On Thursday, July 13th an open meeting was held at the Seven Lakes North Clubhouse for Seven Lakes North and South residents.
A number of comments were made to the Board of Directors regarding the recent revisions to the community rules.
“The majority of that revision that is getting everybody’s attention is just a cleanup of what was already there,” Board Member Rod Ansley said.
One main concern was the possible prohibition of garage/yard sales.
“We look at it as a security situation,” said Board Member Steve Hudson.
“I really love yard sales,” one resident commented. “I think it’s really important to get to know the community.”
“I fail to see why we need to listen to you regarding what we can and cannot do on our own property…,” another resident said. “As long as it’s legal and we aren’t hurting anybody.”
One woman suggested having non-residents place a red piece of paper on the dashboard to signify that they were only in the community for yard sale purposes.
The Board discussed the possibility of holding community yard sales twice a year to help with security.
“You actually have a problem with the way you’ve rewritten it…,” one man stated, explaining that estate sales were not the same as garage sales by definition, as used in the revision. “[I think] we [should] have two big garage sales for the community… That way the whole community is open for one day.”
Other issues were raised such as a lack of following current regulations in the community.
One man explained that a North Side resident was given approval by the ARB to have a house placed in the community that violates covenants.
“When I built my house in 2009, I submitted plans to ARB [Architectural Review Board]…,” he said. “[They were rejected] because the foundation was not completely covered with bricks. We re-did it. It cost me $3000. Lately we’re looking at these new homes and they’ve got no brick… We made a complaint and were told, ‘Oh, no. That’s never been a rule. That’s never been in writing.’ Does that mean we’re going to pick and choose which rules are going to be enforced?”
He also explained that a resident currently has an outhouse with features such as electricity, heating and air conditioning, and cable. The building is in violation of the community covenants.
“It was approved. It’s in violation [of the covenants]. It’s your job to enforce those,” he said.
Board Member Rod Ansley agreed with the resident.
“There’s not a single thing you said that I disagree with,” he said. “If we are not functioning as we should in our committees, then we need to tighten up.”
One resident made a comment in regard to the various lawn signs that have appeared on properties around the community.
“I went to management thirty-seven days ago…,” he said. “The original Declaration of Restricted Covenants states… ‘No signs of any kind can be displayed on any lot without written permission.’ I think things have got to start changing on the Board.”
One man who paid fifty dollars for trailer parking noted that many have not paid the fee and are still able to park.
“I am one of maybe ten who have registered my trailer,” he said.
The issue of speeding within the community was raised as well as how to handle the situation. It was suggested by a resident that speed bumps be put in place.
The Board is currently looking into getting potholes filled in the community.
Board Member Jared Fravel addressed the Board as a resident regarding the recent triathlon event.
“There’s been a great deal of positivity throughout the event,” he said. “I’m very thankful to the community and to the Board.”
One woman mentioned that this year a rule regarding toddlers with swimming diapers staying in the toddler pool is being enforced. She explained the risk of trying to supervise a child in the large pool from afar while staying with a toddler in the smaller pool.
“People, of course, are going to break the rule… And for those who don’t it’s not safe if you have two kids,” she said.
The Board received input from residents regarding the issue of roaming cats. A show of hands signified that the majority was not in favor of having cats roam freely in the community.
“If you have a cat, you’re responsible for him,” Ansley said.
The Board explained that the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) executed after the July 4th boating incident was effective. The spillway did not receive any structural damage from the hit – only damage to the structural housing. To read about the incident, CLICK HERE.
The Board is currently reviewing proposals from companies for the reassignment of a management company contract. They also hope to hire a dam engineer.
“It’s not going to be cheap,” they said.
Ansley proposed having a second meeting every month so the Board has an opportunity to decide on appropriate community actions sooner.
“If there is an appropriate action… we will be able to make it at that meeting,” Ansley explained. “We will be accepting input… You can clearly say, ‘I disagree.’… I do believe that we as a community are absolutely paranoid of something happening without us knowing it.”
Several residents were unhappy with the gravel placed near the clubhouse for the erosion, explaining that the Board was not being transparent with the situation.
“That was a manager taking initiative,” Ansley said. “That was as transparent as anything done.”
The Board announced that they are in the process of trying to trap a beaver at Lake Echo. Once captured, the beaver will be safely removed – not eliminated.
Spencer Ferguson announced that non-residential users of Seven Lakes’ property may be charged in the future. Residents had expressed disappointment on the Seven Lakes North & South Facebook Page in June regarding an Open Water Event in which non-residents were not charged a fee for the use of the amenities.
“I don’t have the specifics, but they are willing to provide some compensation,” Ferguson said.
“We own this property, and we have the right to charge them,” one resident stated.
