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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Fearrington Homeowners Association

FEBRUARY 2003  MINUTES

DATE:         2/4/03

PRESENT:    Richard Bird, Frank Chut, John Custer, Jerry Gaudet, Mary Hammond, Cynthia Jones, Nancy Kern, Al Lebeau, Jay Olson

ABSENT:    Joyce Berg

GUESTS:     Mary Bastin, Maureen and Joe Devan, Bob Eby, Ed and Chris Farnan, Margaret Geoghegan, Rosemary and Ed Giess, Sheila Gillespie, Jim Granger, Carol-Ann and Forrest Greenslade, Armin Hagen, Tom Hauck, Loyse Hurley, Dick Kienle, Ruth Leopold, Paul Niederer, Bob and Nancy Oram, Farrel Potts, Julie Smith, Rita Spina Martin Spritzer, Betsy and David Stallard, Gordon and Lisa Stewart, Dik van Iten,

APPROVED:   3/4/03

President Kern called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. and welcomed guests.

1. Resident input- Farrel Potts #129 spoke about community action in the Creekwood area and thanked John Custer for organizing the residents to remove debris in woods, paint the signs and renovate the Kiosk. He stated that a little help from the FHA had stimulated a lot of positive goodwill and community action in phases I-IV and thanked the Board.

2. Minutes of the 1/7/03 Meeting were approved.

3. Treasurer's report- Frank Chut presented his report. (Appendix A) The year-end report showed income 9% above projected and expenses $6000 less that budgeted, but a large bill is pending. He requested permission to drop a detailed report of Vanguard investment transactions from the monthly report as it takes an extra page and is not very informative. The report was approved.

4. Issues requiring immediate attention-none

5. Old Business - President Kern announced the membership of the new Deer Committee. Members include Jack Traywick, Stan Pomeranz, Jim Abrahamson, Jim Granger, Dick Kenny, Frances Leroy (Head Gardener, Fitch Creations), Al Cooke (NCSU Horticultural Specialist for Chatham County), Cliff Braam (Highway Safety Engineer and DOT Wildlife Liaison), Andy Upshaw (Pleasant Gardens Nursery and current president of the Chatham County Growers Assoc.) and Dik van Iten, Chair.

6. New Business- Martin Spritzer, member of the FHA Chatham County Current Issues Committee and a member of the Land Use Plan Implementation Committee (LUPIC) presented the group's recent report. (Appendix B ) The committee is charged with developing an ordinance for compact communities and has prepared guidelines for creation of the ordinance. They have developed a series of 6 recommendations and 92 options, which were detailed in a written report, which was distributed at the meeting. Copies are also posted in the kiosks and online for review. (See article on LUPIC). Fearrington Village residents are considered stakeholders in the project and the committee requests comments prior to the 2/25/03 presentation to the County Commissioners.

Key points made by Spritzer include the definition of a compact community, the development of a commercial center within the community, landscaping and buffer requirements, design of the community with a village green, grid street plan, bike lanes, mixed housing types. The community must contribute to county services by building a civic center, offering site for a school, providing emergency services or contributing cash to county services. Environmental issues and wastewater treatment requirements were also outlined. The primary recommendations include a size less than 1000 acres, less than 10% commercial and a density less than 2.0 units per net acre.

The ordinance is presently being developed by a county representative, but will not be completed until comments from residents and the commissioners are received. The ordinance is due 3/3/03 and will l be presented at a public hearing on 3/17/03. It would then go to the Planning Board in early summer.

A resident had a question about sign design. Spritzer said they recommended monument style like at Chatham Crossings. Are required open areas and spray areas for wastewater allowed to be the same? If this were so they could not be used for recreation. Eby noted that this quality of wastewater is sprayed on golf courses.

A resident asked if the committee is using examples of similar ordinances from other counties as examples. Spritzer said they had many ordinances available for assistance.

7. Committee Reports

a. Community affairs - Cynthia Jones reported on her recent meeting with block captains to develop a plan for emergency procedures. She received many suggestions from residents, which will be incorporated. Once a plan is available it will be circulated for comments.

She also reported on a phone call to the owner of Chatham Disposal about recycling. A resident reported the collectors were throwing out green plastic bottles on the roadway and not recycling. Jones confirmed that the company will recycle colored plastics, glass, steel and aluminum cans, newspapers and phone books.

She also informed the Board of a recent scam in which unauthorized persons called CCB customers and asked for account numbers and social security numbers. She suggested residents always refuse to give this information unless they placed the call themselves or know the caller.

b. Gathering Place- Kern reported that the overhead video projector in the gathering Place had been out of service. It has been determined that there was no power to the projector and an electrician has corrected the problem.

c. Grounds and facilities- John Custer reported that the Kirby Vacuum Cleaner Company has door-to-door salesmen in the area. One sales representative startled a resident who was concerned that it was a scam.

He reports that the county will have a radar speed device available to use in the village in the summer.

There is a leak in the water system in Creekwood and the company promises a repair.

The fire Captain will check on the out of service fire hydrants.

Custer presented the following motions, which were discussed and approved.

1. I move that the FHA board approve the expenditure of up to $3,000 for the chipping of debris on the Windstone Park tract; and cutting, removal or chipping of debris from other FHA sites or rights of way maintained by FHA.

2. I propose that the Board approve the expenditure of $2120 for maintenance of the Beechmast Pond and that the work be contracted again with Foster Lake and Pond Management.

3. I propose that the board approve the expenditure of up to $600 for quick-response snow removal from driveways and parking places, and placement of sand/salt on walks at the Creekwood, Smokehouse and Swim& Croquet kiosks, and on the roadway at the upper end of Lassiter where it intersects Village Way in the event of a significant snowfall. The work would be accomplished under time and material contracts for the twelve-month period February 1, 2003 to January 31, 2004.

d. Gathering Place Office- Jerry Gaudet reported that a heating problem in the office had been repaired. He discusses a new organization 'The Chamber of Neighborhoods'. The concept behind the group is to bring together the neighborhood communities of Southern Chapel Hill to network and share ideas for educational and social events for the communities benefit.

The organization is still struggling to form a charter, but the planning sessions have brought forth the following ideas: to Improve communication between the neighborhoods and coordinate education for adults and youth, social opportunities, volunteer opportunities and Infrastructure.

He moved that the Board appoint a resident to represent the FHA, and will report back to the FHA committee members on a monthly basis. I recommend we appoint Tom Hauck, 605 Stoneview, to be our representative for this calendar year. This was discussed and the motion was approved.

e. County Liaison - Al Lebeau presented his monthly report (appendix C). He described the recent approval of the Buck Mountain Golf Course Community and reported that the Sheriff's Office has permission to buy more police cars. He informed us that the Health Department had sought the firing of the County Manager, but that he was retained. The Pittsboro Town Council, however, did fire the city manager. Pittsboro is still trying to de-annex a local retirement facility so that they can charge for services. Bynum is evaluating incorporation.

8. Resident input - none

9. The Meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Hammond, Secretary

Note: The FHA Board met in closed session on 1/27/03 to approve the members of the Legal Committee. President Kern presented the names of the proposed committee members who act as informal legal advisors to the Board. They have requested that their names not be published. The Board approved the appointees and will honor their request to remain anonymous.