HCA COMMEMORATIVE SIGN IN PROCESS

The HCA Goodman Fund is proposing a privately-funded interpretive and commemorative sign honoring Reston Founder Robert E. Simon Jr., renowned Modern Architect Charles M. Goodman, FAIA, and the realization of their Hickory Cluster visions 50 years ago.  Goodman Fund Chairman Richard Speier worked closely with HCA Vice President Ralph P. Youngren, FAIA on the project.  HCA reviewed, suggested revisions, and approved the sign on April 16.

The sign will be located on HCA Common Area behind 11512-16 Hickory Cluster near the central footpath intersection.  It will feature photos of Simon and Goodman, an early Hickory Cluster site plan, and a classic Reston Historic Trust 1960s image of Block 3 Goodman Houses, allowing the reader to also see the same homes as they are now.  It will be supported by a strong metal frame anchored into concrete footings, and is similar to those used by the National Park Service.  The overall image and text composition was created by Member and MW Studio artist Margo Wolcott, and will be reproduced in a damage-resistant porcelain material.  RA DRB will review the proposed design at its May 6 meeting starting at 7:00 p.m.  Members may attend and provide comments.

UPDATE ... On May 6, an RA DRB panel unanimously approved the HCA Goodman Fund commemorative sign as proposed.  Next steps are final design and production.

RA / RELAC REFERENDUM GROUP FORMED

RA Amended Deed of Dedication Article VI.2. Use and Maintenance of Property, (b) Restrictions on Use, (15) Air-Conditioning Units, states:  "In any residential Cluster in which central air-conditioning service is available to the Lot line, no individual air-conditioning units of any type shall be permitted.  This covenant may only be amended or revoked by at least a two-thirds vote of the Category A Members of all residential Clusters on the service."  Although not specifically mentioned in the Deed covenant, the referenced central air-conditioning service is currently provided by Reston RELAC LLC, a private, for-profit, regulated public utility with no RA or HCA financial affiliation.  For more information on RELAC, see the RELAC page on this website.

Free From 15 is a group of Reston residents seeking a referendum vote revoking this RA covenant and allowing current RELAC customers to freely choose, purchase, and install whatever air-conditioning system they prefer, as do all other Reston residents, subject to RA Design Review Board review and approval.  The group will meet April 30 and every other Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. in the Lake Anne Village Center.  For more information on Free From 15, visit the Free From 15 website, or contact John Hunter at john_hunter@icloud.com.

HCA ANNUAL MTG + DIRECTOR ELECTIONS @ MAY 17

HCA and TWC are finalizing details for the HCA Annual Meeting to be held 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 17, 2014, at the Rose Gallery in the Reston Community Center at Lake Anne.  The meeting this year was scheduled one week earlier because of the early Memorial Day holiday weekend.  TWC will mail additional information to all HCA Members soon.

Two current and one open Director positions are up for 2014 nomination and election.  HCA encourages interested Members in good standing to provide statements of interest and qualifications to TWC as soon as possible, but no later than 1:00 p.m. Friday, May 16, 2014, 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. 

Serving as a volunteer Director means doing more than just attending monthly meetings and voicing opinions.  It involves many additional hours reviewing budgets, proposals, contracts, and other documents; collaborating with other Directors, neighbors, consultants, and contractors; taking hands-on responsibility for leading projects; and making difficult decisions to effectively manage a non-profit corporation.  If you have the passion, commitment, and experience, here's your chance to help maintain and enhance Hickory Cluster quality of life, architectural integrity, and property values.

HCA A/C HEAT PUMP RULES MEETING @ APRIL 16

To limit visual, acoustic, and financial impacts of residential mechanical equipment on neighbors and property values, Reston Association publishes and enforces Cluster Housing Guidelines for air-conditioning, heat pumps, and solar collectors.  To provide more specific protections within Hickory Cluster, HCA is again proposing the initial draft of  General Resolution 16.

As required, the proposed new resolution was read into April 17, 2013 HCA Board of Directors meeting minutes.  Following First Reading, they were published April 27, 2013 on this website.  Discussion of the resolution was then tabled to review new Fairfax County noise rules in process, and to possibly accommodate other equipment types. 

Public Discussion and a Hearing on the new proposed resolutions will now be at the April 16, 2014 monthly Board of Directors meeting at TWC Association Management, 397 Herndon Parkway, Suite 100, Herndon, VA, 7:30 p.m.  The Board may also vote to enact the proposed resolution at this meeting.  HCA Members may attend and provide comments.

HCA BLOCK 3 STAIRS OVERSIZED TREE REMOVAL

As many Members have noted, the large Sycamore tree located in the Block 3 central stairway is bursting the planter retaining wall, its leaves are clogging nearby roof drains, and it continues to pose a high risk of damage or injury from large falling branches.  In response, HCA recently approved removal and replacement of this tree as soon as possible.  HCA is now reviewing cost estimate and Arborist reports, and will be applying for required RA DRB approval. 

HCA BLOCK 3 FOOTPATH NEW DOGGIE STATION

At a recent meeting, the Board responded to Member feedback suggesting that HCA needed a new doggie station on the footpath near Block 3 and the western boundary of central Common Area to help control pet waste.  TWC is coordinating purchase and installation as approved by the Board.

HCA CLUSTER CLEAN-UP EXTENDED TO APRIL 5-6

Members have already cleared overgrown brush and stacked large amounts of fallen tree debris throughout the cluster.  But to make sure we get as much as possible, and to make up for time lost to yet another winter storm March 29-30, HCA will extend the Cluster Clean-Up for a third weekend to Saturday and Sunday, April 5-6.  In response, Blade Runners has rescheduled their removal of stacked debris to the week of April 7-11.  Seasonal grounds maintenance including mowing and plaza blowing will start soon thereafter, and Mr. Spray is tentatively scheduled to powerwash HCA concrete plazas and stairs in early May.

HCA ROAD STORM SERVICE UPDATE

From NOAA National Weather Service for Fairfax County:  Tuesday, 90 percent chance of snow, accumulation of 1-3 inches.  Tuesday night, 80 percent chance of snow and rain.  From Blade Runners this afternoon:  "Hopefully this is the last snow alert for the season.  Blade Runners does not plan to provide any service for the pending weather system.  There may be some slush in the morning that will wash away during the day."

HCA CLUSTER CLEAN-UP MARCH 22-23 + 29-30

Spring is officially here.  And with Spring comes the traditional annual HCA Cluster Clean-Up and meet-your-neighbors event, this year planned for two weekends:  Saturday and Sunday, March 22-23 and 29-30.  NOAA National Weather Service seven-day forecasts are for perfect yard work weather:  partly sunny and windy with a high near 67F on Saturday March 22, and mostly cloudy with a high near 50F on Sunday, March 23.  HCA asks that Members assist with the following tasks:

- Gather fallen tree debris from Common Areas clusterwide
- Cut and remove invasive vines climbing Common Area trees
- Clear overgrown brush from originally-grassy streambed areas
- Stack all debris near footpaths for easy removal by contractors

In addition, Directors will be working to clear overgrown Common Area hillside brush near Block 3 as requested by Members.  CAUTION:  Members should not touch or dig near high voltage pad-mounted electrical transformers.  And in weeks following the Clean-Up, HCA will coordinate with contractors to remove stacked tree and brush debris, to mow grassy areas, to blow clear plaza areas, and to powerwash Block 1-3 concrete stairs and plazas stained by trees since last Spring.  Contact an HCA Director for more information.

HCA ROAD STORM SERVICE UPDATE

From Blade Runners late this morning:  "It is not uncommon for the weather people to overdue the severity reports of March storms. Soil temperatures play a role in accumulations. As the storm is preceded by rain pre-treatment will not be effective not to mention the shortage of ice control material.  Roadway Plowing ... will wait for plowable accumulation most like in the morning and afternoon tomorrow.  Magic Salt application roads ... none planned in the early part of the storm."