Glenmore Community Association

GCA Newsletter                         July 25 2011

In This Issue
Construction Impact Fee Finalized
Country Club Contribution
Carroll Creek Crossing
Maintenance Activities
Financial Audit Published
Rivanna Greenway Trail

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Greetings!

We are pleased to provide this month's email newsletter from the GCA.  If you have trouble viewing it, please let us know. As always, we welcome your feedback. 

 

Dog Control
Dog WalkingA reminder to dog owners!   All dogs within Glenmore must be under the direct control of their owner at all times.  In particular they must not be allowed to roam onto other people's property.  Thank you for being considerate to your neighbors.

Construction Impact Fee Finalized 

House Under Construction

The introduction of Construction Impact Fees for new homes built in the Livengood and Leake sections is finally in place. The amendment to the Covenants & Restrictions of Glenmore has been executed by all parties, and will be recorded with Albemarle County before the end of July.  This follows the overwhelmingly favorable vote by members earlier this year.  The fees will be collected from new construction beginning in January 2012, and will be applied to road maintenance funds.   You may view the text of the amendment here

 

Country Club Contribution 

ClubhouseThe owners of the Glenmore Country Club have requested the GCA to lower the contribution paid by the Club towards our gatehouse and road costs.  The club currently pays 50% of security costs and 50% of maintenance costs of Piper Way to the clubhouse.  Based on the proportion of actual usage, the club wishes to reduce this to 15%.  In return it will provide the GCA with a right of first purchase, meeting and storage facilities, and immediately repay the balance of its $100,000 note to GCA.  

 

The GCA board is considering proposing an amendment to the Covenants and Restrictions to allow such a change.  The proposed amendment would go to the membership for a vote.  Before finalizing the proposal, the board wishes to provide members a chance for input on this decision, since it will directly impact future dues.  There will be a special GCA Board Meeting coming soon, to which all members will be welcome to attend.  You will be able to hear the proposal in detail, and provide feedback directly to the board.  A separate announcement about this meeting will be issued shortly.   

 

Carroll Creek Crossing

Jeff Gaffney (Glenmore Associates) and Neal Sansovich (developer of the 'Preserve at Glenmore') have asked the GCA to help resolve a planning issue relating to the Leake development.  They presented the situation to the July board meeting.  Their plans to develop the first 16 lots within the Leake section have not been approved by Albemarle County because the "temporary" stream crossing at the end of Carroll Creek Road, which has been in use since the development started, has not yet been replaced by a permanent crossing.   Although the GCA does not own that section of the road and bridge, the board expressed concerned about its safety, and is now working to find a solution which permits the Leake development to proceed, while ensuring residents' safety.  The solution proposed by the developers involves closing the bridge to all traffic other than construction traffic.   A time limit for construction of a new crossing was also suggested.  Another possibility might be to construct guardrails to make the crossing safer.  A final decision has not yet been made.  

 

Maintenance Activities 

Behind the scenes, the CARB (Common Area Review Board), chaired by John Chamales, and supported by Ward Campbell, is working steadily to keep our common areas in good shape.  Here are just some of their recent activities and discussions reported to the July GCA board meeting:

  • Distressed trees in 'natural' wooded common areas will not be attended to, but left for nature to take its course.  This is not a change in approach, but a reaffirmation of the long-standing policy.
  • Grassy areas have been mowed each week recently, rather than every other week, because of the strong rate of growth.
  • A storm drain alongside Devon Pines has been rebuilt  to combat erosion, and is now working well.
  • Arboristry Associates will continue to be the consultants used for tree management.  The Leyland Cypress trees alongside Paddington Circle will be cleaned up as branches die off, and finally replaced by new trees in slightly different locations to fill in the screening.  
  • The Highland Park, located in the Scottish Homes area, needs attention, and the CARB has reaffirmed that it should be maintained to a standard consistent with its use as a park.  Dead brush and trees are being cleaned up, and in the fall a decision will be made to re-grass or mulch some areas.  

Financial Audit Published 

TDollar Signhe external audit of the GCA's 2010 finances has been completed, and we are pleased to report that no issues were found with either the books or our procedures.  The board is proud of the work that has been achieved in this area over the past two years, in particular due to the efforts of our treasurers, W.A. Pace and Fred Maute, our book-keeper Barbara Grzymala, as well as the members of the Financial Oversight Committee.  In keeping with the board's policy of full disclosure, you may view the complete audit here.   

 

Rivanna Greenway Trail 

Yes, we thought the Greenway Trail would have been deeded to the county by now, but the legal machine has been churning very slowly.  Four parties are involved; the GCA, the Country Club, Glenmore Associates, and Albemarle County, each of whom  has its own lawyer!   But we are told the handover will take place very soon.  One of the advantages for the GCA is that the county will take on responsibility for maintaining the trail, which we currently pay for.  It is not yet clear to what extent the general public will be able to access the trail, but the Parks department will be placing 'no trespassing' signs along its border with Glenmore.  Meanwhile, Glenmore residents will be able continue to use the trail as now, although it will probably be closed at night.