Homeowners throughout Riverstone continue to improve their property by constructing pools, decks, gazebos, fire pits and even boat docks. LID 15 supports resident’s efforts the improve their homes and enhance the appearance and enjoyment of our neighborhoods. These individual investments help Riverstone remain a premier community to call home.
The Board of Directors of LID 15 would like to remind residents about some special requirements to consider before planning for backyard improvements. All homes in the District that are next to a lake include a LID 15 Drainage Easement. The Drainage Easement includes all property within 30 feet of the concrete lake edge. Any improvements constructed within the 30-foot Drainage Easement must be pre-approved by LID 15. There are several reasons why the District must maintain this easement, including that, during heavy rains, the drainage system is designed fill in these lower backyard areas that are close to the lake. Any backyard improvements need to preserve this critical flood storage. Another purpose of the Drainage Easement is future access to repair and/or maintain LID 15’s detention and drainage facilities. At some point, the concrete edges around the lakes will need repair or replacement, and the community will need unobstructed access around the lake.
Typical improvements that are permitted within the LID 15 Drainage Easement include sidewalks, stairs, and flat work like patios and decks. Improvements that are not permitted within the easement include swimming pools, vertical structures like gazebos, and most elevated surfaces that require a retaining wall and do not “step down” with the slope of the property. The concrete edge around the lake also includes a paved shelf below the waterline. LID 15 created a dock design standard that will allow residents to construct boat docks without damaging the bottom of the lake. Residents can submit plans for backyard improvements electronically to generalmanager@fblid15.com, and the designs are reviewed monthly by the Board of Directors. Please consult your property survey (which should have been provided during closing) early in the process to avoid complications in the future. If your property includes the Drainage Easement, the survey should reflect that.
As a reminder, all LID 15 residents should continue to contact the Riverstone Homeowners Association before making any exterior improvements. For the latest HOA information please refer to: riverstone.com/residents-compliance
Example of LID 15 Drainage Easement