Jason Schloss - NRC Communications Director

Hi Everyone:
The following are answers from Tonja Flanaghan - SCHH Board of Directors and Damon Williams - Executive Director - Sun City Hilton Head:
Please keep in mind that you can ask for any further clarification
of answers to any of the questions at the NRC monthly meeting on Thursday.

Jason

Jason Schloss - NRC Communications Director

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June 2015 NRC - Tonja Flanaghan - Director SCHH Board
1.Since the Villa and Cottage owners are being given the opportunity to opt out of their landscaping contract, why aren't the north side neighborhoods being given the same opportunity?
This might be something that the Association reviews and considers at a later date.
2. There seems to be an incongruity between resident requests and so called traffic studies or Public Safety experts' opinion on where we need four way stop signs. For example, one of the places that continually gets requests for a stop sign is the four way in front of the Lake House. If residents keep requesting a stop sign, it must mean that some of them at least believe it is a dangerous intersection and one that will only get more problematic with the growth of new residents. Can the Board please take a serious look at this location to determine if they can come up with a real reason for why a stop sign is not needed. We need a four way stop sign at this location.
This is a matter that the Board has reviewed and consider. When deciding on matters such as this, we do not reach our decisions based on opinions. This road is and was designed as a collector throughway, not a neighborhood street. Collector roads are designed for only cross traffic to come to a stop. Studies support that stop signs do not significantly change safety of intersection. Stop signs are installed with the hope they will make the intersection and neighborhood safer. However, before-After studies show multi-way stop signs do not reduce speeds on residential streets and unwarranted multi-way stops increased speed some distance from intersections
3. We heard rumors that the Board is considering taking a look at the Sports Park and other areas to determine if our current land use is the best it can be. Is there anything to those rumors?
Yes. In the review of request submitted to the Board for possible consideration as a cap ex project for 2016, we determined that a long range plan would be beneficial to the Community overall. We will further evaluate a long range plan in the coming months/year to determine future needs as our community and our community's needs continue to grow. In 2010, a Land Use Study was performed and we will be utilizing this to assist us in moving forward
4. I know this has come up before in NRC questions, but can you tell us one more time what is happening around the intersection of Tide Watch and 170 in terms of another neighborhood being built? Currently there is a Sun City Del Webb sign just as you turn onto Tidewatch from Route 170. Then about 1/4 mile up the road is the Tidewatch Security Gate for the North side neighborhoods. So my question is, is there going to be another housing development (or any other type of development) between where the Pulte housing construction ends and where Tidewatch intersects with Route 170? Thank you.
Yes and the area in question is on the south side nearblock 17 all the wayto 170, The north side of Tidewatch is actually owned by another party, but we have an agreement/easement to gain access into our community through Tidewatch. You may have wondered why the gate is located so much further down the roadway, it is because this is the start of Sun City owned property. The gate is located here to permit access for our residents onto our property. This will continue to be gated to help limit access from non-residents.
5. As the Route 170 construction project is now finally coming to a closure (supposedly) in June, what provision is the Board making for security for those homes that border the new four lane 170 highway?
Particularly for those homes in Garden Walk neighborhood that desperately need a security fence just like we have one protecting our golf course off of route 278. Can you tell us what the plan is for security and perhaps noise abatement?
At this time, we do not have a definitive plan set in place. In order for to have a full picture of the issues that our community and residents may be facing, we need to wait until the road is complete. At that time, we will review recommendations from engineers on solutions that may have arisen from the road expansion. This will be a project that we will need to budget for accordingly.

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June 2015 NRC Questions - Damon Williams
Pools
Q. Suggestion: Why wouldn't you select the Barataria Pool as the "Family Pool?" It has the playground there; close to the side gate if they want to go out to one of the very close food providers for lunch, if they chose. It is the most central location to both North and South Residents. AND, that would mean paying just one pool monitor and the forever confusion by guests (and grandparents, etc.) as to what pool they need to go to on a specific day in a specific season.
Yes, I do have little grandchildren that visit once or twice a year. I am very grateful that this community does provide amenities to them. They are very grateful also to be able to enjoy what we provide.
A. Using community input it was decided to share the responsibilities of all the pools during children’s hours.
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Q. I find the new pool rules confusing. Does mean that little children can use the pools as long as they wear "swimmers", the diapers that are waterproof on the outside?
A. Yes. Any person who is incontinent or not fully toilet trained must wear appropriate waterproof clothing when entering or being carried into the pool.
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Q. I have a question pertaining to the new pool rules. If the parents of the children under the age of 16 are with them at the pool, must a resident also be present?
I have heard that in the new pool rules "a resident must accompany their guests to the pool....they can no longer drop them off...have not seen this written in any of the updates! Please advise if a resident still must accompany their guests to the pool?
A. No. The rule states "children under 18 need not be accompanied by the resident but must be accompanied by a responsible adult."
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Q. People are staking out chairs early in the day at Hidden Cypress and Purrysburg pools and are not returning or are returning hours later to use these chairs. What is the policy for these situations? Is there a time limit for leaving towels unattended?
A. There is no policy or rule in place; therefore, there is no time limit.
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Q. Also, there is a group of women that on a regular basis sit on the steps of the pool blocking and making it unsafe to enter or exit the pools. Who should address this with them?
A. If you see this during unsupervised pool hours, please notify the front desk.
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Q. HC pool: many lounges missing , torn etc. also pergolas and lamps need to be power washed. Bird crap all over lamps. Could also use one more trash bin. Seems like the whole area is being neglected.
A. Building and ancillary structures were recently pressure washed. We expect this resolve the concerns mentioned. Additional trash can request is being evaluated.
Handicapped Accommodations
Q. There are not enough handicapped seats in Magnolia Hall for wheelchairs. I believe there are only about eight spots where we have open to us. Not only have that, but patrons who are not handicapped sat in these rows.
Can’t we have more openings? Why can’t these handicapped rows be marked handicap;;ed only and if not filled, then other patrons can use them. Thank you.
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Last Friday Foxlake had a picnic at the Pavilion. One of our residents who is handicapped has/had a problem when attending events at the Pavilion as the closest handicapped parking is on the other side by Magnolia Hall not on the closest side near the tennis courts. Because of the distance involved our resident tries to park in regular parking near the tennis courts but often all of the closest spaces are filled.
I was wondering why there is no handicapped parking at the closest point of entry? Would it be possible to have additional handicapped parking near the tennis courts and if so what is the proper course of action?
A. The Pavilion is an ancillary structure and not a commercial building therefore does not have parking allocation which includes disabled. You are encouraged to submit your request for additional ADA parking through the Property and Grounds Committee; they meet the second Thursday of each month 1:00 p.m. at Hidden Cypress.
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Water Quality
Q. I have a serious concern about the water we drink here in Sun City. I know that we can access the reports about the condition of our drinking water by calling BJW&S. It's the law through the Freedom of Information Act. (I am just telling you as a neighbor that I have been hearing too many heart-breaking stories about cancers that I would consider "clusters" ).
Yes, we live in a retirement community, and unfortunately, infirmity is to be expected. But, I want to know, by means of an independent water survey, whether our water is as pure as we would like it to be and whether it is as pure as we are told it is? (The pink bacteria we see should not be "just a fact of life". Ironically, I even see it growing on my Zero Water Filtering System). I am talking about heavy metals and byproducts we may be getting from the water in the Savannah River.
So, here is my question: Would it be possible for all of us to chip in a very minimal amount to have an independent water surveying organization come into Sun City to do such a survey?
A. Residential utilities are outside the purview of Facilities Management. DHEC performs water tests.
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Q. Securitas is our security, not the police. I feel they should be patrolling our neighborhoods to help keep us safe. why do they sit in blind spots or parking lots and wait to see if they can catch someone speeding. if they see someone speeding while on patrol that's different. but hiding out to catch someone I feel is not right and I don't think it should be part of their job. do they have a monthly quota to meet?
A. Part of keeping your neighborhoods safe is to curb the behavior of chronic speeders. People generally slow down if they see a Securitas vehicle. Patrol officers will sometimes utilize blind areas to run radar for the “hot spots” for chronic speeding.
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Q. I, as well as many other residents, am concerned about the 'pass' that cyclists seems to get. On a regular basis, I see them glide through a stop sign. Recently I was stopped at the main gate waiting for the arm to rise when a cyclist came barreling through beside me. Had I not been stopped & in control of my vehicle, I'd have likely hit this person & been held liable despite the fact that the cyclist in fact was not obeying the law. How many violations do cyclists receive and why aren't they required to have some type of ID on the bike if they are given 'equal rights' to the streets? This is a serious issue and needs to be taken seriously.
A. Per the Community Rules … bicyclists must abide by the “rules of the road” the same as drivers. Citations are issued to them when Securitas Patrols observe them failing to stop at stop signs.
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Common Area
Q. For the people on the west side of Knollwood Ct that abut the 2nd hole on Argent Lakes golf course, some of us have heard that the golf course will be responsible for the land that starts at the end of our property instead of that area being "Common Area". At present there is a void of sprinklers to take care of that area. The golf course was not set up to take responsibility for the watering of this area. Would it be possible to hear of what the policy is and what solutions are planned?
A. This is part of Golf Course deeded land, and is irrigated as such. We will monitor areas that might not get good coverage. Approximately 1/3 of all Sun City common area south of 278 is non-irrigated.
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Q. When are they going to prune the foliage or adjust the spotlight so that the light shines on where the birds roost on the west (I think -- right side as you're entering) side of the main gate. I enjoy seeing the white egrets, especially. They almost look like huge white flowers on the trees along the lagoon. It was so beautiful! I miss it
A. ! ????? Need clarity on what foliage. The area that they roost in is actually wetlands and cannot be maintained.
Modifications
Q. After having discussions with MANY residents and getting confusing answers and also generating much frustration with the people I've spoken to I would like to know: What is the formal and documented procedures for: Appealing decisions of the Modification Committee
A. Through an appeal process, the Board of Directors may veto any action taken by the Modifications Committee when, in its sole discretion, it determines the decision to be inconsistent with the Design Guidelines. A letter of appeal addressed to the Board of Directors shall be submitted within 14 days of the date of the letter of declination to the Community Standards Department. All correspondence submitted to Community Standards Department will be forwarded to the Board of Directors.
· Appealing decisions and actions by Community Standards
The Community Standards Department staff cannot deny requests. The Community Standards Department provides day-to-day administration of the property modification process. Office personnel receive and process all modification applications, present them to the Modifications Committee for review, communicate committee decisions to residents, maintain records of property modifications, and assist homeowners in preparing modification applications. The Modifications Committee may authorize the Community Standards Department staff to review and approve modification applications for routine recurring projects by approving a list of such items and establishing decision criteria for each as needed.
· Appealing a citation from Securitas
To request a hearing for an issued citation the alleged violator shall submit a written request to include the reason for the appeal request, to the Community Standards Department /Covenants Enforcement Coordinator, within 14 days of the date of the violation. If the hearing is requested within the allotted 14 day period, all relevant correspondence will be directed to the Covenants Committee for a hearing. If the hearing is held before the Covenants Committee, the violator shall have the right to appeal the decision to the Board; a written notice of appeal must be received by the Covenants Enforcement Coordinator within 14 days after the hearing date.
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Q. Why does a minor and common Modification such as a Standard Birdhouse on a 6 foot metal pole need to take "2 to 3 weeks" to receive approval from the Modifications Committee?
A. As of May 13, 2015 revisions to the Design Guidelines were made to include the Landscape Accessory Guide (Appendix B). All landscape accessories noted on the Landscape Accessory Guide do NOT require advance approval. Homeowners may mix and match accessory types, subject to the individual types and limits, as noted. Residents may obtain a copy of the updated version of the Design Guidelines at Palmetto Commons and or by logging into www.SunCityHiltonHead.org, clicking on “Documents” and then “Governing Documents.”
Q. It would seem that such a common request should be able to be approved on the spot by the Community Association Staff."
A. Processing time standards do not commence until a complete application is received. The goal for reviewing applications and sending a response to the homeowner is 30 days or less from the date of receipt of a complete application package.
Community Rules
Is it against Community Rules for a male to have his shirt off while working in his yard, or washing his car in his own driveway?
No.