Newsletter April/May 2017

Transcription

1 Whitcomb Place Homeowners Association Newsletter April/May 2017 Whitcomb Place Homeowners Association PO Box 2222 Tarpon Springs FL Web: Greetings from the Board of Directors WPHOA Homeowners continue to tell us that their #1 request to the Board is that we enforce the Association s Deed Restrictions (Rules) in order to keep our community a desirable place to live, which enhances home values as well. To that end, fines have been assessed on problem properties and legal action has been initiated to collect fines. NOTE: Homeowners should be aware that the Association Rules and Florida law both require certain procedures to protect homeowners rights, which the Board follows closely, in consultation with the Association s legal counsel. These procedures provide for notice of violations with an opportunity for the homeowner to correct violations, and an opportunity to be heard as to any defenses the homeowner may think they have. In order to get to the point of assessing and collecting fines, the homeowner has to have ignored multiple requests for compliance over a long period of time.

2 2 HOA RULES, CITY ORDINANCES AND HOW THEY MAY OVERLAP: Based on questions from homeowners at the recent HOA meeting. Examples of who to call, to report a violation, are shown below. 1. Vehicle parking - Parking a vehicle on a street facing the wrong direction CITY Parking a vehicle across a sidewalk CITY AND HOA Parking a vehicle on any grass HOA Parking a vehicle on the street overnight HOA Nuisances, which include loud vehicles CITY & HOA 2. Door-to-Door Solicitation - Whitcomb Place has a no solicitation sign on the entrance. While most solicitation may be harmless, please be aware that this is also a method used to find out who is home and who is not. If you are uncomfortable with a solicitor, ask them to show you their City Permit that allows them to solicit. When they can t produce that, tell them that you will call the police. FOR CITY ISSUES TARPON SPRINGS POLICE FOR HOA ISSUES STEVE OGLE/ TOUCAN PROPERTY MGT If you call the City, they should respond by sending a police officer to either chat with the offender or issue a ticket. If you call the HOA Property Manager, they will respond by contacting the homeowner to discuss the matter and request compliance with the rules. If there is non-compliance, violation letters will be issued and if necessary, fines will be assessed by the board to gain compliance. We often see confusion as to what rules are designated by our HOA and what rules or laws are made by the city of Tarpon Springs. If there is ever a question please contact Toucan Property Management.

3 3 Message from our Property Manager Maintaining Your Yards As you know by looking around the neighborhood, there are variations in how good or bad some yards look. The Association Rules require that the house and property be maintained in a neat and aesthetically pleasing and proper condition. For the most part yards that look bad are simply due to lack of proper maintenance, including watering, weeding and not removing live oak acorns and leaves which leads to dead grass. As to watering, working irrigation systems are required by the Association Rules. Yards do not have to be all grass. Being creative with landscaping, you can use a variety of plants and edging materials, and then incorporate nature friendly accents like rocks and cactus etc. If you are having difficulty keeping up with your grass lawn, consider replacing some of these areas with a more natural less water needy ideas. Remember though that a natural landscape has to meet the same neat and aesthetically pleasing and proper condition requirements. For example, weeds would need to be controlled in all manner of landscaping. Landscape photo ideas and a link to an interactive website is available on the Newsletter on the HOA website. Identify the Florida-friendly plants, including Florida native plants that will work in your yard or landscape design. The database contains a list of recommended trees, palms, shrubs, flowers, groundcovers, grasses and vines developed by University of Florida/IFAS horticulture experts. The plants included in the database are available at nurseries throughout Florida.

4 4 Hospital Volunteer Opportunities Our Florida Hospital North Pinellas in Tarpon Springs is looking for volunteers! They are a 4 hour shift working the front desk, the gift shop and the Café. Volunteer positions are also available working the information desk on the surgery floor. If you have a few hours to spare during the day and you are looking for a way to lend a helping hand, your help would be greatly appreciated. Most volunteers work just one 4 hour shift per week. If you have a smile and can lend a hand come on down and make a difference! Our neighbor Patricia Groothuis is a volunteer and hopes you will be able to help. Contact: North Pinellas Hospital Ask for Carole Upham NEXT HOA MEETING Monday May 1st at 7PM at Church on the Bayou Presbyterian Church. 409 Whitcomb Blvd. Tarpon Springs FL HOA meeting is held in the building behind the main sanctuary building. Visitor concerns will be held at the beginning of the meeting. Process for Complaints and Concerns The WPHOA works with the Property Manager to create a fair process in dealing with complaints and concerns. This process involves several levels and many different people including the Property Manager, the Architectural Committee and the Board. Every complaint and concern goes through the same process assuring fairness to all. If you would like to report a concern or complaint you can contact: Steve Ogle at Toucan Property Management via or phone. steven@toucanpm.com Sincerely, Your Whitcomb Place Board of Directors

5 5 UPCOMING EVENTS IN WHITCOMB PLACE LADIES SOCIAL NIGHT Our main theme each month is to come together, socialize and share ideas. In March we enjoyed a luncheon at Currents Restaurant in downtown Tarpon Springs. Whether you are new to the neighborhood or have lived here for 20 years, come and meet your neighbors, we have a great time together. April Meeting Greek Dance Lessons Men- you are invited! Ladies, we are going to ask you to bring your spouse or significant other. We already have a few committed to coming. Host: Sandy Ballard Marie Kouskoutis Where: Kalymnian Society Clubhouse 42 W Morgan St. Tarpon Springs When: Tuesday April 25th 7:00pm What to bring: If you are able, bring a desert or appetizer to share. To RSVP and Directions: Call or Text Sandy Ballard Our very own neighbor Marie Kouskoutis has agreed to share and teach us some Greek dances. We live in a community where the Greek culture is prominent and thought it would be a great way to embrace our local culture. Please join us for a night of music, laughter and fun. Ladies Social Night - May Meeting No meeting in May BUNCO April Host: Sandy Bailey Where: 987 Ridgewood Terrace. When: Saturday April 29 th 7pm Bring a light appetizer or dessert to share. BUNCO May Date to be determined- Call for more information This is an event for both guys and gals. We have a great time together! To RSVP or if you are new and would like to be a regular or a sub please contact Judy Meeder at to be added to the list. BOOK CLUB April - May No Book Club is scheduled If you would like to host a book club please call Sandy Ballard at NEIGHBORHOOD APRIL GARAGE SALE - CANCELED

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