Recent questions and responses:

 

30 Jun 2019

Q - What are the community's rules for posting signs in the neighborhood?

A - The SLCA Board recognizes and values the diversity of opinion that exists with our residents.  The ability to have civil discourse on matters that affect the community is an invaluable strength.  While the Board supports civil discourse, it also has the responsibility to enforce community rules.  Rules regarding signage help to balance the rights of individual expression with the perception of an endorsement of a particular political opinion, creed, or belief.  

 

Placing signage in public areas, while well intentioned, can have an unintended negative impact on our neighbors.  A sign one person believes calls attention to a perceived issue in the community, may negatively impact the first impression of a perspective homebuyer.  That homebuyer may decide there is a hostile environment in the neighborhood.  This negative and false first impression could hurt a neighbor's ability to sell their home and depress home values.  The Board asks we help each other keep our community a welcoming one.

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As a reminder, Community rules and regulations state:

"No sign, advertisement, notice or other lettering, painting or decoration, religious symbols or bricabrac shall be exhibited, inscribed, painted or affixed on any part of the Association Property without the prior approval of the Board of Directors. No sign, advertisement, notice or other lettering shall be affixed on any part of a dwelling unit or other structure, or in the windows of any dwelling or other structure on a unit or lot except for one (1) temporary for sale or for rent sign not exceeding two (2) feet by three (3) feet in area. For sale or for rent signs shall be white in color with any color lettering. No political sign, notice or other political materials may be affixed on any part of a dwelling unit or other structure or in the windows of any dwelling or other structure on a unit or lot except for one (1) temporary sign not exceeding two (2) feet by three (3) feet expressing support or opposition to a political candidate issue or referendum, which sign may be posted no more than sixty (60) days prior to the voting date and shall not remain on any unit or lot for a period exceeding sixty (60) days. In the event of removal of a political sign ∙from any unit or lot, with the exception of vandalism, no replacement sign of any kind may be posted on the same unit or lot during the twelve (12) month period following the removal of the sign. All political signs must be removed within forty eight (48) hours after voting has taken place. All signs shall be maintained in a neat and orderly fashion."

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14 Jun 2019

Q - Where are the access points to the north lake located?

A - Current access points are displayed in orange with an additional planned access point displayed in yellow.  

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24 May 2019

Q - City code 23-50b requires plants to be kept lower than ten inches.  Why are the meadows allowed to grow above this and is the SLCA in violation of the city code?  

A - Here is the link to Virginia Code 23-50b - exceptions to to the subsection include "(9) Banks of detention ponds, streams, and other bodies of water, natural or manmade" and "(10) Banks of drainage easements"

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The SLCA HOA reached out to the city of Virginia Beach to verify the Board's interpretation the meadows is not in violation of city code.  The city agreed with the SLCA Board; the meadows do not violate any city ordinance and are in compliance with the City's meadow management.  Here is the response:

 

Please ask them to keep reading 23-50 to the end, which has exceptions, including the shorelines of stormwater features. 

Frank L. Fentress, ASLA
Landscape Management Administrator
Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation

 

14 May 2019

Q - What is the status of the commercial developments at the front of the neighborhood?  How do we provide inputs or express concerns?

A - The SLCA has reached out to the developers and is working to set up informational meetings to answer resident questions and provide a forum to express support or concerns.  Meeting details can be found here.  Information available to the SLCA can be found here.  Homeowners can submit questions and concerns to the SLCA Board which will be communicated to the developer prior to the informational meeting.

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14 May 2019

Q - Are the lakes public or private property?  Is fishing in the lakes allowed?

A - The lakes are owned by the SLCA and are private property.  Residents are allowed to use the lakes as well as fish, however HOA rules prohibit removal of wildlife from the lakes.  The Board interprets the rule to mean residents may catch and release fish in the lake.

Because the lakes are privately owned by the association, non-residents in the lakes or fishing on the lakes are trespassing.

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14 May 2019

Q - I received a notice to stop mowing meadows on SLCA property.  Is the HOA really going to enforce the meadows?

A - The SLCA will enforce community rules.  Continued violations will result in a due process hearing, potential fines, and could result in legal action.  The SCLA is working to comply with the City's meadow management plan.

14 May 2019

Q - Can solar panels be installed by homeowners?

A - Solar panel installation would first require submission of an architectural change request to Atlantic Community Management for review by the appropriate review committee.  Keep in mind the committee could be for the SLCA, the Condo Association, or the Townhome Association depending on the specific property.  Contact Atlantic Community Management for who the appropriate committee is for your project.  Projects must be approved before work can begin.

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20 Jan 2019- Updated 22 May 2019

Q - There are areas on the walking path around the lakes were large puddles develop after rain.  Can we address this issue?

A - The City of Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation department provided two maps of the neighborhood with delineations of responsibility for walking path maintenance. The City is responsible for maintenance in the majority of the areas noted by homeowners as problem spots for puddles and ice.  In particular the large puddles that form on the north east side of the north lake and the bus stop at Locksley Arch and Locksley Way.  The city sent out crews to walk the areas identified by residents and the City had determined they were of minor nuisance and clear within what the City deems to be an acceptable period of time.  The City of Virginia Beach does not intend to take any action on the path or puddles at this time.

UPDATE - On May 14, 2019 the SLCA Board voted to seek bids to re-grade areas prone to flooding and puddles.

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11 Dec 2018 - Updated 22 May 2019

Q - The lake front washed away more than a year ago, and our bench is now suspended in the air by the concrete that used to be underground. It is such a small thing, and an easy fix, but nobody will take action on it. Somebody wrapped it in police tape, but still no replacement dirt or another type of solution. What exactly do I need to do to facilitate a repair of this?

A - The board is aware of the issue which is noted in the 2018 Storm Water Inspection Report. The Board is soliciting bids to restore the shoreline on the west shore of the south (small) lake.  As additional details become available we will provide updates here on the website.  

UPDATE - The SLCA Board selected a repair bid to address this issue on May 14, 2019.  Timeline for repairs will be published soon.

 

9 April 2019

Q - My family enjoys being able to access the lake shoreline.  How do we go about requesting an access point in front of our home?

A - Seven access points to the large lake have been established.  Consideration was given to proximity to the boat ramp, roundabouts, and benches as well as interest expressed by residents in having shoreline access. Access points are between homes.  They are on community property and are intended for use by the entire neighborhood rather than by any individual homeowner.  Residents should not expand, modify, or add access points.  

Currently, no access points are planned on the small lake due to the small area of graded land from the sidewalk to the shoreline and the inability to cut an access point and preserve a meadow.  The Board selected a bid for shoreline repairs on the small lake.  Once repairs are complete the Board will reexamine access points on the small lake.  

If a resident would like to discuss access point locations or request an additional access point they may contact the board.

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7 April 2019

Q - I noticed stakes placed along the banks of the large and small lakes.  Who placed them and why are they there?

A - The landscaper hired by the SLCA Board placed stakes along the banks of the two lakes on April 3rd to mark the limits of the shoreline meadow.  Detailed information on the meadows is available on the Maintenance and Improvements page and will be discussed at an upcoming SLCA Homeowner Information meeting.

The lakes are owned by the SLCA, but are also part of the City of Virginia Beach stormwater management system.  The City is currently investing over two million dollars into the lake interconnect and pump station projects which will improve stormwater management and reduce likelihood and severity of lake level rise. Because the lakes are part of the stormwater management system the City periodically inspects them and can suggest maintenance best practices as well as require repairs and improvements.  The City has recommended meadow establishment and the Board hired an outside engineering firm that also recommended meadows as the most cost effective solution to maintaining the lake shoreline, minimizing erosion, and minimizing cost to the community for maintenance.

The Board recognizes that lake access is a desirable feature for many of our residents and is establishing access points to the lake where the shoreline allows.    These access points will be diagonal cuts from the grass line to the shore line placed at intervals around the large lake.  Until repairs are made, no access points are planned for the small lake due to inadequate setback between the shoreline and sidewalks.

Resident mowing of the meadows is a violation of community rules and will damage the embankments and increase repair and maintenance costs.  Current repair work will cost about $30 per linear foot, or about $2500 for the shoreline in front of each home.  

Established meadows have proven to greatly reduce shoreline erosion (and the associated costs of repairs).  They also reduce chemicals from runoff which improves water quality - a major consideration for recreation and wildlife.

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24 Mar 2019

Q - I've heard people talk about whether dogs are required to be on leashes in the neighborhood.  Is there a rule that governs this?

A - The "leash law", City code 5-531, states that when a dog is being walked in a city park or on any city sidewalk, city street, or public right-of-way, it has to be on a leash or lead at all times. Violation of this law is a class 4 misdemeanor.

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12 Feb 2019

Q - My neighbor is violating community rules.  I have tried to speak to them but they have continued to do so.  What is the process to ask for help from the SCLA and ACM?

A - Residents may submit a formal complaint to Atlantic Community Management.  This will allow ACM to take appropriate action.  The form provides the type of information ACM will need to address issues raised by residents.