Summer of December 2010 Summer Lakes Homeowner's Meeting Summary

I was not able to attend the December 9th Homeowner's Meeting. The following summary notes were provided by one attendee. Bill Taylor

Stated Purpose of Meeting:
• Atlas and Greystar companies as representatives of BB&T. Introduce Blanchard and Calhoun as the local Property Managers for Summer Lakes and manages our HOA (Karen Clayton – local Blanchard and Calhoun contact)

Development Update:
• There are 80 lots under the Greystar/Atlas umbrella
• US Lawns have been contract to provide grounds services for Summer Lakes – contracted for twice a month

Association Update:Association fees were broken out with trash pick up taken out of the association fee since HOA is not required to provide that service.
2011 Fees will be:
• Interior Lots $350/Yr - 128 lots
• Water Lots $470/Yr – 20 lots
• Trash Pick Up now a separate assessment
• $170/yr per trash can (existing home)
Attendees, by majority vote agreed to keep the trash pick up as a service in total and accept the $70/yr fee

Presentation of 2011 Budget
• 2011 Shows a $22,270 short fall covered by the Declarant (BB&T)

Report from the Neighborhood 'Town Council'

Nov. 22, 2010: We met this week with representatives of Greystar and Blanchard & Calhoun (B&C). Greystar is performing the function that BB&T would be doing in normal economic times, but due to BB&T's heavy load of properties, they have contracted Greystar to watch over their interests. As a part of that responsibility, Greystar has contracted B&C to act as the Homeowner's Association for the foreseeable future. You will be receiving a package from B&C in the near future explaining the situation and giving details of their plan for our community, a copy of the covenants, and contact names and information should you need to contact them.

Your Town Council felt that the meeting was productive in that we discussed issues common to and important for all of us including;

- The location and operation of the irrigation, lighting, other aspects of the community.

- The history of the development from the homeowner's perspective.

- Residents' expectations and concerns relative to Summer Lakes.

- BB&T, Greystar, and Blanchard & Calhoun plans for the future of the community.

We feel that these companies have interests that, in many cases, coincide with our own in that they want to sell property and thus would like to keep the neighborhood attractive and inviting for possible future homeowners. We were encouraged by their willingness to listen to our concerns and the fact that they came to us for the meeting; two of them driving from Augusta and Charleston. B&C is planning a neighborhood meeting tentatively set for December 9th at the Aiken Shrine Club on Columbia Highway. You will be getting a notice in the aforementioned package.

One of the decisions made at our meeting with B&C was that your 'Town Council' will continue to represent Summer Lakes homeowners for the foreseeable future. We agreed to continue, but we suggest that some decision should be made by the residents as to whether to elect new members for the Town Council and whether the covenants should be amended to include the 'Town Council' as an official function.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving and we will see you at the December 9 meeting. Mark your calendar because this will be a very important gathering.

Pat Dickerson
Barbara McNichols
Roger Pizio
Kurt Rudolph

Save The Date

It's never too early to start thinking about holiday celebrations!

The Annual Summer Lakes Neighborhood Holiday Party

Sunday, December 5th

5:00-8:00 p.m.

The Taylor's Home

308 Summer Wind Court

SAVE THE DATE

Details Later

Final Clean Up

The final site clean-up was accomplished today (Sept. 22) on lot #3 where the former Sales Office resided. The semi-above ground septic tank (looked like a large mound covered by dirt and grass) was removed by Atlantic Coast workers. Thanks to the Citizen 'Town Council' for prodding Atlantic Coast into removing the hazzard.

Moving Day

As of today, the Sales Office is half gone...

Bank to Take Over Summer Lakes Neighborhood

The downturn in the economy and slow real estate market is forcing True South and its subsidiary, Atlantic Coast Properties, to turn over ownership of the Summer Lakes neighborhood to BB&T Bank of North Carolina. The announcement was made at Wednesday night’s annual meeting of the Summer Lakes Homeowner’s Association.

It is expected the transition to the bank will occur within thirty days. BB&T is interviewing Aiken property management firms to oversee the day-to-day management of the Summer Lakes neighborhood and other True South communities that will be owned by the bank.

Not a Formal Bankruptcy

Paul Dunnavant, True South’s CFO, explained this is not a formal bankruptcy; the unsold properties in various subdivisions (including a True South development in West Virginia) are transferring to bank ownership to satisfy True South’s indebtedness. True South has been in the development business for more than 20 years and he said it was a sad day for the company. He blamed a lack of lot sales in Summer Lakes and elsewhere saying, “These are tough years in real estate.”

Dunnavant said the bank’s assumption of Summer Lakes is not a “done deal”. He added that negotiations are in the final stage, although they have been moving very slowly. Dunnavant reported that BB&T has been quite reasonable to work with in the negotiations that began last spring.

Moving Out

Dunnavant believes the transition to the bank will not have an adverse effect on Summer Lakes because it is a pretty well developed community. He speculated that BB&T will work toward packaging unsold lots to sell to developers. He does not see lots being significantly discounted. Several neighbors inquired about purchasing lots and Dunnavant recommended they be bundled and offered as a package to BB&T.

The first sign of True South’s departure is already occurring. Workers have been moving furniture from the Summer Lakes sales office and the double-wide mobile office will be removed by next Tuesday. Residents requested that the office site be completely cleaned and no remnants of the office by obvious after the move. Dunnavant and Grant Holcomb, the current manager of Summer Lakes, pledged to make the office site improvements.

Residents complained about a lack of maintenance in recent months and the True South executives acknowledge the problem and apologized. However, there is little expectation that there will be substantial improvements in the interim under True South management. Weekly mowing will continue and it was promised that ‘bush hogging’ of the vacant lots will resume shortly.

There was general agreement among residents attending the Homeowners meeting that we all need to step up and assist with turning-on the island sprinklers near our homes since most sprinkler timers don’t operate.

Homeowners Appoint ‘Town Council”

True South retains management rights to the Homeowner’s Association and that will transfer to BB&T (and their designated property managers). Because residents are uncertain of BB&T’s plans for Summer Lakes and their commitment to the neighborhood, residents voted unanimously to form a ‘Town Council.’ While this group has no official authority, it will serve as a voice for residents and a conduit in discussions with True South, BP&T and the new management company when it is hired.

Serving on the ‘Town Council’ is (‘Mayor’) Pat Dickerson, Roger Pizio, Kurt Rudolph and Barbara McNichols. The ‘Town Council’ will report regularly to residents. Expect to have more frequent meetings of homeowners through the transition period so the ‘Town Council’ can issue reports and get input.

A priority on the ‘Town Council’s’ agenda is an accounting of the Homeowner’s Association financial account. Several residents disputed the amount of money spent on landscaping improvements last fall from the Homeowner’s Association account asserting that True South did not keep its commitment to fund its portion of the improvements.

Communications

It is important that homeowners speak with a single voice to be more effective with True South in the interim and BP&T in the long term. Therefore, it is recommended…

If you have observations/suggestions concerning maintenance issues, please send them to the ‘Town Council’.

The ‘Town Council’ will contact County Commissioner Charles Barton to determine how several small road repairs can be made.

If you are interested in purchasing an additional lot in the ‘bundled proposal’ to be made to BB&T, please submit that to the ‘Town Council’. True South said it will reissue a new lot plan with current pricing, including lots that are currently listed as ‘on hold’ where prices have not been made available.

‘Town Council’ Contact Information

Pat Dickerson, Tel: 649-0220, EM: P102640@aol.com
Roger Pizio, Tel: 648-7892, EM: RPizio@bellsouth.net
Kurt Rudolph, Tel: 641-9068, EM: kurtrudolph@atlanticbb.net
Barbara McNichols, Tel: 644-4722, EM: barbaramcnichols@bellsouth.net

True South Contact Information

Paul Dunnavant: Tel: 803-917-8205, EM: pauldunnavant@gmail.com
Grant Holcomb: Tel: 803-480-2292, EM: HolcombGrantW@gmail.com

New Contact Info for Atlantic Coast Properties

With Jimmy Luquire's departure as General Manager of Atlantic Coast Properties, Grant Holcomb is taking his place. Grant has been with Atlantic Coast and True South for quite long time. Jimmy reports that Grant will be working with Paul Dunnavant, the CFO. Here is the contact information:

Grant's cell phone is 803-480-2292 and his e-mail is: HolcombGrantW@gmail.com

Paul's cell phone is 803-917-8205 and his e-mail is: pauldunnavant@gmail.com

The Aiken office number for True South is 803-644-1134. Kristy is the Manager of the office.

Jimmy is Leaving

Word just arrived that Jimmy Luquire will be leaving Atlantic Coast Properties. Jimmy has served as General Manager of Atlantic Coast and has supervised the development of Summer Lakes.

Jimmy reports he will be starting his own Real Estate Co., LUQUIRE PROPERTIES LLC. His phone noumber will stay the same and he will locate his new office in his home at 108 Pecan Grove Rd. North Augusta S.C. 29860.

Today, Friday, May 27th, will be Jimmy's last day at Atlantic Coast Properties.

He has served the best interests of the Summer Lakes neighborhood and he will be missed. We wish him well.

What was Lost is Now Found

'Smokey the Cat' is safely back home! After being on the prowl for several days and initiating a neighborhood-wide search with 'Wanted Posters', Smokey is now back with his 'parents', Phil & Rachel Rosbach on Summer Wind Court. The cat was found when neighbor Tammy Dunagan spotted Smokey perched high in a backyard tree at Bill & Donna Taylor's. Hesitant to spook Smokey, Bill alerted Phil at work, but moments before Phil arrived, Smokey seemed to tire of all the attention and leaped to the ground. The exhausted cat was ready to be picked up and carried home after his exhausting adventures.

Beautification Project for Bradley Mill Road Entrance Underway

The Summer Lakes Volunteer Landscaping Committee is moving forward with plans to beautify the back entrance to Summer Lakes in much the same way the enhanced landscaping was achieved at the front entrance last fall.

As you may have noticed that survey markers have been in place for several weeks. That was done to scope out the area of the project for Landscape Designer Jane Waldrop. She is the expert who designed the front entrance. The committee plans to utilize the same vendors this time around.

Committee member Roger Pizio reports what’s ahead…

1.) Atlantic Coast is getting in touch with Aiken Electric to see what we can actually do on the east side of the entrance. Aiken Electric has a dead end pole with several guy wires to anchor the pole. Also on the pole is as fuse to protect the underground system in the development. Any plants placed there shouldn’t interfere with access to the pole.

2.) Unlike the front entrance, we have a county drainage ditch to deal with. This drainage ditch was in place when Atlantic Coast developed Summer Lakes and was modified to county standards by ACP. The problem now is this ditch is washed out in places and the 18” pipe is totally clogged. Atlantic Coast will meet with the county, but any ditch improvements will likely be the responsibility of ACP adding to the cost of the project.

3.) Jane Waldrop recommended that the ditch be reshaped and sod be placed from the proposed plant beds, into the ditch and then to the roads edge. Existing rocks already in place would be used as a dam to slow down the flow of water during any rain. We have recommended to ACP the extension of the existing 18” pipe by several sections allowing us to fill-in the ditch in the area of our project and allow for a flat surface leading to roads edge.

4.) Other items that need to be considered but should be easer then the ditch problem are:

Get water meter installed for irrigation system
Get electric meter installed for any landscaping lighting
Both the electric and the water will have to be put under the road so both sides can be serviced. ACP is considering using the current drainage system to solve this problem

We were hoping for a spring planting depending on speed of the prep work the actual planting may not take place until summer or the fall.

Warning Posted!

Thanks to Jimmy Luquire and Atlantic Coast Properties for helping ward off unwanted solicitors. This sign was erected this afternoon at Summer Lakes Drive and Bradley Mill Road.

Carpet Cleaning Trespassers Return!

From Neighbor Kurt Rudolph

Jan. 29, 2010: Robert's and Associates paid us another visit last evening peddling their carpet cleaning. At 9:00 pm they walked past our "no trespassing" sign, entered our garage, ignored the "no soliciting" sign we have posted at eye level next to the door and knocked loudly. When I answered and realized who it was, I ordered him out of my garage and pursued him back to his vehicle. I tried to make contact with the person in the passenger seat, but she refused to open the window. I got behind the vehicle to keep them from leaving before I took down the license plate number.

I called 911 and a deputy arrived within five minutes. Needless to say, the trespassers were long gone. I would like to think that I scared them off, but I really doubt it. I spoke to the deputy at length, and he assures me that they can and will arrest them for trespassing since we have a sign posted.

I would like everyone to be aware of this company - Robert's and Associates, of Columbia. I simply do not believe a legitimate business would IGNORE clearly posted signs and attempt to do busines in my garage at 9 o'clock. I believe they are interested in something other than carpet. I consider them dangerous and I am becoming frustrated that it seems we have no way of stopping them.

Editor's Note: The neigborhood should remain on alert and call 9-1-1 when they return. The 'No Soliciting' & 'No Trespassing' signs are your legal recourse.

The Passing of a Neighbor

As residents of Summer Lakes you may not recognize the name Norman Taylor if you read the obituary in the Aiken Standard tomorrow or Saturday.

Norman Taylor, age 88, husband of Emma Taylor, who lives at 125 Meadow Trace Court here in Summer Lakes with her daughter Carol and son-in-law Roger Pizio, passed away today, January 7th at Pepper Hill Nursing Center, Aiken. The Taylor’s moved to Summer Lakes with Carol and Roger in February 2006 from Tiverton, RI where Mr. Taylor was a long time resident.

Arrangements are being handled by the Cole Funeral Home on the 118 By-Pass. Viewing hours will be Tuesday evening, January 12th, with the funeral service Wednesday, January 13th at 11am.

Summer Lakes Holiday Party Set for Sunday, December 13th

Summer Lakes Neighborhood
Annual Holiday Party

Sunday, December 13, 2009
5:00 – 8:00 pm

At the home of
Donna & Bill Taylor
308 Summer Wind Court

Change of plans this year – to make our celebration a true FEAST,
each family is asked to bring BOTH an appetizer AND desert.

We’ll have wine, beer, soft drinks and coffee available.
You’re welcome to BYOB.

Special Treat – it’s expected that Santa will make a special visit and enjoy the fellowship of Summer Lakes neighbors; both the little ones and grown-up’s.

A Time to Give Back! Let’s utilize our neighborhood celebration as a time to help neighbors elsewhere in Aiken County. Please bring with you at least one canned good for each person attending. We’ll take our bounty to the Salvation Army Pantry on Aiken’s northside.

To help with planning, please RSVP by Monday, December 7th
Leave a message for Donna & Bill at 641-2343

What a Difference a Planting Day Makes!

Hats off to everyone who helped with the planting of trees and plants to beautify the entrance to our neighborhood. A special 'Thank You' goes to the Landscaping Committee: Phil Rosbach (Chairman), Roger Pizio, Kurt Rudolph, Kathy Kent and Donna Taylor. Thanks also to Atlantic Coasts' Jimmy Luquire for his assistance with this major improvement. A total of 325 plants and 25 trees have been added to the entrance area.


Please read Pat Dickerson's comments in the Blog posting below...and be sure to check out all the pictures from the work day at: http://s902.photobucket.com/albums/ac221/SummerLakes-Album/?newest=1

Thanks to the Entrance Enhancement Committee!

From: Pat Dickerson:

I would like to express my appreciation to the committee for the enhancement of our entrance to the Summer Lakes community. I believe it was headed up by Phil Rosbach, but I do not trust my memory to name all of the members.

The plantings are gorgeous and we got a very good price on them. Atlantic Coast chipped in to help with the lighting system and the irrigation system and the dirt as well as some of the heavy labor. The committee was out early to get the plants arranged by groupings and had the irrigation system marked off. There were maps of each area so that we could easily see where each of our plants were to be planted. The whole thing was so well organized that the job came off with very little problem. It shows what pre-work can do for a project and I think everyone involved did a wonderful job. The coffee and doughnuts were great, too!

Kudos also to the people of Summer Lakes!!! You turned out for this project and worked hard so that we were through by noon. I just had to walk back up there before sundown to look at the wonderful difference you made in our community. Thank you! It makes me very proud to live here.

Call to Action -- Summer Lakes Planting Day

Get your daily exercise with your neighbors!

It’s Planting Day !!!

The drawings are complete.
The foundation work has been done.
The plants will arrive Thursday, Nov 12.

We Need YOU!

Friday Nov.13th (primary work day)
Saturday Nov 14 (finish-up work, if needed)

Meet at the front entrance of Summer Lakes at 8:30 am.
Please pitch-in and help make this significant improvement a reality.

To volunteer, or more information call:
Phil Rosbach 643-0945
Kathy Kent 648-9802
Kurt Rudolph 641-9068
Donna Taylor 641-2343

Invader Alert

The Summer Lakes neighborhood was visited today (October 20th) by sales people from Robert's and Associates (129 Wade Street, West Columbia, S.C. 29169, 803-739-4321) who were ringing doors to sell carpet cleaning. Their sales pitch is rather pushy.

This isn’t the company’s first trip to Summer Lakes – they solicited here several months ago and Atlantic Coast Properties called and complained to the company emphasizing that Summer Lakes has a ‘No Solicitation’ policy.

After today’s ‘sales invasion,’ one diligent neighbor took the initiative to call the Aiken County Sheriff’s office to make an inquiry. Apparently we are not the only area that has been visited by these guys. The deputy said his lieutenant's neighborhood had been visited recently by the same outfit. They looked into the company and determined that it was a legitimate business. The deputy also stated that this was the second complaint he had received today about Robert’s & Associates and that he was going to look around to see if he could catch up with them and ask them to "please move along."

The deputy also said that since Summer Lakes has a "No Soliciting" sign posted at the entrance and since we have complained before, residents are requested to call the Sheriff’s office right away if they continue to solicit the neighborhood.

As one neighbor said, “I am not trying to be paranoid, but I am really not comfortable having an out-of-town company drop off unidentified sales people on private property to walk our neighborhood all day.”

SAVE THE DATE - December 13th

Summer Lakes Neighborhood
Annual Holiday Party

Sunday, December 13, 2009
5:00 – 8:00 pm

At the home of Donna & Bill Taylor, 308 Summer Wind Court

Lots of food, along with wine, beer & soft drinks will be served. You’re welcome to BYOB.

Invitations with RSVP cards will be sent in mid-November.

SAVE THE DATE

Summer Lakes Soon to Have New Look

In a few weeks a major beautification project will bring an entirely new look to the entrance of Summer Lakes with the addition of hundreds of new plants and trees.

With the guidance of professional landscape consultant Jane Waldrop, the residents’ Landscape Committee has developed a plan to create visually interesting islands of plants and trees at the entrance to the neighborhood on both sides of Summer Rain Boulevard.

The project is a cooperative effort of the Homeowner’s Association and Atlantic Coast Properties and resulted from a vote in favor of the beautification project by residents at their annual meeting in July. The Homeowner’s Association is purchasing the plants and trees and Atlantic Coast is providing much of the labor, as well as purchasing and installing an irrigation system and decorative tree lighting. Cost of the plants and trees totals $2,850; they are being purchased at wholesale prices from two Georgia nurseries.

“There will be a total of 284 plants consisting of 16 different varieties and 27 trees with 7 different types included in the purchase,” according to Roger Pizio, a member of the Landscape Committee. “We’re starting large; the plants will be 3 gallons in size and the trees will be 15 gallons,” added Pizio.

Residents have likely noticed that site preparation work has already begun; Atlantic Coast employees have been removing sod from the new planting areas and new dirt will be hauled in. The Landscape Committee is targeting a day in early November when the planting will take place. Neighbors will be notified of the date and are urged to pitch in for a few hours to help with the planting. With plenty of ‘helping hands’ it’s anticipated the project can be completed in one day.

A BIG THANK YOU goes to members of the Landscape Committee: Phil Rosbach (Chairman), Roger Pizio, Kurt Rudolph, Kathy Kent and Donna Taylor. Thanks also to Jimmy Luquire for his assistance with the major improvement.