Living in the NeighborhoodSTANDARDS FOR RELOCATION OF TOWNHOME A/C UNITSThe Architectural Review Committee has now completed the standard for moving air conditioning units. It applies to townhome owners who want to relocate their A/C unit from the courtyard or patio to the rear of the townhome. Development of this standard has turned out to be more complex than originally anticipated. There are noise, heat, appearance, location, safety, and maintenance issues which affect all homeowners. To that end, it is the intent of this standard to address these issues and be legal, uniform, and unobtrusive. In looking at potential code and permit requirements, it was discovered that an electrical permit is required for this work. This is normally obtained by a licensed contractor doing the work. A corresponding post-installation inspection by Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement is also required. All townhome owners who want to move an air conditioning unit must initially submit a Request for Architectural Approval. The request should include a copy of the new standards and should identify how they are to be met. A Submission Worksheet is provided with the standard for this purpose. If any of the standards cannot be met for any reason, then an explanation of the need for the exceptions should be part of the submission in order for the submission to be considered. Initial approval must be obtained prior to beginning installation. Final approval will be given only after successful completion two
required post-installation inspections: The new standard and attached forms include a total of four pages and will not be copied in this newsletter. They will be available on the desk in the foyer outside Doug Boone’s office on St. Alban’s Lane. Townhome owners who have already relocated A/C units will be required to go through this same approval process. The patience of neighborhood residents is greatly appreciated as the Architectural Review Committee works hard to develop this and other neighborhood standards. Special recognition is due Luann Christine and Mike Stenhouse who both spent hours completing research and follow-up on the newest standard. The patience of neighborhood residents is greatly appreciated as the Architectural Review Committee works hard to develop this and other neighborhood standards. Special recognition is due Luann Christine and Mike Stenhouse who both spent hours completing research and follow-up on the newest standard. CLEMENS SQUARE FISH POND UPDATEIt appears that children are moving the rocks in the pond area and dismantling the pond one rock at a time. Please monitor and report inappropriate activity around the pond to Doug Boone at 704.987.5099. Weather permitting we will begin a neighborhood project to restore the pond. If you are interested in participating, please meet us at the pond at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 8 to start work. If you want to participate, but cannot make it that Saturday, please call Doug to learn about future work days. The Council of Stewards and the Landscape & Grounds Committee are also currently reviewing bids for maintenance contracts on both neighborhood fountains in order to help maintain their health and appearance. O. HENRY AVENUE – INTERESTING UPDATESunday, September 11, marked the birthday of William Sydney Porter (more commonly known by his pen name, O. Henry). In his National Public Radio (NPR) segment that Sunday, Garrison Keillor covered some of the great author’s life. Included in the discussion was mention of the fact that the “O” in O. Henry stands for “Oliver.” Even with many long days spent in high school English literature classes, I have never known what the “O” stood for. Now we all know! Thanks go to our neighbor Steve Lee for passing this interesting tidbit to us. (Where does Steve live? . . . Of course, he lives on O. Henry Avenue!) NEIGHBORHOOD RECOGNITION IN HOUSING BOOKThe New Neighborhood in Old Davidson was a featured case study for Chapter 3 (“The Detached House”) in the book Building Type Basics for Housing by Robert Chandler, John Clancy, David Dixon, Joan Goody, and Geoffrey Wooding (with Jean Lawrence) published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. in 2005. The photographs of New Neighborhood show both detached family homes and attached family townhomes. Chapter 2 (“Housing and Community”) includes a photograph of Faulkner Square as an example of public spaces projecting a compelling sense of place. We can all be proud of our neighborhood and the image we convey to our community! INFORMATION REGARDING YOUR NEWSLETTERA number of residents have inquired about newsletter articles, messages, and ads, especially in regard to deadlines for such material each month. In general, the newsletter is delivered on the first day of each month. This is sometimes impacted by holidays and sometimes by day of the week. For example, October 1 fell on a Saturday this month, but due to St. Alban’s Church activities all day, delivery was postponed until Monday, October 3. Delivery of the January newsletter is later in the first week of January due to the holiday season. Delivery will never be made on Sunday. With the first day of the month as a general delivery time, items that are to be included in the newsletter must be submitted to the editor, Dave Smith, no later than three full days before that date, and preferably, five days before that date. Occasionally, articles can be submitted 12 to 24 hours later if approximate space has been allocated for a known item or if the addition is merely a one or two line message. Time must be included to fit and format the article and to edit the entire newsletter to an even number of pages. Sometimes this is easy; sometimes it is more complex. For example, it may be more difficult to edit the newsletter for late items if pictures or photographs are planned for that particular month. The newsletter goes to the copier 24 hours prior to delivery. I hope all residents of New Neighborhood understand and feel that this newsletter is your newsletter. I welcome suggestions for future articles or topics that you think would be of interest to the neighborhood. The purpose and charge of the newsletter is to provide residents with information regarding activities and events and to act as an “official” communication tool for Association business (minutes, meeting announcements, covenant changes, standards, etc.). Please feel free to send your comments and suggestions to Dave Smith (e-mail at davidbsmith@bellsouth.net or phone 704.987.1472). Other members of the Newsletter Committee are also willing to take your input. From Dave: The October 2005 issue marks the first full year that I have served as your newsletter editor. Thanks are due to so many neighbors for your help during the past twelve months. I look forward to many more good months ahead. NEWSLETTER DELIVERY VOLUNTEERSMany thanks are due our newsletter delivery volunteers each month. The September newsletter was delivered by Tom & Barbara Doster, Nick Macos, Ron & Patti Mercer, Norm Reid, Norman Richards, Dave Smith, John & Marcia Williamson, and Chuck Womack. If you wish to volunteer, please call Dave Smith at 704.897.1472 (e-mail at davidbsmith @bellsouth.net). |