ALSTEAD NEWSLETTER - (JUNE 2023)
[Click HERE to Download COMPLETE NEWSLETTER]
MESSAGE FROM POOL COMMITTEE (5-21-21)
It is going to be a gorgeous weekend for our official start to the 2021 season! A few things we want you to be aware of when coming to the pool to keep everyone safe…
You are responsible for wiping down the chairs after use (wipes will be available for this so no excuses). We will not require residents to sign a waiver this year, however, you are using this amenity at your own risk and anyone with flu like symptoms must not enter the area. With the state lifting restrictions we will also be lifting the restriction of no guests this year. As a reminder, you are asked to have your Alstead wristband with you upon entry.
See you poolside!
Grill Station: You are responsible for bringing your own utensils and for cleaning the area after grilling.
Reserving the Pavilion: You may book small gatherings but it is not available for private parties due to it being a community amenity. Simply send the Pool Committee an email at alsteadpool@gmail.com and we will send the appropriate forms for reserving.
TV: YouTube TV is available and can be accessed using the code 10321. If you want to log into Netflix or any other streaming service, you will need to use your personal account and you do so at your own risk. Pool
Key Fobs: If you need to replace your fob, it is a $25 fee. Send an email to alsteadpool@gmail.com and we will assist.
Trash: The trashcans around the pool are public use – please do not use the large bins for loose garbage.
Safety: We do not have a lifeguard so please be aware of swimming safety, no glass containers near or around the pool.
A complete list of Pool Rules & Regulations are posted in the pool area
MESSAGE FROM HOA BOARD (12/20/20)
Greetings Neighbors-
I hope this message finds you safe and well. To the 13 new families who joined Alstead in 2020 - “Welcome!”. Though 2020 has proven to be a truly unprecedented year, I can happily report that the Alstead Board and committee chairs have continued to work behind the scenes to protect our property values and ensure our community remains safe and beautiful.
Sometimes new (and veteran) homeowners ask, “Who is on the HOA Board and what exactly do they do?”. Below are answers to these questions for CY 2020:
Alstead Leadership Team:
§ President: Ken Duncan
§ Treasurer: Jim Bernstein
§ Board V.P. and Pool Chair: Amy Pike
§ Landscape & Social Chair: Kami Smith
§ Covenant & Architectural Review Chair: Mike Schutte
2020 Accomplishments
Judicious oversight of Alstead’s finances …
Added $25K to our HOA reserves while holding HOA dues flat for fifth consecutive year
Completed Pulte transition and negotiated $12K settlement to enhance landscaping and infrastructure
Commissioned an engineering study to ensure community reserves are properly funded
Protected property values and ensured Alstead remained safe …
Worked with Roswell PD to have them cite and remove trespassers from our hilltop park
Implemented a parking, pool and hilltop pass policy to keep community more secure
Implemented Covid-19 policies and cleaning protocol at pool area for the summer
Reviewed and approved numerous applications from homeowners for architectural modifications
Worked with homeowners to address a variety of conscious (and unconscious) covenant violations
Maintained and beautified the community …
Pressure washed and stained townhome decks and framing
Removed hard surface and installed turf & steppingstones to pathway adjacent to 1060 Celebration
Worked with builder and landscaper to map and document community’s irrigation system
Extended retaining wall at entrance to hilltop park to mitigate rain runoff damage to walking path
Added 18 timers to irrigation system to save on water consumption
Installed library house and planted additional shrubs along pathway adjacent to 1060 Celebration
Installed irrigation system to the amphitheater area
Planted new trees and repaired lighting at main entrance and realigned trees along Scott rd.
Removed pine trees along walking path on Celebration to protect homes from potential future damage
Repaired and painted hilltop fencing and fencing behind the auxiliary parking lot
Ensured Alstead was an enjoyable place to live …
Safely opened pool/pavilion amenity (w/ Covid-19 protocols and cleaning)
Replaced umbrellas and cushions in pool/pavilion area
Organized numerous social events - “Summer Wine Downs”, Movie Night @ the Pavilion, Halloween Parade & “Spookiest Home” contest, Santa Parade etc …
Installed decorations during key holidays and events (e.g. Graduation, Christmas, etc.)
As you can see, a lot goes on behind the scenes by the folks who have volunteered their time to manage our community. I hope that when you see them around the neighborhood, you will thank them for their effort. Should you ever have the need for information about our community, remember you can always look on the website or contact the Board at alsteadbod@gmail.com
It has been my pleasure to serve on the Alstead Board. I look forward to continuing to work to ensure Alstead remains one of the premier places to live within the city of Roswell.
With Appreciation,
Ken Duncan (Board President)
MESSAGE FROM POOL COMMITTEE CHAIRS (8/26/20)
The Pool Committee wanted to thank the community for an incredible summer, and for keeping the area nice and clean for each other. Since purchasing new umbrellas and roll-bases, Amy and I decided to create a resort feel for the community, while keeping in mind wear and tear, so we have them raised in the morning (if weather permits), and she and I close them at sun down. In the last week, the umbrellas have been down during the day, and as much as we appreciate the help, it does cause us more work, for when we lower them, we are able to inspect and ensure the umbrellas stay in perfect, working condition.
We kindly ask residents to allow the umbrellas to stay up during the day, and if weather blows in and you see the need to lower them down, please communicate with us.
Thank you,
K&A (AlsteadPool@gmail.com)
Pool Opening Postponed until May 22nd
Unfortunately the pool opening is delayed until May 22nd, as we don’t expect to obtain our permit from the city until then. This date is subject to change, so please check back for updates. For more information about the pool opening, click here
Landscaping Update (4/27/20)
May 1st and 4th all common areas and private yards will be treated for Early Season Fertilization and Spot Treatment for weeds. Once treated please try to stay off these areas for the next 24hour.
Week of May 4th we will be turn the irrigation system on in the common areas.
May 7th Seasonal flowers to be installed.
May 8th and 9th Mulch.
Townhome Maintenance Project begins 5/11/20
On May 11th, 2020 we will begin a project to clean and stain the decks of the townhomes. Townhome owners will soon be receiving a letter in the mail directing them to www.Alsteadhoa.com/decks to find more information and to get answers to questions about the project.
Townhome owners who have additional questions (after visiting the website), may direct them to the HOA Board at alsteadbod@gmail.com
letter sent to horseshoebend subdivision homeowners - june 2019
Horseshoe Bend Residents,
This High Density proposed redevelopment only 1/8 of a mile from your Community entrance and exit includes 350 apartments and 76 townhomes for a total of 427 units and carries a professional projection of 700+ bedrooms also to place a minimal of 240+ additional students in the nearby 4 public schools. Additionally there would be approximately 75,000 square feet of retail business.
- Recent years comments by the Principals at East Roswell public schools have advised that the High Density Apartment Complexes have dramatically increased interim school year enrollment turnover, and increased crowding in their classrooms - both of these being very difficult for the schools administration and teachers to work with .
-This 32 acre property does afford the opportunity to create a true destination and centralized community space that is both wanted and needed in East Roswell , but it will not be created with the requested Zoning change to allow more High Density Apartments within the Current Commercial-Only Zoning .
At the recent June 10th Roswell Mayor And Council Meeting certain facts were presented:
· The east side of Roswell currently has 8,796 apartment units - and 8,255 single family units.
· The developers Zoning change application confirmed that this development would result in an additional 5,100+ vehicles will be on Holcomb Bridge Road each day from current (see below) .
· The east side of Roswell is 30% of city land space – but has 40% of city residents , 60% of Roswell's apartments -- and less than 20% of all businesses.
· The developer refused to lower the High Density of 427 Apartment + Townhome units ,
· The developer refused to vertically integrate the property uses – this would involve constructing Retail and Apartments in the same building with Apartments being over the Retail space ..
As has been since confirmed by a Real Property Development Attorney of 47 years , failure of this developer to vertically integrate the uses will allow the property owners at any time after receiving the requesting Zoning change to then subdivide and re-deed Any/All portions of the 32 acre property that they choose while retaining the new Zoning for the new owners .. The site plan as proposed by the developer is clearly viewed as 3 segregated parcels with 3 separate uses and this was repeatedly pointed out by Councilperson Mike Palermo at the meeting.
· The developer openly stated that there would be minimal to no impact on the 4 public schools enrollment ……..
It was clear at the June 10th Mayor And Council meeting that the final vote of approval or denial for the East Roswell Village Conditional Use Zoning request for 427 High Density Apartments and Townhomes with No Vertical Integration will be ultimately decided by the votes of 2 Horseshoe Bend Residents and Roswell City Councilpersons Marcelo Zapata and Marie Willsey. .. Ms. Willsey has a voting record approving high density development in Roswell - including the 55 Townhomes currently being developed at Old Scott Road and Holcomb Bridge Road when being a member of Roswell City Planning Commission in 2015 .That approval allowed a Zoning change from Agricultural Residential to Residential Townhouse..
During the June 10th meeting Ms. Willsey did not express any concerns or suggest conditions to the developer regarding the High Density of 427 more Apartments and Townhomes or the clear impact it would bring upon the 4 nearby public schools .
While this Zoning change is being considered by the Roswell Mayor And Council , already an additional 101 combined Townhomes are being developed at the Holcomb Bridge corners of Old Scott Road (Enclave) and Fouts Road (Parkside Estates) ; these 2 developments are also less than 1/8 of a mile from the main entrance to Horseshoe Bend , and will already add an additional 1400+ vehicles per day to Holcomb Bridge Road .
It is too late to stop these 2 developments and their traffic plus future impact on the 4 nearby public schools . However , The vote to approve or deny the proposed High Density Apartments + Retail development will occur Monday June 24th at the 7PM Roswell Mayor And Council Meeting . Your emails and phone calls to the (2) Horseshoe Bend Resident - City Councilpersons will certainly make an impact . Your attending this Mayor And Council Meeting will make an impact as well, either in speaking to the Mayor And Council, or by just being present ...*Multiple City Councilpersons already have openly expressed their willingness to approve this development as proposed despite clear opposition by a large number of Roswell Citizens and nearby neighborhoods* ..
On Wednesday, June 19th Martins Landing Foundation; the Board Of Directors for your neighboring community with 1900+ homes; presented by letter to the Roswell Mayor And Council their disapproval of this development as proposed by the developer .
Zoning is created specifically to determine and then enforce the highest and best use of a parcel and its improvements - that best serves The Citizens . Mayor And Council are accountable to receive Citizens input and wishes on all City matters such as this Zoning change request , then reflect it in their voting record ; the use of this 32 acre parcel and the improvements thereon is the choice of Roswell Citizens.
Please contact your 2 Horseshoe Bend City Councilpersons + Mayor And Council with your input and concerns , Thank You !
Marie Willsey mwillsey@roswellgov.com
Marcelo Zapata mzapata@roswellgov.com
Roswell Mayor And Council (7 members) RoswellMayorandCouncil@roswellgov.com
letter sent HOMEOWNERS 11-16-18
Alstead Homeowners:
The new Alstead Board was recently elected and has been working diligently to ensure that the community’s affairs are in order. The new board is made up of 3 homeowners:
· Ken Duncan – President
· Jim Bernstein – Treasurer
· Chase Meertens - Secretary
Listed below is some additional important information:
Communication
Due to low usage, the Board has decided to discontinue the use of the www.jwalstead.com site. Eliminating the site will save the community $500 annually. Information will be available and disseminated to homeowners via:
- US Mail
- Alstead’s Community Web Portal (https://comwebportal.com/login)
- Email (for those who have enrolled at the Community Web Portal),
- Alstead’s Facebook page
- Community bulletin board (next to the mailboxes).
The Board has also set up email accounts for you to communicate with the HOA Board and Committee chairs.
- Board – alsteadbod@yahoogroups.com
- Landscape - alsteadlandscape@yahoogroups.com
- Covenants Violations/Questions- alsteadcovenants@yahoogroups.com
- Architectural Review requests - alsteadcovenants@yahoogroups.com
- Maintenance – Alsteadmaintenance@yahoogroups.com
- Pool – AlsteadPool@yahoogroups.com
Landscape
Alstead has been using the Atlanta Landscape Group (ALG). Upon review of our budget, it was observed that our landscape expense was $150k+/year and eating up 60% of our total budget, causing a deficit in the community’s reserve savings. Faced with the prospect of having to increase HOA dues, the Board decided to bid out the 2019 landscape contract. As a result, a new vendor - Georgia Green - was selected and will be assuming responsibility for our landscaping needs beginning January 1st, 2019. Using Georgia Green will save the community between $30k-$40k annually. We ask that (as always) you bring any landscaping issues to our immediate attention. You can send to alsteadlandscape@yahoogroups.com
Parking
As everyone is aware, the streets within our subdivision are narrow. Ill-advisedly, some homeowners are parking on the streets, creating potentially dangerous conditions. All streets (except for Celebration Dr.) are “private roads” and common property to the subdivision. Section 6.4 (b) of our covenants states “Vehicles shall not be parked on the Common Area (except … in designated parking areas or parking spaces …) or any other portion of the Community other than the driveway or garage”. Section 6.4(e) states “If any vehicle is parked on … the Common Area in violation … of the Association’s rules … the Board my place a notice on the vehicle specifying the nature of the violation and … may cause a private towing company to tow the vehicle … “
The Board has resolved that beginning January 1st, 2019, vehicles in violation will first be subject a warning and subsequently (after 24 hours and on a 2nd occurrence) subject to towing/booting.
Trash Pails
Audits by our management company have revealed that some homeowners are not adhering to the policy regarding the storage of trash pails. Section 6.15(a) of the Covenants states that “Garbage cans … shall be located or screened … to be concealed from the view of neighboring lots, streets and property adjacent … “
If you are in violation, we ask that you either place your trash cans inside of your garage or install privacy fencing to conceal your trash can. Homeowners (upon approval of the Architectural Review Committee) may erect a small privacy fence to conceal their trash pail if needed. The fencing should be colored white, no more than 6” tall, and should not encroach on common grounds. Here is a picture of fencing that would be deemed acceptable.
Per section 18.2 of the covenants, violators are subject to be fined by the HOA.
Animals & Pets
A continuing source of frustration of many Alstead homeowners is pet waste on common grounds and unleashed pets (dogs). Covenants Section 6.6(e) states “An owner’s failure to remove fecal matter or other solid waste left on any common area … shall subject the owner to reasonable penalties as may be determined by the Association …” and Section 6.6(d) states “dogs shall at all times when outside … be kept on a leash … “
We understand that the smell of pet waste in your home is unpleasant. There are, however, solutions available to mitigate this issue. One example is the Litter Genie Plus Pail (found on Amazon.com) which will lock away those smelly odors. (See picture below)
The Board respectfully requests that homeowners show respect to their fellow neighbors and adhere to the pet policy. Per section 18.2 of the protective covenants, homeowners who violate the pet policy are subject to be fined by the HOA.