Builders knock proposal for retention pond fences

By Dave Forster
The Virginian-Pilot
© September 16, 2009

SUFFOLK

City staff want to begin requiring fences around new artificial ponds near homes, schools and playgrounds.

Developers object. They call the precaution an unnecessary expense that would damage the aesthetic value of the retention ponds.

A three-person committee of planning commissioners sided with the developers Tuesday, but the issue could return next month before the full commission.

Tuck Bowie, president of The Terry Peterson Cos., said the ponds are amenities in new communities.

"You don't want this big ugly fence around it," he said.

Planning Director Scott Mills proposed requiring fences around ponds built within 100 feet of a home, school, child care center or playground. The basins aren't for swimming; they're designed to collect and filter storm water run-off in new developments.

The city currently gives the planning director the discretion to require a fence.

Bowie, who is on the board of directors for the Tidewater Builders Association, said he has not encountered such a requirement in the other cities in which he has done business.

State regulations require fences around retention ponds that drop off vertically at their edges.

Bowie and Reese Smith Jr., owner of Reese Smith Construction, asked for the decision in other situations to be left to developers.

Sloped retention ponds in new communities are often plenty safe without a fence, they said. These slope gradually to the water, then level out before dropping off.

"You gotta really do some crawling before you get in deep water," Smith said.

Mills said that safety feature wouldn't help somebody who fell in while trying to ice-skate on the pond, for example.

Revisions to city storm water runoff standards are scheduled for a public hearing before the Planning Commission on Oct. 21.

Dave Forster, (757) 222-5563, dave.forster@pilotonline.com

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better idea than the planning director...

Submitted by iqdou on Wed, 09/16/2009 at 1:28 pm.

"Planning Director Scott Mills proposed requiring fences around ponds built within 100 feet of a home, school, child care center or playground.

I don't know what this Mills guy is thinking. The BEST solution is the home, school, daycare center, etc., be enclosed w/fences. Last I checked all day care facilities in this area are required to have fences where the play areas are.

Fences around retention ponds pose considerable difficulty in keeping the pond edges mowed, free of debris, etc.

In short, these fences are the dumbest idea I've ever heard of.

Come on man!

Submitted by Redskin44 on Wed, 09/16/2009 at 9:27 am.

Come on Scott. When was it cold enough (an long enough) to freeze a lake or pond well enough to ice skate. I understand the need for the retention and run-off ponds. The "mickey mouse" requirements (like sidewalks that noboby uses) are driving up the costs of development and building. Guess who these costs get passed on to.