Thursday, May 12, 2022 at 7 pm via Zoom
Community updates
- Q&A with Erin Gable, covenants advisor, RA
- Garbage Bin enclosures
- Garbage Enclosures
- Board – The garbage enclosures are too small for more modern units and for the proper circulation needed for them. We need to address changes that need to be made to the guidelines.
- Erin – Hiring an architect is a good idea if the board deems it necessary or if there is someone in the neighborhood that is willing to volunteer their time. This is a good idea because it will help to keep up the look of the house for something that is needed.
- Board – The goal would be to have the architect look around to see what design will get the most people in compliance as possible. For the HVAC we need to enlarge them for space but we still may also need them to be open for the proper airflow. The draft idea shows about 3 feet open at the top with a decoration.
- Erin – There isn’t anything like this in Reston. That’s not to say it is not approvable., but there may be concerns about materials and upkeep and maintenance. Making it larger won’t be an issue. The only possible issue is the decorative screen. However, Wheelwright has a mid century contemporary architecture. So doing something outside of that could be detrimental to the character of the neighborhood. There are options to keep in the style and the feel of the architecture of the community. There can be decorative options, but it should match the style of the neighborhood. Any grid shaped design would probably fit better than a lattice design.
- Door Overhang Cover
- Board – We would also ask the architect to come up with a plan to cover the door areas of houses. We want an option to cover the overhang that doesn’t include plastic being hung up under or over but also allows for proper drainage.
- Erin – Reston has a couple of communities with the open board cover but not a lot of alternatives to that, such as the plastic on top or underneath. A permanent solution will require a full DRB with a panel review.
- Decks
- Board – We have been working on options to update the decks to include Trex or other composite material. As well as options for staining the tails to match the natural weathered wood. What kind of options are there for that?
- Erin – Based on the RA guidelines you are allowed to have composite boards on the floor and the cocktail rail of the deck regardless of the cluster guidelines. For the stain color there are multiple options that you can look to adopt. The standards could be written to say composite material is allowed for all elements so that no stain would be needed. Or it could be written that the deck can be composed of all wood or a combination of the two. Then add that decks must be constructed and stained to be one color, or give the option for composite decking and leave the wood to weather naturally.
- Design Guideline Compliance
- Board – Have other clusters redesigned their exteriors, and if they have what would you suggest in terms of compliance? Would we say here is what we are approving and we need everyone to be compliant in a certain amount of time or that when you are making substantial updates that is when you need to make this change?
- Erin – When you change your exterior design elements, the way that you enforce compliance is either by putting a deadline on it, or when you are at a stage where you need to redesign or when you sell you need to comply with the new design or if there is substantial repair and replacement of the structure. More flexibility is typically preferred.
- Garbage Enclosures
- Garbage Bin enclosures
- Repaving parking lots – asphalt alternatives
- Board – Has the RA ever considered asphalt alternatives?
- https://www.truegridpaver.com/parking-lot-alternatives/
- Erin – It is not currently on anyone’s radar but it could be good to get the environmental group on this. RA doesn’t own a lot of asphalt spaces other than small parking lots so this isn’t something that comes up very often. However, alternatives to asphalt and alternative parking materials is “Reston” sounding. Look into it but don’t spend the money on getting a bid. See if it looks practical and if it is meaningful to us as a cluster.
- Reserve Study
- Mason and Mason has a focus on the asphalt which is definitely a concern for our neighborhood.
- It is a 20 year prospectus vs a 30 year prospectus that the other 3 companies offer
- PM Plus reserve even gives the option of a 50 year prospectus and would meet with you 3 times before charging extra.
- For Mason and Mason, if they need to call an engineering specialist that is billable above what they are giving us as a proposal. Whereas the other 2 have specialists on staff and if they don’t it will be at their expense.
- Reserve advisor has other Reston clients and are familiar with the area
- Mason and Mason didn’t include that but basically said our reserve doesn’t have anything to do with the other neighborhoods.
- Between Mason and Mason and PM+
- What exactly is included in the asphalt report from Mason and Mason?
- Landscaping and erosion may be an extra specialist which is a big issue in our neighborhood
- Kelly to reach out to see how likely it is for mason and mason to have to go out and get specialist outside of the scope
- Speed bumps
- Good to move forward with the option Sandy provided. We have considered the possible noise impact on the new speed bumps but think it is important for safety. It is not a permanent speed bump so if it is too loud we can try to find a better place for it or remove it entirely if it is too much.
- We will determine the cost and then will vote. Also recommend speed bump signs. May need to ask lawyers how much signage is needed and what regulations apply
- RA’s last meet and greet
- Meet & Greet – Site Lighting – this past Monday, May 9th.
- It is a county change to have sky friendly lights that do not send light into the atmosphere.
- It doesn’t impact our cluster as much as it does other clusters that have shoebox lighting. Those are outdated and will need to change their entire fixture. We have the colonial style. The new fixture will not have panes.
- Cyndi asked a question about how bright the light is for the community. No panes could be ok with lower lumen light.
- Meet & Greet – Site Lighting – this past Monday, May 9th.
- Concrete
- Walk through date?
- Sidewalk by the bus stop that is sunken
- Looked at the area in front of Jill’s house where the sidewalk has been humped by the root system of the tree. Tree root system will need to be worked on. Is it worth it to save that tree especially when we constantly have issues with the tree?
- Look to add in the area by the light pole near Kristina’s house. There is a dip and it will pool with water
- Walk through date?
- Pets
- There has been an increase in pet droppings not being picked up throughout the neighborhood.
- It is within the Fairfax County Laws that all dogs need to be leashed at all times and also must be picked up after.
- Violation of these rules can lead to impoundment of pets and incursion of fines. Neighbors also have the option to call animal control when these rules are not followed.