Author Archives: Thaddeus Fedoruk

BOD Meeting Nov 7, 5PM

The Board of Directors’Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 7th, at 5:00 PM, Quartz Room, at the Oro Valley Public Library, located at the SE Corner of La Canada & Naranja Dr.
 
Agenda Items (DRAFT)
 
  • Homeowner Input
  • Approval of Meeting Minutes
  • Reports
    • President’s Report
    • Treasurer’s Report
  • Old Business
    • Replacing Cadden as our association management company
  • New Business
    • Assessment (Dues) Increase
    • 2024 Draft Budget
    • Capital Reserve Study 
    • Amnesty for Owners’ AR late and misc charges.
    • Call for Board Candidates
    • Annual Meeting Date
    • Updated Members’ Directory

Additional agenda items arise under New Business. Check back here for any updates.

Weeds! Argh!

Monsoon Season is officially over for this year; and while the rainfall amount was below average, it’s been enough to feed the weeds. Just a friendly reminder from the HOA, that weeds are not only unsightly, they lower the “curb appeal” of your home and our neighborhood.

Before the weeds on your property become an unsightly nuisance, the HOA Board is requesting you remove them at your earliest opportunity.


Thank you,
Eagles Bluff Board of Directors

School Buses

School buses are once again a familiar sight on Oro Valley streets. Drivers are reminded to be especially mindful of children waiting for their bus.

As a reminder to everyone on our community, school buses are not allowed on our private streets. If you happen to see a school bus in our community, please note the date, time and bus number, and notify our HOA Manager. Our manager will notify the school district’s transportation dispatcher and advise drivers that the pickup/drop-off spot is at the entrance to our community.

New Officers for 2023

An organizational meeting was conducted immediately after the 2023 Annual Meeting to assign Officers of the Association for 2023.  They are as follows:


Board of Directors and Officers of the Association
Board Term
Expires
PresidentDerald Owensderaldowens@msn.com
2028
Vice PresidentHugh Moshersandhmosher@gmail.com
2028
Secretary/TreasurerTodd Fedoruktrfedoruk@yahoo.com
2027
Member at LargeJoe Recchiojrrecchio@gmail.com
2025
Member at LargeTodd Bersonberson2820@msn.com
2027

Annual Meeting – Voting

Annual Meeting of the Association
Tuesday, January 31, 2023 5:00 PM
Oro Valley Library
Program Meeting Room

By now every member household has received the Association’s Annual Meeting Packet. Included in this packet is the ballot and ballot instructions.

Voting to approve or disapprove last year’s meeting minutes and voting for two Board of Directors members is done by ballot. Each member, one per Lot shall cast their vote.

Two names of candidates for the Board are on the ballot.
– Todd Fedoruk
– Todd Berson
You may also write-in a candidate name.

In accordance with A.R.S. §33-1812/1250, once you have completed your ballot, you must return it to the Association in one of the following manners:

(1) using the enclosed envelope and mail it;
(2) faxing to 520-742-­2618;
(3) emailing it to the Community Association
​      Manager – jbecerra@cadden.com; or
(4) bringing it to the association office.

Ballots must be received by one of the forms above no later than January 30, 2023 in order to be counted.

The ballot is valid for only one specified meeting of the members and expires automatically after the completion of the meeting. The ballot does not authorize another person to cast votes on behalf of the member.


Agenda:

I.    Call to Order

II.   Proof of Call

III.  Establishment
      of Quorum

IV.   Welcome and
       Introduction

V.    Report from Officers

VI.   Announcement of
    Annual Meeting
    Minute Results

VII.  Announcement of
Election Results

VIII. Discussion of Budget

IX.   Q&A (Open Forum)

X.    Adjournment to Organizational
Meeting

Originally Posted January 18, 2023 Edited to provide new information.

Zoning Commission Denies Drive-Thru

Summary
On Tuesday, January 10, 2023, a public meeting was held by the OV Zoning Commission. The agenda item of interest to us and our neighboring associations was the discussion and possible action on four separate items regarding the property owner’s proposed site design for an office and drive-thru development located at the northwest corner of the Naranja Dr. and La Cañada Dr. intersection. The applicant was proposing the following:

ITEM A: Conditional Use Permit for the drive-thru
ITEM B: Removal of a 2006 Grading Exception condition
ITEM C: Conceptual Site Plan package for the development
ITEM D: Conceptual architecture for the proposed buildings​
 
A brief history of the NW Corner site was presented by the Town Planner, followed by a presentation by the developer’s representative. Two homeowner comments were presented opposing ITEM A, the drive-thru, on the grounds that it would be a safety and traffic congestion problem to an already congested intersection.
Four of the six commissioners also raised concerns about the additional congestion resulting from traffic flow in and out of the property and onto La Cañada or Naranja. The commissioners observed firsthand the traffic congestion at the intersection, noting vehicles backed-up a quarter mile on eastbound Naranja.

The developer’s representative failed to adequately address the commissioners’ concerns. With discussion ended, a vote was taken and the request for ITEM A: Conditional use permit for a drive-thru was denied. The vote was four ‘No’, one ‘Yes’ and one ‘Abstention’.

ITEMS B through D were dependent upon the outcome of ITEM A; with the denial of ITEM A, the remaining three zoning requests were also denied.

The commissioners all expressed the desire that the NW intersection property be developed, they simply didn’t see how this could be done with a drive-thru of any kind.
 
Next Steps
The developer has the option to appeal the zoning commission’s decision to the Town Council or propose a different design for this property.

NW Corner Development UPDATE


 NW Corner of Naranja and La Canada Drives

Offices and Drive-Thru Coffee Shop
OPINION by Todd Fedoruk

A public meeting was held in December 12, at 6PM to discuss the proposed site design for the NW intersection of La Canada Dr. and Naranja Dr.

This meeting was held at the Oro Valley Council Chambers, 11000 N. La Canada Drive, and on line via ZOOM.  Six homeowners were in attendance, and a dozen more attended via ZOOM.

A brief history of the NW Corner site was presented by the Town Planner, followed by a presentation by the developer’s representative.

Residential Impact
The site plan has not changed significantly from the plan presented in 2019. The bone of contention with homeowners is still (1) the request for a zoning variance to allow a drive-thru for a coffee shop; (2) forego the 250-ft buffer zone requirement between a drive-thru and residential properties; and (3) the expected increase in traffic congestion with its associated safety risks, to the already congested La Canada/ Naranja intersection.

While the site is zoned as commercial, and a restaurant is a commercial enterprise, a drive- thru requires a zoning exemption AND the 250-ft buffer zone.
Proposed Variance:
Re-zone the lot to allow a restaurant/coffee shop to have a drive-thru window. But that still leaves the issue about the zoning requirement for the buffer zone.

The city planner and developer have “creatively” moved the center of the 250-ft footprint buffer zone around the proposed drive-thru as far SE as possible, removing two of the three impacted residential neighborhoods; leaving only the houses on the NE corner of the intersection, negatively impacted.
Proposed Variance:
The Developer simply wishes to forego the 250-ft buffer zone and trust the Town to regulate and enforce noise and odor ordnances when they occur.

Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Concerns
The Town’s traffic engineer claimed a traffic study was performed showing the intersection can easily accommodate the additional vehicle flow into and out of the drive-thru.

This statement was met with universal skepticism. Anyone trying to enter or leave our community via Naranja Drive, 0.2-miles from the intersection, during peak traffic times, has encountered congestion and long wait times. The additional multiple comings and goings from the NW Corner drive-thru will only add to that congestion.
Additionally, the NW Corner is an intersection for the popular bike/pedestrian pathway along La Canada and Naranja Drives. Pathways promoted by the mayor and council as safe and healthy ways to exercise and enjoy the outdoors.

Anyone who has walked or cycled near a drive-thru has encounter near-hits from inattentive drivers in a hurry to get back onto the road. This issue was raised at the meeting.
Proposed Solution:
The traffic engineer and developer trust that the coffee shop patrons will “find the best way to merge back into the traffic flow, without causing unnecessary congestion.
 
As for “interactions” (aka collisions) between vehicles and pedestrians, those unfortunate events do occasionally happen. According to the Developer, “it’s an unfortunate part of life”. That’s why there are stop signs and traffic laws; unfortunately, not everyone obeys them.

Is a Drive-thru Coffee Shop Risk Worthy?
This property is zoned as commercial, no one disputes that fact. However, this property is not zoned for a drive-thru; that requires a vote of the Town Council.
 
At the 2019 public meeting, the developer representative admitted that without the drive-thru variance, the entire project is not feasible, and is pushing for the zoning variances.

The corner property has always had this drive-thru restriction; and I see no beneficial reason to give the developer the variance; unnecessarily risking the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.

You are invited to view an informational video regarding the property owner’s proposed site design for a medical office and drive-thru development located at the northwest corner of the Naranja Dr. and La Canada Dr. intersection (case number 2102733/2101748). 

Next Steps:
The Town Council will decide at the meeting on Tuesday. January 10, 2023, whether the developer will be granted the zoning variances. Public comments FOR and AGAINST the zoning variances will be determine the future development of this corner, and its benefit or harm to our community. Your opinions matter, speak to the Town Mayor and Council members.

For more information. USE THIS LINK..

Questions? 
Please contact Senior Planner Hannah Oden at (520) 229-4814 or hoden@orovalleyaz.gov

UPDATE: Call for Board of Director Candidates

Two Boards seats are “open” for 2023.  A mailing was sent to each Owner of the Lot, seeking candidates for these seats.  The time requirements for being a Director are minimal, yet the work is important.

The Deadline to Have Your Name on the Ballot has Passed
The deadline for having your name on the ballot in time for the Annual Meeting packet printing was November 30.  But the opportunity to be on the Board is still possible.

Anyone wishing to run for a seat on the Board will have to run as a “write-in” candidate. We can help you get the word out to the Association membership. Contact the HOA Secretary, Todd Fedoruk, to have your name and interest in running for Board Director, emailed to the Association’s membership. 

An election will be held, with ballots mailed to Association Members in early January 2023, as part of our Annual Meeting activities. The annual meeting is set for January 24, 2023, at 5:00PM, at the Oro Valley Public Library.

First Posted October 11, 2022

Holiday Lights

It’s that time of year when one’s thoughts turn to exterior holiday decorations. A common question that arises during the holiday season is, “Does the HOA have a policy or rule on Christmas lights?” The answer to that question is “no”.

The usual and customary practice within the community, is that folks put up holiday decorations around Thanksgiving and remove them a week or so after New Year’s Day. All holiday decorations are generally removed by the end of January.

Where did the tradition of Christmas lights on houses come from?

Outdoor Christmas light displays on houses evolved from decorating the traditional Christmas tree and house with candles during the Christmas season. The tradition of lighting the tree with small candles dates back to the 17th century and originated in Germany before spreading to Eastern Europe.

Christmas trees displayed publicly and illuminated with electric lights became popular in the early 20th century. By the mid-20th century, it became customary to display strings of electric lights along streets and on buildings; Christmas decorations detached from the Christmas tree itself. In the United States, it became popular to outline private homes with such Christmas lights in tract housing beginning in the 1960s.

Helpful Tips for Avoid Holiday Lighting Hassles

  • The Canada Hills Master Association does have design giudelines that prohibits any exterior lighting that shines directly onto a neighbor’s property.
  • Avoid using noisy or music-generating exterior decorations.
    At the very least, turn those decorations off by 9PM.
  • Use a timer 
    This saves you money on your electric bill, by avoiding having your lights and musical displays on all night.
  • Be mindful that going all “Clark Griswold” with your exterior decorations, might just ruin your neighbors’ enjoyment of the holiday season. That timer can save you hassles with your neighbors, and money on your electric bill.

Originally Posted November 2018

Board Approves 8.3% Assessment Hike

Summary

The approved 8.3% Increase equates to $2 Dollars a month for each Lot Owner. The Quarterly Assessment for 2023, will be $78 Dollars.

Why was the Increase Necessary?

Our 2022 operating expenses ending on September 30, 2022, have generally been within budget with the exception of Landscaping.  However, the loss of three common area trees, two to monsoon storms, and one that was causing root damage to a homeowner’s property, have exceeded our landscaping budget by $1,346. An additional October expense was to remove drought-killed vegetation in our common area adjacent to the golf course.  These expenditures will exceed the 2022 year end landscaping budget by approximately $3,300.

2023 Assessment Increase

Addressing these extra-ordinary landscaping expenses to as capital expenses reduced the cash balance of the capital reserve account. It was recommended that the 2023 assessment be increased to provide sufficient funds for capital funding, as well as inflationary impacts to operating expenses.  The recommendation to the Board was for an 8.3% increase. This increase is equal to the Estimated CPI for 2022; the maximum allowed by Section 6.03c of our CC&Rs, without requiring a special vote of the Association membership.  The Board approved this increase at the November 3rd meeting.  

Where does the money go?