Next Board Meeting - 17 Dec | 13 Dec 2020
Dear GCA member,

Here is your GCA newsletter. As always, we want to hear your feedback.

GCA Board of Directors

Virtual GCA Board Meetings for December
The next GCA Board meeting via GoToMeeting is on 17 Dec from 7 to 9 PM. By joining the "virtual" meeting you can listen to the proceedings from start to finish. If the Board schedules an executive session, the general meeting will end and the Board will meet separately to discuss contract and/or legal issues. The agenda is attached here. The agenda and Board packet are published on the Glenmore website ahead of the meetings, and the meeting minutes are also posted.

If you want to participate in the Board meeting, contact Tim Durrer at 434-984-0700 or click here for information regarding the GoToMeeting link.
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Reducing GCA Costs ... Request GCA Materials be Delivered Electronically rather than by US Mail
According to the VA Property Owners' Association Act, (§ 55.1-1815, Section G.. Access to association records; association meetings; notice.), notices for the annual meeting must be sent by US Mail or sent to Association members by electronic mail, provided that the member has elected to receive such notice by electronic mail.

In 2019, our cost to reproduce materials and mail them to residents was $8,037. In order to reduce costs, we are asking members if they choose to receive materials by email in lieu of US Mail. If you want to receive the materials electronically (by email), please send an email to Megan Burch by clicking here. Include the words "Electronic Delivery" in the subject line. You will need to include your name and address in the email for our records.

Thanks
The GCA Board
Safety Sidewalks Update #3

The Engineering Design work for the safety sidewalks on Newbridge and Farringdon Roads has begun. You may have seen the placement of wooden stakes with blue and white ribbons. These stakes are 'control points' (reference locations) that the surveyors are using to establish the layout of the entire area. You will see them of both sides of the roads and they are somewhat randomly placed. These stakes do not in any way represent the location of the sidewalk. The surveyors need to be able to see each stake from the previous stake location in a straight-line manner. As such the stakes are placed in a zig zag pattern along the winding roads due to the limited line of sight. The surveyors then locate these positions using a variety of techniques including laser and GPS coordinates. They will also use other landmarks along the roads such as fire hydrants, mailbox posts, electric boxes and others to establish a complete overview of the area. Please do not remove these markers as they are vital for the Engineers to perform their work. Within the next weeks you will also start to see Miss Utility markings that identify the location of public utilities (sanitary sewer, electric, cable, water).
   
Project timeline....The Design phase of the project will take 2 to 3 months to complete. The bulk of that time is associated with Albemarle County Engineering reviews and approvals. The first review will take place in mid-December and is anticipated to be an overview of the project with the County Engineering staff. As the Chief County Engineer has been aware of the project for some time we anticipate that this first review will be uneventful. There may be one or two more detailed reviews with the County before final approval is granted. "But the roads in Glenmore are private roads. Why do we need any County approvals for our roads and sidewalks?" All County infrastructure (roads, sidewalks, bridges, parks, etc) fall under the County Engineering department whether they are public or private. The output of the approved design will be detailed drawings of the sidewalks and all work required by the County to authorize installing the sidewalk. At that point we will submit Requests for Quote (RFQ) to qualified paving companies for a fixed cost to perform all the necessary work. The Board of Directors will then review the bids submitted by the paving companies.

In the next newsletter we'll discuss the current budgeting provisions established by the Board of Directors and a review of the history of the project from its inception in late 2017 to the present. We welcome your feedback at any time.
Steve Antonellis
Chair, CARB

GCA Board Approves Write-Off of Liens on Two Foreclosed Properties
On 19 November, the GCA Board passed a resolution (2020-015) to write-off two bad debts on previously foreclosed properties (3389 Cesford Grange and 3211 Sandown Park Rd). In accordance with our GCA Regulation 2019-01, the GCA had placed liens on the two properties for non-payment of assessments, interest, lien expenses, and other expenses. However the GCA liens were subordinate to the deed of trust, and the lien debt was wiped out by the sale. The total write off for the two properties is $7,419. The write-off will be posted on 31 December 2020.
Kevin Fitzpatrick
Treasurer
Updates to the Hiking Trails Maps and New Trail Head Signage
The Common Area Review Board (CARB) has continued our multi-year nature trail improvement plan. We've recently installed signs at all of the trail heads. Each sign is numbered (see sample above). We've also revised the trail maps to show the locations of each of the trail head signs. The maps have the corresponding sign number in the yellow star at each sign location. Each of the maps also include standardized icons indicating which activity is permitted (or not) on the trail. Click here to see the updated maps.

If you are new to using our trails, please familiarize yourself with the maps and the guidance included with the map. This will help in deviating off the trails and onto private and the country club properties. There are only two access easements for country club property behind the 5th green, following the cart path towards the 6th tee box, crossing the cart path bridge and then crossing the 6th fairway. No other country club property is to be used.

We welcome your feedback. You can email the CARB by clicking here.

GCA Assessments are Past Due
The GCA second half assessment of $518 was due on 1 September. As of 13 December, there are 14 delinquent accounts. If you have not yet paid, please make your payment soonest and avoid a lien on your property. Contact Associa by clicking here.

The Treasurer
Updates to the Glenmore Architectural and Landscape Requirements for Review
As you may have seen in the last newsletter, we are proposing changes to the ARB/ARC rules and restrictions. We have heard from some of you requesting a comparison between the old and new documents and wanted to pass that along for your convenience. Please select this link which will take you to a comparison of the old and new document.  (Please Note: this must be viewed in MS Word on a PC. It may not be able to be viewed in comparison format on a tablet or other means.)

Some residents have also asked why we are modifying these documents now as we move toward the completion of construction. The answer is that the ARB/ARC document not only provide rules for the construction of new homes, but also provides rules for the modification or addition to any existing home. From time to time, these rules need to be updated and modified to reflect current standards. They also need to reflect the existing Glenmore Covenants & Restrictions as well as ensure legal compliance. Our intent with these proposed modifications is to ensure a "Glenmore" look and feel within the community while simultaneously allowing individual neighborhoods their own look and feel. We believe these changes permit this to happen.

We would welcome you to attend our next board meeting this Thursday, 17 December, to ask any questions you have or make any comment regarding the proposed changes. See the first article for how to attend.
Sincerely,
the ARB and ARC

Questions from the Community
Each month we receive questions from GCA residents directed to either Associa or to Board Members. As examples, "When will leaves be picked up?" "Where can we find info on mailbox maintenance?" For each Newsletter publication, we will select questions from residents that may be of interest to the community at large, and provide detailed answers.

Question: The Newsletter has provided updates on the development of the safety sidewalks. Safe sidewalks should be looked at seriously and supported as a much needed amenity. Is the Board planning to approve the safety sidewalks?

Answer: The GCA Board reviewed and approved the installation of safety sidewalks on Newington and Farringdon as part of our approval for the 2021 Budget. We have a plan in process and $186,000 in funding identified*. Keep watching the "Safety Sidewalks Updates" (see above) in the Newsletters.

*Click here for the 2021 GCA approved Budget, and the Safety Sidewalk funding on the last page.
Planning Commission votes to deny the Breezy Hill Density Increase
The Albemarle County Planning Commission met on Tuesday (24 November) to review the developer's re-application to increase housing density at Breezy Hill. The Albemarle County Master Plan was approved for a maximum of 65 houses in the Breezy Hill development. In August the developer requested an increase from 65 homes to 160 homes, then withdrew the request when it became clear that the the Board of Supervisors was about to deny that request. The developer submitted another request, this time for 130 homes.

On 24 November the Planning Commission voted unanimously to deny the density increase. The developer's request and the Planning Commission recommendation was to be considered by the the Board of Supervisors on 16 December, however, it is not on the 16 Dec agenda (click here). More info to follow ...
Rules for Visiting the Equestrian Center
For the Safety of All
Please be advised that the Equestrian Center is a working farm with large horses and farm equipment. Visitors are welcome, but you must contact Abbie Wright at 516 216 9392 to arrange for a visit. Remember, the Glenmore Farm is leased to our tenant, and trespassing between the paddocks is imposing on the tenant's right to the property and safety of the horses.

Equestrian Center Safety Rules
  • Horses are unpredictable; treat them with caution at all times.
  • Do not climb the fences or go into the paddocks.
  • Do not feed or pet the horses.
  • No joggers, pedestrians, or strollers are allowed near the barn or between the paddocks.
  • Dogs will spook the horses.
  • No bikes or golf carts are allowed near the barn or pastures.
  • The nature trails around the outside perimeter of the EC are available for residents’ walking.
  • Some trails are also used by riders. If you encounter a horse and rider, stand aside until the horse passes.
Looking for Info on GCA Regulations??
Our GCA Web Page has vast amounts of information. In fact, to find info on the latest GCA Regulations, go to the web page, then at the bottom right of the Home page, click on "Regulations". Then scroll down to "GCA Regulations" for the complete list of Approved Regulations.

Just have some general questions? Email Megan Burch by clicking Here.
Watch These Dates
Dec 16: Albemarle County Board of Supervisors Meeting
Dec 17: GCA Board Meeting 7-9 PM (GoToMeeting)
Dec 21: The Winter Solstice (click here)
Dec 25: Merry Christmas
Jan 1: Happy New Year
Jan 7: GCA Board working meeting 5-7 PM (GoToMeeting)
Jan 21: GCA Board Meeting 7-9 PM (GoToMeeting)