May 2015
Welcome to the May/Inaugural Issue!!
This is the first issue of the newsletter to help the HOA members stay informed on the HOA goings on and happenings. We will send these out from time to time to keep you informed. We are both mailing and emailing the first issue to try and make sure that everyone gets a copy. In the future we will e-mail to those for which we have an e-mail address and mail only to those for whom we do not. If you did not get this by e-mail, we would appreciate your providing an e-mail address if you have one so that we don’t have to pay for postage in the future. Rest Assured – the e-mail address you provide will only be used for HOA purposes and will NOT be provided to others!
You will note an e-mail address for the HOA at the top of this newsletter. You may use that to provide your e-mail – please make sure to include your name and address as well so we associate it with the correct owner. You may also send your e-address to the PO Box or give it to an HOA officer or Director. A voice mail phone number will become available in the near future as well as an HOA website. We will keep you posted as those become available.
Life in an HOA
So, what IS an HOA all about, anyway? HOA’s are formed to protect the interests of the owners of property within the HOA. In our case it is important because there is no longer a “developer” to control things like house size and construction, lot issues, etc. The formation of an HOA was provided for in the Declaration (the governing document which bound us all when our properties were purchased) and the HOA has now taken over the duties of the developer to insure that those areas are covered and controlled.
Another important thing about an HOA is that it is a “democratic” organization and it is dependent on the participation and cooperation of its members. Members participate in three ways – by paying the annual dues, which gives the HOA its operating funds, by attending annual meetings and voting so that the member’s voice is heard, and by volunteering when other needs arise from time to time. An example would be volunteering to be a member of a committee, such as landscape or architectural review. The Landscape Committee has been formed but is always glad to have members. The latter (Architectural Review Committee – ARC) is a committee that only functions when it is needed and at the request of the Board of Directors. Normally it is to address a specific issue, meets for only a few days, and provides its input to the Board. If you would like to volunteer for one of these committees, please let us know!
Finally, an HOA depends upon its members to adhere to the various “rules and regulations” of the HOA, which come from the governing documents and the policies of the HOA – that’s the “cooperation” part. If all members do that, then things in an HOA are very good.
Pets in the HOA
The governing Declaration specifies a limit on the number of “household pets” (cats and dogs) per unit/home – 3. It also specifies that pets outside of the boundaries of the owner’s lot should be on a leash. While that is all that the Declaration says, common sense says that we also pick up after our pets so that we don’t have health hazards from their waste. This would be the case both on the owner’s property and off, as flies do not know about lot boundaries and can carry a problem with them. The Board will make a more explicit pet policy in the future and circulate it to all owners, but these will be the main concepts of that policy.
Parking in the HOA
Primarily, parking is allowed in the driveway of a home and also on the street. Parking on the street, however, does not mean ON the curb and does not include either the “tree lawn”, nor is parking allowed on any other unpaved part of the property – i.e. no parking on the grassed yard. Parking can, of course, be done within the garage of the home. Courtesy would also suggest that vehicles not be parked across the sidewalks. Again, the Board will make a more explicit policy in the future and provide it to all members.
Changes to Property in the HOA
Changes to properties within the HOA are subject to HOA approval, given that the HOA has assumed those duties in the Declaration that once were the responsibility of the developer. This means that any changes, such as fencing, addition of outbuildings, construction modifications/additions to home exteriors, etc. should be cleared with the Board before proceeding. The Board does not deal with minutia but it does have responsibility for substantive changes. Just to be sure – check first!
Grass – The HOA and City Ordinance
Shepherdsville City Ordinance 014-157 says that lots on which homes are built, and ALSO lots within the neighborhood that is 60% built or more, must be mowed so as to keep the grass length less than 8”. Violation is a misdemeanor with a fine from $10 to $500, and the city can “remedy” the violation and then seek to recoup from the owner the costs involved in that remedy. We are over 60% built, so this applies to all lots. The HOA has been in contact with lot holders to get all vacant lots into compliance and will continue to work in that regard. To avoid city involvement at this time, lots out of compliance, if not handled in a timely manor by the owner, may be mowed by the HOA and costs charged to the lot’s account in the HOA.
Front Entrance
Very shortly, the front entrance of our neighborhood will be relandscaped. The purpose is to remove plants not appropriate in either size or type, to move other plants within the entrance area, and to replace some plants with ones that are more appropriate in both size and care requirements. We will also remove some plantings from areas that are not part of the HOA’s easement and actually are on lot owner property. Some of the plants that will be removed are the gold mops in the front, the barberry bushes, and all of the current trees. If members would like to make use of those plants when they are removed, please advise the Landscape Committee – they will then advise when the appropriate time is to come and get the plants. If members wish, trees can be moved and planted by the landscape company for a charge. Contact Shelley Davis – 502-921-2169 – for further information.
Board Meeting
The next regular quarterly meeting of the Board is scheduled for Monday, July 20, 2015.