Living in the Neighborhood
Reminders from the Covenant Committee
The Covenant Committee continues to ensure that our neighborhood maintains the high standards set forth in our Covenant and Canons of Conduct. To that end, the committee wants to emphasize the following issues:
- This is a great time to clean-up yards, including planting, mulching, weeding, and trimming. Residents should look to common areas as the standard. In particular, the strip of yard that runs between the street and the sidewalk is the responsibility of each homeowner and needs to be maintained in the same manner as the rest of the yard.
Lawn care has not been a big issue in the past. However, there are several yards that need obvious improvements. Abbott has been requested to alert the committee of offenders as weekly inspections are conducted. If standards are not met, reminder letters will be sent to owners.
- Trash and recycle receptacles continue to be left outside too long by some residents. The Canons of Conduct and Town of Davidson codes (62-38) clearly state that containers may be placed at the curb on the night before pick-up and must be placed out-of-sight by 8 a.m. of the day after collection. During the vacation season, residents should get a neighbor to roll-out and collect trash carts if necessary. Leaving these containers out while out of town is also a safety issue as it alerts people that no one is at home.
- Overnight parking on streets continues to be an issue with a handful of residents. There have been several frequent reports of vehicles parked overnight and for extended periods across sidewalks. This is not only in violation of Canons of Conduct, but it is also in violation of Town of Davidson ordinances. Offenders will receive a reminder letter. Further violations will be reported to the Davidson Police Department.
Residents and owners are reminded that parking restrictions have been passed to ensure the safety of the neighborhood. Emergency response vehicles must have clear passage and both pedestrians and drivers need good visibility at all times.
- Parking of vehicles on garage aprons in byways is also not permitted.
- Another parking problem has been noted recently. The Town of Davidson has always stated that it does not mind residents parking overnight on graveled areas adjacent to town parks and playing fields. These areas belong to the town, not the Association. However, the town prefers this parking to be available for daytime users and sports fans. Some residents have utilized these areas for “long-term” parking of excess or abandoned vehicles. If you have garage or driveway space, please do not utilize these areas.
Yard-of-the-Month — May, 2009
The Landscape & Grounds Committee congratulates Don & Meredith Jennings of 317 North Faulkner Way as the May 2009 winner of the “Yard-of-the-Month.” The Jennings also won this award in June 2007 and will be entered onto the Star of Excellence Honor Roll. The yard is ablaze with colorful pansies in four different groupings. The yard and shrubs are well trimmed and display a mix of spring and summer colors. The bird bath and young magnolia to the right of the home add to the overall effect. The entrance to the porch has an inviting appeal with small planters at the sidewalk and two large ferns on the porch. Shrubs and grass along the driveway side of the house are also well tended and attractive. This is a large classical home and the effort put into maintaining the yard to fit the structure is certainly evident.
Don & Meredith have always provided a pleasing setting throughout the year. Located at the end of Fairview Lane as it turns into North Faulkner Way, the Jennings’ home is in a perfect position to highlight our neighborhood for both residents and visitors. Other yards worth special mention include the home of Anthony & Frances Walley (613 Wolfe Street) and the Charleston home of Alan & Cathy Sterling (107 Caldwell Lane). These two homes are also on the Star of Excellence Honor Roll from past years. Several of the homes on Caldwell Lane also had outstanding yards.
Each month from May through October, a yard will be selected among single-family homes. If you have questions or suggestions regarding this plan, please call Judy McLean at 704.895.0940.
This is another instance where only a color picture could truly
say it all!
The “Star of Excellence” will be a proud addition
to this yard.
Congratulations to Don & Meredith Jennings
Requests for Landscape Approval — Correction to Procedure
In the April Newsletter, there was a sentence included under the Landscape & Grounds Committee report that stated that approval for landscape work must go to the Architectural Review Committee. This was not correct. This was the procedure several years ago, but requests for landscaping changes have increased dramatically over the last year. If you wish to make such a request, please submit the plan in writing to the Landscape & Grounds Committee for approval. You will still need a sketch or detailed description of the work to be done.
If the landscaping change is part of a structural addition or the result of making other changes to the home (i.e.: addition of a pool or patio, addition of a storage shed, addition of a gazebo), the standard Request for Architectural Approval form will need to be submitted to the ARC. This type of request is reviewed by both committees.
Townhome owners can replace plants at their own expense, but must have advance approval of design and plant types by the Landscape & Grounds Committee. Damaged and sick plants in Townhome or Common areas are replaced as part of the Association landscape contract.
2009 Painting Project Set to Start
The fifth phase of a six-year repainting project for Townhomes is set to start by the week of May 17. The contractor is Foreman’s Painting Company. Townhomes on the north side of Harper Lee Street are included in this year’s work. Residents are requested to leave gates open to patio spaces as this painting includes the patio walls and doors into the unit and garage. The project includes carpentry work to replace rotting wood trim and pressure washing with a mild chlorine solution to pre-clean all surfaces before painting. The contractor has been requested to provide his own water for washing from portable tanks. Two coats of paint are applied to complete the work.
In preparation for this work, residents on north Harper Lee Street are asked to “clean” patios and front porches to provide easy access to painted surfaces. Good clearance is needed for ladders and supports. Please do not rely on the painting crew to move plants and furniture with the risk of possible damage. If you have sensitive plants or furniture that may be affected by use of a chorine solution, please relocate these items during the painting preparation work.
The job is expected to be complete in three to four weeks. Next year’s painting project will include Townhomes along O. Henry Avenue. That will complete the six-year cycle. Foreman’s Painting guarantees work for six years.
Foreman’s Painting has been awarded the bid for all painting done to this point. Experience has been good with only a few problem spots. If you do experience problems with the work, please contact a member of the Townhome Building Maintenance Committee (Jim & Heather Faulkner, chairpersons) or call Abbott Enterprises direct.
Chairperson Needed for OktoberFest 2009
Volunteers are needed now for Oktoberfest 2009! We are looking for one or two neighbors to chair the event. Lots of notes and boxes of supplies are available from past years to jump-start the planning process. There also seem to be an endless supply of helpers and volunteers, but we do need a chairperson. If you are interested, please contact Dave Smith (704.987.1472) or any other member of the Council of Stewards.
The neighborhood celebrates with a party annually in Faulkner Square. This is a budgeted event supported by the Neighborhood Association. Planning must begin now for the fall gathering to be a success.
Please help! Please volunteer!
Neighborhood Graduates of Civics 101
Civics 101 is a seven week citizen’s academy conducted by the Town of Davidson and designed to educate, inform, and entertain residents interested in learning more about municipal government The session is held at the start of each year. 20 participants are accepted in each class. Registration for 2010 will begin in November 2009. This is an outstanding opportunity to get to know your community. Many other residents have graduated in past years. Visit the town’s website (www.ci.davidson.nc.us) for information and for registration.
Five of our proud residents graduated in April with the Class of 2009. Holding diplomas on the back row (l to r): Norma Stewart, Meth McElhannon, Paula Bell. Front row graduates (l to r): Bonne McCoy, Kathy Cox. These ladies would be happy to discuss the program with any other interested neighbors.
Congratulations to this fine group!
Newsletter Delivery Volunteers
Thanks go to all of our delivery volunteers! Our April team included Paula Bell, Tom Fischer, Anne Jerands, Sherman & Nancy Kahn, Norman Richards, and Dave Smith. New Volunteers are always welcome!
If you wish to volunteer, please call Dave Smith at 704.987.1472 (e-mail at davidbsmith@bellsouth.net).
