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Overgrown common area

Discussion in 'Broadlands Community Issues' started by PP-Power, Jun 18, 2016.

  1. PP-Power

    PP-Power Member

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    Who can I speak to about the overgrown wooded/common area behind the townhouses on Welby? The tree branches are so long and weighed down that they are leaning over into the yard, almost touching the ground. I'd trim it myself but I don't know what I'm doing.
     
  2. jsteye

    jsteye Member

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    Wait till you don't mow your lawn according to their thoughts; then you will hear from them.
     
    MRE likes this.
  3. T8erman

    T8erman Well-Known Member

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    "Their" thoughts are "homeowners" thoughts too. Instead of of posting whiny ass comments, volunteer and help the community if you care about how things are run.
     
    sri_n, Mike, JTC and 2 others like this.
  4. vacliff

    vacliff "You shouldn't say that."

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    There is an article in the latest Broadlands Newsletter that answers this question......"who do I contact to ask about....." on page 5.
     
  5. jsteye

    jsteye Member

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    "Their" thoughts are "homeowners" thoughts too. Instead of of posting whiny ass comments, volunteer and help the community if you care about how things are run."

    What's the matter "Mr. Broadlands"; you get a little sensitive when home-owners have legitimate complaints against the HOA?? Being the HOA doesn't count as volunteerism.
     
    MRE likes this.
  6. vacliff

    vacliff "You shouldn't say that."

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    So, about this issue. I have been on the HOA Board for many, many years. I don't like HOAs that endlessly and needlessly harass its residents. Yard maintenance is one of those things.
    If any resident believes that they have received a violation notice that is unwarranted, please reach out to me immediately. I would like to come out and see it.
    I will be honest here......when we have a mowing violation that has reached a Board hearing level, I go out and inspect the properties before the hearing. Every single one I saw was worthy of the violation. That being said, most people will resolve the problem before it gets to a hearing.
    So, my offer stands.....if you receive what you believe to be an unwarranted violation, please reach out to me and I will check it out. If I agree that the HOA is being too picky, I will work to correct it.

    Also be aware that many residents EXPECT the HOA to enforce its rules and file complaints about unmaintained yards. I recall a few cases where the HOA did not believe a violation was warranted, and then the HOA Board was berated by the complainant for not enforcing it.

    jsteye: Not sure what you think the HOA is, but all 9 members of the Board of Directors are elected, volunteer, nonpaid positions. 8 of the 9 are fellow residents and 1 represents Van Metre Apartments/Commercial property.
     
    Mike, JTC and flynnibus like this.
  7. jsteye

    jsteye Member

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    Hey VaCliff; thanks the consise response. I have not personally received any notices regarding my grass but my neighbor did. It was regarding his fenced in back lawn. I just get very annoyed with the HOA when they hand out notices and then don't follow their own policy on the common grounds.

    Other than that, I think residents making complaints or commenting about the HOA is not necessarily a bad thing instead of posting "whiny ass" responses.
     
    MRE likes this.
  8. T8erman

    T8erman Well-Known Member

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    Hmmm, did I strike a nerve? An actual post with some merit AND you used my quote. I feel honored or maybe plagiarized. ;)
     
  9. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    Start your own thread and discuss them. All too frequently those with a beef are those who simply don't like being 'policed' and get pissy no matter what the actual facts of the situation are.
     
  10. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    A fenced in back yard that maybe is in view by other resident from their homes? Does it matter if its fenced in?
     
  11. TeamDonzi

    TeamDonzi ShowMeTheMoney!

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    There is an illegal abandoned vehicle on the curb in front of my house. The former owners won't move it in front of their house. The HOA won't touch it bc we live on a VDOT street. The sheriff won't tow it despite several tickets fading in the sun. Maybe if I set it on fire someone will get rid of it? What's a guy/girl gotta do??????
     
  12. jsteye

    jsteye Member

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    "A fenced in back yard that maybe is in view by other resident from their homes? Does it matter if its fenced in?"

    It does if the argument is a matter or the value of our neighborhood. If I was considering moving to the neighborhood, the look of the common area would be more relevant than a neighbor's fenced in yard.

    Bottom line, if residents are going to get fined or receive notices from the HOA about how they keep their home, then the HOA should better be on their game.
     
    MRE likes this.
  13. vacliff

    vacliff "You shouldn't say that."

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    I agree that the forums are a good place to voice concerns. Just be aware that for a specific complaint one needs to contact the HOA office.
    I have reviewed some complaints about "fenced in" lawns. The complaints came from their neighbors who had to look down into it. The violations were warranted.

    This is the first time common areas are mentioned. The HOA owns hundreds of acres of common area. Most of it is not maintained. The HOA does try to maintain the common areas that are more "lawn-like" and adjacent to residential properties.
    The HOA spends a significant amount of money to maintain these areas and rejuvenate them. In fact, the HOA is currently reviewing areas to work on this fall. If you have concerns about specific areas that need work, please contact the HOA office.
     
    JTC likes this.
  14. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    Unless... you are the homes looking into that yard. For instance, we specifically walked away from a property on Cedar Springs because of the clear lack of upkeep of the direct neighbor's property. It was clear it was not just a temporal thing but a history of lack of upkeep. Going by it yesterday (7+ years later)... the same house is still a mess. So I'm happy we passed.

    Point being.. the defense of 'its my backyard' is bunkus when we are in a neighborhood where most properties back up to, or share rear views with other neighbors.

    As to the 'but what about them!!' defense... that's just "I'm not the only one!!" defense that doesn't accept responsibility for the issue in the first place. If there is a problem with an common area, call the HOA office to report your concerns. You pay them to be there and answer the phone.. use it.
     
    Capricorn1964 likes this.
  15. MRE

    MRE New Member

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    Thank you for your considerate response; if your offer still stands, I could use some advice. I received a notice, dated 07-may-2021; received 15-may-2021 (saturday) that had a picture of my yard and indicated I was in violation of yard maintenance. I was given ten days from the date of the letter (the 7th) to respond or correct the violation; however, I received the notice on Saturday the 15th when the office was closed. The office is also closed on the 16th (Sunday), so I have a total of one day to respond to this vague violation. The violation simply shows a picture of my yard and indicated that I was in violation of one or more "maintenance issues" without specifying what the violation(s) actually are. The "maintenance issues" are listed as mowing, edging, and weeding. Where I'm confused is that I have little to no weeds in my yard as I pay for weed controll treatment annually and my lawn is treated at least 7 times per season. Edging and mowing are completed every other Friday by yet another landscaping service (my lawn never, EVER, reaches a height to exceed 6"). In the months of April and May, my grass will grow to approximately 5 to 5.5 inches before it is cut again at the length of 3 inches. During the months of June, July, and August, my lawn rarely gets to 4.5 or 5 inches before being cut. On the date in question, to the best of my knowledge, my lawn was approximately 5 to 5.5 inches in length, newly edged and mulched, and had little to no weeds. The picture is of a healthy green lawn and the letter simply does not indicate the actual violation. I have lived in Broadlands for 17 years and have never received a threatening letter indicating I was in some form of lawn maintenance violation from the HOA before, so I'm a bit confused on what it is they want me to address. The HOA is threatening to send their contracted landscaping company (Heritage Landscape Services) to my yard where they will apparently force their way onto my property and conduct whatever maintenance the HOA tells them to perform without my permission. After they are finished doing whatever it is they are sent to do to my yard, I will be billed $190.00 for the service performed against my will. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated, thx.
     
  16. KTdid

    KTdid Well-Known Member

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    If it did not include a picture, I would have suggested the HOA got the wrong address. Hope you get it resolved.

    I wish they would come out to our street to cite the rotting trim, dead shrubs, trees, and weedy yards, etc.
     
  17. vacliff

    vacliff "You shouldn't say that."

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    Sure. Happy to help.
    Send me your address and contact info and I will stop by. It will help if you have the violation letter as well.
    You can PM me to keep your info private.
     

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