Welcome Summer! Sunshine, Vacations, Neighbors & Being Outdoors Doing Yardwork Too.
May has passed by quickly with great weather and more to come in June beginning with this week. For those that walk, this is a great time to say hello to new neighbors that have moved into the neighborhood and introduce yourselves. During this time also with Covid restrictions being lifted families are excited about a much better Summer 2021 planning vacations or going to local events around Whatcom County. Also, thanks to the many neighbors that have been taking great care of their yards with lawn mowing, weeding, trimming, landscaping improvements, and more too.
Homeowner Reminders:
Homeowners need to remember that summer brings many tasks that need to be done in the summer. Keep in mind that before you start projects around your property that you need to follow the CC & R’s for many projects and complete the necessary paperwork for approval for BEFORE STARTING THEM AS HOMEOWNERS ARE NOT HAPPY TO HAVE TO REMOVE OR CHANGE THINGS THAT ARE NOT APPROVED BY THE BOARD OR HAVE HAPPENED WITH A HOMEOWNER STATING THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW THE RULES.
If you need some good reading material this summer, it is a suggestion for newer homeowners and even long term homeowners to read the CC& R’s. Here are a few items that homeowners need to think ahead about so that they have enough time for submitting their requests for review by the HOA Board of Directors before beginning a project and to realize the board members are volunteers and it takes time to review submissions, especially in the summer time. Also, plan ahead and sometimes it can take up to 30 days even though the board tries to review sooner, but do not assume it is a quick reply by any means.
If homeowners are planning some of these improvements or changes you need to get approval first and make this part of your timeline for your plans:
- Painting Your Home
- Building a Shed (on property that is approved to do so)
- Building a Fence (on property that is approved to do so)
- Adding Any Structure That is In View of the Golf Course
- Changing Front Yard Landscapes That Are More Than Planting a Few Plants or Shrubs
- Adding Any Building Structure or Changes to Your Home
- Plus, Many More Too
In the last several months the board has been reviewing requests (with all the proper attached documentation before it is reviewed with the submission) and wants to give a thank you to those that have submitted requests and remained patient for replies back.
For those that have not submitted requests before a project, neighbors question and contact the board members or other neighbors will ask questions and they have a right to do so. In respect to all HOA neighbors, the board follows up on all inquiries as we work in the best interest of the HOA to question any homeowner’s changes that need to be questioned.
Keep in mind, all requests initially need to be sent to Judy Hamner with the completed forms, attachments, and documentation such as photos too. Please send to her email at: [email protected] as all requests are logged in for proper record keeping through the Elite Management Office and then forwarded on to the board members for review.
A Few Summer Blaine Announcements:
As more local Covid restrictions are lifted and things return to some forms of normalcy the good news is that Blaine will be having their July 4th Fireworks; plus, some limited activities in downtown Blaine celebrating family activities. Also, just a reminder for Loomis Trail homeowners if you are planning a July 4th gathering at your home there are no fireworks allowed in the neighborhood.
Another announcement for families or guests coming to town, the Birch Bay Waterslides announced today they will open the waterslides on June 19th which is great news!
Safety and Driving in the Neighborhood:
Please be very cautious driving the speed limit in the neighborhood, especially on Castlerock Drive as more families and children are out and about and have reported some drivers going faster than the 15 mph speed limit. Please share with your families too if you have other younger drivers in the household not reading this information.
Also, it has been reported by neighbors in Sienna Court that with the increased traffic at the golf course, some vehicles leaving the golf course are not paying attention to the speed they are going and there have been some near vehicle accidents. Please drivers proceed very carefully after stopping at the stop sign at the east gate and pay close attention of the entering traffic coming from the golf course.
Garage Sale Update from the May Newsletter Announcement:
So far, there are two interested homeowners that want to participate in the Loomis Trail once a year garage sale. If anyone else is interested, please email me at [email protected] as August will be here soon and a date needs to be selected before the July newsletter for proper planning. Also, a Chairperson has to come forward and at this time, the two participants are not interested in taking the lead for proper planning of this event. Keep in mind, two neighbors could combined their treasures for the garage sale too if someone feels they do not have enough to put out to sale.
In past years, the garage sales in the neighborhood have been very successful in regards to sales. The biggest concern is parking as visitors can only park in the pullouts and driveways, and not on the grass so this is why proper planning is necessary for a chairperson to provide to the board the necessary steps and precautions that will be taken.
Thanks HOA Neighbors For Being Good Neighbors:
Please continue to get to know your neighbors as many do not have family close by. Sometimes, when you have not seen a neighbor for a while you may wonder where they are. We continue to have many neighbors with health issues that have been short term and long term health concerns. Reach out and ask if there is anything you can do when you see a neighbor in need of possible help.
Also, please if planning any large summer event at your home where many vehicles will be coming, it is your responsibility to request friends and family to park in the pull outs or your driveway. If your event is larger, please inform your neighbors as a neighborly kind gesture too as they may too be having an event the same day. Vehicles cannot be parked on any grass boulevards. In a few situations when necessary for larger gatherings, cars can be parked ONLY on one side of the road. Our neighborhood continues to have many EMT, Fire, and Ambulances coming through the neighborhood at all times of the day and evening even weekly. They need to be able to get through safely and quickly.
Also, with people moving in and out of the neighborhood please make sure moving trucks are informed as well of parking rules. More importantly, all vendor trucks and landscapers that homeowners hire need to be instructed that they too need to park in the pull out parking spaces or a home owners driveway.
Homes Continue to Sale In the Neighborhood and More Coming on the Market in June:
For those of you watching the real estate market in our neighborhood and throughout the nation, homes in our neighborhood are selling for the most part quickly with multiple offers, and great prices. Our new neighbors are moving in from Washington as well as many out of state buyers. Please continue to keep your homes and landscaping maintained throughout the year. Also, thanks to the highly visible lots for their continued efforts in keeping your lots mowed weekly too since the grass grows very fast.
Landscaping Needs:
Several homeowners are fortunate to either be able to maintain their landscaping needs on their own or hire landscaping companies to maintain their yards weekly. For some neighbors it has been difficult to find landscapers because businesses are thriving and they can no longer take on new customers. If you are going to be out of town or leave for an extended period of time, now is the time to find a landscaper and plan ahead. For some of our neighbors that have had health issues they have struggled to find reliable help too.
The good news is just yesterday a neighbor was finally able to get someone to come mow their yard even on a holiday on Memorial Day after trying for a month to get someone to do it. I want to give kudos to Lucas Pitsch of LP Landscaping. He does landscaping and mini excavation work in Whatcom County. He can be reached for a free estimate at 360-296-4646 and did a neighbor’s home on Ashbury Court and they were very pleased with his service, professionalism, and coming right on time after trying unsuccessfully to get someone to even return calls, as that is how busy some companies are right now as they are maxed out with work.
Computer Referral Needs:
If anyone knows of a great computer person that I can list in the newsletter for homeowners to call when in need of setting up a new computer system, assisting someone with trouble shooting problems, or computer tutoring in their own home please send your information so that this can be shared and the hourly fee and contact information so I can list this in the next newsletter.
Board Members and BOD Meetings to Resume in July 2021:
Now that Covid restrictions have been lifted the Board of Directors will be meeting formally face to face again for meetings after over a year and a half. Meetings will be posted once the board members finalize dates, schedules, and a location to meet so hopefully this will be finalized for announcing in the next newsletter so neighbors can plan on attending them too.
I want to thank all the board members for their efforts so far in 2021 for their time and effort as they know too well all the emails that they have had to read, respond to, and act on. Many thanks too Ryan Barnes, Doug Moore, Kevin Cavanaugh, and Heather Jackson. Also, to all the work that Judy Hamner does for our HOA too as she makes things stay on track with the never ending needs and questions that come her way!
July Newsletter Submissions:
Please send news submissions, photos for the newsletter, and news announcements no later than June 25, 2021 to me at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Kathy Barnes
Secretary of the BOD and Newsletter Volunteer
[email protected]
Cover photo: Aaron Rockwell