Storm Water Retention Pond

[bbr711]

Would a storm water retention pond necessarily be considered an adverse site condition or adverse external factor? The property is located in a newer residential development, and several homes including the subject border the retention pond. Such retention ponds are typical to newer developments in the subject market area.

Would you recommend a survey and/or title search for this property?

 

[Ken B]

Would a storm water retention pond necessarily be considered an adverse site condition or adverse external factor? Why? For what reason?

The property is located in a newer residential development, and several homes including the subject border the retention pond. Such retention ponds are typical to newer developments in the subject market area. Then one would think that developing an opinion of market reaction should be a simple matter.

Would you recommend a survey and/or title search for this property? Why?[/quote]

qwerty1234

 

[VolcanoLvr]

I tend to agree with Ken's line of thinking.

But, one thing you might do is try to find the original subdivision developer and ask if those lots had any 'premium' attached to them when sold, or if the other lots not bordering the pond had a 'premium' for not being next to it. Whichever could be utilized as a location adjustment.

I just toured a new home subdivison and noted that the tour home and the ones to the left and right of it looked out across the subdivision playground which would be considered unbuildable open space. I asked the sales rep if those lots had a 'premium' value, and the answer was 'yes.'

Your pond can have both positive and negative attributes, which could turn out to be a wash in terms of value consideration or location adjustment. So "it depends!"

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

Would a storm water retention pond necessarily be considered an adverse site condition or adverse external factor?

Every one of our new subdivisions have one. The purpose is to slow the flow of water. Its called "Time of Concentration". Streets funnel water to streams and drainages much faster than would woods or grass. Civil Engineers calculate this (i used to do those working under an engineer) in flood studies and in flood routing (for lakes), The retention's purpose is to slow the concentration so the water doesn't get that high. Since it affects most other properties in the subdivison....piece of cake. No impact. I might note its presence. It is a potential hazard. We had a lady drive her car into one with a baby on board recently. Kids could drown in it. etc.

 

[Kevin A. Spellman]

You cannot develop a subdivision without retention on-site. There are formulas for the sites and the roof drainage and also for the road drainage. Most developers typically fence or landscape significantly to curb the view of the retention areas here in New England that is mostly dry most of the time. If the retention area is a pond and maintains water year round is there a view amenity?

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

If the retention area is a pond and maintains water year round is there a view amenity?

..or a safety hazard

 

[Ken B]

I've seen storm water retention ponds which were basically mosquito breeding facilities surrounded by 8' chain link fence topped with barbed wire and I've seen others which were man-made lakes with lighted fountains and a pier leading to a pagoda where people would get married.

Like anything else, each had a different impact that could only be measured in that market by someone who studied their effect.

 

[hglenbetts]

REtention or DEtention?

A REtention basin is engineered to collect and hold on site rain/thaw run off, where it will be absorbed into the ground or evaporate over time. These are the "Ponds" and they tend to fenced and screened in my neck of the woods.

A DEtention basin in engineered to collect, then allow for slow drainage into the a storm system or other venue. It dries up rather quickly and does not tent to have standing water over time.

In my market, a detention basin has less impact than a retention basin (which has little impact to begin with).