Hello Fellow Homeowners,
 

Welcome back from our Summer Break!
 

I would like to start the season with some clarification regarding Plat 1's landscaping responsibilities and the homeowners' responsibilities.
 

Plat 1 was created approximately 40 years ago, and since our community's inception, the rule is that the HOA contracts the landscaper to "only trim the developer’s original trees and bushes." Original bushes are those in front of the units and those surrounding the air conditioners. All other landscaping is the homeowner’s responsibility.
 

Our Plat 1 documents prohibit using HOA community funds to pay for individual homeowners' plants and trees. As board members travel throughout our community, we have noticed that many homeowners have and continue to plant trees and bushes in easement areas, **against HOA regulations**. If you or a previous homeowner planted bushes or trees, the current homeowner is financially responsible for trimming and maintaining them.
 

Our landscaper is only responsible for trimming the bushes around the air conditioners, the shrubs in front of patios and windows, and the grass and bushes between driveways. Nothing more! The community's budget only includes maintaining landscaping planted by the developer in common areas and around the units themselves. Everything else is the individual homeowner's responsibility. Some homeowners have replaced their front bushes with other types, and the landscaper will trim these bushes as long as they are directly in front of the unit within 3 feet.
 

Plat 1 pays the landscaper for general maintenance. General maintenance does not include moving your possessions around to cut the grass and then putting them back. If you have any furniture, fences, statues, fixtures, or anything else on your landscaping areas, the landscaper will not touch or move your belongings to perform landscaping duties. To avoid any future problems and financial responsibility to the HOA  or the Landscaper if your items break, the landscaper has been advised to avoid contact with your personal possessions. This means they will NOT mow or weed whack the area near those items until they are removed. Since the possessions are yours, you must ensure they are safe and that mowing areas are clear of your belongings.
 

Homeowners are **not permitted** to plant anything in areas where the landscaper mows. The only place you can plant is next to your unit, close to the front patio, windows, and air conditioner. Do not plant anything with thorns, and do not plant trees, as roots can break sprinkler lines, lift walkways, and damage foundations. The incurred costs and associated liability will be the responsibility of the homeowner, not the HOA.

 

You must obtain HOA approval in writing before planting, send all requests to the Landscape Committee at dvp1landscaping@gmail.com . HOA community funds will not be used to pay for your plants.
For items not included in our HOA landscaping contract, you may request that our landscaper independently perform work on your property (for a reasonable fee), email the Landscape Committee at dvp1landscaping@gmail.com and we will forward your contact information to the landscaper.
 

Please do not interrupt the landscapers and ask them to do your side work while they are completing Plat 1 service. Doing so only delays the completion of work on Plat 1 property, I have advised them to return at a later time to fulfill your request.
 

Please do not plant trees or any landscaping without first submitting a request to the Landscaping Committee. If you want to plant anything, you must contact the committee, so we can send the landscaper to your property to confirm your plants do not interfere with our community’s sprinkler lines. If you plant any bushes or trees, you become responsible for trimming and maintaining them; if they break the sprinkler lines, you will be responsible for the costs associated with repairing those lines.
 

Under no circumstances are homeowners to plant any Bougainvillea plants because they are a hazard. While Bougainvillea, with its beautiful flowers, looks attractive, the dangerous thorns grow approximately one inch long. These plants grow especially fast in summer and require monthly maintenance to avoid becoming too large and unmanageable. The current homeowner is financially responsible for all maintenance costs and any legal liability costs associated with physical injury and property damage to others (e.g., flat tires). The plants are beautiful but dangerous in our close-knit community. Please also note that for safety reasons the landscaper has been advised to avoid contact with your Bougainvillea. This means they will NOT mow or weed whack the area near those items until they are removed or heavily trimmed. The landscaper can remove a homeowner's existing Bougainvillea for a reasonable fee. 
 

Additionally, if you have coconut or fruit-bearing trees, you are responsible for trimming them and for any damage caused by fallen debris, including damage to people's property and vehicles.
If you have any questions, or need assistance with any Plat 1 landscaping needs, please reach to me via e-mail at dvp1landscaping@gmail.com and I will respond as soon as possible.
Best Regards,
Robert Ben-Eliyahu
Committee Chair – Lakes & Landscaping