The architect designing a new mailhouse for Seven Lakes West has selected a site for the structure, former Director John Hoffmann reported during the Seven Lakes West Landowners Association’s [SLWLA] Tuesday, June 26 Board meeting.
Canoy Architects evaluated four possible locations for the mailhouse in and around the West Side Park Community Center [WSPCC], explained Hoffmann, who has been appointed by the Board to oversee the mailhouse and entries projects.
The site selected lies in the currently wooded area between the exit lane of Lakeway Drive and the the driveway leading into West Side Park, halfway between the swimming pool and Longleaf Drive.
“We considered many things in this decision,” said Hoffmann, “primarily, convenience and safety.”
Vehicles will be able to access the mailhouse via entrances off both Lakeway Drive and the West Side Park drive.
“We believe we have a site that will work extremely well for traffic for the long haul,” Hoffmann said.
The next step is designing the mailhouse, driveways, and parking lots. The parking lot spaces will increase from the current thirteen to at least twenty, with the option to add more in the future, Hoffmann said.
Floor plans will be available for review in two weeks, he added, noting that the lowest mailboxes will be twenty-eight inches from the floor.
At one time, the Board and Postal Service had discussed the possibility of substituting street addresses for the box numbers Westsiders currently use, but that appears unlikely. “I’m ninety-five percent sure that your PO Box number will remain exactly what it is," Hoffmann said.
Board wants Public Comment on proposed Vision Plan
The SLWLA Board has deemed the proposal to develop a Master Vision for Seven Lakes West a "matter of significant interest" to the membership, triggering a Bylaws requirement for extended public comment. A Town Hall meeting on the proposal will be held on Wednesday, July 11 at 7:00 pm in the Community Center.
Long Range Planning Director Don Freiert presented the rationale for developing a plan during Tuesday's meeting, and asked that it be deemed a matter of significant interest.
“One of the key objectives of the Board is to promote a vision for the community that takes us from a group of mergers and annexations to a Planned Community,” said Freiert. “In our view, this presents a compelling need for the community to take a fresh look at the community’s values and vision for the future.”
The Long Range Planning Committee recommends that the Association hire Clarion Associates, a consulting firm, to lead the community through the vision and planning process, at a cost of $40,000.
If the Board decides to move forward with Clarion and the project, work could begin as early as September 1 and would be completed by Summer of 2013, Freiert said.
“There have been no commitments to spend money at this time,” he assured the Board and membership. “There is nothing set in concrete.”
A description of the proposed project and options for public input have been posted on the SLWLA website.
The SLWLA Bylaws require that the Board take public input on any matter deemed to be of significant interest to the community at two separate meetings. The Board must also vote on the matter at two separate meetings.
The first of those two meetings will be Tuesday, July 10 and the second, on Tuesday, July 24, both regular Board Work Sessions. The July 11 Town Hall will provide one additional opportunity for input.
Director Dan Blue asked for more than one Town Hall on the matter. “I just want to give folks a chance,” he said.
Legal Director Jack Stevens said the two Board meetings, plus a Town Hall, allows three opportunities for the community to give input. In addition, there is an opportunity to provide input via the website.
The Board agreed that additional meetings could be held, if needed, after the three scheduled meetings.
Former Director Hoffmann asked that the community website include a link to work done by Clarion Associates.
Freiert said representatives of Clarion will attend the July 11 Town Hall to make a presentation and answer any questions from members.
If they are selected for the job, Freiert said, Clarion will:
• Develop a public participation plan involving a steering committee of twelve to fifteen representatives of the Community's various organizations.
• Include future planning and community investment initiatives such as future amenities, roads, and infrastructure.
• Review community Bylaws and architectural guidelines and make recommendations for changes to better implement the community’s plan.
• Create an illustrative master plan to scale that represents the community.
“This is not a backroom endeavor,” said Freiert, who emphasized the importance of community participation.
The Board will make a final decision on whether or not to postpone the Town Hall meeting during their Tuesday, July 10 work session.
Satellite Dish Rule Prompts Debate
The Board approved a motion by Architectural Review Committee [ARC] Director Dan Blue to amend ARC Standard 7.11.14, which deals with antennas or satellite dishes, by adding one clarification. The standard now reads:
"No antennas or satellite dishes may be installed without prior written approval from ARC. No antenna may be higher than 24” above house or roof line. No towers are allowed. Satellite dishes, 18” or less in diameter, appropriately screened from roads, neighbors’ view, lake views, and fairways must be approved as to location and screening prior to installation. Any previous satellite dishes or antennas must be removed."
Legal Director Stevens asked why members should have to pay for a permit simply to replace an existing dish disabled by, for example, a lightning strike.
“We are going to force that permit to get that fixed?” asked Stevens, “That’s not right. It’s absurd.”
“I’m not going to argue the point with you,” said Blue. “But it is still in the rules and regulations and ARC standards.” In other words, before adding the new language that Blue proposed, the standard already required a permit for a replacement dish.
Retired ARC Director John Hoffmann said the additional permit is to ensure that the new installation meets the community’s standards.
“I don’t think that’s right,” said Stevens, “I don’t think we should do that to our citizens.”
Secretary Jane Sessler also pointed out that permits are used to track which vendors are coming into the community.
Blue reiterated that the new language added to the standard aims to clarify that two antennas or satellite dishes can not be up at the same time.
Events
The Community Picnic held on June 23 was attended by over 300, reported Events Director Rosemary Weber, who proclaimed it "a tremendous success.”
The Events Committee Chair for the event was Joyce Freiert with co-chairs Tina Viscuso and Ruth Caldara. “They did a really big outstanding job,” said Weber.
On Wednesday, June 27, the Events Committee will host a “Rules of the Road" class on boat safety, beginning at 6:30 pm in the Community Center. John Alter, a senior member of the Raleigh Sail and Power Squadron, will be presenting the class, which is for both power and sail boaters. The class is free, but attendees must sign up ahead of time with either Weber or the CAS office.
The festivities for July 4 will begin at 10:00 am with a Kids Parade at West Side Park. Children are encouraged to decorate "anything on wheels," said Weber.
The Boat parade will begin at 1:00 pm. Those participating should decorate their boat in red, white, and blue and arrive at Pine Island at 12:30. Fireworks will begin at dark.
On Friday, July 6, the Johnson Point Summer Concert Series continues with a performance by the Redline Band. A 50/50 raffle will benefit the Moore County Special Olympics.
On Monday, July 9, Rich Mitchell from the North Carolina Youth Shooting Federation will give a presentation at the Community Center at 6:30 pm on the Youth Shooting Foundation, which involves fourth through twelfth graders in Sporting Clay Shooting events.
A handgun safety course will be held on August 14 at 6:30 pm at the Community Center. The event is free, those interested should sign up for the event with Weber or the CAS office.
Lake and Dam
The gravel areas on the crest of Lake Auman Dam have been paved, reported Lake and Dam Director Bruce Keyser. “They did an extremely good job,” Keyser said of the contractor.
He added that further proposed improvements to the dam area will be presented to the Board in the near future.
Keyser asked that everyone “be safety-conscious on and off the lake” for the Fourth of July weekend.
Boat patrol volunteers have been checking boats for their current registration stickers, which is required on all boats and kayaks. Those without stickers may receive a fine.
The new electronic gate has been installed at the storage area, Keyser said.
Infrastructure
The radio tower owned by Seven Lakes West will be taken down and sold, if Infrastructure Director Jim Pierman has his way.
The tower, which has Moore County as its only tenant, is one that will no longer be needed once County emergency communications are converted to the new VIPER system.
Pierman expects the County to remove their equipment from the tower in the first half of 2013. He asked that any member questions or comments about this issue be emailed to him or placed on the website.
All of the pond dams have been marked for utilities, said Pierman. All three small pond dams have water lines, as well as communication and power lines, running through them.
According to Dam Engineer Dr. Dan Marks, pressurized water running through an earthen dam is “not a good thing” since it could cause a break, Pierman explained.
“It is a serious issue,” said Pierman. “At this moment, we really don’t have a solution for it because that is the way the developers set this up.” He said he plans to discuss the issue with Moore County Public Utilities for suggestions and feedback.
Gerhard Hergenhahn told The Times that the utilities are only running through the pond dams -- and not Lake Auman Dam. “The pond dams are also streets,” said Hergenhahn.
Pierman praised the County for their work fixing a recent water main break. “The County did an absolutely super job for us fixing the water main break,” he said.
An erosion team is working with homeowners to find solution to erosion resulting from storm water runoff.
Amenities Committee
Director Weber asked that CAS obtain bids for painting the activity room, craft room, and library, as well as stripping and waxing the tile in the craft room.
A request made by CAS to replace the ice machine in the activity room and to purchase a full size refrigerator is being considered.
The Amenities Committee has decided that no reservations will be accepted for the Johnson Point gazebos during busy holidays, in an effort to ensure that all residents can use the area on those days.
The $50 fee for pool passes for nannies will be waived from now on, Weber announced. Those who have paid the fee for the year will be reimbursed.
Other Business
Other business conducted during the SLWLA Board’s Tuesday, June 26 meeting included:
• During member comments, Westsider Jim Ballew asked about the status of the rail crossing project that was to be completed this year. Freiert explained that it will be done by early 2013. The project is currently in the design phase, and, once the design is approved, it can take ninety days for contracts and equipment to be ordered before work can begin.
• Treasurer Don Freiert reported that $250,000 was placed in a money market fund with Merrill Lynch, $95,000 was reinvested into a step up callable CD with Harris Bank and $100,000 was invested in a step up callable CD with United Community Bank. “We will continue to look at our cash flow and adjust our funds accordingly,” said Freiert.
• Community Manager Jeanette Mendence reported that the front exit gate was repaired after someone had “crashed” into it. Locks at Johnson Point were replaced, a new American flag has been put up, and light bulbs on Pier B have been fixed. The gazebo has also been cleaned and will be sprayed for spiders said Mendence.
• Seven Lakes EMS is hosting a cookbook fundraiser project, Sessler reported, and is soliciting recipes for the project. In addition, anyone who wants their phone number listed in the EMS telephone directory or has any changes to their current information should contact them.
• Sessler said the Community Reps have initiated a Neighbor to Neighbor program to welcome new residents to the community.
• Mendence reported that the Community Center emergency fire lights have been repaired; the room in which the Lake Auman Sports Club stores fish food room was cleared out and cleaned up; and the upstairs air conditioner has been repaired.
• Safety and Security Director Jim McCarthy was absent from Tuesday’s meeting.
