CDDs discuss scoop on poop

Dogs and the messes they leave behind are such a growing part of Lakewood Ranch that Lakewood Ranch Inter-District Authority Director of Operations Ryan Heise has a staff member who has created a report called “the poop scoop.”

The doodoo report found that existing dog waste stations in Lakewood Ranch Community DevelopmentsDistricts 2 and 5 receive a high volume of waste. Heise clarified that by volume, he meant weight of the poop increasing.

The rising waste is leading other Lakewood Ranch districts to add dog waste stations to their communities as well.

Lakewood Ranch Community Development District 1 board members recently approved the location of 14 dog waste stations to be placed within their district in the next month.

The CDD 1 board unanimously approved the locations during its Oct. 16 meeting at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall, after resolving one issue that caused a minor stink.

After receiving a map of proposed stations during its September meeting from Heise, the board decided to table the issue until last week’s CDD 1 meeting.

The board previously turned down the map due to the locations and proximity of homes to the first suggestions. Board members made clear last week they had strong opinions about where the stations should be placed.

“They should be placed where we see a lot of dog poop left on the ground,” said CDD 1 Vice Chairman Alan Roth. “On another note, I can’t believe we’re talking about dog poop as a board.”

Heise presented a new map at the Oct. 14 CDD 1 agenda review meeting after fielding individual suggestions from the five members throughout the course of the last month.

After members presented a few new recommendations Oct. 14, the board received an amended map consisting of 14 locations it approved.

CDD 1 becomes the third district in Lakewood Ranch to have the dog waste stations approved.

Installation of the stations was recently completed in Districts 2 and 5.

Twenty-three stations were recently placed in Districts 2 and 5. Each station costs $260 to purchase and install.

District 1 will use the same style of station already used in those districts.

Heise and Field Office Manager Tracie Hunt noted throughout the meetings they have both received positive feedback from residents in Districts 2 and 5.

The one complaint they fielded was from a resident who was unhappy with the proximity of the station to his home.

Hunt said that the stations should all be installed within District 1 in the next month.

The dog waste stations will be serviced once a week, or more, if needed. Heise said he currently has staff available seven days a week to take care of the stations.

District 1 is not the only Lakewood Ranch CDD keen to the idea of dog waste stations.

Heise will present the CDD 4 board with a map of proposed dog waste locations during its Nov. 8 meeting.