Neglected in Southern Walk - Unruly Grass

In my first posting, I pointed out two areas of concern:

1. There is no grass in the back of SW.
2. There has been no moving in 2009.

How is that deemed to be disrespectful?

Anyway, I was delighted when I came home last night and realized that the grass was finally being cut! Much to my dismay; however, I was walking my dog this morning and realized that I was incorrect. If the back side of SW has never been mowed, why did the landscapers start at the beginning of the development knowing that rain was coming? Why didn't they start where the grass is not cut yet... in the back of the development?

(Yes, I realize that the landscapers had to quit early last night because of the weather, so do not use that as an excuse to why the back portion of SW has still not been mowed).

I wish you would take a walk between Claiborne and Windy Oak along Village. Please look at the grass and look at the proximity to the main roads. You actually have blades of grass!!

Now take a walk on Fieldthorn, where is the grass? Maybe a patch here and there but the ground is covered in weeds. The common areas by the walking paths are downright ugly and full of weeds. The main roads are not seen from the back of the development. I realize that lawn care should be across the board; however, the disparity in lawn care is, in my opinion, horrendous. What else could be the reason for the lack of care given to the back of Southern Walk?

I enjoy living in Broadlands and the landscaping is my only complaint. When you are trying to sell a house and drive down Village the change in scenery is drastic especially when you see weeds that have grown as tall as the fire hydrants.

I wish that I come home and find that, while walking my dog, the back of SW has been mowed.

 

To chime in,

We live in the back of SW and have been complaining about this for the past 4 years.

Many common areas are bare and not kept up. Yes, we had a dry spell last year, however, I don't feel that it's been properly maintained ever.

We have sent e-mails and pictures directly to HOA.

I get that grass grows fast and sometimes it's not mowed right away. I usually wait a week then call. So, far, so good on this.

Nice to see we are not the only ones complaining anymore.

 

I also think that your response was quite rude. The person had a legitimate complaint, he did not attack you or anyone personally, he pointed out a problem very directly. Your response was personal and defensive. You need to stop getting defensive when people have a problem, and instead listen to the problem and look for solutions to the problem. I don't take issue with pointing him to the HOA, I do take issue with the way it was done.

Marianne

 

Thanks for your opinion Marianne. Please reread the first post. If you find that to be a constructive, respectful way to point out a problem, then we will just have to disagree.

The HOA gets the Common Areas when turned over from the Developer. It can be in various states of condition.
The HOA does not have 24 hour watering, seeding, tending of our Common Areas.
Some will look better than others. Some areas may take years to improve. They aren't going to look like maintained private lawns.
I know we spend an additional $20,000 top-dressing and seeding in Southern Walk last fall.
I've spoken to HLS today about the situation. They have actually increased the staff out here......but the rain and wetness has led to their being behind. Happens almost every spring. If they try cutting wet grass, it bogs down the mowers and they sink into the ground. Supposed to be sunny and warm through the weekend (which will make the grass grow faster!), so hopefully, they will get everything mowed. As I said before, they are working on Sat urdays and Sundays.

So, for all those concerned, what is your solution to the problem?
How do we get Landscaping companies to be able to work through rain and soft ground?
How much money should the HOA spend to fix all the Common Areas to everyone's satisfaction?
How do we address the fact that these areas aren't irrigated? Do we spend more on watering trucks daily?
If you like all these ideas, we're into the hundreds of thousands.
Everyone okay with that?
Please........we've beaten the problem to death....how about solutions?

 

No problem with those two questions. "back of SW" is very vague and entails a lot of property. Back of southern Walk along Croson, highview Trail, Village Dr, etc? I would suggest you call the HOA with specific areas of concern.

But let's look at the first post:

"We all pay the same astronomical HOA dues, so why is the back portion of Southern Walk neglected???????????"

So long grass is equated with "astronomical dues." A bit over-the-top and incorrect, if you actually go around comparing dues. Maybe since I work my fanny off trying to keep the dues low while providing good services to the community, I took a bit of offense to that comment.

"Is it possible to fine the HOA for unruly grass since they are able to fine homeowner's for unruly grass? Seriously... I lost my 40 pound dog in the grass yesterday."

That's productive, since your dues pays the HOA which would pay the assessments. We also do not issue assessments during the early fast-growing season. But what a novel thought.

"This is out of control and a shame considering the "pristine" sense of the Broadlands communities. Maybe the aura of "Broadlands" is only the sections of Broadlands that can be seen from the main roads."

Sounds like a rational thought. Never knew we were pristine or had an aura.

I guess you're right......I over-reacted. So sorry. Apologies to all.

 

I am not sure, but I highly doubt that any SW resident under the HLS lawn maintenance contract has ever been fined for "unruly" grass.

 

Cliff,

To be honest I think it is a good sign that our HOA president takes it personally when someone complains about an HOA issue. That tells me that you genuinely care about the community and because of that you get upset when someone posts something that is a complaint about the HOA.

Yeah the original post was probably a little over the top, but this is an internet forum, and people tend to use internet forums as a place to vent. While I agree that the best course of action is to contact the HOA directly to address specific concerns, I will also say that I would rather someone use the forums to vent, if that is what they need to do, rather than call the HOA and unleash their frustration on someone who doesn't deserve it.

Your post today at 11:53AM I thought provided a very good explanation of the situation -- certainly it helped me understand why this becomes an issue each year, and more importantly, why there probably isn't much that can be reasonably done about it. Maybe someone can save this explanation and repost it next year when, undoubtedly, someone will complain again about unruly grass.

In my business I get complaints from people all of the time. Most of the people are not even paying for the service I provide but they feel entitled to complain and demand changes anyway. I think they are often unfair but if I took them all personally I would end up in the hospital from all of the stress! I also have to remind myself that they usually don't have the background information to know why something is the way it is, and often times giving them a reasonable explanation is all that is really necessary.

 

you know what a GREAT post would be:

"hi Broadlands neighbors! I had a problem with xxx and i contacted the HOA to address it. I was really happy with how quickly they responded and took care of xxx. Just thought my neighbors and lurkers on this forum should know that THIS HOA does act when you go through the proper channels. Thanks HOA- we're lucky to have such a responsive team that works with residents to resolve issues."

it stinks that the HOA DOES respond to and fix so many issues that someone brings up HERE before even calling them, but we neeeeeever see the follow up post that says "wow- thanks!"
(NO REFLECTION or REFERENCE ON THIS THREAD STARTER- he did make a follow up post!)

 

gunzour-
Appreciate the comments. I don't mind complaints about the HOA. That's how we find out about what needs to be done. That's how we come up with new ideas.

Once I get back on my bike to do patrols around the neighborhood, I see things and can address it.

I would have much preferred a call to the HOA Office, or myself, than that type of post. I like direct communication rather than throwing out bombs anonymously.....that bugs me. Maybe I'm unusual in that I like direct discussion/confrontation. That's what I do day in and day out at work so I'm comfortable with it. It is also much more productive at getting to the specifics of an issue and eliminates most of the misinterpretation that often happens in print.

Anyway, to those that think I overreacted,....sorry. Contrary to what some may believe, I am human. If that's not good enough for folks, than you can vote me out of office next month.

Anyway, I was out doing yard work but had to come back in.....raining!!!
That's 18 out of 28 days.

I look forward to a productive continued dialogue here with solutions.

 

Don't be too sure. You ARE a Michigan alum.

GO BUCKEYES!

 

That would be SOOOOO cool!

 

That is correct!

 

If the developers provided SW with weeds, can't you re-do those areas to make them more attractive and actually provide grass? Sod in Chantilly is $2 for a 2x5 space -- bought it bulk it may be cheaper. In the fall, tear out the weeds, invest in the community by putting in the sod in late March and let the April showers do the watering for you.

That is an easy and cost effective solution. 10 feet for $2 is not expensive and doable especially in the poorly treated areas since not all of SW is in need of actual grass.

 

Good point!
For me it begets the question - probably answered somewhere in the pages of the HOA documents - what does the HOA do with the fines it does collect? Anyway.

Frankly, I think the Broadlands HOA is a good HOA to have, if I have to have an HOA. (Say that 10 times fast....) I've lived in communities with militant asocs that send you nastygrams for even the slightest, stupidest thing; or at the bidding of other residents without any investigation. This one does seem quite fair and friendly. I never really intended to imply I wanted to fine the HOA, so my apologies if I gave offense. Just curious in general -- when it's spelled out what the resident requirements and penalties for failure to comply are, if the same is spelled out for the HOA: its various obligations and penalties for failure to comply.

** Not that I think they're failing to comply. ** Just an exercise of hypotheticals at this point.

 

And to chime in briefly about my use of forums sometimes instead of calling HOA -- sometimes I like to know if I'm the only one with an issue. If I make a post, and nobody replies "hey, yeah, me too..." then I decide it's just me and let it go. Then there's nothing for the HOA to deal with, AND I'm not upset any more. Win-win.

 

Cliff - as a possible solution what if the HOA & HLS allowed homeowners to pick up sometype of flag/yard marker to place in the common areas which HLS seems to miss during their mowing.

This way there is a visual reminder/demark indicating where HLS needs to mow, as in years past new HLS crews may be unaware of what is private or common property (especially in the Courtyard areas).

If my memory serves me correctly HLS has provided flags/lawnmarkers for residents during the airation of lawns in years past.

 

I actually like a more natural look to broadlands common area.