Current Projects - 2022
Last update: 7.19.22
Landscaping Refresh - Spring 2022 (Annual)
We worked with Freddy's Landscaping to remove a few unhealthy plants and some plant overgrowth. This was followed quickly with replacement of fresh healthy plants. Our aim is to have refreshed the landscaping in both the east and west villages annually in April and May.
We will be looking for volunteers to identify and tag unhealthy plants and mark other spots where landscaping can be improved. Be on the lookout for this fun spring event in late March or early April.
Past Projects
Large Trees Removal - Completed 2018
We hired Davey's Tree Service to remove many of the overgrown and aging trees in our community. We are now working with our landscaping company to order replacement trees and schedule planting. This restoration phase of the project will involve plantings throughout the months of April and May as the trees become available. Most trees that were removed will be replanted, while others will be ground down to stumps. Efforts to create an aesthetically pleasing landscape will be made in coordination with our landscaping vendor.
The trees that have been removed were planted 8-10 years ago, and they are commonly referred to "marketing" trees because they look great when they are young and they help sell homes in new developments. The problem was that these trees presented numerous problems related to safety, property, infrastructure, and maintenance costs. Here are the primary reasons for the removal of these trees:
- Root bulbs were not large enough to support the height and weight of the tree, which creates a safety hazard to residents and threats of property damage, especially during windstorms.
- Root growth can damage sidewalks, driveways, roads, and irrigation systems.
- As trees reach their maximum height, they begin to widen their branches. Some trees were encroaching on houses and had the potential to damage siding and windows.
- Trimming costs are expensive and often lead to poor aesthetics.
This project also includes some removal and maintenance of trees in the Natural Growth Protection Area (NGPA), as well as measures to protect trees against the threat of beavers.
New and Improved Signage - Completed 2018
The faded red and white "No Parking" signs in both the east and west villages have been replaced with bright new signs that are clean and easy to read. We have also added four new yellow and black signs, one at each entrance, that read "5 MPH Speed Limit - Watch for Children". Remember to drive safely and park respectfully!
Road Pavement Sealcoating - Completed 2017
To help maintain the integrity and quality of our private roads, the Board and our Property Manager hired a vendor to reseal the roads. We appreciate residents' ability to manage the inconvenience of not being able to drive on or park vehicles on the pavement during the 24 hour period after the application of the sealcoat. This project extends the life of our roads and protects the pavement against cracking and potholes. Drive safely!
Monument Address Placards - Completed 2017
The address placards at the entrance to each keyturn in both villages were starting to show some serious wear and tear - letters and numbers were missing, or had been replaced with stickers that didn't match the rest of the font. Board members, along with the help of our Property Manager, identified a vendor and worked to get the upgraded replacement placards installed. We think they look great, and they should last 5-7 years.
Roof Moss Cleaning - Completed 2017
*Thank you to all homeowners who got involved and helped us all get a great price for the work!
Fence Repairs - Summer 2022 (Annual)
With a few residents responding to our survey about fence panels and/or posts that are broken or rotting, the Board is again planning to do a sweep of repair work this summer. Larger than that, however, is an ongoing plan to replace entire sections of posts and fencing that is aging beyond spot fixes. Because our homes were built in a staggered progression over a few years, the Board evaluates areas of both villages to determine the greatest need for replacement. We will continue to share plans with members of the Association as new phases of this project are budgeted for and scheduled in the years to come.
Pipeline Project - Completed 2019
This project was managed by Williams Pipeline. The HOA worked on behalf of homeowners to help ensure the project went smoothly with as little intrusion and inconvenience as possible. This project affected 184th street in the Spring, Summer, and Fall of 2019 as they used this road as a staging area to upgrade gas pipeline services in our greater Seattle area.
Road Pavement Sealcoating - Summer 2022
To help maintain the integrity and quality of our private roads, the Board and our Property Manager is again working with a vendor to fill cracks in the pavement and reseal our private roads. Residents will need to manage the inconvenience of not being able to drive on or park vehicles on the pavement during the 24 hour period after the application of the sealcoat. This project extends the life of our roads and protects the pavement against cracking and potholes. We are currently targeting this work to be completed in mid to late August.
Fence Repairs - Completed 2018, 2019, 2021
Each year we identify and have repaired numerous fence panels and posts across both the east and west villages. The board works to have newly replaced wood painted soon after the repair work is complete. Past fencing projects have included working to have Williams Pipeline pay for repairs after the pipeline project was completed. There was some disruption to this annual project during the pandemic. The Board continues to evaluate the need for spot fixes, as well as the need to replace large regions of fencing in a phased approach that is mindful of our budget.
Landscaping Refresh - Completed 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022
We have transitioned from working with Full Circle to Freddy's Landscaping over the past couple years to annually schedule the removal of unhealthy plants and their replacement with fresh, healthy plants. Our aim is to have refreshed the landscaping plants in both the east and west villages by mid-May each year. This work was interrupted by the Pandemic in 2021. The refresh has already been completed for 2022.
Speed Bumps - Completed 2019
After surveying homeowners and hearing overwhelming support for this project, the Board worked to have speed bumps installed in the East and West villages, sharing information with members of the Association over two-years of planning. This project was initiated to help create a safer environment by reducing the speed of vehicles driving through our neighborhood.