Madeline,
Your book club article on the blog is on target with this email.... that I planned to send you today.
First of all, let's look forward to a brighter future for Wedgefield and the golf course. Word has it the course is under contract. I for one, will support it as much as I can. I wish the new owners a long and successful career.
As for Wedgefield, I'm looking for support from our community to insist that our board members start enforcing the convenants that make this a desirable community to live in. Let's face it, a well maintained community is a major factor in home values. So why is the board so pained to enforce them? Why have them if they aren't enforced? Going down this rabbit hole only raises the question why are we paying assessment fees if the governing rules are ignored? Maybe holding back on our payments next year til we get some movement on this issue will get their attention? And perhaps it's time for the board to mail a copy of the covenants to all residents as a reminder of their obligations to the community?
I moved to Wedgefield because it has an HOA and I thought ..... standards. I wanted assurance that the hard work and investment I put into my home wasn't for naught. I was fooled. It's pretty obvious that the covenants are not being enforced or even taken seriously resulting in some homes not being properly maintained or the neighborhood eyesore. We all know the culprits not abiding by the rules and this is why others feel they can push the envelope as well. Why bother? The board complains about residents making home improvements without permits or their approval. Why would you go through the frustrating process when others get away with so much more like stock piling junk on their properties?
Let's look at some of these covenants. I'm sure you can point to an example or two of a violation near your home.
WEDGEFIELD PLANTATION ASSOCIATION
POLICY MANUAL
SECTION III.
4.02.12 Parking Area: Driveways should provide adequate off-street parking for one car per bedroom.
- We all know of neighbors that have so many vehicles they are parking on their lawn. I have no idea why you would want the view out of your living room window to be your truck or car.
- Some park on the lawn so much, the lawn no longer exists.
- Some just stock pile cars on their property.
- It's pretty obvious to most of us that an 1800 sq foot house doesn't have 6 bedrooms. So why is this occurring? Because no one is enforcing the covenants that protect us from living next door to a used car lot.
Conditions, Covenants, and Restrictions applicable to single family lots:
#6. It shall be the responsibility of each lot owner to prevent the development of any unclean, unsightly or unkept conditions of buildings or grounds on such lot which shall tend to substantially decrease the beauty of the neighborhood as a whole or the specific area.
- Just off the top of my head, I drive by a house everyday that has concrete rubble for a driveway and the lawn is their new designated parking area. There is unsightly "stuff" piled around the house, (and they are not the only ones). So why isn't this being addressed?
- How about landscapes full of weeds and lawns that could use a good mowing? Properties with piles of dirt in the backyard. Not a big issue? It is if you want to sell your house..... or if you look at it everyday from you kitchen window.
- Trailers in the driveway or a boat so big, it's taller than the house. A contractors truck full of garbage. No big deal? Again, try looking at it everyday.
- What about unoccupied or foreclosed homes? Why aren't the financial holders being held accountable for maintaining these properties? You can honestly define some of these as "eyesores." I can think of one house that has tarps on the roof, another that no longer has a driveway because of overgrown weeds and grass, and if I really put my mind to it, I can think of more.
- Rental houses that are not being maintained. Does the board even know who is occupying these homes and how many occupants are actually living on the property? If not, perhaps owners should be mandated to provide this information. They should also be prepared to inform the HOA who is responsible for the upkeep of the house, the renter or the homeowner.
- What about the condo area that has issues in itself? They seem to govern with little regard for Wedgefield's expectations?
#8. Pertains the the maintenance of lots where no residence has been constructed as of yet. The HOA reserves the right to mow and keep the lot clean for the purpose of effective insect, reptile and woods fire control. Raise your hand if you live near one of these nasty
wooded lots. Now I'm not talking about large wooded areas where mass development has yet to occur, but lots located between
homes on a populated street is another issue. I see many lots that are not being properly maintained either by the owner or the HOA and they are unsightly and I'm sure all kinds of critters have their own homes under construction in there.
#21. Pertains to dock owners maintaining them. You don't have to go further than Wedgefield Road to know this is not enforced in some cases.
Under-aged children operating golf carts on the road is an issue that has just been brought to light. There is a policy against children under the age of 16 driving carts. We've all seen the 8 or 9 year old cruising the streets with their friends of the same age or younger siblings. Or the carts ridiculously loaded down with kids. It's scary. The board recently recognized this issue and parents need to abide by the rule. If not, the board should to be prepared to discuss implementing consequences such as fines because this is a safety issue for both the children and the residents having to deal with this nuisance. Why are we putting up with this nonsense? Did you ever hear, "a rule's a rule."
Here's the policy:
WEDGEFIELD PLANTATION ASSOCIATION POLICY MANUAL 31 Appendix X-1 Golf Cart Use Waiver of Liability
The owner/operator agrees that all drivers of motorized golf carts must be 16 years of age or older and in possession of a valid driver’s license.
Am I being a stickler? Well, this all adds up and suddenly before you know it, the community has deteriorated and the covenants are basically rendered useless. I believe it's on that path now because we don't have strong leadership that enforces the rules and let's face it, some residents have no regard for them. Perhaps voting in board members with higher expectations will rectify this situation? If you want your home value to increase, insist on the covenants being enforced consistently and fairly.
Write the board, stand up at meetings and voice your concerns, get your neighbors to sign a letter of concern or petition. But please don't just stand by and watch our community deteriorate any further because eventually there will be no going back. Protect your rights as a homeowner and your property values.
The email address is wedgeassoc.com@frontier.com
The mailing address is P.O. Box 1310, Georgetown, SC 29442
