Joe Motil Retention Pond Public Hearing Testimony 10-22-2026

How many more drownings is going to take before something of substance will be created to put an end these continued tragedies? 

I have heard and read some of the reasons why various affected groups do not wish to implement preventable barriers to these drownings. And the reasons nearly always seem to boil down to money. Apparently, the loss of several children isn’t worth the cost of preventing more families from further suffering. 

The Columbus Apartment Association has argued that wrapping these ponds in standard perimeter fencing restricts the movement of local wildlife, preventing water birds, amphibians, and other small animals from naturally accessing or exiting the water source. 

To be clear, retention ponds are a city code requirement and they aren’t constructed by developers because they have an environmentalists’ heart felt need to create a body of water for birds, amphibians, or wildlife. To the contrary, developers in Columbus have no problem whatsoever when it comes to eliminating such habitat in order to construct housing to jack up their bank accounts.

For example, the 28 acres of woodlands that was cleared near the Little Turtle community a few years ago in order to build 156 one- and two-bedroom single family rentals. The area was home to wild turkeys, fox, deer, owls, hawks, raccoons, numerous bird species, wetlands, natural springs and vernal pools. It’s all gone. 

Another more recent project was the decimation of nearly 15 acres of woodlands from the 18- acre 280 apartment unit project just off of Trabue Road last year. I never heard lobbyist from the Apartment Association or the ecological developer vandals of these two projects make any statements about how sorry they were about erasing 43 acres of animal habitat and an ecosystem that was critical to their survival and reproduction. 

But when government considers enacting adequate life saving measures that impacts their precious profit margins, they predictably throw a tantrum and resort to writing additional campaign checks to city officials to get their way. 

From my experience working as a retired commercial construction safety manager for 14 years, I don’t agree with first responders claims that a fence would be a detriment. It has been stated if a fence is constructed, a child could climb over it and enter the water, and the fence would serve as a barrier for rescuers. This is an example of what’s commonly referred to as perfect solution fallacy that argues if such a solution isn’t 100% foolproof it isn’t worth doing. 

A fence would serve better than signage that children can’t read, tall grass or no-mow barriers. A fence could be constructed with locked gates wide enough for emergency vehicles and erected at two access points where emergency vehicles could best enter from an apartment complex road. Knox boxes could be installed on the fence for first responders to enter. Signage stating, “Emergency Vehicle Entrance” would also be included on the fence gates along with night vision reflective tape. There could also be small solar safety light installed where the gate is located. Property management could also use the gate to perform any required maintenance between the fence and retention pond. Adding anything additional to prevent drownings should be included.

Another solution is to construct underground water retention systems such as the modular arched plastic structures that are commonly used. There is also a system that uses perforated pipe. This system was recently used by the city to help prevent flood plain flooding on the new soccer fields north of the Whetstone Park casting pond.

In closing, city code requires that residents install a fence no less than 48 inches tall around a swimming or wading pool. Why must private pool owners protect their outdoor water recreational facilities from the public and developers don’t? How is a retention pond any different? Why does the government mandate child safety by requiring child-resistant caps mandated for prescription drugs and cleaning products? Or car seats for children? People use stair safety gates keep children from falling down stairs. Furniture manufacturers provide wall attachments to secure children's bedroom dressers to the wall due to the possibility of a child pulling one on top of themselves. Stove manufacturers are even providing similar wall and/or floor attachments to prevent youngsters from pulling on the oven door with enough force to topple the stove. All of this is done because as a society, we value the safety of our children. 

It's past time that the city implements practical proactive measures to help prevent anymore of these child drownings. 

*End of testimony remarks included there should be height restrictions on high and vegetation barriers. If not, this could lead to a barrier detriment for first responders. Could high grass and over grown vegetation lead to habitat for rat infestation?