Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Update on Windsor Place from PHHOA Board Member Judy Thompson


The Wallers and I attended the meeting last night at Oak Hill of the United Hernando Communities.  Officer Gilchrest spoke on code enforcement.  She is handling the complaints we have with Windsor Woods.  She stated that she would be making a site visit today and we observed a Code Enforcement truck on the property just now. Some growth has returned on these lots but the back half of them which abut our property are largely with out vegetation.  She will be in touch with the owners again before the end of the month.
 
She did validate that the silk screens are no longer required on all construction sites,  not on Residential, just Commercial.  So if and when building begins there will be no screens placed around the building site.
 
The owner of the property is down in Miami, not local.  The current remedy is to place pine needles, straw, or mulch on the barren spots to cut down on the sand blowing in to our lots. 
 
Officer Gilchrist also informed us of new regulations on the use of fertilizer containing nitrogen and or phosphorus   I will inform Alan and have him post the link or the info on the  Blog site.  Basically, there is to be NO application from Jan 1st thu March 31st. Professional applicators must have a GI-BMP certification. As of June 1st all professional applicators  must have the certification and be registered with the county.  Something we need to inquire of with any company we are employing.  The full Ordinance is posted at www.extension.hernandocounty.us
 
Will keep you posted on the Windsor Woods outcome.  Judy Thompson

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

United Communities Meeting Information

Hello Preston Hollow,
There is a meeting of United Communities of Hernando County on Monday the 24th a Oak Hill Hospital.  A flyer and directions to the site on the hospital campus are attached.
Code enforcement is speaking.  The officer that is speaking is the one handling our issues with the Windsor Woods development next to us.  It would be in our interest to attend.  I have been told that the county no longer requires the plastic sand barriers to be placed on residential development.  The homes that abut this development are having sand blown into their lots and  pools.  I don't know when the county changed this requirement, it of course supports builders and not the home around a construction site.  It seems to me when it is a large development that it should be treated as commercial.  This is not affecting just three homes that might be around a single residential lot, but all the homes on our boarder to Windsor Woods and all the homes in Linden that boarder the development as well.  Of course our county commission may have changed this requirement as they are always pro builder. 
Hope to see a few of us there.  Don't forget to visit the www.prestonhollowhoa.blogspot.com.  I forgot to mention that the opening page will have posts from 2009.  On the right hand side you will see 2014, click there and the current years posts will appear. You will also find the deed restrictions there too. 
Hope to see you at our meeting in April as well.  Please consider joining us at our meeting.  You can pick up a request for ACC changes if you are considering work to your home or a form to report a property that you think may have issues.  On the later, you will not be identified as the Board then undertakes the investigation and becomes the complainant.
This morning on my walk,I passed out an ACC form to someone who requested one via email.   I will be happy to drop one by if you need one too, just let me know.  Judy Thompson Member at Large PHHOA 

Saturday, March 22, 2014

United Communities March 2014 Meeting

WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE OUR NEW MEETING PLACE OAK HILL HOSPITAL at the H2U Partner Club 11375 Cortez Blvd. (State Road 50) Spring Hill, Florida 34613 Our General Membership Meetings are open to All the Residents of Hernando The General Membership Meeting of United Communities of Hernando County will be held on Monday, March 24, 2014, at seven o’clock in the evening; Oak Hill Hospital in Building 5, the H2U Partners Club, see the attached map, the H2U Partners Club is located in the back parking lot of Oak Hill Hospital to the left side. In response to your requests our Guest speaker for the evening will be from the Hernando County Code Enforcement Department, Ms. Gail Gilchrist. Please come and voice your concerns about your community and or our county as a whole. There will be a question and answer period after the presentation. ALL RESIDENTS OF HERNANDO COUNTY ARE WELCOME to come to the meeting and participate. Please encourage your neighbor to come to UCHC meetings, a wealth of information is always available that can be helpful to the all. We greatly need your support and attendance especially at the monthly meetings. We are a non-political organization working to help and to improve the quality for all the residents of Hernando County. Please remember your dues are due for the year 2014. You will receive your packet shortly, please contact Mr. John Bloom at the number above if you have any ques-tions. If your association leadership has changed, please forward the new informa-tion as soon as possible. If you wish to be a part of the Board please contact John Bloom at his number above or through the excite.com e-mail above, as we are in need to fill vacant Board Seats.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Happy Spring to all members of the Preston Hollow HOA


Happy Spring to all members of the Preston Hollow HOA. I hope that we have had our last cold night of the season and can enjoy a wonderful spring time. I have been able to get out and walk through our neighborhood once again since my surgery last year. It is so good to see everyone getting ready for another season of outdoor life in Fl. I usually walk in the afternoon and if you see me please feel free to stop me and chat awhile about any of your concerns for Preston Hollow.
 
I have noted that many of our homeowners are busy putting lawns back in shape after our winter weather. Remember that we have a "duty to maintain our lawns and landscaping" for all to enjoy. Many lots are in need of sidewalk cleaning as well. If you do not have a vendor for this task and will not be doing it yourself we can supply the name of the vendor that did all of the common ground sidewalks last year. The price was competitive and we were satisfied with the work.  All of the deed restrictions can be viewed on this Blog spot. Please take the time to review the landscaping and lawn requirements. The things that easily get overlooked are the height of hedges not to exceed six feet, should not have any overhang onto public sidewalks, lawns of grass not weeds, and no overhang of tress onto public sidewalks. Now is the time to trim bushes and re sod or seed lawns.  It is wise to read all of the restrictions from time to time to keep them fresh.  If you have concerns about a property please let the board know so that we may communicate with the owner. You are never identified by the board. We wish to keep all communication on a positive note in regards to upkeep and will strive to do so. 
 
I am saddened to report that no one has come forward to volunteer to fill our open board spots. Nor has anyone volunteered to be on the Architectural Control Committee. This has placed additional responsibilities on the board. There are very few requests for ACC needs as our homes are all built out and we have received very few requests for changes. It would not take a lot of time to serve on this committee.
Currently the Treasure's position is un filled, as is the inside VP position. We have continued the tradition of two signatures on all checks with the Secretary and President signing all debits. As our books were reviewed at the close of 2013 we received complements on the program we are using for book keeping. It is simple to use and very easy to follow. The board is willing to continue to work in this fashion with someone that would come forward and help with the program. We currently have collected a very good portion of the dues and will be following through with the current steps in place for handling our few delinquent memberships.
 
If you have these skills to lend to your HOA please contact us. We hope to continue to keep our dues low and do not wish to have to pay for additional services or supports. Such costs could raise our costs and dues.
 
We have much to report at the next meeting. There has been some cost to repair the electronics at the front Preston Hollow Marque, some expense incurred with our attorney due to a members inquiries. We are planning for a spring yard sale and have other items to share with the membership. Your input is valuable to us, and we hope to hear from a larger portion of the membership.  
 
Please come out to the next meeting of your HOA. The meeting is set for Wednesday, yes that is a change from Tuesday due to other activities at the Beautiful Mind Center, Wednesday April 9th at 7 PM. The Beautiful Mind Center is located on the south side (left side) of Spring Hill Drive in the small strip mall just west (right) of the old Blue Stone property which is now Ocean Pediatrics. This is just past Mc Donald's which will be on your right. On your left, Brothers 1 and 11 is the name of the small strip mall and this is at the top of the Marque. There is a beverage shop at the end of one of the buildings, pull in between the two buildings and park. The Beautiful Mind Center is on the left side. You take Mariner to Spring Hill Drive, Left on Spring Hill Drive and the Brothers 1 and 11 Plaza and Oceans Pediatrics will be on your left just past all of the dividing barriers.
 
Hope to see you there.         Judy Thompson Member at Large

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

National Flood Safety Awareness Week: March 16-22, 2014

On average, flooding causes more property damage in the United States than any other weather related event. It is a threat to life and property that can occur in any of the fifty states or U.S. territories at any time of year.  In 2013, the nation watched as deadly floods from severe storms impacted the Great Plains during May and record rainfall caused devastating flooding in Colorado in September.  Last year, 85 people lost their lives to freshwater flooding. More than half of those fatalities were a result of people driving into floodwaters. On average, there are 89 fatalities and $8.3 billion in damages annually.

During National Flood Safety Awareness Week, March 16-22, 2014, NOAA and FEMA will highlight the importance of preparing for a flood before it strikes and teach the actions you should take when faced with a flooding situation. This week we ask that you Be a Force of Nature by knowing your risk, taking action and being an example where you live. Following these simple steps year round can help keep you and your loved ones safe when hazardous weather strikes. Keep tabs on the local forecast, create a disaster supplies kit, and alert others via texts and social media when a flood threat or other hazardous weather threat exists! 
Online Marketing Toolkit


Whether you're a blogger, reporter or social media superstar, you can help spread the word during National Flood Safety Awareness Week. The materials listed below are free to use in print publications, online news stories and even Facebook. Help the National Weather Service and FEMA build a Weather-Ready Nation, one that is prepared for severe weather whenever and wherever it occurs.


Flood Safety Information - Find out what to do before, during and after a flood by visiting our newly redesigned Flood Safety website!

Manatee Awareness Day scheduled

Hernando County, in partnership with Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, invites residents to participate in the first Manatee Awareness Day on April 4, 2014, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park located at 6131 Commercial Way in Spring Hill, FL 34606.

Several vendors will provide education on the importance of protecting Florida’s state marine mammal, the manatee. Manatee boat tours will also be running in hopes of seeing a glimpse of this endangered species. During the tour you will also learn about threats to the manatee’s natural habitat and how you can help protect it.

Regular park admission applies. Those who participate in the manatee boat tour will receive one free admission ticket to return to the park another day, while supplies last.

For more information about Manatee Awareness Day, please call (352) 754-4000.

Speaker available on Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ topics

Looking for a speaker for your club or organization? Hernando County’s Florida-Friendly Landscaping (FFL) program coordinator, Sylvia Durell, is available to talk on a variety of topics related to the nine FFL principles, including:

• Practical Alternatives to Turf
• Attracting Butterflies and Hummingbirds
• Landscaping for Hurricanes
• Drought-Tolerant Plant Choices
• Plants that Do Well in Hernando County
• 10 Important Design Rules
• The Evolution of Gardening

Contact Ms. Durell at (352) 540-6230 or sdurell@co.hernando.fl.us.