Change.
It’s a word that immediately evokes some sense of apprehension in most of us. What kind of change? What does this mean to me and my family? Why can’t things just stay the same? Your Board of Directors has been reviewing many things over the last several months as we’ve transitioned out of summer and are preparing for fall. This has included updating several of our ongoing contracts; establishing or reestablishing our professional relationships with our new management company and our attorney; critically examining our pool committee recommendations and determining how to move forward with Homeowners making the final decision; evaluating traffic safety within our subdivision and re-setting our enforcement priorities with the emphasis turning decidedly to safety first. We have seen much success and progress in all these areas and others.
Also covered in just about every monthly meeting and by multiple BOD members outside the meetings were the tremendous amount of deed restrictions violations either observed directly or reported. This may not apply to you directly, but it does to someone you know or someone on your street. You may follow all the rules to help keep our subdivision pristine and orderly, but you undoubtedly know or have seen neighbors who do not. For the most part, I’m talking about relatively simple or small things here that have a tremendous adverse effect on what MNW looks like and how it is perceived by people driving or walking through our community.
MNW deed restrictions state that two days a week our garbage, recyclables and lawn waste will be picked up. Accordingly, Homeowners are directed to place their items for collection at the curb no earlier than evening of the days prior to the pickup days. Additionally, on a regular basis, refuse containers should be stored such that they are not visible from the street. All, or most of us, have seen neighbors who blatantly disregard this restriction. For example, if their yard people cut the grass and trim the trees on Tuesday and place the yard waste cans or plastic bags at the curb, the homeowners leave them right there until they are picked up Thursday. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon to drive down any street of our subdivision on non-pickup days, and see yard waste and trash containers sitting at the curb.
We’ve all seen our share of neighbors who post advertising signs on display in their front yards. In an isolated case, we have a neighbor who placed high wattage light bulbs on the property. These interfere with the vision of passing drivers as well as annoy and inconvenience those who live nearby and must endure this glaring light all night. We probably all know at least one neighbor or MNW resident whose garages and driveways are so filled up with other items, they park all their personal cars on the street, further narrowing streets that are not wide in the first place, congesting traffic when more than one car at a time must pass and forcing pedestrians to walk near the center of the road to get around.
I could go on with examples, but I think the point has been made. And, based on the homeowners’ attendance at monthly meetings to complain, I think most would agree there is an issue. That issue involves our deed restrictions and our enforcement posture. And therein lies the upcoming change. To this point, the BOD has been fairly accommodating with respect to violations. If we are to address homeowners’ concerns and elevate our community to where we believe it should be, deed restrictions should and must be enforced impartially and fairly. Your BOD is currently in the process of examining our past practices with respect to deed restriction enforcement. Working with our new management company and our legal advisors, we are striving to find ways to evenly, consistently, and compassionately enforce the restrictions as they are written.
As articulated so well by 3rd Vice President Ryan Pyle, it is the responsibility of ALL of us to ensure MNW is the best community it can be. By adhering to the guidelines, by talking with your neighbors about matters that may bother you, we truly can make this a better place.
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