains on May 26. The contractor that repaired the previous opening was contacted. Safety fencing was placed around the hole the next day. 

 

After discussion with the contractor and a geological engineer, the best course of action was determined to be to dig to locate the “throat” of the sinkhole. It is a possibility that there are multiple throats, and it is also possible that it is a sinkhole vein, and its collapse was inevitable given the recent heavy rains. After determining the source of the current hole, we can better determine the best course of action. The questions are: 

 

Is the pond salvageable, and if so at what cost? 

 

If it is salvaged, is there an assurance that the sinkhole problem has been solved permanently? 

 

In discussions with the geological engineer who has dealt with numerous sinkhole issues with ponds in this area (including the one at Olde Stone that took multiple times to repair), he estimated the cost to peel back the liner, search for all sinkhole faults, repair, and redo the pond would be in a range from $750,000 to $1,000,000.  

 

Another possibility is to dig at the current sinkhole to determine if a drain exists. If it does, then it may be possible to utilize the sinkhole as an overflow drain and fill with rock and not plug the drain “throat” so that water can go straight underground without searching for paths and causing additional sinkhole collapses. 

 

It should also be noted that the pond area is a designated drainage area for the neighborhood, so no matter what the ultimate solution is, it will still need to have an established drainage system acceptable to Warren County even if the pond is removed. We have not yet attempted to have a solution without the pond designed with estimated costs. 

 

Fish and Wildlife Resources have been contacted to remove the fish. They informed us the turtles are not a concern as they will move on their own to another location. 

 

When the Directors have received recommendations to include various options and approximate costs, a special Fountain Trace Homeowners Association meeting will be scheduled as soon as possible.  It will be very important for as many homeowners as possible to attend that meeting. The special meeting is necessary because of the importance of the pond area as a central feature of the neighborhood, and because the costs of any option are certain to exceed the repair budget approved at the 2024 annual meeting. A vote must be held on the plan for the area. 

 

Please be aware that the cost of any approved plan may very well necessitate a special assessment of each lot. The last two special assessments were in 2007 to replace the liner of the pond at a total of approximately $1600 for each homeowner. If the repair approved by the homeowners is to keep the pond and complete the large scale repair, given the difficulty of solving the sinkhole problem, the assessment for each owner would be substantially more this time. 

 

Not replacing the pond would certainly be a less expensive option but would likely still require an assessment.  We will obviously want to ensure that any solution is well designed given the prominent location of that area in the middle of the neighborhood. 

 

Please be watching for an email and announcements providing the date and time of the special meeting.  

 

-Fountain Trace Board of Directors

 

Steve Grilli (President) 

Joe Macrino (Vice President) 

Chip Rice (Secretary) 

Kirk Tisdale (Treasurer) 

Chris Champion (Member at Large)