Neighborhood News

The Board members for 2016 are as follows:

President–Rubi Fellows 860-205-0377 | rfellows2013@yahoo.com

Vice President–John Anderson  /  choavpres@aol.com

Treasurer–Chris Treadaway  318-840-3739 / treadaway2000@gmail.com

Secretary–Karl Logan 315-258-3729 | heydoog@hotmail.com

Member at Large–John Gannt 980-309-3987    jcw704@gmail.com

Dear Neighbors,

As mentioned in the July 7th meeting minutes, due to the concerns of some residents about the lack of lawn maintenance in some of the community lawns, the following is the text of the letter composed and sent by the McCarron HOA to chronically-neglected lots.

Notice of Imminent Action

Dear Resident,

This letter is a notice of imminent action to be taken by the McCarron HOA against your property for your failure to upkeep maintenance of your lawn, especially regarding the reasonable prevention of weed growth. The actions to be taken are fully legal and outlined in Section VI “Exterior Maintenance” of the McCarron Convenants, available on the HOA website at http://mccanronhoa.com/

Your lawn has been identified as one of the “worst” lawns in the neighborhood in terms of the proliferation of weeds and/or lack of maintenance. The HOA therefore intends to hire, at cost, a landscaping/lawn maintenance contractor to treat and/or re-seed your lawn to improve its condition and appearance. You will be held financially responsible for the cost of this action unless you act immediately. The HOA greatly regrets taking this drastic action, but our records of communication with this residence clearly show repeated and numerous notices requesting action to improve your lawn’s appearance, and yet no discernible actions have been taken, and no noticeable improvements have been observed.

Lawns in such a neglected state can impact the value of homes in the neighborhood, and can “seed” other neighboring lawns with weeds and undesirable flora. This action to correct the situation will be not sooner than 10 days from the date of this letter. You should immediately contact your HOA to schedule a day for this action if you would like to be home when it takes place. If you ignore this communication, this action will be taken at a date set by the HOA. If you further attempt to impede this action, or do not compensate the HOA for the costs incurred, further drastic actions, including the filing of liens, and even possibly foreclosure could occur.

Please contact a Cedar Management as soon as possible if you would like to request a hearing and show proof that you are currently addressing this situation, ie, treating your lawn. Do not delay in responding, or this action will be initiated after the period of 10 days, with the resultant cost being held against your account.

Final Violation Policy August 2014

McCarron Executive Meeting June 19, 2014

Meeting was called to order at 7:30p.m.

Present: Andi White, Bob Fitzgerald, Cindy Wood, and Kim Christenbury
Absent: Karen Lewis with proxy given to Andi White for any items needing a vote

• Violation Policy
  • The Board voted unanimously to adopt the Violation and Fine Policy effective August 1, 2014.
  • Cedar Management will mail the new policy to all HOA members along with a Summer 2014 newsletter.
• Common Area
  • Storm water project completed.
  • Andi has talked with professionals on revamping the front entrance. Quoted $4k – $8k for planting new shrubbery/trees. Monuments not included in the estimate.
  • The project would be eligible for a matching grant. Next grant deadlines are
    September 2014 and February 2015
  • Bob volunteered to meet with three monument designers for ideas.
  • All amenity improvements are eligible for Neighborhood Matching Grants.
• Amenities
  • The Board asked for member to volunteer for an Amenity Steering Committee.
  • The committee will solicit ideas from the community, obtain quotes for the project, check to see if additional insurance coverage is needed, how to limit access to HOA members only, etc.
• National Night Out

Regular meeting adjourned 8:07 p.m.

Meeting Addendum
Open Meeting, June 19, 2014

Member Concerns

• John Anderson
  • Again questioned the definition of setbacks used to allow for the sometime storage of a camper in a driveway.Board Response: Some Board members agree that McCarron has its own definition of setbacks relative to use for campers, boats, trailers, etc. However, a majority of Board members, in 2013, voted to use City of Charlotte definitions which exclude driveways from setbacks
  • Again questioned the approval of stockade type fencing around the perimeter of home in the 2013 annexed portion of McCarronBoard Response: that type of fencing is allowed per the CCRs. Some Board members agree that aesthetics should be a factor in the ARC approval process, but that aesthetics are subjective.
  • Why weren’t signs posted announcing the open meetings?Board Response: We are posting the signs for the annual meeting only. We are using the website and Nextdoor to announce open meetings. The Board may consider using signs to announce all meetings.
• Karl Logan
  • Expressed his interest in a community garden, but questioned the location; would like other locations explored.Board Response: an enthusiastic Board member used feedback from several neighbors and independently installed a raised bed at the common area egress. As many members objected to the location, the bed was de- installed and the area re-sodded.
• Julie Blackburn
  • Questioned why it took, and takes, so long to address violations at a nearby residence.Board Response: The property foreclosed and the owner’s location was unknown. Cedar Management and the Board cannot issue violations without a deed recording the current owner. The foreclosing agency only filed the deed in Apr, 2014 and was immediately billed for assessments and notified of violations. A Board member noted that it is common practice for foreclosing agency’s to wait as long as possible before filing deeds to avoid payment and responsibility.
  • Stated there is a commercial vehicle parked in the driveway of a certain property.
    Board Response: The Board cannot review every property, every hour. The Board asked that pictures be taken and submitted to the Board or to Cedar. *Update: a Board member has observed the violation, taken photos and will submit to Cedar for issuance of a violation notice.
• Renee Jones
  • Stated that she is dismayed at some of the negative remarks posted on Nextdoor regarding the Board and the neighborhood. She has not always been in agreement with Board decisions but takes time to listen and implores others to do the same before publicly lobbing criticism, especially when all facts are not known. It puts the neighborhood in a bad light for all of McCarron and other communities to see.
• Member
  • Stated he drives commercial vehicle a week out if each month. Asked if it were a problem.Board response: It must be garaged.

• Violation Policy
• Front Common Area: amenity & landscaping
• NNO: events, sponsors, location, cost

McCarron-HOA-Violation-Policy-Draft