RELAC A/C 2022 SVC STARTUP @ FRI MAY 13

Updated May 11, 2022

Due to cooler than expected weather, RELAC moved their operations start date to Friday, May 13 from Wednesday, May 11, and has begun initially circulating unchilled water to remove entrapped air bubbles from the general service lines.  Individual homeowners must also circulate the water through their home systems to remove the air.

According to RELAC President Mark Waddell today, and assuming no two consecutive 80F+ days in the next week, RELAC will be ready to start the 2022 cooling season on Wednesday, May 11 rather than the May 22 Virginia State Corporation Commission tariff minimum requirement date.  Unmetered flat rate customers will not be charged for the extra days of service, and metered customers will pay for the actual number of gallons measured and used.

The 2022 start date is almost two weeks ahead of the tariff date, but not as early as the April 29, 2018 start date.  Regardless, RELAC management and staff have been hard at work inspecting and adjusting their equipment within Hickory Cluster and elsewhere during the past few weeks.  The RELAC cooling season will end on or about the October 9, 2022 tariff date, but the team has extended it in the recent past for unusually warm Fall weather.  For more information, visit the RELAC page on this website.

COUNTY RESALE BUYER ISSUES OF NOTE

Every housing market has unique issues of note or concern to home buyers.  On the West Coast, it's earthquakes, landslides, and wildfires.  In the Midwest and South, it's tornados, hurricanes, and floods.  And some general issues cut across geographic boundaries, like construction materials, workmanship, and building permits.  Here are some buyer issues of note for remodeled or renovated Fairfax County homes, including Hickory Cluster Goodman Houses:

RADON GAS ... Radon, an odorless, colorless, radioactive gas has been identified as a major nationwide cause of lung cancer by the Federal Government.  It has also been identified as a probable risk in Fairfax County homes, including Hickory Cluster Goodman Houses, that may require pump remediation systems to reduce indoor radon infiltration and risk.  See the corresponding Fairfax County Radon webpage for maps and other information, and consult respective professionals for possible radon review, testing, analysis, and remediation.

ASBESTOS ADHESIVE ... 1960s Mid-Century Modern homes nationwide were originally built using some materials now considered to be environmentally harmful.  Lead paint, not banned until 1978, is one example.  Another is wood parquet floors typically installed with black mastic adhesive that contains asbestos fibers.  All Hickory Cluster Goodman Houses had ground floor wood parquet tiles installed during original construction.  If asbestos fibers in the mastic adhesive holding the wood tiles to the concrete slab are sufficiently disturbed and become airborne, an HVAC system, home, and indoor air could be contaminated.  Therefore, if your Goodman House ground floor wood parquet floors have been replaced with any other material, consult respective professionals for possible asbestos review, testing, analysis, and remediation.

BUILDING PERMITS ... Local jurisdictions, including Fairfax County, require building permits to ensure that home renovations are completed according to state building safety codes.  And buyers may inherit responsibility for obtaining permits or final approvals if the process is not completed by sellers before purchase transaction settlement.  Visit the Fairfax Inspections Database Online (FIDO) to identify county building permit and approval status by street address, and ensure before settlement that home renovation work was properly permitted, approved, and completed according to code.

GOOGLE DRIVE DOC LINKS REPAIRED

As previously posted, Google made security changes that impacted hundreds of files stored in our 1gb Google Drive document database and linked to almost every page and post.  This made previously public and directly accessible documents inaccessible unless (1) users entered a password, or (2) the webmaster modified the new security update for each document.  As of today, the webmaster has modified all new security updates, and all linked documents should now be directly accessible to users without passwords.  Please email the webmaster at hickoryclusterassociation@gmail.com if you experience any lingering problems, and ignore the email auto-response.  Thanks for your patience.

RELAC A/C 2021 SEASON EXTENDED PAST SAT OCT 9

From RELAC President Mark Waddell today:  " ... Reston RELAC is a regulated utility and the Virginia State Corporation Commission (tariff) states that our cooling season is from May 22 thru Oct 9, which is today. But looking at the weather forecast for the next week we are seeing highs between 75F and 83F. Therefore we have decided that we will stay operating for at least another week. We will be operating one chiller to control the extra costs. There will be enough cooling to control the humidity and cool your homes."

TEMPORARY GOOGLE DRIVE DOC LINK ISSUES

It appears that Google has made underlying code changes impacting public access to hyperlinked documents within this website's large Google Drive database that were always freely available without an account password.  The webmaster will be checking and repairing the affected hyperlinks as soon as possible to resume full public access.  Thanks for your patience.

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 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 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. ... "

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 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 STANDARDS PAINTS 30% OFF @ THRU NOV 30

The 1993 HCA General Resolution 5, Exterior Painting Standards and Maintenance of Concrete Beams, Appendix A, specifies numerous paint colors and finishes for key Hickory Cluster architectural elements and details, including exterior walls, beams, doors, and trim.  More recently, the 1993-98 Cluster Standards 2018 Equivalent Products guide describes current versions of former Duron and other brand paints now available at 30% off with a coupon from the local Sherwin Williams store at 495A Elden Street in Herndon, just past the Fairfax County Parkway and Safeway store, telephone (703) 471-1484.  This information is for reference only, not an HCA endorsement or guarantee. 

RELAC A/C 2019 SERVICE ENDS @ WED OCT 9

Local air temperatures are forecast to be moderate for the near term, so RELAC President Mark Waddell reported in a letter to customers that 2019 community air conditioning chilled water service will end on the SCC tariff date today at 12:00 noon.  Nearby Dulles International Airport recorded 62 days of 90F+ temperatures as of October 2, making 2019 the third hottest summer recorded since 1963.  Customers can schedule system repairs during the related annual pipe drain period as noted in the letter at right.

HCA PAVERS AVAILABLE @ BLOCK 2

As part of his rear patio re-design, a Block 2 HCA Member graciously made available several former Block 3 Common Area garage deck stone-surface concrete pavers for re-use by other HCA Members free of charge.  They are currently stacked at the Block 2 dead end of Maple Ridge Rd. on the rowhouse side.  Note:  Individual pavers are heavy and awkward, and may require a handcart or vehicle to move more than a few dozen feet. 

HCA MEMBER HOSTS FREE SHRED @ SAT APR 27

Block 3 Member and local Realtor Rob Chevez is hosting a free annual community paper shredding and disposal event from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, April 27, at Lake Anne Elementary School.  According to Rob, attendees can shred documents in real time rather than drop them off for shredding later.  For more information on this one-day event, please contact rob@thecazagroup.com.

RELAC A/C 2019 SERVICE STARTS EARLY @ THU MAY 2

Reston RELAC LLC announced this week that they will be ready to start service to Hickory Cluster and most other customers as early as the second 80F day after May 1, 2019, rather than the State Corporation Commission tariff required start date of May 22.  RELAC also started service early last year on April 29, 2018.  The 2019 season operations start-up follows weeks of plant and distribution system preparations that began April 10.  The SCC tariff season officially ends October 9 of each year, but RELAC has extended past service end dates due to unexpected warmer weather.  UPDATE ... April 30:  Since both May 2 and 3 are expected to be 80F+ temperature days, RELAC 2019 service will start at 12:00 noon on Thursday, May 2.  Trapped pipe air is purged at the plant, so homeowners need not purge it from their home systems.

RA DRB RELEASES NEW APPLICATION FORM

RA Covenants Administration recently advised HCA that " ... DRB Staff has revised the DRB Application homeowners use when applying to make improvements. This does not affect any applications currently submitted. ... Please let us know if you notice any problems, misspellings, or parts of the form that do not function correctly." 

RA DRB application approval and compliance with HCA and RA standards is required prior to most exterior changes and private property tree removals proposed by HCA Member Goodman House homeowners.  More specific HCA exterior cluster standards enforced by RA are documented within HCA General Resolutions.  Related RA and HCA reference documents are available here and on the HCA Governing Documents webpage, as follows: 
RA Design Review Overview
RA Designs General Information
RA Cluster Housing Design Guidelines
RA Application and Review Procedures
RA Submitting An Application
RA DRB Application Form ... February 5, 2019 version
HCA RA DRB Application Process ... draft