GIRARD — After an incident earlier this year where a toddler almost drowned in a fish pond in a residential yard, city officials are making sure regulations are in place to prevent that from happening again.

City council on Monday gave first reading to updating the city’s zoning language, requiring koi ponds and water gardens to only be permitted in backyards and also that they have a fence around them.

First Ward Councilman Keith Schubert said the updates were recommended for the health and safety of residents following the incident in May where a toddler fell into a small pond at a property on East Wilson Avenue.

“The koi pond did not have the proper fencing around it. It is no different than having zoning issues as they relate to pools and other water structures. We feel it is necessary to take action and get the zoning updated so no one can get hurt or harmed because of water,” Schubert said.

Schubert said the East Wilson Avenue property had a pond with three feet of water since that is the minimum needed for fish to survive during the winter months when water freezes.

He said property owners with koi ponds will be notified once the ordinance has had three readings. Since council is on summer recess in August, the ordinance will receive second and third readings in September.

Schubert said he is aware of two properties in the city with such ponds in the front yards while others in backyards already have a fence around them.

Current zoning guidelines state that if someone puts a swimming pool in their yard, city law would require it to be an enclosed structure. However, there is no language requiring bodies of water like koi ponds to be enclosed.

Fourth Ward Councilman Thomas Grumley, chairman of the safety committee, said he remembers the incident and how police and fire staff saved the toddler’s life. He said the toddler fully recovered.

“The updates in the ordinance will help tighten up a loophole and prevent future accidents. You can have a koi pond in the city but it has to be in the backyard and fenced in,” Grumley said.

He said the zoning board will address ponds already in front yards once the legislation is passed.

Safety / Service Director Sal Ponzio said he was informed the residence where the toddler fell in have removed the pond and filled the area in with soil.

Councilman-at-Large John Moliterno said the city wants to have three readings of the ordinance for residents who may have questions or want to make comments.

“I thank the city officials for getting this prepared so quickly,” he said.

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