Status on New Housing Development
This is to give you an update on the status of the new housing development planned along Ragland and Hwy 360. At the 4th Quarter Board meeting on 18 November, the developer made a presentation to the community. A summary of that presentation was posted under the documents tab on our site; to see that presentation, click here.
The developer since has submitted a packet of design information to the Arlington Planning & Zoning commission on 6 January. Click here to see the concept submittal and concept drawings submitted. The Board has looked these documents over and shared them with Classic Property Management and our community lawyer Lance Williams of Riddle & Williams.
We essentially have two options we can pursue in regards to the new development: we can request that they become part of Southwind Community Association (also called annexation), or we can propose a cost-sharing agreement for usage of our common areas that they will share.
The recommendation of Mr. Williams and Linda Razzano from Classic is that we propose a joint cost-sharing agreement with the new developer that would be presented at the P&Z meeting. There is a significant amount of Southwind common areas that will be adjacent to the new development that we would expect their new residents to utilize, to include the front entryway off Hwy 360, the initial part of Southwind Dr., the front pond area, and the walking trails. Southwind Community Association (this is our official designation) expends quite a bit of money as part of our annual operating costs to maintain these areas. Sharing these costs with the new development would bring in new income into our community that we could use for improvements. Further, we would request that they share reserve fund costs to maintain these items over the long-term.
We have reached out to the developer to inform him that we would request this cost sharing agreement at the P&Z meeting. He has indicated his willingness to support such an agreement. We also indicated we had a concern with the conceptual drawing not showing a playground in the new development area. Since our playground is the only such facility in the area, we would expect usage from the new development residents. Our concern is that its size does not support additional usage. The developer indicated they would be revising their plans to put in a playground in their development and their plans would be resubmitted to the P&Z commission.
Mr. Williams has prepared a draft of this cost sharing agreements that the Board is now reviewing. We have not heard of a date being set for a P&Z hearing, but will stay in contact with the developer and P&Z personnel to stay on top of the situation.
In regard to annexation of the new development (currently being called Southwind Meadows), Mr. Williams has informed us a majority vote from Southwind Community Association homeowners is required to move forward on that. Annexation is a more complicated issue to consider, where potential benefits vs. financial risks and detriments need to be evaluated. This will require additional information from the developer for the Board and community to perform this evaluation; we will continue to look at this option and keep the community apprised of our status. Note that annexation will make the cost sharing option obsolete. The developer is also aware we will consider this option and has indicated a willingness to support our decision.
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