The two most frequent complaints for Franklin Trace involve Pond Maintenance (in the summer) and Snow Removal (in the winter.)  This page describes the standard maintenance guidelines for both of these topics to help home owners identify which issues are the responsibility of the HOA and which are the responsibility of the resident.

Pond Maintenance

Ponds are an environmental requirement; they capture the runoff from storm drains during heavy rains and minimize the chance of flooding.  The ponds are not owned by the HOA; they are divided up between residents surrounding each pond, as shown on the Plat Map of the community. Here are some general maintenance guidelines.

• The HOA is responsible for maintaining the water within the pond. This includes the fountains (which provide aeration), dyes (which minimize algae bloom), and treatments (which address water issues that may occur)
• The HOA is responsible for removing destructive animals, such as muskrats and other animals, that dig into the banks and can cause collapse and/or erosion.
• Residents adjacent a pond are responsible for their portion of the pond bank per the plot map.  This includes maintaining the bank leading up to the water line, including mowing, weed removal, rip-rap (rock) maintenance, bank erosion, etc.
• Residents adjacent to a pond are responsible for any weeds or cat tails growing in the water in their owned portion of the pond near their pond bank per the plat map.
• Residents adjacent to a pond are responsible for debris and objects in their portion of the pond or on the pond bank per the plat map.

Snow Removal

The HOA contracts snow removal to ensure that the roads are safely passable by residents driving through the neighborhood.  The HOA has set guidelines to deliver an adequate level of snow removal for a reasonable cost.

• Snow will only be plowed if total snow accumulation exceeds 4 inches. If snow fall is less than this threshold, the streets will still be passable without plowing. Starting in 2018, the minimum accumulation limit was set to 2 inches.
• Snow is removed only from the main thoroughfare of the streets.
• Residents are responsible for removing snow from driveways.
• Residents are responsible for removing snow along the edge of the street that is in front of driveways or mailboxes. The snow removal companies attempt to minimize the amount of snow placed in front of driveways and/or mailboxes. However, the snow removed from the middle of the streets has to go somewhere, and it is especially difficult to find ideal locations cul-de-sacs.
• The HOA has requested that salt be applied along the north entrance along Southport road. The downhill slope toward Southport road makes this an area of additional concern.
• Due to substantial cost, salt is not applied throughout the entire neighborhood. The roads are safely passable without application of salt and without complete removal of snow. However, vehicle speeds do need to be reduced during slick conditions. This does mean that that the streets within the neighborhood will not be completely clear of snow.  If a section of the neighborhood becomes un-passable due to compacted snow accumulation, please contact the property management company.