Minutes - January 7, 2008

Posted February 7, 2008 at 11:47 AM, Filed Under: Minutes

1. CALL REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING TO ORDER – The January 7, 2008 BCA Board of Directors meeting was called to order by President Bradner at 7:00 PM in the meeting room of Brandermill Woods, 14311 Brandermill Woods Trail, Midlothian, VA 23112. President Bradner, Directors Cook, Epps, Guthrie, Livingston and Whitfield, Community Manager Pritz and Recorder Judy Agee were present. Director Rowe was absent.

2. RECOGNITION OF RYLAND REAMY – President Bradner recognized Ryland Reamy who died suddenly on December 23, 2007. President Bradner and several board members noted Ryland’s dedication and contribution to the Brandermill community, including the Spinnaker Cove Homeowners Association, the Neighborhood Residents Council (NRC), and the BCA Board of Directors, serving as Treasurer in 2006 and elected as President in 2007. President Bradner noted that the Board of Directors is planning a tribute to Ryland. He asked that all in attendance join in a moment of silence to reflect on the life of Ryland O. Reamy, Jr.
President Bradner reported that the remaining board had an emergency organizational meeting on January 2, 2008 to determine the course of action after Ryland’s death. The board elected to fill the vacant seat by appointing Buddy Whitfield to serve on the Board of Directors until April 2008. Buddy was the board president in 2006 and has remained involved with the community and is currently serving as the chairman of the Finance Committee. The board thanks Buddy for his willingness to serve. The April 21st annual election will have one candidate to serve the remaining year of Ryland’s term and two candidates to serve three-year terms. The slate of officers to serve until the annual election is: Joel Bradner, President, Andrea Epps, 1st Vice President, Dick Guthrie, 2nd Vice President and board liaison to the NRC, and Robert Cook, Treasurer.

3. MEMBER VOICE – A resident of Harbour Hill gave the board an update on his application for Maintenance and Restoration under the proposed BCA Shoreline Buffer Policy. He noted that he is in agreement with the guidelines for wood lot management and plans to proceed with the proposed clearing.
A resident of Fortune’s Ridge noted that the landscaping around their neighborhood sign is attractive and appreciates the effort. She inquired about the status of the house in poor condition in her neighborhood, which is in violation of covenants. Community Manager Pritz will check on the status of this case.
Several residents of Regatta Pointe expressed concern that residents of waterfront neighborhoods in attendance at the November 19th board meeting had listed their email addresses to be notified of meetings regarding the revised and existing BCA Shoreline Buffer Policy. They did not receive any notice until the article in the December 10th edition of the Village Mill announcing the January 9th meeting for waterfront property owners to discuss this subject. Community Manager Pritz noted that the article in the Village Mill was the first announcement to all residents in the community and a flyer was sent to all waterfront shoreline property owners regarding the January 9th meeting. A meeting notice was sent by blast email to all residents who have registered their email in the BCA system. More residents need to be encouraged to register their email addresses to receive BCA announcements, possibly by an article in the Village Mill or a flyer mailed to each resident.

4. MOTION TO APPROVE MINUTES – December 3, 2007 –
MOTION: Director Epps moved to approve the minutes of the December 3, 2007 Board of Directors meeting, as amended.
MOTION SECONDED: Director Cook
MOTION APPROVED: President Bradner, Directors Cook, Epps, Guthrie and Livingston approved. Director Whitfield abstained.

5. SUNDAY PARK – Greg Allen – Greg Allen, Chesterfield County Planning Department, is reviewing the status of the parking at Sunday Park due to a rezoning request by The Boathouse Restaurant. Additional parking is required since the restaurant is planning to enclose an open pavilion. Balzer Associates was hired to do a study on the possibility of additional parking in Sunday Park. The board was concerned about the cost of additional parking and if there was any area to add more spaces without removing a large number of trees. Mr. Allen asked for the board’s approval to move forward with Balzer Associates’ and to present their study at the February board meeting.

6. WINTERBERRY RIDGE ARB CASE –
a. Winterberry Ridge Residents – Rich Marconi, on behalf of the Winterberry Ridge residents, thanked the board for the opportunity to express concerns regarding Lot 14B. The residents are concerned that the proposed home is not consistent with the BCA covenants and that the decisions being made will set a precedent for future development. The adjacent residents reviewed the plans for the home during the ARB review process, and expressed their concerns that the home is too large for the lot, with an excess of 9,000 square feet. Dr. Marconi listed several BCA covenants he feels the case violates.
Hank Meyer of the Winterberry Ridge neighborhood noted that the large amount of impervious surfaces in the development of this lot would affect the runoff into the Swift Creek Reservoir. He noted that the tree cover in the Brandermill area has been maintained, in comparison to the Charter Colony development where it has not, and he felt this fact should be considered in this case.
Al Farrell of the Winterberry Ridge neighborhood noted that in consideration of the issues that have been raised, he supports the community standards.

b. Wheelers/Doug Greene – Doug Greene, as architect for the Wheeler family, stated that he agrees with the concerns expressed by Dr. Marconi. Mr. Greene stated that the neighboring residents are not requesting any special treatment or any new rules to address the concerns they have, and that Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler are not requesting any special treatment either. Mr. Greene presented drawings and a site plan of the proposed home. The 9,000 square foot home includes a basement, which should not be included since it does not increase the footprint of the home. This home is 5,700 square feet on two floors, plus the basement. He noted that the size of the land use is not different for this home when compared to adjacent homes. The development of the lot will require a minimal removal of trees. There is no flood plain on this lot, as noted on the plans. The county permits a maximum coverage of all structures on the lot up to 30% of the lot size, and he noted the lot coverage for this house is 27%. Doug stated we believe this home meets the architectural standards and is within the character of this community.

John Cardea of the Winterberry Ridge neighborhood stated that his home is adjacent to this lot and he is concerned about the view he would have of the proposed home. He stated that the home appears to be more than 30% coverage and that a good number of trees will die with the construction of the home. He stated that the county records show a flood plain behind the home.

Mr. Greene noted that the rear portion of this lot has a higher elevation and the basement of the home will be below ground level. The Residential Design Standards state that a home should not be situated on the lot to face another house. He stated that there are no view easements in Brandermill, which would restrict the view of the lots. The ARB’s conditional approval requires a landscape plan for this home.

Director Epps asked for a description of a landscape plan, which Mr. Greene stated would include foundation plantings, adding new trees, and preserving the landscape hedge close to the Wheeler property.

Director Livingston asked if the ARB considered square footage relative to the neighboring or adjacent homes and how that is factored. Andy Wyman, a member of the ARB, stated that the minimum square footage is considered but there are no maximum square footages in the Residential Design Standards.

President Bradner asked about the setbacks of the new home and adjacent homes. Mr. Greene noted the footage for the setbacks from the street for each house. Mr. Wyman stated that the setbacks for the three houses are staggered.

7. EXECUTIVE SESSION –
MOTION: Director Epps moved to enter into executive session at 8:30 PM to discuss a potential litigation matter.
MOTION SECONDED: Director Cook
MOTION CARRIED: Unanimously

8. RETURN TO OPEN SESSION –
MOTION: Director Cook moved to return to open session.
MOTION SECONDED: Director Epps
MOTION CARRIED: Unanimously

MOTION: Director Epps moved to uphold the ARB’s decision to approve the amended application.
MOTION SECONDED: Director Guthrie
MOTION CARRIED: Directors Bradner, Guthrie, Epps and Cook approved. Director Livingston opposed and Director Whitfield abstained.

Director Bradner stated he hoped everyone would get past the emotional issues of this case and be able to move forward so that they could become good neighbors.

Director Livingston recognized the work of the residents and the amount of time they devoted to this case.

Director Guthrie stated the board spent a considerable amount of time meeting with the residents, the Wheeler’s and the ARB to take into consideration all aspects of this case.

Director Epps stated she was glad Dr. Marconi respected the opinions of everyone involved.

9. ADJOURNMENT –
MOTION: Director Epps moved to adjourn the January 7, 2008 Board of Directors meeting at 9:20 PM.
MOTION SECONDED: Director Guthrie
MOTION CARRIED: Unanimously


Submitted by:


___________________________________ _______________________________
Jane Pritz, CMCA®, AMS® Joel Bradner, President
Community Manager/Secretary Board of Directors
Brandermill Community Assoc., Inc. Brandermill Community Assoc., Inc.