CAT MOUNTAIN VIEW
MAY 2016
VOLUME 4, NUMBER 5
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE Summer is almost here and while the weather is cool many of you are outside making improvements to your homes and landscaping. We’ve had a number of projects start without approval or consideration by the Environmental Control Committee (ECC). This is creating a huge issue for the ECC members who are often pressured to rush the reviews thru the process, which is not in keeping with our Bylaws. They are volunteers just as we Board members are. Some days they spend 4 or more hours trying to sort thru things so that contractors don’t have to stop work. The Declaration of Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions (CCR’s) attached to your title give the ECC 15 days to meet to discuss any proposed changes, then a full 30 days to render a decision. It also gives the Association the legal authority to reject changes and remove modifications made without ECC approval, we don’t ever want to end up there, but it has happened. This spring there seems to be many residents electing to install solar panels and while most solar panel companies know they need approval from HOA’s, some don’t seem to care. Recent legislation allows residents to install solar but how and where it is installed is still controlled by the HOA’s CCR’s which are attached to your deed. We want to encourage the neighborhood to embrace solar power but we need to be part of the process, so please keep this in mind as you consider exterior modifications to your property. If you speak to a contractor selling solar and they don’t ask about the HOA, it is your responsibility to let us know. The ECC forms are on the website. As a reminder, please don’t trim oaks between January and July as they are at risk for Oak Wilt disease. The oak wilt is spread by sap beetles that are attracted to fresh cuts on the trees and all they have to do is walk across the open cut to spread the Oak Wilt Fungus. From there the disease can spread via roots from tree to tree, wiping out whole blocks in a matter of a few months. As I have walked around the neighborhood recently, I’ve noticed there are a few yards in the neighborhood that have been neglected this spring; if you are having trouble finding good yard contractors, contact Jesse or look up Pro-Scape, they have done a wonderful job Copyright © 2016 Peel, Inc.
maintaining our neighborhood over the years. The weather should be warm enough to start swimming soon, we hope to do some cleanup around the pool this month and things should be set to go by the first of May. Please see the manager’s report in this issue for more information regarding the pool. As the end of the school year approaches, we would like to remind you that the clubhouse is available for graduation parties. Please contact Jesse if you are interested in renting the clubhouse and the clubhouse use agreement form is available to download from the website. Looking forward to a fun summer! Best Regards, Bryan Harter Cat Mountain HOA | President
Reminder to Homeowners Making House/Yard Repairs or Updates You Must Get ECC Approval First! Are you planning to do any house/yard repairs or updates this year? Don’t forget that the Environmental Control Committee (ECC) must approve all changes and planned improvements made. Why do I have to get things approved? We have a charge in the Cat Mt HOA Bylaws that directs the ECC to review and approve any alterations to existing homes, landscaping, alterations to lots (as retaining walls, AC units), and new construction. Basically, this includes all changes you want to make to the exterior of your home or yard—not the interior unless it changes something on the outside. Article XI, Section 2, defines the Environmental Control Committee rules for the process of approval “…The ECC shall meet within fifteen (15) days after an Owner has made application to it for approval, submitting at that time two (Continued on Page 3) Cat Mountain View - May 2016
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