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Woodmoor talks guns, fences, covenants
By Nicole Chillino
The Woodmoor Improvement Association discussed a few current and future changes to its governing documents at the June 24 board of directors meeting.
The association’s board got rid of a firearm rule, withdrew a proposal to allow front fences and created a committee to look at the covenant enforcement process and related documents.
The board approved a change it made to a firearm regulation in its rules and regulations to restrict the carrying of guns in The Barn and in common areas. Since the approval, the board sought legal counsel and was told the portion of the motion pertaining to common areas would be difficult to enforce, said board president George McFadden.
The board voted in favor of dropping the portion of the rules and regulations all together. The change means The Barn and common areas will not have any special rules surrounding firearms, which leaves the existing state laws as the only regulation surrounding firearms residents must abide by when in one of the areas.
Director of Common Areas Gary Marner withdrew his motion for the fence-related design standards manual change. Marner had proposed the board change the manual to allow fences in the fronts of Woodmoor properties.
Prior to the motion, the board had discussed the issue and decided any special cases that might warrant the placement of a fence in front of a property can be resolved by the architectural control committee by granting a variance, McFadden said.
Also, many residents expressed opinions against the motion, which had been posted on the association’s Web site about a month prior to the meeting, said Anne Stevens-Gountanis, director of architectural control.
In addition to discussing parts of the association’s documents, the board approved the creation of a committee that will look at redoing the covenants and increase the focus on resolving problems without using intimidation, McFadden said. The committee would also need to ensure all of the association’s documents are consistent in what they say about the covenants, Wilson said.
Of nine people who expressed interest in being part of the committee; four were chosen by board secretary Bill Walters. Kim Braun, Diane Spelman and Nick Oakley will serve on the committee.
McFadden will serve as a liaison between the committee and the board, but will not be a member of the group, he said.
There was discussion amongst board members and those in attendance of the meeting about whether to include more people on the committee. Wilson suggested Vic Harshberger be added to the list of members.
“This issue is of such importance, given that covenants and the articles of incorporation are the two most powerful documents for a homeowners association, that we need to have a variety of participants in this process,” said director at large Jim Wilson. “I believe having five minds at the table is more meaningful to the process.”
The board voted down Wilson’s proposed amendment.
“You made a statement you felt that someone should be on this committee who had had some covenant experience,” said former board member Liz Miller to Walters. “Both Beth [Courrau] and I, having been on the board, have covenant experience. You are eliminating the only people who have experience.”
Both women volunteered to be on the committee and wanted to use their experience to help the committee, but the majority of the board voted in favor of the four members Walters had suggested. Stevens, Wilson and Chuck Maher voted against the motion.
The association’s board got rid of a firearm rule, withdrew a proposal to allow front fences and created a committee to look at the covenant enforcement process and related documents.
The board approved a change it made to a firearm regulation in its rules and regulations to restrict the carrying of guns in The Barn and in common areas. Since the approval, the board sought legal counsel and was told the portion of the motion pertaining to common areas would be difficult to enforce, said board president George McFadden.
The board voted in favor of dropping the portion of the rules and regulations all together. The change means The Barn and common areas will not have any special rules surrounding firearms, which leaves the existing state laws as the only regulation surrounding firearms residents must abide by when in one of the areas.
Director of Common Areas Gary Marner withdrew his motion for the fence-related design standards manual change. Marner had proposed the board change the manual to allow fences in the fronts of Woodmoor properties.
Prior to the motion, the board had discussed the issue and decided any special cases that might warrant the placement of a fence in front of a property can be resolved by the architectural control committee by granting a variance, McFadden said.
Also, many residents expressed opinions against the motion, which had been posted on the association’s Web site about a month prior to the meeting, said Anne Stevens-Gountanis, director of architectural control.
In addition to discussing parts of the association’s documents, the board approved the creation of a committee that will look at redoing the covenants and increase the focus on resolving problems without using intimidation, McFadden said. The committee would also need to ensure all of the association’s documents are consistent in what they say about the covenants, Wilson said.
Of nine people who expressed interest in being part of the committee; four were chosen by board secretary Bill Walters. Kim Braun, Diane Spelman and Nick Oakley will serve on the committee.
McFadden will serve as a liaison between the committee and the board, but will not be a member of the group, he said.
There was discussion amongst board members and those in attendance of the meeting about whether to include more people on the committee. Wilson suggested Vic Harshberger be added to the list of members.
“This issue is of such importance, given that covenants and the articles of incorporation are the two most powerful documents for a homeowners association, that we need to have a variety of participants in this process,” said director at large Jim Wilson. “I believe having five minds at the table is more meaningful to the process.”
The board voted down Wilson’s proposed amendment.
“You made a statement you felt that someone should be on this committee who had had some covenant experience,” said former board member Liz Miller to Walters. “Both Beth [Courrau] and I, having been on the board, have covenant experience. You are eliminating the only people who have experience.”
Both women volunteered to be on the committee and wanted to use their experience to help the committee, but the majority of the board voted in favor of the four members Walters had suggested. Stevens, Wilson and Chuck Maher voted against the motion.
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