From Your Homeowner Liaison

By Sonja Perez, CAAM, CMCA SRCA Homeowner Liaison

SRCA Common Walls Spring will be here soon and with a little rain and warmer weather plants and trees will begin to grow at a rapid pace. We would like to remind residents who share a common wall with SRCA ensure any trees and or plants are trimmed up and away from the wall.

It is homeowner responsibility to cut back landscaping from any wrought iron fencing and block walls for which the Association has maintenance and painting responsibilities (Please refer to the CC&Rs, Article IV, Section 2, Sub-section (q) (vi)).

We ask all residents who share a wall with HOA common area, to check their parameter landscape and trim any vegetation away from the shared common wall on their property to prevent it from hanging over into the common area.

In return, please contact the SRCA office if there is a tree in the common area growing over the shared wall into your property or if you are unsure of wall responsibility.

Trimming Along Lake Serena Whether a property along the lake is maintained by an individual homeowner or a sub-association, it is crucial that all landscape and landscape debris be kept out of the lake. Trimmings of grass, vegetation and palm trees along the lake’s edge need to be bagged and disposed of and not allowed to fall into the lake. Landscape trimmings that fall into the lake strengthens algae growth that disrupts the balance of the lake’s eco system. This creates additional expense to the association to treat to keep the balance in check. The Association intends to levy a $150 fine, per occurrence, against any Member or sub-association dumping anything, including grass clippings and landscaping debris, into Lake Serena. SRCA will also seek recovery of any costs incurred by the Association against any, Member or ancillary association that dumps anything into Lake Serena. The diligence of resident and community association landscapers is appreciated.

Shared Party Walls It is important that all property owners monitor their vegetation along shared walls with neighboring properties. Repairing wall damage caused by neglected trees and vegetation and having to perform a major trim can be costly. It is less expensive to take the time for preventative trimming maintenance and catch any damage to property early. It is prudent to have trees trimmed every one to two years, depending on species, than have a massive costly trimming every five years.

As a property owner, you have a responsibility to maintain your property, whether you are here annually, seasonally or you rent your property. Be a good neighbor and take the time to assess areas of your property that are shared with your neighbor.

If you own property that borders a public sidewalk, it is important to monitor vegetation planted outside your perimeter wall along the sidewalk. Please keep in mind that it is not only a violation of HOA rules but City code to impede or block a public right-of-way. Please keep plants trimmed so they don’t encroach the sidewalk.

It is encouraged to schedule trimming to coincide with the City of Scottsdale’s bulk trash pickup for Area 1. The pickup schedule is posted on the SRCA website, www.scottsdaleranch.org and the City’s website, www.scottsdaleaz.gov. Please keep in mind, per SRCA rules, bulk trash may only be placed out for pick up 5 days prior to the week pick up is scheduled to begin.

If you have any questions regarding SRCA rules, please reach out to me at 480-860-2022 or sperez@scottsdaleranch.org.