Trees vs. Design Center

Doesn't this seem like a conflict of interest?

 

Does to me, and the fact that our HOA is 93% built out and Van Metre still will not relinquish to control is, in my mind, a bigger issue.
But it will not stop resident members from attempting to pursue something if they choose to do so. It just won't be endorsed by the HOA.

 

Thanks for your reply Cliff.

 

On the other hand, when the developer of Lansdowne handed over control to the homeowner run HOA the members attempted to pursue things that the developer specifically did not. The Home Business (aka Daycare) issue is a prime example. The developer gave written and specific permission to some people to run their home businesses but the homeowner run HOA gave that permission no credence and chose to interpret and enforce the covenants as they saw appropriate, therefore taking action to close the businesses down.

Neither HOA is better or worse, just different. Although I must say that if some residents had written permission for something before they moved to the community they should be allowed to continue.

 

Villager-
But the point is that the HOA has been turned over to the residents at the appropriate time. Doesn't matter who makes better decisions. I find it a bit strange that the Developer would put specific language in the HOA documents that THEY created that would exclude home businesses....then openly violate their own documents by allowing it.

 

Exactly. I think the deal was that when the developer was running it they wanted to sell houses so they would allow it if it meant they made a sale. The person I know asked about having a home business before they purchased their home to clarify the covenants and were given written permission that it was okay for them to have the business. If they had been told it was not okay they simply would have purchased a home elsewhere. So basically the problem is due to the developer wanting to do what they had to to make a sale and then later the people were told to shut down or else be fined and have a lien on their home.

I'm all for following the rules but if you're told it's okay, how are you to know you're breaking the rules? The resident-led HOA was left between a rock and a hard place to decide what to do.

--sorry to hijack the thread - I'm off topic!--

 

Dear Broadlands Residents,

Some of you may already be aware of Van Metre’s intentions to develop the land across from the Broadlands Marketplace along Wynridge Drive (Section 208). However, for those residents that are not aware, we would like to take this opportunity to inform you of their plans.

According to the Loudoun County Department of Building and Development, Section 208 consists of two parcels of land – an eastern parcel and a western parcel. The eastern parcel is the area that was cleared of tall trees years ago and is directly across from the Broadlands Marketplace. The western parcel is a wooded area with a creek running through it, behind the townhomes along Avonworth Square. Currently, this area serves as an excellent buffer for the Southern Walk residences from the noise and lights from Wynridge Drive and the Broadlands Marketplace.

Van Metre is required to submit a site plan for the Section 208 parcels. A site plan (STPL-2007-0042) for an office park has been submitted and approved for the eastern parcel. Van Metre submitted a site plan for the western parcel (STPL-2007-0020) for a home design center with 79 surface parking spaces but withdrew the site plan on March 20, 2008. The County did not have information as to why Van Metre withdrew the plan.

Additionally, in December 2007, Van Metre applied for a “boundary line adjustment” and on March 18, 2008, the County approved this adjustment. This boundary line adjustment may result in a smaller parcel of land for the proposed design center, which could increase the environmental impact the center has on the area. Moreover, a reduction in the size of the western parcel could mean that instead of Van Metre providing a larger buffer between the center and homeowners, Van Metre may only provide the minimum required by law.

Van Metre’s recent withdrawal of the western parcel site plan may provide an opportunity for homeowners and Van Metre to discuss the development (or non-development) of this area. While Van Metre may be well within their rights to cut down the trees and build on the western parcel, nothing prohibits the homeowners from asking Van Metre not to develop the area or to develop the area in a manner that has the least impact to the homeowners, especially those that paid lot premiums.

The HOA Board, of which 5 of the 9 members are Van Metre representatives, plans to meet this Tuesday, March 8, 2008 at 5:30 PM at the Nature Center. However, we have been encouraged that if residents would like to discuss this matter and express their concerns with the Van Metre representatives, they should arrive at 5:00 PM.

Van Metre advertises that Broadlands: “is a place where the noises stop and sounds begin…Broadlands is at home with nature.” Please join us at the next HOA meeting to keep this a reality. For more information please visit our website at: www.savethetreesinbroadlands.org or email us at savethetreesinbroadlands@gmail.com


Sincerely,
Save the Trees in Broadlands
Community Action Committee

 

Couple of things.

If VM is REDUCING the parcel for the design center and REDUCING the overall size of the the western parcel, couldn't that mean a probable, less impact to the tree area?

Also, the HOA meeting is Tuesday, APRIL 8 at 5:30 PM in the Nature Center.

 

This boundary line adjustment may result in a smaller parcel of land for the proposed design center, which could increase the environmental impact the center has on the area. Moreover, a reduction in the size of the western parcel could mean that instead of Van Metre providing a larger buffer between the center and homeowners, Van Metre may only provide the minimum required by law.

-------
huh?

 

Not unless VM also reduces the size of the design center. Otherwise, its the same size building on a smaller piece of land. It would literally be squeezed in-between a tree save area and a wetland easement. But let's not lose sight of the REAL issue that is being raised: that VM is planning to wipe out virtually all the remaining trees from Section 208-- reducing the view and buffer between residential and commercial areas.

I thought that Cliff instructed those who wanted to meet with the VM Board members and voice their concerns to show up at 5:00 p.m. (30 minutes before the meeting) because he will not allow the matter to be discussed during the HOA meeting itself. Is that incorrect?

 

Now you are seeing why I am such a crusader in saving what's left of eastern Loudoun and the Broadlands is old school planning and zoning where at the drop of a whim almost anything can change for the worst. That is why I am such a believer in what I call good neighbor development and REAL transition areas not these tear down the trees and plant twigs that will not give you much for 25 years and the use of more evergreens in buffering. If they do knock these tress down then demand six to eight foot berms heavily planted with very large evergreens for buffering. Otherwise you will have virtually no screening for the next zillion years. Further demand no windows on the residential side especially from the upper floors.

 

No that is not correct. There is a time for owners comments at every Board meeting. The agenda calls for the meeting to start at 5:30 with a Proof of Quorum and approval of prior meeting minutes. If our Sheriff's rep is available he presents his report and then owners may make their comments.

 

“Correction : Our previous post (thread #67) incorrectly said that the HOA meeting was on “March 8.” Obviously we meant to say “April 8,” which is tomorrow.”

Thanks,
Save the Trees in Broadlands
Community Action Committee

For more information please visit our website at: www.savethetreesinbroadlands.org or email us at savethetreesinbroadlands@gmail.com

 

Nope, didn't say that. I did say that owners comments were near the beginning of the meeting. If someone cannot get there until later, I will still give them an opportunity to speak.

 

Thanks for the clarification Cliff.

SWH

 

Dear Broadlands Residents:

Please remember to attend the HOA meeting today at 5:30 PM. This is an opportunity to voice our concerns about the future of the remaining wooded land along Wynridge Drive and the impact on our property value.

Cordially,
Save the Trees in Broadlands
Community Action Committee

For more information please visit our website at: www.savethetreesinbroadlands.org or email us at savethetreesinbroadlands@gmail.com

 

Dear Broadlands Residents:

Please remember to attend the HOA meeting today at 5:30 PM. This is an opportunity to voice our concerns about the future of the remaining wooded land along Wynridge Drive and the impact on our property value.

Cordially,
Save the Trees in Broadlands
Community Action Committee

For more information please visit our website at: www.savethetreesinbroadlands.org or email us at savethetreesinbroadlands@gmail.com