HCA COMMON AREA ... DOGGIE DUTY

ISSUE:  Dog pee, poop, and odors on trafficked HCA Common Areas and near other neighbors' homes, no matter how hard you try to pick it all up.

Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, many if not most Members and their families are now at home working or in class full-time every day of the week.  Children now have more opportunities to play outdoors on HCA Common Areas, and our four-legged friends now have more opportunities for more outdoor walks.  

SOLUTION:  To keep HCA Common Area play areas healthy for children, to avoid killing Common Area grass and plantings, to avoid rotting-out light pole bases, and to keep Common Areas immediately surrounding your neighbors' Goodman Houses and parked cars free from unhealthy pee, poop, and related odors, please follow related HCA Governing Documents 1993 General Resolution 2, Code of Conduct Rules and Regulations, including paragraph 10: " ... walk dogs in the wooded areas, not in planters or on common grassy areas, not on traffic islands or where children play. ... "  Yes, it's a politely-stated enforceable rule.  Related HCA and Fairfax County rules are provided in the May 1, 2017 HCA Common Area Pet Walking community notice.

HCA REGULAR MEETING ONLINE @ WED AUG 19

As previously announced, the HCA Board of Directors will hold a virtual monthly Regular Meeting on Wednesday, August 19, 2020 due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.  Virginia law requires homeowners' associations to hold physical public meetings and Director votes, but April 22, 2020 emergency legislation temporarily allows association meetings via electronic means without the requirement of at least two directors meeting in person.  HCA Members can attend the meeting online at https://global.gotomeeting.com/join using the GoToMeeting webpage or app.  Or attendees can dial into the meeting via telephone at (312) 757-3119.  Participation requires a 9-digit Access Code available to HCA Members via email request from HCA Secretary Tom Drake at thomasdrake@hickorycluster.org.  Regular Meetings begin at 7:30 p.m.  For more information contact HCA Secretary Drake.

HCA REGULAR MEETING ONLINE @ WED JUL 15

The HCA Board of Directors advised that they will hold a monthly Regular Meeting on July 15, 2020 as a public GoToMeeting event due to continuing coronavirus pandemic emergency concerns.  Virginia law requires homeowners' associations to hold physical public meetings and Director votes, but April 22, 2020 emergency legislation temporarily allows association meetings via electronic means without the requirement of at least two directors meeting in person.  HCA Members can attend the meeting online at https://global.gotomeeting.com/join using the GoToMeeting webpage or app.  Or attendees can dial into the meeting via telephone at (312) 757-3119.  Participation requires a 9-digit Access Code available to HCA Members via email request from HCA Secretary Tom Drake at thomasdrake@hickorycluster.org.  Regular Meetings begin at 7:30 p.m.  For more information contact HCA Secretary Drake.

VANTAGE HILL INFILL PROJECT DRB MTG @ TUE JUN 23

Reston developed Vantage Hill Cluster condominiums in 1967 to provide non-subsidized affordable workforce housing options.  About eight years ago, the Vantage Hill Condominium Unit Owners Association abandoned its dedicated swimming pool common area due to extensive overall deferred maintenance, insufficient reserves funding, high operating costs, and a gradual transition from owner-occupied to rental units.  Vantage Hill currently contains about 35% rental units within 152 units total, while HCA currently has about 12% rentals within 90 total.  VHCUOA 2019 fees ranged from $35-57 monthly, or $420-680 annually, based on shared condo buildings, infrastructure, and common area.  HCA 2019 fees ranged from about $160-240 monthly, or $1920-2880 annually, based on individual townhome units and 2000-24 Block 3 garage project loan $0-80 monthly payments.  VH 2019 condo sales prices ranged from $140,000-250,000 while HC 2019 townhome sales prices ranged from $399,900-$510,000.  An April 2019 Reston Now article provided an early project report.

To build reserves and fund overdue deferred maintenance and improvement projects, a majority of Vantage Hill homeowners recently agreed to sell their unused 2.12 acre swimming pool common area to a local residential developer Craftmark Homes, who proposes to build up to 31 townhomes, and shift 50 parking spaces to other parts of the property, for which the condo association is projected to receive net proceeds of almost $3,500,000.  Vantage Hill and Craftmark will provide an informational presentation to the Full DRB at its 7:00 p.m. monthly virtual meeting tomorrow, and affected parties may voice their concerns, for which RA made the meeting packet publicly available this morning.   Craftmark mailed required meeting notification letters dated June 2 to 21 HCA and other affected parties directly adjoining Vantage Hill.  In response, neighbors submitted to RA at least 17 individual affected party statements of concerns about building-out dedicated cluster common area to generate revenue, increased building density, reduced open space, street setbacks, traffic, noise, safety, tree removal, storm drainage, animal impacts, and more.

For more June 23 Vantage Hill project application package information, see the following links:
  Developer DRB Application, Attachments
  Vantage Hill Condo Assn. Letter to Owners
  Developer Letter to Affected Parties, Map, List
  Affected Parties Statements of Concern
  Developer Site Plans Proposed
  Developer + Vantage Hill Slide Presentation

To attend the June 23 FDRB virtual Zoom meeting, see the Affected Parties Letter link above and/or the following online access summary:
  Meeting Agenda
  Website:  https://www.zoom.com
  Meeting ID:  956 8866 0759
  Password:  934817

HCA NEW DOOR, WINDOW, OR WALL PROJECT?

To help preserve remaining Hickory Cluster architectural integrity, and to help maintain and increase popular Mid-Century Modern resale property values, HCA requires RA DRB applications and approvals for replacing solid entry doors, solid balcony doors, sliding glass doors, fixed or operable glass windows, concrete block or wood rear patio fences and gates, and other original Goodman House as-built design elements and colors as documented in respective HCA governing documents and RA DRB Design Guidelines, even for some compliant proposed replacements.  The application preparation and submission process also follows a number of important steps.  To help HCA Members understand and successfully complete those steps during and after the 2018 RA Cluster Inspections, HCA developed the application process guide posted above.  Note that the guide describes a best case scenario for a complete application, fully compliant project, and normal RA process times.  In addition, RA recently updated their corresponding application form required for all DRB submissions by all RA homeowners.  For more information, see the HCA website Governing Documents webpage for cluster-specific HCA General Resolution architectural standards that take precedence over RA guidelines, the more general RA DRB Cluster Housing Design Guidelines webpage, and the RA DRB application webpage.

HCA REGULAR MEETING ONLINE @ WED JUN 17

The HCA Board of Directors advised that they will hold a monthly Regular Meeting on June 17, 2020 as a public GoToMeeting due to continuing coronavirus pandemic emergency concerns.  Virginia law requires homeowners' associations to hold physical public meetings and Director votes, but April 22, 2020 emergency legislation temporarily allows association meetings via electronic means without the requirement of at least two directors meeting in person.  HCA Members can attend the meeting online at https://global.gotomeeting.com/join using the GoToMeeting webpage or app.  Or attendees can dial into the meeting via telephone at (312) 757-3119 or toll free at (866) 899-4679.  Participation requires a 9-digit security Access Code available to HCA Members via email request prior to the meeting from HCA Secretary Tom Drake at thomasdrake@hickorycluster.org.  HCA Regular Meetings begin at 7:30 p.m.  For more information contact HCA Secretary Drake.

HCA ALERT ... MEAL KIT ICE PACK GEL CLOGS DRAINS

Meal kits have become increasingly popular nationwide, including with HCA Members, as a way to reduce grocery shopping and coronavirus infection risk.  Every week delivery vans bring cardboard boxes full of pre-measured ready-to-cook ingredients cooled by gel ice packs to keep perishable meats, sauces, and vegetables fresh and unspoiled. 

The gel is mostly a substance called sodium polyacrylate, a powder that can absorb 300 times its weight in water, something very effective in diapers.  However, the meal kit providers give conflicting recycling guidance.  Blue Apron says "Defrost pack completely, cut corner and drain contents in sink, recycle empty plastic pack."  Hello Fresh says "Cut a corner, empty non-toxic contents into trash, recycle plastic pack."  Freshly also says to dump the gel in your trash.  But from industry leader Blue Apron you might get the impression that pouring this gel into your sink and down your drain with lots of water and garbage disposal action in general is okay.  Especially if you tend to recycle as much as possible.  Wrong, wrong, wrong.  What the meal kit ice packs should say is:  "DO NOT EVER POUR THIS STUFF DOWN YOUR DRAIN".  If you do and it clogs, it may take three or more tries with a 60 ft. rotating mechanical snake to somehow move it out of the way.  Roto-Rooter charged an HCA Member a flat $655 fee for this, and it did not work the first two times.  If the snake fails, your plumber may have to try a water jet system, typically used to remove restaurant drain grease.  That will cost about $2,000.  Bottom line:  Just throw the entire meal kit ice pack ... water and gel and plastic bag ... into your trash.  Or send them back to Blue Apron as described in a June 4, 2017 Mother Jones article.  Anywhere but NOT your drain.  UPDATE ... Large meal pack gel packs create another problem if left to thaw in a stainless steel kitchen sink during humid weather.  The packs chill the stainless steel, the humid air condenses on the underside steel surface inside the sink storage cabinet, and the condensation then drips down onto the cabinet bottom.  If not somehow contained, this dripping condensation will ruin unprotected cabinet wood. 

HCA REGULAR MEETING ONLINE @ WED MAY 20

The HCA Board of Directors advised yesterday that they will hold a monthly Regular Meeting on May 20, 2020 as a public GoToMeeting due to continuing coronavirus pandemic emergency orders.  Virginia law requires homeowners' associations to hold physical public meetings and Director votes, but April 22, 2020 emergency legislation temporarily allows association meetings via electronic means without the requirement of at least two directors meeting in person.  However, Code of Virginia Chapter 18 Section 55.1-1815, Paragraph G still requires associations to provide members with at least 14 days annual or regular meeting advance notice.  HCA Members can attend the meeting from a computer, tablet, or smartphone via https://global.gotomeeting.com/join after downloading, installing, and running the GoToMeeting application.  Or attendees can dial into the meeting via telephone at (312) 757-3119 or toll free at (866) 899-4679.  Participation requires a 9-digit meeting security Access Code available to HCA Members via email request prior to the meeting from HCA Secretary Tom Drake at thomasdrake@hickorycluster.org.  HCA Regular Meetings normally begin at 7:30 p.m.  For more information contact HCA Secretary Drake.

UPDATE ... May 20:  TWC provided additional information posted at right via snailmail notice postmarked Monday, May 18 and received today, Wednesday, May 20.  Try printing the page if the screen image lacks readable resolution.  However, HCA Secretary Tom Drake confirmed this evening via email that the information he provided on May 16 for the website posting above, not the snailmail notice at right, is correct for the meeting tonight.  As before, email Tom for the secure access code.

HCA COMMON AREA POWER WASH @ MAY 13-18

As announced via the recent snailmail notice at right, and continuing an annual service since 2012:
BLOCK 1 Wednesday, May 13 
BLOCK 2 Wednesday-Thursday, May 13-14
BLOCK 3 Friday, May 15 and Monday, May 18
This schedule is subject to change depending on weather and other factors.  HCA residents should remove all personal property stored on hardscape Common Areas, including planting pots and furniture, to allow contractor access and cleaning of all areas.  Residents should also relocate their vehicles parked near sidewalks if concerned about possible damage.  This work will include Block 3 front main entry door Common Area elevated landings and carriage house driveway aprons from building edge private property lines.

COUNTY GLASS BIN COLLECTION RESUMES @ MON MAY 11

Since October 2019, Fairfax County has asked residents to discontinue placing used glass in curbside recycling collections, and instead either place glass in their trash, or take glass to a county purple bin location.  In March 2020, the county temporarily suspended purple bin collections due to coronavirus pandemic concerns.  However, as of Monday, May 11, the County resumed purple bin collection at the Reston Parkway Park and Ride lot, the Great Falls Library parking lot, and in Herndon, Vienna, McLean and elsewhere throughout Fairfax County.  For more information, see related HCA website posts and Fairfax County website posts.

RELAC A/C 2020 SVC STARTUP STATUS @ WED MAY 6+

From RELAC President Mark Waddell on May 6:  " ... Our team at RELAC is ready to begin the 2020 A/C season. Looks like the weather for early May will be cooler than it has been for the last few years.  As a reminder the official startup date is May 22 or the second consecutive 80 degree day in May.  In the last few years this has happened in the first week of May.  The forecast has the temperatures well below 70 for the next 9 days.  We will continue to monitor the weather and update you on the RELAC startup date. ... "

UPDATES ...
May 13:  "The forecast is for 80 degree temperatures this Friday and Saturday (May 15-16).  RELAC will start up this Friday by noon for at least two days.  Then the forecast is for 4 cooler days.  If this forecast holds RELAC may not be operating till the temperatures gets to 70 again Thursday May 21. ... "

HCA BLOCK 2 FOOTPATH ... CAT FOUND @ TUE APR 21

A Hickory Cluster resident found this fluffy, sandy-colored, blue-eyed, and ever-so-affectionate Ragdoll breed female on the footpath behind 11553-57 Maple Ridge Rd. in Block 2 yesterday evening at about dusk, uninjured but disoriented and distressed.  She had not been seen there before and had no ID tag.  To keep her safe from local foxes and other predators, freezing weather, and mowing crews, she is temporarily staying in a nearby cat-loving home with fresh food, water, and litterbox, and lots of attention.  To return this sweetheart to her real home, call or text 703 405 9946 and describe her collar.  UPDATE ... April 24:  A happy ending.  Her name is Luna, her relieved Coleson Cluster owner called and stopped by yesterday, and Luna is now back home with her family, hopefully never to be lost again.

RELAC A/C 2020 SVC STARTUP STATUS @ WED APR 1+

From RELAC LLC President Mark Waddell to customers via email this morning:  "I hope everyone is staying safe.  With the current stay at home directive it is very important to make sure our system is operational so our customers are able to use their A/C effectively.  RELAC began the seasonal startup process on April 1.  This year we are only using our regular staff for startup and not hiring any temporary workers.  We made this decision to limit contact between our staff and outside help in order to keep our staff as safe as possible.  Therefore the startup will take longer than usual.  We will do our best to get everything up and running by the second 80 Degree day in May.  If the RELAC team needs to do some work within your homes they will first ask if you are comfortable with them entering.  They will wear gloves and masks to keep everyone as safe as possible.  Our mask supply is getting low and we are finding it hard to find good replacements.  If anyone has any information where to find masks to help us out,  we be most appreciative."

VA CORONAVIRUS UW IMHE PROJECTIONS RESOURCE

The University of Washington Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation, one of many international public institutes and programs substantially funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, provides useful projections updated almost daily on country-specific coronavirus pandemic metrics, and for individual states including Virginia.  Based on April 9 data and continuation of preventive public health practices including those required by Virginia Governor Executive Order 53 and Order 55, IMHE projects an April 26, 2020 peak of Virginia hospital resource needs well within total available capacity, and a related early-mid June 2020 leveling of Virginia cumulative fatalities through August 4, 2020.  For more information, visit the IMHE Virginia webpage.  Note that you may need to access IMHE website content using a more current Google Chrome browser if your PC is running older MS Windows OS and/or MS Internet Explorer browser versions.

HCA MEETING LOCATION CHANGE @ WED APR 15

Due to coronavirus pandemic social distancing requirements and lack of available public meeting space, HCA has rescheduled the quarterly HCA Regular Meeting normally held at TWC Association Management offices in Herndon, VA to be held as a virtual public GoToMeeting.  Virginia law requires public Property Owners Association meetings and Director votes.  Members can attend from a computer, tablet, or smartphone via https://global.gotomeeting.com/join after downloading, installing, and running the GoToMeeting application.  Or attendees can dial into the meeting via telephone at (646) 749-3129.  Attendance also requires a 9-digit meeting security Access Code available to HCA Members via email request prior to the meeting from HCA Secretary Tom Drake at thomasdrake@hickorycluster.org.  HCA Regular Meetings normally begin at 7:30 p.m.  For more information contact HCA Secretary Drake.

HCA TRASH SERVICE CHANGES @ MON APR 6+

Effective Monday, April 6, to protect the health and safety of employees and customers during the coronavirus pandemic, in response to a recent surge in residential waste, and to align with new Fairfax County Solid Waste Management Program collection requirements, HCA curbside trash and recycling contractor Republic Services will temporarily modify the services it provides to HCA and other residential customers, as follows:
(1)  For customers with carts, RS will accept cart contents only, and crews will not pick up waste outside of the cart
(2)  For customers who do not have carted service, RS will accept waste placed in bags only, and bags cannot exceed 50 pounds
(3)  Yard and bulk waste programs will be suspended
For additional information on related Fairfax County operational changes effective March 30, 2020, including those driving the RS temporary service modifications, visit the corresponding County webpage.

COUNTY RECYCLE SERVICE CHANGES @ MON MAR 30+

According to the NVRC Northern Virginia Waste Management Board, only about 10% of glass food and beverage containers are actually recycled in Virginia.  Broken glass contaminates other more valuable recycled items such as cardboard and metals, abrasive broken glass damages processing machinery, and heavy glass increases transportation costs.  To encourage and support more beneficial recycling, the Virginia Senate passed SB 218 during the 2018 General Assembly session to improve recycled materials reliability and supply during the next 10 years.

In response, and effective October 1, 2019, Fairfax County asked residents to discontinue including used glass containers in curbside recycling collections. Instead, the County asked residents to deposit used glass in 21 purple bins throughout the County, including at the Reston South Park and Ride parking lot, 2531 Reston Parkway at Fox Mill Rd, or to throw glass items into their trash.  The County took purple bin glass to a regional Lorton, VA glass processing plant where it was crushed for use in pipe bedding and filler material.  Glass items not accepted for County recycling include lamps, light bulbs, ceramics, porcelain, mirrors, windows, and sheet glass. 

However, effective Monday, March 30, 2020, and in response to the coronavirus pandemic, Fairfax County removed all purple collection bins and suspended corresponding glass collection countywide until further notice.  The County now asks residents to throw used glass containers into their trash, or bring glass to the I-66 transfer station or I-95 landfill complex.  Regardless, residents should discontinue placing used glass in curbside recycling collections.  In addition, the County closed the I-95 landfill complex for household hazardous waste and e-waste collection, but these services remain open at the I-66 transfer station.  Secure document shredding events are also postponed until further notice.

Similarly, and according to a November 10, 2019 Washington Post article, residents should also discontinue placing plastic shopping and produce bags in curbside recycling because they tangle recycling equipment.  Instead, plastic wrap washed to remove raw meat or other contamination, dry cleaning bags, shopping bags, zip-lock bags, and newspaper bags should be recycled in bins typically found outside most grocery stores.  For more information, see the American Chemistry Council recycling webpage.

HCA ANNUAL MTG + DIRECTOR ELECTIONS @ SAT MAY 23

Pending coronavirus pandemic public health orders to the contrary and public meeting space availability, the 2020 HCA Annual Meeting of Members is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon Saturday, May 23, 2020, in the Rose Gallery at the Reston Community Center Lake Anne.  This is to comply with specific May meeting requirements of HCA 1993 Bylaws Article III, Section 1, unless a Bylaw is amended by a more than 2/3 vote of all Members in compliance with HCA Articles of Incorporation changes enacted by Members in 1993.  TWC typically mails meeting information, Director nomination forms, and Proxy absentee vote forms to all HCA Members in late April or early May.

The following volunteer Director positions are slated for nomination and election in 2020 for which current Directors may be re-elected or new Directors elected:
(1) Two three-year 2020-23 full terms for current Block 1 Director Michael Smith and current Block 2 Director Jeff Ashley who are both completing 2017-20 full terms
(2) One two-year 2020-22 remainder term for former Block 1 Director Matt Collins who sold his Goodman House earlier this year and moved from Reston during his 2019-22 full term
(3) One one-year 2020-21 remainder term for former Block 1 Director Hillary Diebold-Carter who resigned from the Board in 2019 during her 2018-21 full term

HCA encourages interested Members to provide Nomination Form statements of interest and qualifications to TWC as soon as possible, but no later than 1:00 p.m. Friday, May 22, 2020, and to indicate if you would like that information posted on this HCA website.  Or you can choose to be nominated at the Annual Meeting itself.  However, HCA Members not in good standing as of May 22, 2020 are not entitled to vote either in person or by Proxy, or be nominated for a Director position.

Volunteer Directors of this non-profit, non-stock corporation are tasked by the original 1964 HCA Articles of Incorporation with maintaining and improving the Common Areas; enforcing covenants and restrictions; and assessing, collecting, and disbursing funds; all for the benefit of the property and peace, health, comfort, and safety of residents.  Directors typically review budgets, proposals, and contracts; collaborate with other Directors, neighbors, and consultants to make critical decisions; and may provide hands-on project leadership.  Directors must meet at least quarterly, but usually meet monthly.  At whatever level, HCA welcomes your participation.  HCA will also post any updates and the pre-meeting packet on this website.

UPDATES ...
April 22:  As part of 2020 State Budget Bill HB29, the Virginia House and Senate enacted emergency legislation in Part 4: General Provisions, Item 4-0.01 Operating Policies, Paragraph g., allowing Virginia homeowners' associations to meet via electronic means without an otherwise required two-director physical quorum during states of emergency declared by the governor, as is the case now during the coronavirus pandemic, if the association complies with other requirements including member notice, access, comments, and minutes.  This provides associations like HCA with an option to comply with specific bylaws meeting schedule and other requirements, as did RA at its videoconference annual meeting on April 30 instead of its planned April 14 physical meeting date.
April 29:  HCA Directors decided to reschedule the 2020 HCA Annual Meeting from May 23 to September 19, 2020. 
May 1:  HCA advised Members of the Director meeting date change via a mailed written notice and a related Written Consent based on Virginia Nonstock Corporation Act Chapter 10, Section 13.1-865. entitled "Action without meeting of board of directors."

HCA REGULAR MEETING CANCELED @ WED MAR 18

HCA advised today that the HCA monthly Regular Meeting will not be held as scheduled tomorrow at the LAVC RCC Lake Anne Rose Gallery.  Effective Monday, March 16, Fairfax County Government closed RCC Lake Anne and RCC Hunters Woods for at least the next two weeks to decrease community spread of the pandemic coronavirus.  Both the County and Commonwealth of Virginia have declared respective emergencies, closing schools and other public facilities, including County ReCenters.  Updates on any future changes will be posted on this website.

HCA NEW 2020 PARKING HANG TAGS @ SUN MAR 1

HCA distributed new Common Area parking hang tags in a February 3, 2020 mass mailing to all homeowner Members advising that new 2020 red hang tags replace current 2018 orange hang tags on March 1, 2020.  As stated within the enclosed letter and notice, landlords are responsible for providing these new hang tags to their tenants, and vehicles in violation of related HCA parking rules are subject to citation and towing.  Towed vehicle information is available in a previous HCA website post.  For other related issues, including a cling decal option, contact Managing Agent TWC.

HCA ENTRANCE SIGNS REVIEW MEETING @ WED FEB 26

The HCA Board of Directors invites all Members to join them for a review and discussion of proposed new entrance signage designs and placement at the Lake Anne Reston Museum on Wednesday, February 26, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.  This meeting follows ongoing monthly meeting discussions and a September 16, 2019 request for design suggestions from Members.