BY MAGGIE BEAMGUARD
The Seven Lakes Landowners Association, which oversees the communities of Seven Lakes North and South, shared a number of leadership and community updates at their Sept. 11 board meeting.
Some officer roles were realigned to better balance the workload. Charlotte Kennedy has assumed the role of president, in addition to continuing her work with compliances. Nanci Keating has stepped into the role of vice president. Keating is currently leading the Architectural Review Board, which recently has seen an increase in activity. Additionally, Keating will be bridging an important gap in the community’s homeowner program by creating a welcome package. It will include essential community information of interest to new buyers seeking to familiarize themselves with the SLLA, such as forms, rules, regulations, and HOA responsibilities.
The lake community was also updated regarding the bodies of water it enjoys. The board approved $15,000 for additional engineering designs for the long awaited Lake Sequoia bottom drain improvements to keep this important project moving forward.
Lake Sequoia was constructed in 1974, four years prior to a statute requiring a bottom drain. In 2019, the SLLA was informed by the NC Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) that a bottom drain would be required.
The board also checked on the progress of the Big Juniper Lake toe drain project. Toe drains help control seepage from earthen dams.
Lake water quality tests recently showed some fecal readings. The board is keeping an eye on them.
“One of the biggest contributors is goose activity around the lake,” said Kennedy in a statement. “By feeding the geese, we unintentionally encourage them to stay as year-round residents rather than the short-term visitors they are meant to be. More geese mean more waste in the water, which lowers water quality. To help protect our lake, we kindly ask neighbors to please avoid feeding the geese so they remain transient and the lake stays healthier.”
Concerns about potential zoning changes and development adjacent to Seven Lakes North prompted the formation of a new Ad Hoc Committee that will study the issue and will share updates with the community.
A town hall meeting was held on Sept. 22, at the North Club House to address the Moore County 2025 Land Use Plan currently in draft form. County Commissioner Nick Picerno participated in the town hall, which was intended to be an introductory meeting akin to a 101 Land Use Class.
The Moore County Board of Commissioners are set to reopen the public hearing on an amendment that could update the county development ordinance to allow major subdivisions in the county’s defined Gated Community Seven Lakes zoning district at their Oct. 7 meeting at 5:30 p.m. A decision on the matter was postponed indefinitely at a meeting on Aug. 19.
“We’re grateful for the involvement and support of our community and will continue working together to care for our lakes and the surrounding land we all enjoy,” said Kennedy. “The board remains committed to transparency, progress on key projects, and keeping the community informed.”
Contact Maggie Beamguard at maggie@thepilot.com.
