Most residents of Summer Lakes feel they are blessed to live in this wonderful neighborhood. But even 'wonderful' can be improved!
It is in that spirit that a number of residents responded by e-mail to contribute to the creation of our community "Wish List" for 2008. If you missed the opportunity, please add your 'wishes' in the comment section below:
WISH: That 2-3 residents would be added to the ARB. If not, why not? What qualifications do the current board members have that make them uniquely qualified? Do they have architectural degrees or many years of experience in the construction field? We neighbors reside here, we're smart and we know best how to maintain and increase property values.
WISH: Atlantic Coast would keep its promise (made in the July neighborhood meeting) and improve communications with residents by routinely keeping us up-to-date on development happenings in Summer Lakes. Not a blog (we have that), but an informational site keeping us informed of developments.
WISH: The little house over the reservoir would be moved off-site -- it's and eye sore!
WISH: Atlantic Coast would wise up and accept resident representatives on the Architectural Review Board. It’s our neighborhood – not theirs. We live here – they’ll be moving on some day. We residents need input, even if Atlantic Coast keeps the voting majority on the ARB. And NO – residents aren't inclined to submit his/her “resume” of qualifications to Paul, the CFO. Common sense dictates that residents are entitled select their own representatives.
WISH: That Atlantic Coast Properties would give us a financial accounting of where our "Homeowner's Fees" are being spent. I do not spend $10 without knowing where it is going, so I am very uncomfortable with over $700 going to "Expenses in caring for the common areas". I want to see more detail.
WISH: That an additional street light be added on the northside of the Highway 1 entrance. The area is poorly illuminated at night.
WISH: That all the residents would walk their dogs using a leash. This is a problem on the walking track and on the streets. There are a couple of people that I see do this everyday! I am afraid to walk my dogs or push my babies in their strollers! When pets are left to roam free it is a threat to my children who love to play outside in the yard and to my dog that is always in a fence or on a leash.
WISH: That Atlantic Coast’s lawn mowing crew would take greater care in picking up litter and cleaning trash and leaves from storm sewer grates.
WISH: That one or two trash receptacles (similar to those found in city/state parks) be placed along the walking trail so walkers can pick-up and deposit litter helping keep our neighborhood tidy.
WISH: I wish Atlantic Coast Properties would conduct periodic meetings (quarterly?) to keep us updated to what is happening in the neighborhood. This may head-off potential "urgent" meetings as we had a few months ago regarding the green house.
WISH: Atlantic Coast should work closer with builders to outline the builder's maintenance issues during construction such as dumpsters and port-a-john requirements. I have seen builders lighting fires (prohibited), sand erode from the property onto the street, and lots of trash at the sites during construction.
WISH: Atlantic Coast would keep us informed about the plans for Phase 2 (or whatever they are going to call it). Has work been halted? What’s up?
WISH: That the walking path lighting would include bollards (louvered , shinning down only only walking path) so we can walk at night
WISH: The common area irrigation would be put on a well, or wells vs. expensive city water, and put devices that would prevent them from running during rainy weather.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Monday, December 3, 2007
SUMMER LAKES HOLIDAY PARTY - 2007
On December 2nd, about 70 neighbors gathered for the annual Holiday Party. A good time was had by all with ample food and refreshments. Thanks to everyone for bringing delicious appetizers and deserts! You can find pictures of the festivities on the web at: http://www.photoworks.com/photo-sharing/shareSignin.jsp?shareCode=A1C2392C4CD&cp=ems_shr_alb_pml&cb=PW
Viewing tip: Click on VIEW PHOTOS and on the next page click PLAY.
Friday, November 9, 2007
Contoversial House Ousted!
Kudos to Atlantic Coast Properties for listening to the wishes of Summer Lake residents and making the right decision!
Atlantic Coast's attorney sent a letter today (Nov. 9) to the contractor building the controversial home overlooking the upper reservoir (Lot 130) demanding the house be removed. The decision to deny the continuation of construction, after it was stopped this summer, was made by Atlantic Coast's Architectural Review Board. The ARB heard residents protests in a public hearing last week which was well attended.
The builder of the house said that since last week's meeting he has been making plans for the house's removal. The timetable is undetermined.
Atlantic Coast has the respect and trust of most residents and this incident had the potential to damage the goodwill they have earned over the past four years. It is truly good news that they recognized the errors that had been made on this project and rectified them in accordance with the wishes of Summer Lake residents.
Thank you, Jimmy & Atlantic Coast!
Atlantic Coast's attorney sent a letter today (Nov. 9) to the contractor building the controversial home overlooking the upper reservoir (Lot 130) demanding the house be removed. The decision to deny the continuation of construction, after it was stopped this summer, was made by Atlantic Coast's Architectural Review Board. The ARB heard residents protests in a public hearing last week which was well attended.
The builder of the house said that since last week's meeting he has been making plans for the house's removal. The timetable is undetermined.
Atlantic Coast has the respect and trust of most residents and this incident had the potential to damage the goodwill they have earned over the past four years. It is truly good news that they recognized the errors that had been made on this project and rectified them in accordance with the wishes of Summer Lake residents.
Thank you, Jimmy & Atlantic Coast!
Thursday, August 30, 2007
ARB: Resident Representatives?
Bill,
I am concerned about the wording in Jimmy's reply re: the resident member(s) of the ARB.
It has been my understanding that the ARB presently consists of three members, all of whom work for Atlantic Coast and none of whom live in Summer Lakes. If this is in error I would appreciate someone setting me straight.
If the above is accurate, then seems to me that an appropriate number of residents would be three, all of whom would be full members of the board, not the advisory member status mentioned by Jimmy. Voting ties could easily be handled by a non ARB member designated by Atlantic Coast in advance.
I think we are on the right track with the neighborhood as well as with the relationship between those who live here and those who invested money to create the sub-division. Thanks to you, Bill for facilitating things so far.
Pat Dickerson
I am concerned about the wording in Jimmy's reply re: the resident member(s) of the ARB.
It has been my understanding that the ARB presently consists of three members, all of whom work for Atlantic Coast and none of whom live in Summer Lakes. If this is in error I would appreciate someone setting me straight.
If the above is accurate, then seems to me that an appropriate number of residents would be three, all of whom would be full members of the board, not the advisory member status mentioned by Jimmy. Voting ties could easily be handled by a non ARB member designated by Atlantic Coast in advance.
I think we are on the right track with the neighborhood as well as with the relationship between those who live here and those who invested money to create the sub-division. Thanks to you, Bill for facilitating things so far.
Pat Dickerson
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
THE FUTURE: The City's Plan for Aiken County's Northside
The Northside Task Force formed by the city of Aiken has made a recommendation to the City Planning Commission for adoption of the Northside Area Comprehensive Plan. There was a public open house to review the plan on August 27th prior to the first Planning Commission Meetings. A downloadable copy of the Northside Area Comprehensive Plan (Recommendation Draft) is now available (Adobe PDF 11MB).
Atlantic Coasts' Response to Inquiry
August 29, 2007
Bill,
We haven't received any resumes for an advisory position to the ARB.
In reference to the modular home, the attorneys are still communicating back and forth but we are maintaining our position that the home cannot be brought up to ARB required standards.
The neighborhood page should be available on the Summer Lakes website around the 1st of October. We will contact all residents by mail with information as soon as the page is ready.
Thanks,
Jimmy
Bill,
We haven't received any resumes for an advisory position to the ARB.
In reference to the modular home, the attorneys are still communicating back and forth but we are maintaining our position that the home cannot be brought up to ARB required standards.
The neighborhood page should be available on the Summer Lakes website around the 1st of October. We will contact all residents by mail with information as soon as the page is ready.
Thanks,
Jimmy
Request for Action to Atlantic Coast
August 24, 2007
Jimmy:
It's been one month since we participated in the Summer Lakes neighborhood meeting. To my knowledge, we haven't heard any follow-up from Atlantic Coast...
1. Most importantly, what decisions have been made regarding residents participation on the ARB?
2. Is there a resolution to the 'double-wide with a brick skirt' house or are the legal-types still messing with each other?
3. What plan is being established by Atlantic Coast to provide more timely communications to residents? Eager to hear about the progress being made on these and other issues that were raised at the neighborhood meeting as reflected in Pam's notes.
Best regards,
Bill Taylor
Jimmy:
It's been one month since we participated in the Summer Lakes neighborhood meeting. To my knowledge, we haven't heard any follow-up from Atlantic Coast...
1. Most importantly, what decisions have been made regarding residents participation on the ARB?
2. Is there a resolution to the 'double-wide with a brick skirt' house or are the legal-types still messing with each other?
3. What plan is being established by Atlantic Coast to provide more timely communications to residents? Eager to hear about the progress being made on these and other issues that were raised at the neighborhood meeting as reflected in Pam's notes.
Best regards,
Bill Taylor
First Neighborhood Meeting
The first Summer Lakes Neighborhood meeting was held July 26, 2007 at the Aiken Shrine Club. It was hosted by Atlantic Coast Properties and about 45 residents attended. Numerous questions were posed by residents and Atlantic Coast officials answered many; others needed a more considered response, which was promised in follow-up communications.
Residents Petition to Atlantic Coast Properties
June 11, 2007
Mr. James B. Luquire
General Manager
Atlantic Coast Properties
2042 Columbia Highway North
Aiken, SC 29805
Dear Jimmy:
Recently, the public hearings conducted by the City of Aiken’s Northside Task Force planning for future growth gave strong testimony that Summer Lakes is considered by many the premier housing development on the northside. There is no doubt that Summer Lakes is ‘coming of age’ with lots continuing to be sold, more new homes being constructed and the price of lots and homes escalating.
With so much happening and so little official communications between Atlantic Coast properties and the current residents of Summer Lakes, we request our first neighborhood meeting. This session will provide for two-way dialog between Atlantic Coast Properties (acting as the manager of the Neighborhood Association) and residents. Among the key topics needing to be addressed:
Atlantic Coasts’ current program for the care and maintenance of all public areas (plantings, watering, maintenance, etc.).
An accounting of how Association dues were expended in 2006 and the plan for dues expenditures during 2007.
Monitoring and enforcement of existing covenants and deed restrictions to serve the best interest of the entire community.
Plans to appoint residents to Summer Lakes’ Architectural Review Board (ARB) as outlined in the covenants dated September 19, 2003.
A plan to improve and increase the quality and frequency of communications from Atlantic Coast to residents whether via future neighborhood meetings, newsletters, e-mails, a designated portion of your web site reserved for residents use only, etc.
Transition of the neighborhood association to residents.
The future vision for Summer Lakes and how the new area being excavated off Wire Road will impact our existing neighborhood.
No doubt there will be other questions that will be raised by those in attendance, but the topics listed above are a good starting point. We all share a mutual goal – having Summer Lakes be the very best it can be.
We ask that this neighborhood meeting be conducted during July 2007.
Respectfully submitted by the undersigned:
(Signed by most residents)
Mr. James B. Luquire
General Manager
Atlantic Coast Properties
2042 Columbia Highway North
Aiken, SC 29805
Dear Jimmy:
Recently, the public hearings conducted by the City of Aiken’s Northside Task Force planning for future growth gave strong testimony that Summer Lakes is considered by many the premier housing development on the northside. There is no doubt that Summer Lakes is ‘coming of age’ with lots continuing to be sold, more new homes being constructed and the price of lots and homes escalating.
With so much happening and so little official communications between Atlantic Coast properties and the current residents of Summer Lakes, we request our first neighborhood meeting. This session will provide for two-way dialog between Atlantic Coast Properties (acting as the manager of the Neighborhood Association) and residents. Among the key topics needing to be addressed:
Atlantic Coasts’ current program for the care and maintenance of all public areas (plantings, watering, maintenance, etc.).
An accounting of how Association dues were expended in 2006 and the plan for dues expenditures during 2007.
Monitoring and enforcement of existing covenants and deed restrictions to serve the best interest of the entire community.
Plans to appoint residents to Summer Lakes’ Architectural Review Board (ARB) as outlined in the covenants dated September 19, 2003.
A plan to improve and increase the quality and frequency of communications from Atlantic Coast to residents whether via future neighborhood meetings, newsletters, e-mails, a designated portion of your web site reserved for residents use only, etc.
Transition of the neighborhood association to residents.
The future vision for Summer Lakes and how the new area being excavated off Wire Road will impact our existing neighborhood.
No doubt there will be other questions that will be raised by those in attendance, but the topics listed above are a good starting point. We all share a mutual goal – having Summer Lakes be the very best it can be.
We ask that this neighborhood meeting be conducted during July 2007.
Respectfully submitted by the undersigned:
(Signed by most residents)
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