Boiling Spring Lakes residents looking for the city’s help with ditches

"We just can't go into an HOA and start working on stuff without the HOA reaching out to us, requesting help."

BRUNSWICK COUNTY (WWAY)–Many people packed city hall in boiling spring lakes tonight. They had a special meeting for residents in the Highlands subdivision after they underwent a major flooding event.
Boiling Spring Lakes held a special board meeting Thursday night to discuss the HOA’s history and explain to Highlands residents that the city doesn’t have the power to do anything with the ditches in the subdivision. There are two ditches in the back of the segment, which fill up after heavy rain falls. Eventually, they overflow and flood the neighborhood. Residents want the city to do something, but they can’t. Why?

“We just can’t go into an HOA and start working on stuff without the HOA reaching out to us, requesting help,” says Boiling Spring Lakes Mayor Jeff Winecoff.

The folks understand. They’re just frustrated nothing is being done about it.

“As far as maintaining these ditches, maintaining and doing what? Take the trash out of them? Or, take the plants that absorb the water,” a resident questioned.

A covenant is in place stating the two ditches have to be maintained by the HOA. So, the association owns them. However, one resident suggests Boiling Spring Lakes use eminent domain to overrule it. Mayor Winecoff thinks isn’t the best route.

“If you look at that eminent domain you’re going to have a legal battle for years and years and years,” Winecoff says.

So until the city is able to buy the two ditches, these residents are going to be stuck in a watery situation.