Hainesville enacts pond regulation

There are plenty of wetlands in and around Hainesville but residential fish ponds have presented a new wrinkle for village officials.

With one request and another complaint, the village board felt some added definition and regulation was needed to avoid potential problems. So, man-made ponds and fountains were added to the newly configured ordinance regulating water features and approved 5-0 last week by the village board.

“All of a sudden, close together, we had two incidents,” Mayor Linda Soto explained.

The first involved an inquiry from a resident who was considering building a pond in the front yard.

“That’s not allowed. It could be a danger,” Soto said.

The other involved a complaint about a weekend project that produced a three-foot deep, 11-foot by 13-foot pond in another resident’s backyard.

“It was too close to the foundation of the house and too close to the lot line,” Soto said.

The resident was cooperative and the pond was drained until the village could determine where this project figured in the code, she added.

A check with other communities showed that water features, such as fish ponds, were becoming more popular and village officials decided some clarity was in order.

“All pond requirements were in the building code,” said Village Clerk Kathy Metzler, “It was difficult to find detail so we decided to have all water features together in one place.”

Water features are considered accessory uses and include in-ground or above ground swimming pools; fish or garden ponds; hot tubs or spas; and, “any other hole dug in the ground that will hold water for any purpose,” according to the ordinance.

Among the requirements are that water features be located only in backyards, at least 10 feet from the main building and the rear property line.

A water feature also must be surrounded by a fence at least six feet high and be maintained to avoid it becoming a “breeding ground for mosquitoes, pests, and diseases”.

“Our biggest concern is mosquitoes,” Soto said.

The village is working with the resident who already dug a hole in the back yard, she added.

“If you really want a koi pond, go for it, but you’re going to have to move the location,” she said of the situation.

Residents with questions can visit hainesville.org or call (847) 223-2032.