HOA Drainage Easement Dispute (CV2018-014261)
The Maricopa County Superior Court addressed whether a homeowners association breached its contractual duties under subdivision covenants to maintain a drainage easement. After a bench trial, the court found the association failed to prevent sediment buildup from flooding a homeowner’s property. The court awarded repair costs and established strict engineering inspection and sediment removal guidelines.
Last updated July 17, 2026. Case: Jason Komorowski, et al. v. Whisper Mountain Homeowners Association, Maricopa County Superior Court, Docket No. CV2018-014261; Judgment for Plaintiffs.
Scope note: This page provides an educational summary of the superior court’s nonprecedential decision in Maricopa County Superior Court case CV2018-014261. This page is educational and is not legal advice.
The takeaway
An association’s failure to maintain a drainage easement in accordance with subdivision covenants and approved plans constitutes a breach of contract. When such a failure results in repeated flooding and physical property damage that cannot be remedied by money damages alone, the affected homeowners are entitled to compensatory damages for repairs and permanent injunctive relief establishing specific maintenance, inspection, and sediment clearing requirements.
Fact-checkers differed on whether “Fees awarded” best labels this holding. This page uses only the ruling labels both fact-checkers agreed on.
Case Participants
Petitioner Side
- Jason Komorowski (Plaintiff)
Owner of Lot 52 in the Whisper Mountain subdivision who sued the HOA for breach of contract and water flooding damage. - Melissa Komorowski (Plaintiff)
Owner of Lot 52 in the Whisper Mountain subdivision who was granted leave to appear at trial virtually.
Respondent Side
- Greg Wingert (Board President)
Whisper Mountain Homeowners Association
President of the HOA who testified during the trial regarding drainage maintenance and the difficulty of securing timely sediment clearing contractors.
Neutral Parties
- Curt R. Peterson (Expert Witness)
Arizona-licensed civil engineer who testified as an expert witness for the plaintiffs regarding the drainage ditch defects, sediment dams, and repair costs. - James Deatherage (Expert Witness)
Geotechnical engineer who designed the remedial plan implemented by Tennyson Construction on behalf of the HOA. - Matthew Potter (Expert Witness)
Arizona-licensed real estate agent who testified as an expert witness for the plaintiffs regarding speculative property value diminution.
What happened
In August 2013, Jason and Melissa Komorowski purchased Lot 52 in the Whisper Mountain subdivision in Mesa, Arizona, situated at the base of Whisper Mountain’s north slope.
The developer, VIP Construction, Inc., failed to build the planned drainage channel to the specifications set forth in the 2004 approved engineering plans.
In 2014, a major storm caused floodwaters to run down the mountain, across the drainage easement, and inundate the Komorowskis’ property.
In February 2015, homeowners assumed control of the HOA and filed a lawsuit against the developer, which they settled in October 2016; under the settlement, the developer cleared a shallow ditch but did not construct the planned engineering channel, and the HOA assumed sole responsibility for drainage maintenance.
Subsequent heavy rain events on July 24, 2017, and August 9, 2018, washed massive amounts of sediment down the mountain, forming a dam at a ditch chokepoint that backed up water and flooded the Komorowskis’ yard, coming within a foot or two of their home.
The Komorowskis made repeated requests for improvements starting in September 2017, and ultimately filed a lawsuit against the HOA in November 2018.
During the pendency of the litigation, in early September 2020, the HOA hired Tennyson Construction to grade the ditch and add a concrete curb under a plan designed by geotechnical engineer James Deatherage, completing the work on October 26, 2020.
Following a bench trial in November and December 2020, the court issued its decision on March 8, 2021, finding the HOA in breach of contract and awarding $17,800.01 in damages along with a permanent maintenance injunction.
On June 16, 2021, the court signed and entered a formal written judgment settling all claims and the plaintiffs’ application for attorneys’ fees and costs.
Video overview of the case record
An AI-generated video overview of Jason Komorowski, et al. v. Whisper Mountain Homeowners Association (CV2018-014261 (Maricopa Cnty. Super. Ct.)). Court ordered HOA to pay $17,800 in damages and permanently maintain a drainage ditch to prevent flooding. This plain-language summary was generated from the court’s filings; the court’s own records control.
Listen: audio deep dive on the case record
An AI-generated audio deep dive walking through the case record in Jason Komorowski, et al. v. Whisper Mountain Homeowners Association. Generated from the case filings; verify against the linked records below.
Procedural timeline
Complete source-document index
This index contains 38 PDFs from the reviewed public source packet. Byte-identical copies are listed once. Files are ordered by the date and sequence in the public filename, and party filings or research materials are labeled separately from court rulings.
004 CV 2018014261 Homeowners Association Whisper Mountain 02 11 2019 Honorable Connie
Type: Court/source PDF
Uploaded source file in the case record; read it in sequence with the surrounding filings to follow the procedure.
038 CV 2018014261 Homeowners Association Whisper Mountain 12 13 2019 Honorable Connie
Type: Court/source PDF
Uploaded source file in the case record; read it in sequence with the surrounding filings to follow the procedure.
006 CV 2018014261 Homeowners Association Whisper Mountain 03 27 2020 Honorable Connie
Type: Court/source PDF
Uploaded source file in the case record; read it in sequence with the surrounding filings to follow the procedure.
009 CV 2018014261 Homeowners Association Whisper Mountain 04 30 2020 Honorable Connie
Type: Court/source PDF
Uploaded source file in the case record; read it in sequence with the surrounding filings to follow the procedure.
012 CV 2018014261 Homeowners Association Whisper Mountain 07 14 2020 Honorable Joseph
Type: Court/source PDF
Uploaded source file in the case record; read it in sequence with the surrounding filings to follow the procedure.
013 CV 2018014261 Homeowners Association Whisper Mountain 07 22 2020 Honorable Joseph
Type: Court/source PDF
Uploaded source file in the case record; read it in sequence with the surrounding filings to follow the procedure.
014 CV 2018014261 Homeowners Association Whisper Mountain 07 24 2020 Honorable Joseph
Type: Court/source PDF
Uploaded source file in the case record; read it in sequence with the surrounding filings to follow the procedure.
015 CV 2018014261 Homeowners Association Whisper Mountain 07 27 2020 Honorable Joseph
Type: Court/source PDF
Uploaded source file in the case record; read it in sequence with the surrounding filings to follow the procedure.
016 CV 2018014261 Homeowners Association Whisper Mountain 08 06 2020 Hon Pamela Gates
Type: Court/source PDF
Uploaded source file in the case record; read it in sequence with the surrounding filings to follow the procedure.
017 CV 2018014261 Homeowners Association Whisper Mountain 08 14 2020 Hon Pamela Gates
Type: Court/source PDF
Uploaded source file in the case record; read it in sequence with the surrounding filings to follow the procedure.
018 CV 2018014261 Homeowners Association Whisper Mountain 08 14 2020 Hon Pamela Gates
Type: Court/source PDF
Uploaded source file in the case record; read it in sequence with the surrounding filings to follow the procedure.
019 CV 2018014261 Homeowners Association Whisper Mountain 08 19 2020 Hon Pamela Gates
Type: Court/source PDF
Uploaded source file in the case record; read it in sequence with the surrounding filings to follow the procedure.
020 CV 2018014261 Homeowners Association Whisper Mountain 09 08 2020 Hon Pamela Gates
Type: Court/source PDF
Uploaded source file in the case record; read it in sequence with the surrounding filings to follow the procedure.
021 CV 2018014261 Homeowners Association Whisper Mountain 09 08 2020 Honorable Joseph
Type: Court/source PDF
Uploaded source file in the case record; read it in sequence with the surrounding filings to follow the procedure.
022 CV 2018014261 Homeowners Association Whisper Mountain 09 09 2020 Honorable Joseph
Type: Court/source PDF
Uploaded source file in the case record; read it in sequence with the surrounding filings to follow the procedure.
023 CV 2018014261 Homeowners Association Whisper Mountain 09 14 2020 Hon Pamela Gates
Type: Court/source PDF
Uploaded source file in the case record; read it in sequence with the surrounding filings to follow the procedure.
024 CV 2018014261 Homeowners Association Whisper Mountain 09 15 2020 Honorable Joseph
Type: Court/source PDF
Uploaded source file in the case record; read it in sequence with the surrounding filings to follow the procedure.
025 CV 2018014261 Homeowners Association Whisper Mountain 09 18 2020 Hon Pamela Gates
Type: Court/source PDF
Uploaded source file in the case record; read it in sequence with the surrounding filings to follow the procedure.
026 CV 2018014261 Homeowners Association Whisper Mountain 09 25 2020 Honorable Joseph
Type: Court/source PDF
Uploaded source file in the case record; read it in sequence with the surrounding filings to follow the procedure.
027 CV 2018014261 Homeowners Association Whisper Mountain 10 07 2020 Honorable Joseph
Type: Court/source PDF
Uploaded source file in the case record; read it in sequence with the surrounding filings to follow the procedure.
028 CV 2018014261 Homeowners Association Whisper Mountain 10 08 2020 Honorable Joseph
Type: Court/source PDF
Uploaded source file in the case record; read it in sequence with the surrounding filings to follow the procedure.
029 CV 2018014261 Homeowners Association Whisper Mountain 10 22 2020 Honorable Joseph
Type: Court/source PDF
Uploaded source file in the case record; read it in sequence with the surrounding filings to follow the procedure.
030 CV 2018014261 Homeowners Association Whisper Mountain 10 23 2020 Honorable Joseph
Type: Court/source PDF
Uploaded source file in the case record; read it in sequence with the surrounding filings to follow the procedure.
031 CV 2018014261 Homeowners Association Whisper Mountain 10 29 2020 Honorable Joseph
Type: Court/source PDF
Uploaded source file in the case record; read it in sequence with the surrounding filings to follow the procedure.
032 CV 2018014261 Homeowners Association Whisper Mountain 11 03 2020 Honorable Joseph
Type: Court/source PDF
Uploaded source file in the case record; read it in sequence with the surrounding filings to follow the procedure.
033 CV 2018014261 Homeowners Association Whisper Mountain 11 05 2020 Honorable Joseph
Type: Court/source PDF
Uploaded source file in the case record; read it in sequence with the surrounding filings to follow the procedure.
034 CV 2018014261 Homeowners Association Whisper Mountain 11 09 2020 Honorable Joseph
Type: Court/source PDF
Uploaded source file in the case record; read it in sequence with the surrounding filings to follow the procedure.
035 CV 2018014261 Homeowners Association Whisper Mountain 11 10 2020 Honorable Joseph
Type: Court/source PDF
Uploaded source file in the case record; read it in sequence with the surrounding filings to follow the procedure.
036 CV 2018014261 Homeowners Association Whisper Mountain 12 07 2020 Honorable Joseph
Type: Court/source PDF
Uploaded source file in the case record; read it in sequence with the surrounding filings to follow the procedure.
037 CV 2018014261 Homeowners Association Whisper Mountain 12 09 2020 Honorable Joseph
Type: Court/source PDF
Uploaded source file in the case record; read it in sequence with the surrounding filings to follow the procedure.
001 CV 2018014261 Homeowners Association Whisper Mountain 01 05 2021 Honorable Joseph
Type: Court/source PDF
Uploaded source file in the case record; read it in sequence with the surrounding filings to follow the procedure.
002 CV 2018014261 Homeowners Association Whisper Mountain 01 07 2021 Honorable Joseph
Type: Court/source PDF
Uploaded source file in the case record; read it in sequence with the surrounding filings to follow the procedure.
003 CV 2018014261 Homeowners Association Whisper Mountain 01 22 2021 Honorable Joseph
Type: Court/source PDF
Uploaded source file in the case record; read it in sequence with the surrounding filings to follow the procedure.
005 CV 2018014261 Homeowners Association Whisper Mountain 03 08 2021 Honorable Joseph
Type: Court/source PDF
Uploaded source file in the case record; read it in sequence with the surrounding filings to follow the procedure.
007 CV 2018014261 Homeowners Association Whisper Mountain 04 21 2021 Honorable Joseph
Type: Court/source PDF
Uploaded source file in the case record; read it in sequence with the surrounding filings to follow the procedure.
008 CV 2018014261 Homeowners Association Whisper Mountain 04 21 2021 Honorable Joseph
Type: Court/source PDF
Uploaded source file in the case record; read it in sequence with the surrounding filings to follow the procedure.
010 CV 2018014261 Homeowners Association Whisper Mountain 05 04 2021 Honorable Joseph
Type: Court/source PDF
Uploaded source file in the case record; read it in sequence with the surrounding filings to follow the procedure.
011 CV 2018014261 Homeowners Association Whisper Mountain 06 16 2021 Honorable Joseph
Type: Court/source PDF
Uploaded source file in the case record; read it in sequence with the surrounding filings to follow the procedure.
FAQ
What was the core dispute in Komorowski v. Whisper Mountain HOA?
Homeowners Jason and Melissa Komorowski sued the Whisper Mountain Homeowners Association, alleging that the association failed to maintain, repair, and replace drainage facilities in a drainage easement behind their lot, resulting in sediment dams and flooding on their property.
Did the court find that the HOA breached the CC&Rs?
Yes. The court concluded that the Amended and Restated Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&Rs) formed a binding contract, and the HOA breached Section 10.1 by failing to maintain the drainage ditch to prevent flooding of the homeowners’ property.
What damages were awarded to the homeowners?
The court awarded the Komorowskis $17,800.01 in compensatory damages, consisting of $16,000 to regrade their yard and repair a dry-stack wall, and $1,800.01 for out-of-pocket sandbag installation costs. Speculative damages for diminished property value were denied.
What injunctive relief did the court order?
The court issued a permanent injunction requiring the HOA to properly maintain the drainage ditch. This includes professional engineering inspections annually, after major rain events of 0.5 inches or more, or if flooding is documented, and sediment removal under specific capacity thresholds.
Is this superior court decision precedential?
No. This is a Maricopa County Superior Court case, which is an Arizona trial-level court decision and is nonprecedential.
Case Dossier
This dossier combines the case metadata, linked court sources, and the explanatory sections below. It distinguishes court rulings from party filings, allegations, and requested relief.
Case Summary
| Case ID / citation | CV2018-014261 (Maricopa Cnty. Super. Ct.) |
|---|---|
| Court / tribunal | Superior Court |
| Decision / key date | June 16, 2021 |
| Judge / panel | Connie Contes, Joseph P. Mikitish, Pamela Gates |
| Parties | Plaintiffs Jason and Melissa Komorowski v. Defendant Whisper Mountain Homeowners Association |
| Topics | CC&RsProcedureAttorney Fees |
| Outcome / holding | An association's failure to maintain a drainage easement in accordance with subdivision covenants and approved plans constitutes a breach of contract. When such a failure results in repeated flooding and physical property damage that cannot be remedied by money damages alone, the affected homeowners are entitled to compensatory damages for repairs and permanent injunctive relief establishing specific maintenance, inspection, and sediment clearing requirements. |
| Primary public source | View source opinion/order |
Parties, Court, and Research Coverage
| Reviewed source package | 38 PDFs |
|---|---|
| Step-by-step docket roadmap | 12 roadmap entries |
| Video overview | Jason Komorowski, et al. v. Whisper Mountain Homeowners Association |
| Study / briefing material | 1 section |
| FAQ / homeowner questions | 5 questions |
| Featured download links | 0 download links |
Key Issues & Findings
This case arose from a dispute between homeowners Jason and Melissa Komorowski (owners of Lot 52) and the Whisper Mountain Homeowners Association (WMHOA) over a drainage easement. Heavy rainfall in 2014, 2017, and 2018 washed sediment down Whisper Mountain, creating dams in the unlined drainage ditch, which caused flooding on the Komorowskis' property. Although the CC&Rs obligated the HOA to maintain all drainage facilities in accordance with approved plans, the HOA failed to construct the planned channel or make necessary improvements. The Komorowskis filed suit in November 2018 seeking damages and equitable relief. After a four-day bench trial, the court found the HOA in breach of the CC&Rs. The court awarded the plaintiffs $17,800.01 in compensatory damages for yard regrading, wall repair, and sandbag costs, but denied property diminution damages as speculative. The court also issued a permanent injunction requiring the HOA to perform regular inspections and clear sediment from the ditch under specific, engineering-backed guidelines.
The court interpreted the CC&Rs as a valid, binding contract between the HOA and individual homeowners. Under CC&Rs Section 10.1, the HOA was contractually obligated to maintain, repair, and replace all drainage facilities in the subdivision. The evidence established that the developer had failed to construct the channel to the specifications of the approved engineering plans, and the HOA assumed responsibility for these facilities following a 2016 settlement. Although the HOA undertook some remedial grading work in late 2020 via a contractor, the expert testimony showed that the property would remain at risk of future flooding unless the HOA adhered to a rigorous maintenance schedule. Because ongoing flooding would cause irreparable harm and deprive the owners of the use of their property, the balance of equities favored a permanent injunction. Compensatory damages for yard repairs and sandbags were awarded as they were directly caused by the breach and supported by credible, uncontradicted evidence, whereas claimed property value diminution was rejected as speculative due to the successful completion of the remedial drainage works.
This case highlights the enforceability of CC&Rs against homeowners associations regarding common area and easement maintenance. It demonstrates that courts will hold HOAs strictly to their contractual obligations to maintain infrastructure, particularly when failure to do so results in physical damage to private lots. Additionally, the ruling outlines how courts may craft detailed, ongoing injunctive remedies—including specific engineering inspection triggers and cleaning thresholds—to ensure future compliance, rather than relying solely on speculative monetary awards for property depreciation.