What the heck is going on???

Could someone please tell me what the heck is going on? I just got back from six weeks of travel, and the new Safeway is in BUT WAIT there is no light!?! Who does the planning around here? I read on this site that it is going to take almost a year before the traffic light goes in? How insane is that?

The developers and the members of the HOA have known for years that the Safeway was coming in? Don't tell me it was a surprise! Could someone from the development company or the HOA please tell me what the heck you have been doing for the light to only be 18 weeks along in the process to getting put in? I know that you can't put the light in yourself, but you are supposed to advocate for us, right? Sure $50.00 a month doesn't get you much, but I'd hope that it could buy a little representation! This situation is completely unacceptable, and I have not read a single "sorry" or "I'll work on that" on this site! Does anyone from the developers or the HOA even read this page?

If nobody has any answers to these questions, could someone please tell me when the next HOA board meeting is??? I looked all over the HOA's site, and can see when the tech, architecture, and rec. committees meet but not the board itself! Is it a secret? No offense intended, but I want to go to the next meeting to see what these people are smoking!

 

luvmyredslk320-
There is a couple of forum threads that discuss this issue.
I am a resident member of the HOA and have posted a lot of information about this issue. Be aware that the HOA has NO control or authority of how/why/when/where traffic lights are installed. The county and the developer are responsible for the installation of these lights. I have made numerous requests for the developer to provide an explanation as to why we are in this situation.
See the "near death experience" and "traffic light at Waxpool and Claiborne" for more discussion of this topic.
Board meeting dates and locations are generally posted on the main HOA web page a few weeks before the meetings.
The next HOA Board meeting is planned for December 9, but it could change. You can always call our General Manager, Wes Schroeder at 729-9711 for more information.
The Board has a budget session scheduled for next Tuesday at 8:30am at the Nature Center. You are welcome to attend.
Cliff

 

Thank you for the information. I've read through the other postings.

You stated "Be aware that the HOA has NO control or authority of how/why/when/where traffic lights are installed." In my first post I acknowledged that the HOA can't put the light in itself, but isn't the HOA supposed to advocate for the residents? If the HOA has no control, then why the heck have an HOA in the first place?

What I would really like to know is IF the HOA did ANYTHING beforehand to get get the county/state/powers-that-be to get a light put in the intersection. Do you know if the topic came up? Please know this: I'm not singling you out, and I am glad that you took the time to respond. However, I am just at a complete and total loss for words at how ABSOLUTELY and THOROUGHLY botched up all this is.

 

I absolutely agree with you. The HOA had been given the expectation from the developer that the light would be installed either before, or shortly after the shopping center opened. As the project neared completion, I reasked the question about the light, and you've read the results. I am still waiting for a response as to what caused the delay, and what can we do to help expedite the matter.
With Terrabrook selling out their interest in Broadlands, the communication process between the HOA and the developer has unfortunately been greatly diminished.
I have made them very aware that this is a HUGE issue to the community.
Cliff

 

I didn't think that Broadlands was included in the Terrabrook selloff. Do you know this for a fact? What does this mean?

 

Please let's not make this another "Attack VACLIFF" thread. There have been too many of those already! Anyway, he's shown that he really does try to do what he thinks is best for the Broadlands.

Regardless, the HOA is totally impotent when it comes to addressing this issue, and Terrabrook seems to be 100 percent un-concerned. We will get the light put in when the state--in its infinite wisdowm--gets around to it. No amount of kvetching on a website will help.

 

Maybe a little pressure from our State Rep. might speed things along?

 

LUV: I share your concerns. It is a shame that we all have moved to a nice development only to face basic issues about safety. There is no planning whatsoever, and the perfect example is the complete handwashing and "not my faults" when it comes to the dangerous Claiborne/Broadlands intersection.

Still, I cannot help but to agree with the past several posts... Nothing is going to get done about this because the HOA says that it cannot do anything. I've spoken with the county, and that is like talking to a wall. I've lived in Virginia all my life, and I can guarantee to everyone that "Richmond" is not going to come fix our problems. So, my suggestion to all is to do your best not to kill each other as you try to make it through the intersection in one piece!

killer_bee in broadands, ashburn, virginia

 

TechHead-
Yes, Broadlands is going to be sold by TerraBrook. They have already sold almost all their other interests in the MD/VA area. Van Metre stopped the sale of Broadlands to Newland, who bought Terrabrook's other residential properties in the area.
Chris-
I don't mind the "attack VACLIFF's". People can express their opinions. After all, they re-elected me last May! I have my opinions and feel free to share them, and do not believe in being "politically correct" with my responses. I call 'em how I see 'em!
Cliff

 

This is the wisest response I've seen here in a while. There is far too much P.C. stuff hurled at us. It is just a shame that you not being P.C. has not gotten us a light!

killer_bee in broadands, ashburn, virginia

 

Give him a break, bee! It's the developer who dropped the ball here not the HOA. Remember that the Homeowners won't have any real clout until Broadlands is 75% complete. I'm sure Cliff is doing the best he can under the circumstances.

Tech Head has a good point. Maybe putting some pressure on York and co would speed things along?

 

Killer Bee-
Yes, it is a shame that I, the all powerful OZ, have not seen fit to wave my wand and install a light. Then I could bow down and kiss your feet and beg forgiveness!!!!
I feel honored that you think I have some much power and authority!!!
Luv ya, babe!
Cliff

 

VaCliff:
Whoa! I'm not sure what brought about that response from you. I was trying to say something nice. So everyone knows, I said:

I was trying to compliment you for not falling for all the P.C. phony baloney! In the last part of my post, I also lamented that you not being P.C. had not made a light magically appear. That was a joking comment, not an attack! Darn it, man, I know that the HOA cannot work miracles!

So, I'm sorry if my message was perceived attacking. While the web is good for communication, comments posted in a forum can be "read" in a completely different way from how their authors meant them.

killer_bee in broadands, ashburn, virginia

 

I still think our best hope is to contact our local and State representatives. If enough of us raise the issue with them, they will act. Usually, a little pressure from local reps, State Reps., State Senators and even the Governor's office or Congressman Wolfe is the only way to expedite a process. vacliff, do you have that information handy or can someone post contact info for our elected officials? I will try to compile as well.

 

Here is the contact information for the State Rep and State Senator for our area:

Delegate Richard H. Black (32nd District)
General Assembly Building
P.O. Box 406, Office 517
Richmond, VA 23219
804-698-1032
Local Office
20978 Flatboat Court
Sterling, VA 20164
703-406-2951
e-mail: del_black@house.state.va.us

Senator William C. Mims (33rd District)
General Assembly Building
910 Capitol Street, Room 320
Richmond, VA 23219
804-698-7533
e-mail: wma@i95.com

I am calling them today. Maybe this will help? Sure can't hurt.

 

Hey Killer-
I was responding to the comment "It is just a shame that you not being P.C. has not gotten us a light!" I read this to be an accusation that somehow the lack of a light was my fault. I think Homer might have read it the same way.
Anyway, no problem. My response was a meant to be tongue in cheek!
Cliff

 

I agree with putting the pressure on the local gov't. It really does work. Start being the squeeky wheel.[:0] Put on a phone and email campaign from all residents in Broadlands. Do this to not only your rep and Scott York but use the other reps too. After all many of their constituants work in the nearby area or stop at the Safeway on their way to or from work.

 

Hi, I am new to Broadlands and to this forum. I admit that I have not read all of the messages here so this may be something that has already been discussed. Would it be helpful if we got a petition together to voice our collective opinion about the traffic light situation? Maybe a petition would be more effective than a handful of people calling or writing our state rep and senator.

 

The light has already been approved. Now we just have to wait for the several month long process of it actually being installed.

 

Carolyn: Welcome to the Broadlands! A few calls to our elected state officials could not hurt in getting the light put in. The state seems to move really slowly. In defense of the state, though, I think that VDOT not told about Safeway and the need for the light until just recently.