TWPOA Newsletter
Editor: Anne Fernandez	Spring 2007

Tara Woods Website - Get all the news about the association

Message from the President: Mike Mann

Summer is almost here and we're all anticipating its arrival.   I'm sure we've all got a list of too do's to get ready.   The main activity within the Association over the past several months has been to complete the dock project.   I believe you will be very happy with the results.   Almost all the decking has been replaced with new vinyl materials.   Our old dilapidated dock now looks stunning.   In addition the sub-structure was significantly strengthened so that the dock is now very solid.   Harmel Sabourin and Jack Perrigo have been the engines behind this dramatic improvement.   Harmel negotiated very favorable prices for the materials, managed the construction, organized all of the many volunteers, and with Jack invested an incredible amount of time and energy to make this happen.   We all owe them a significant “thank you”. This activity truly reflected the spirit and harmony that all of would like to have in the community.   In addition to a large number of willing volunteers it is noteworthy that there were as many waterfront members participating as those members who actually have slip assignments.   The docks are now open and you can put your boats back in the slip.   Please do not attach anything to the dock; the wrong kind of cleat can void the warranty.   Please contact Jack to purchase approved cleats for your assigned slip. 

I wanted to say something special about Harmel Sabourins.     Harmel recently submitted his resignation as property manager.   His business and personal commitments have grown and have to take priority.    Harmel has done an incredible job for all of us. He's saved us significant funds during the past 3 years and has been tireless in maintaining the common property.   He's probably the only one in Louisa County that can re-build our gate mechanical apparatus which previously broke with vexing regularity.   He brought his entire family to the job. I would frequently see Harmel, June, Josh, and Jake out working on our fence or the common area landscaping.   Going forward, Harmel offered to share the Property Manager job with Jack Perrigo.  

As the result of the April election process, I would like to welcome Dave Bolden to the Board.   At the new Board's first meeting on April 15, I was elected as President, Dave was elected as vice-president, Kathy will remain our Secretary and Jack Perrigo will remain as Treasurer for the 2007 Board of Directors.   Al Gam is leaving the Board.   He declined to run and we all are indebted to him for his active participation during the past three years.   He was very conscientious, shared his wisdom freely, and did his best to represent all of your interests.   Mike Miller will remain on the Board but declined any leadership position.   We all owe him thanks for his effective performance as President in 2006.

Lastly, I want to thank Anne Fernandez for stepping forward to manage our newsletter.   She works professionally with computers and web pages and will be coming to live at the lake full time this summer.   I'm confident she will do an excellent job and appreciate her volunteer spirit.  

Thank You,

Back to Top

Annual Association Meeting May 19th at 10:00am at the Tara Woods Pavilion

Agenda
1. Call to Order
2. Introduction of Board Members
3. Welcome to New Property Owners -

Anne and Robert Fernandez
946 Carrs Bridge Rd
Anne is our new Newsletter Editor

a. Property Manger - Harnel Sabourins
b. Environment Control Committee - Dick Dickens
c. Fourth of July Parade and Picnic - Maryhelen Perrigo/Nancy Lear
d. Hospitality - Betty Jo Spivey
e. Newsletter - Anne Fernandez

Election Results for the TWPOA Board of Directors
The new Directors elected to the TWPOA Board by the TWPOA Membership this year are: Dave Bolden, Kathy Goldbeck and Mike Mann

The Board voted at the April 15th meeting for the officers for the next year with the results being:
Mike Mann, President
Dave Bolden, Vice President
Jack Perrigo, Treasurer
Kathy Goldbeck, Secretary

The Directors are: Bart Cameron, Dick Dickens, Jim Holland, Mike Miller and Russell Smith.

Thanks to Al Gam, our out going Director, for his service on the Board.

Back to Top

Tara Woods Docks
by Jack Perrigo

Re-decking the docks at Tara Woods became an issue when our Reserve Study required that we re-deck the docks.   The wood is cracking and rotting to the point where we needed to take action.   The board approved $10,000 to re-deck the docks with a vinyl/composite material and we would rely on volunteer labor to get the work done.

The decision to use something other than pressure treated lumber was based on the long term cost of pressure treated versus a composite material.   Pressure treated lumber is no longer as good a product because the chemicals used are better for the environment but no for longevity.   The cost to buy pressure treated is about $9,000.   We would have to seal it every year at a cost of about $1,600 per year.   If we were lucky, we might get 10 years out of the new pressure treated lumber.   The cost for 10 years would be over $25,000 ($9,000 cost and $16,000 sealing) and we would be faced with re-decking the docks again in 10 years.   Assuming the costs wouldn't go up (very unlikely) it would cost $50,000 for the next 20 years.

The materials we used have a 20 year no limit warranty and is maintenance free.   We have spent $10,000 and have completed almost all the primary walkways. In the end , when all the sub-piers are complete, the total cost will be approximately the same as the reserve study estimate to replace the decking with pressure treated materials. The sub-piers will be deferred until we finalize the configuration of the docks. Currently there are several slips that are minimally/not useable and there are several configuration alternatives that could improve this situation. In the meantime, the dock is open and can be used. A specific type of cleat is required to be used with the new materials. No other cleats can be installed or we run the risk of having our warranty revoked. Consistent with our past practice, members' assigned slips are responsible for purchasing and installing cleats. Please contact Jack Perrigo to purchase these special cleats and to obtain installation instructions.

We want to thank our volunteers.   We couldn't have done this without them and this was some very hard work.

Harmel Sabourin (our leader), his sons Josh and Jake along with two of their friends Jason and Nathan.   Harmel also provided many of the power tools that made the work more professional.   The rest of us:   Jack Perrigo, Ernie Burke, Jim Holland, Mike Mann, Mickey March, Doug Ward, Dave Cruickshank, Mike Miller, Dick Lear, Larry Katz, Russell Smith, John Williams, and Jim Duke.   Stewart Whitehurst and Dick Dickens hauled away the old deck boards.

Back to Top

Fence Update
by Mike Mann

The fence is a distinctive feature that helps maintain Tara Woods as a preferred community at Lake Anna .   We've certainly talked about this a lot over the past year, with surveys and petitions reflecting alternative positions on its value to us collectively.   The Board increased the 2007 dues to support continued maintenance with a promise to issue a new survey as a better grounding for the long term status of the fence.   Our intent is to issue the survey in the fall, using the next couple of months to refine the options.   A draft survey is posted at our community web site http://www.twpoa-va.org/ and you can provide any comments to Kathy Goldbeck by email.  In addition, we hope to discuss the survey content at our annual meeting on May 19 at the TWPOA pavilion.   In the meantime, we have replenished our supply of posts and rails to support the continued maintenance of the fence.   The Association will provide you the replacement materials and it will be your responsibility to install them.   Please call Jack Perrigo to assess how many rails you need and arrange pick-up.   (540) 894-0295

Back to Top

Shoreline Management Plan for Louisa County
by Dick Dickens

The Louisa County Board of Supervisors recently ordered the planning staff to perform a one year review of the Zoning Ordinance covering the Lake Anna Shoreline Use and Design Standards.   This is contained in Division 5 of the Supplemental Regulations, which speaks specifically to Lake Anna shoreline use and design guidelines.

After the review, during which the original Committee who wrote the ordinance met once again and discussed needed changes and fine tuning, the BOS voted to accept the Committee's recommendations.   I have attempted to summarize the changes that were made to the ordinance for the POA.   I would strongly encourage anyone who is contemplating doing any work at all in the area on their lot (or common area) within 100 feet of the waterline, to read the entire ordinance.   I have an electronic copy of it if anyone would like for me to email it to them.

Most of the provisions in Division 5 do not apply to structures built, or otherwise approved by Louisa County or Dominion, prior to the adoption of these standards.   Non-conforming structures are exempt from these standards unless the structure is expanded or if the structure is replaced more than two years after being removed.   A structure for the purposes of this division includes, but is not limited to, fixed or floating docks, piers, boardwalks, slips, accessory buildings, or other types of development on, or attached to, Dominion's property.

The new standards are mandatory unless a special exception is granted by the County.   Applications must include site plans that meet the criteria included in the Lake Anna Shoreline Site Plan Requirements Checklist .   Where criteria is not clearly illustrated on a site plan, a survey shall be required to demonstrate compliance with the ordinance, or in order to process special exception requests.

There is a long section on water quality, involving upland erosion and shoreline stabilization, which I am not going into detail on here, but is interesting reading and no one should do any construction or land disturbance within 100 feet of the waterline before reading this section at the very least.

There is a section on safe navigation in which water access entrances and travel ways into coves are discussed, most of which should not impact us in Tara Woods because it primarily applies to new development, new communities and new common areas.   This was the section most discussed in respect to changes and to which most of the revisions were approved.   There are a few aspects of this section that might apply to some of you however if you are planning to build or expand a boat dock or boat shed.

All water access travel ways must be at least thirty (30) feet in width now at navigable depth, instead of fifty (50) feet, until the cove reaches a width of 90 feet.   The one third rule shall be the determining factor in any cove less that 90 feet in width.   This standard applies to all choke points leading to, and within, the cove. A choke point is a narrowing of the cove that boats navigate through.   The Planning Commission may grant a special exception to this standard in extenuating circumstances due to water depth, topography, irregular shoreline, narrowness of cove, existing structures, and other existing conditions .  

The navigable channel shall be clearly identified during site plan review. Structures shall meet the following maximum lengths unless otherwise approved by the Planning Commission.   The length of a structure should generally only be enough to reach a navigable depth (5 feet) at the normal pool level (250 feet above mean sea level for the lake, 251 feet above mean sea level for the WHTF) in order to minimize the structure's projection into the water.

In Agricultural/Residential Districts, s structures shall not protrude more than one third of the distance across a cove, to a maximum of 150 feet. Structures proposed to exceed this limit require a special exception from the Planning Commission.   The t ravel-way must be a minimum of 30 feet.

As far as reflectors, the rules have changed slightly from last year.   In order to identify the protruding outline of all lake structures , existing and new, two-inch minimum diameter reflectors shall be affixed along the perimeter of the structure or pilings located farthest from the shoreline .   Reflectors shall be within one foot of both sides of each lakeside corner. Reflectors shall be placed no more than two feet above normal pool level (250 feet above mean sea level for the lake, 251 feet above mean sea level for the WHTF). All lake structures shall be in full compliance with this safety standard by November 1, 2007.

If lake structures utilize light fixtures the following standards are recommended:  Lights should have initial output less than 2000 lumens (equivalent to 120 watt incandescent bulbs) , or should be fitted with opaque shields to prevent direct visibility of the lamp to persons more than fifty feet beyond the structure. Light specifications should meet International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) standards for either landscape or wall-mount style fixtures, or equivalent.   Landscape fixtures should be under 2000 lumens and partially shielded. Wall-mount fixtures should be fully shielded. Solar lighting is encouraged.

Under the heading of Neighborhood Policies, a sign shall be posted at common area and commercial pier entrances summarizing alcohol and boating regulations in Virginia .

Height of structure requirements have changed as follows: The maximum height of structures within the Dominion easement in residential and agricultural zoning districts shall be twenty (20) feet for flat roofs and twenty-eight (28) feet for pitched roofs as measured from the lowest finished grade .   Weathervanes and telecommunication antennas do not count against the structure's height. The maximum height of structures within the Dominion easement in commercial zoning districts is thirty-four (34) feet as measured from the lowest finished grade .   Weathervanes and telecommunication antennas do not count against the structure's height. Waterfront construction may have a second story but it may not be enclosed. Screened areas are not considered to be enclosed.   Maximum height limits shall apply. Structures that will exceed these standards shall require a special exception by the Planning Commission.

Once again, this is a summary of the changes only.    Please read the entire ordinance if you are considering any work at the shoreline or within 100 of waterline.

Back to Top

Mowing
by Jack Perrigo

It is that time of the year again, so sharpen your blades and tune up your mowers. Tara Woods has a board resolution that requires the grass to be no higher than 8 to 12 inches. If your grass reaches that height we will mow it for you at a cost of $150.00. We would prefer not to mow the grass, so please make whatever arrangements necessary to keep the grass under the height limits. Whether you mow or hire a contractor, remember to mow to the roadway.

Back to Top

Seller's Package
by Jack Perrigo

I always thought it was odd that we call the package we provide to prospective buyers a “Seller's Package”.   The reason for the name is that the Seller is responsible for providing the package to the buyer.   The buyer then has 3 days to cancel the contract.   The law intentionally places the burden on the seller (not the association)   to make sure the buyer is given a seller's package that includes the covenants and other important documents that the buyer should review carefully before making the purchase.   If you are selling your property, make sure the prospective buyer gets the seller's package because it is your responsibility and not your realtor or the association.

Back to Top

Pot Luck Dinner
by Betty Jo Spivey

On September 22, 2007 at 1:00pm, we will have a community potluck dinner at the Pavilion welcoming all new members to Tara Woods. Please bring a dish to share with others. This will be a great opportunity to "meet and greet" new neighbors. Please call Betty Jo Spivey at 540-894-0890 or by email with questions and suggestions. More information will be coming out later.

Back to Top

Calendar of Events

Back to Top