From the ACC Chairman
Fellow Spring Lake Farm Residents:
Our community stays wonderful because of the effort each of us makes to keep our homes and our neighborhood looking great. Our common commitment to each other is reflected in our Home Owners Association (HOA) Declaration of Covenants, particularly Article VIII (Restrictive Covenants). Key tenets include:
• Section 6. Exterior of the structure kept in good maintenance and repair (some particular recurring concerns to focus on are: pressure wash dirt/mold/mildew from siding, repair rotting wood trim, repair/paint worn trim/doors/shutters, ensure working lights in light posts).
• Section 9. Lots must be maintained in a neat and attractive manner (in addition to lawns and bushes/shrubbery, remember curbs/grass growing in cracks, and trim back the trees/shrubs impeding walking on our common sidewalks).
• Section 10. Boats, trailers, trucks, temporary structures, or portable vehicles other than automobiles shall not be parked forward of the home (place them in your garage if you need to keep them in the area).
• Section 12. Trash containers cannot be in clear public view from the street, other than
Pet owners, please observe basic courtesy and clean up after your pet in others’ yards, the park and common areas, and on the sidewalk. Most do, but…
Neighborhood Watch. We all need to keep alert! We want to revitalize our Spring Lake Farm Neighborhood Watch. All residents are encouraged to consider helping – it will run more efficiently if we have more eyes; during the day as well as nights and weekends. At the last Annual Meeting, First Sergeant Gibbons of Stafford Sheriff’s Office state we are our own best defense, since we know what is and is not out of place here at Spring Lake Farm. If you have suggestions or want to volunteer, please contact the HOA (www.springlakefarm.org then from the “Board of Directors” tab at the top select “Contact Us”). We are open to any suggestions, and want to get to know each other better - Potlucks? Quarterly gatherings at the gazebo? Let us know!
See Something, Say Something -- Stafford Sheriff Non-Emergency Number * (540) 658-4400
Unlicensed motor vehicles (motocross bikes, etc.)
cannot be operated on Virginia/VDOT roadways, and motorized vehicles are prohibited from our HOA common areas (park/lake, drainfield, etc.). Please call the Sheriff – they are prepared to respond if it occurs.
Communications . For occasional information and updates:
• “Like Us” on the Spring Lake Farm Facebook page; and/or
• Sign up for HOA email at www.springlakefarm.org (select “Board of Directors” at the top, and then select “Email Sign Up”)
Exterior Modifications. Remember that before any work can begin the Architectural Control Committee (ACC) must review and approve exterior modification applications – for projects such as siding/shutters, roofing, sun-rooms, fencing, and any other exterior modification. This applies to storm damage repairs, such as the recent hail storm. The HOA emphasis is on ensuring consistency with the by-laws, and current color schemes and styles of the community. By ensuring that we document and complete this requirement for ALL work, it allows the HOA the basis to take action if there were an unapproved modification made that was detrimental to the overall community….it is a process we must manage.
• Projects must be approved, in order for the HOA to certify for future sale of your home – that it is in compliance with by-law requirements (a mandated requirement of closing).
• You can find the Exterior Modification Request application at the HOA website (springlakefarm.org).
• We request you provide at least 30 days notification, though we make every attempt to provide a response as quickly as we can.
Annual HOA Assessments.
• Our HOA assessments are only $220 for the entire year – they are kept low thanks to the volunteer nature of our HOA Board and activities. Thanks to all who assist.
• Remember, the annual bill will be mailed to you from BB&T in June, covering the period of July of 20XX – June 20XX. Once you receive your bill, consider setting up automatic payments (go to www.springlakefarm.org, then select the “Payments” tab at the top).
• The payment is due in July. Please ensure timely payment of the assessment.
• Delinquent Assessments. Please pay. The volunteer HOA Board does not have the time to run these down, and is proceeding with fines/fees, collections, and court actions against those owing more than one year. Once accounts are sent to the attorney for collection: (a) the attorney fees and court costs are applied, and are MUCH greater than the modest annual bill; and (b) the HOA cannot reverse the fees, once referred to the attorney.
Remember that the speed limit in the sub-division is 25 MPH.
It’s a safety issue for our children and each other.
Thank you for what you do to make Spring Lake Farm a great community!