The La Buena Vida Property Owners Association, Inc. is incorporated under the laws of the State of Tex as as a non-profit corporation, and granted powers of administering th e Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions for La Bue na Vida.
From the President Allow me to introduce myself as the new President of th e Board of Directors at La Buena Vida. My name is Gayly Opem. My husband Robert and I bought our home #21 in March 2011. We moved in later that year and are now reside nts. I retired from a 30+year as a marketing executive in 2008, having worked for several companies headquartered in Chicago such as Playboy, and Allstate. My last two positio ns were in international travel, first with a group travel company and then an accredite d international study abroad program for college students.
We knew we wanted to move to a warmer climate after retiring and immediately started the search in 2009. We traveled around Florida and Arizon a, but settled on the Texas Coast, and are very glad we did. I am active in the community as a member of a number of organizations including the Art Center, the Humane Society, Rockport Country Club, and the Aquarium as a founding member of the Skip the Pla stic initiative. I hope you and your family enjoys the Rockport area much as we do.
It has been a very busy year to-date – both on a busi ness and personal standpoint – and as such our “summer” edition of the newsletter is a bit l ate. That said, your Board has been working hard to maintain the beauty of La Buena Vida, address owner needs and suggestions, and perform some improvement projects as wel l. Please feel free to contact me or any of the other Officers of your Board.
Annual Meeting Annual Meeting Annual Meeting Annual Meeting
and suggestions, and perform some improvement projects as wel l. Please feel free to contact me or any of the other Officers of your Board.
Annual Meeting Annual Meeting Annual Meeting Annual Meeting The 2014 Annual Meeting of the LBV Property Owners’ Association will be held at the home of Michael and Fronia Scharck on October 25, 2014 (22 La Buena Via Drive).
Please mark this date on your calendar (Saturday aftern oon) and plan to attend. In addition to conducting official POA business, this is a gre at opportunity to meet other property owners. The official meeting notice, includin g the ballot to elect officers will be mailed later.
Board Volunteers Solicited Board Volunteers Solicited Board Volunteers Solicited Board Volunteers Solicited The affairs of the Association are managed by a Board o f Directors, elected each year for a one year term. Several of the Directors and Commit tee Members have volunteered their time for several years and we would like to add anothe r Director and several committee members. If you are interested in working with the Bo ard or with the Architectural Committee, please contact one of the current Board me mbers. If you have experience with writing newsletters…..we could use your help.
July 2014 Issue 11 La Buena Reader La Buena Vida Property Owners Association Newslette r LL LLa Buena Vida Newsletter Page 2 of 6 a Buena Vida Newsletter Page 2 of 6 a Buena Vida Newsletter Page 2 of 6 a Buena Vida Newsletter Page 2 of 6 NEW Owners NEW Owners NEW Owners NEW Owners – – –– WELCOME to La Buena Vida WELCOME to La Buena Vida WELCOME to La Buena Vida WELCOME to La Buena Vida Please welcome our new owners and residents: • Adam Phillipi of Ingleside is the new owner of Lots 3 and 4 in Phase I
a Vida WELCOME to La Buena Vida WELCOME to La Buena Vida WELCOME to La Buena Vida Please welcome our new owners and residents: • Adam Phillipi of Ingleside is the new owner of Lots 3 and 4 in Phase I • Lot 14 has a new owner – Randy Stewart and his famil y plan to build within the next year or so.
• Lot 44 has a new family –Skip and Rae Harmon and the ir three children moved into this home in May 2014. Skip is President and General M anager of the Allen Samuels Chevrolet Dealership in Corpus Christi.
Welcome to all new owners and residents….we look forward to meeting you soon.
Island Plantings Island Plantings Island Plantings Island Plantings Several property owners asked the LBV Board to investig ate if trees could be planted on the fill islands in our lake. Before investing mone y in what would be an expensive project, the Board decided it would be prudent to fin d out why the first palm trees planted on the islands failed and if the islands are a ble to sustain plantings.
We consulted with two companies: Native Dave, (Dave Ilfrey) a native plant landscaping specialist, and Belaire Environmental Inc. (B EI), a company specializing in wetland habitat creation. BEI was involved with t he development of LBV. Both companies made on-site visits to the islands. Concerns ra ised from these visits are the elevation of the islands, the tidal levels and the salinity of the earth.
Soil samples were taken and analyzed by BEI. Of the f ive samples taken, two measured in the high salinity range, two in the mod erate range, and one slightly lower.
It was noted that the holes dug for the samples filled with hyper saline water, which would likely limit plant survival, and salt crystals were visible on the soil surface. BEI
d one slightly lower.
It was noted that the holes dug for the samples filled with hyper saline water, which would likely limit plant survival, and salt crystals were visible on the soil surface. BEI concluded their report with “BEI is not aware of any n ative or non-invasive trees that would survive in the current saline conditions.”
The Board spent additional time investigating if the islands had access to fresh water. No access could be found, and it could not be e asily provided. Running a water line to the islands would require permits from t he Army Corps of Engineers and be a very expensive and complicated process.
In light of the results from the research, the Board de termined that attempting to plant trees on the islands would be highly risky, extremely e xpensive and likely to fail, and voted not to proceed.
La Buena Vida Newsletter Page 3 of 6 La Buena Vida Newsletter Page 3 of 6 La Buena Vida Newsletter Page 3 of 6 La Buena Vida Newsletter Page 3 of 6 Architectural Committee Report Architectural Committee Report Architectural Committee Report Architectural Committee Report Construction continues within La Buena Vida: • Lot 35 – The Marable residence is really looking like a home these days! The exterior is nearing completion, with the roof, window s and stucco finished. Plans for the dock will be submitted later this year.
• Lot 30 – Exterior construction on the Ellingsworth ho me continues, with work on the roof and stucco progressing.
• Lot 20 – Plans were approved to enclose a portion of the driveway with a privacy fence and gate at the Becker residence. Work has been comp leted, and it looks great.
As you can see, both new homes are beautiful, and nice additions to the area.
Home under construction on Lot 35
y fence and gate at the Becker residence. Work has been comp leted, and it looks great.
As you can see, both new homes are beautiful, and nice additions to the area.
Home under construction on Lot 35 Home under con struction on Lot 20 La Buena Vida Newsletter Page 4 of 6 La Buena Vida Newsletter Page 4 of 6 La Buena Vida Newsletter Page 4 of 6 La Buena Vida Newsletter Page 4 of 6 Golf Carts Allowed Golf Carts Allowed Golf Carts Allowed Golf Carts Allowed Did you know that golf carts are allowed on some roadw ays in Aransas County?
Commissioner Betty Stiles sponsored the bill, and Gov. Rick Perry signed the law allowing golf carts on public roadways in June 2013. Soon afterw ards, Aransas County Commissioners voted to allow golf carts in the unincorpo rated area of the county.
Here are the answers to most questions you might have re garding golf carts on roadways: • Can I drive on a public road? YES, if the speed limit is 35 mph or less • Can I drive across a road if the speed limit is more t han 35 mph? – YES, but not parallel • Do I have to be a licensed driver? – YES, age 16 or older or with a learner’s permit with an adult • What equipment is needed? – Headlights, taillights, m irror, parking brake and reflector (slow moving triangle recommended) • Do I need insurance? – Liability insurance is recommende d • Can I drive at night? – NO!
The Board has recently approved a policy to adopt the Aransas County Golf Cart Rules and Regulations on our private street. Our speed limi t is 15 MPH. Golf Carts must be parked in driveways, garages or other approved enclosed areas. Please drive with care!
New Plants at Front Entrance New Plants at Front Entrance New Plants at Front Entrance New Plants at Front Entrance
ked in driveways, garages or other approved enclosed areas. Please drive with care!
New Plants at Front Entrance New Plants at Front Entrance New Plants at Front Entrance New Plants at Front Entrance Drought tolerant plants were planted with rock and we ed deterrent material added.
Michael Lucente donated some of the plants.
Total cost for this improvement was less than $1,000.
La Buena Vida Newsletter Page 5of 6 La Buena Vida Newsletter Page 5of 6 La Buena Vida Newsletter Page 5of 6 La Buena Vida Newsletter Page 5of 6 Proposed Deed Restriction Changes Recommended Proposed Deed Restriction Changes Recommended Proposed Deed Restriction Changes Recommended Proposed Deed Restriction Changes Recommended Deed restriction changes were discussed briefly at the 2013 Annual Meeting. Following this meeting, the Board had several meetings with our new attorney. Our attorney has reviewed our current Restrictions, and has recommended a few changes. The major changes recommend include the following: 1. Article 2.13 The current restriction attempts to define parking are as (driveways and garages), plus states that boats or trailers are permitte d to remain visible on lots for a total of not more than 30 days a calendar year. Moni toring, tracking and documenting the 30 days have proven to be unmanageable. The Boa rd is reviewing other waterfront homeowners’ association restrictions looking for other opt ions. We want to recognize the fact that we are a waterfront community, but not turn the appearance of our neighborhood into a storage yard for boats and traile rs. Most high end neighborhoods have restrictions which define allowable parking areas, a nd do not permit long term
t turn the appearance of our neighborhood into a storage yard for boats and traile rs. Most high end neighborhoods have restrictions which define allowable parking areas, a nd do not permit long term storage of boats and trailers which are visible, includin g our close neighbors The Islands of Rockport and Bahia Bay 2. Article 5.1 and Article 5.3 These two articles address the membership of the Architectural Committee and the term of office. The cu rrent restrictions lists the members by name, for a total of 3 members and states th at they would remain in office until a home is built on every lot. The attorney po inted out that it is unrealistic to maintain the same members for as many years as it will take for homes to be built on all lots. It is more common to adopt rules which allow for a rotating membership. The proposed change would: a. Increase the membership to no more than 5 and no l ess than 3 members.
b. Members would be appointed by the Board and woul d serve a three year term, with no limits to the number of re-appointment s.
The current members of the Architectural Committee have reviewed the proposed change and do not have an issue with the proposed changes.
As a reminder, the Covenants, Conditions and Restriction s (CCR’s) help ensure we have a beautiful place to live. Your help in working wit h the Board to modify and change the restrictions so that they work for all of us would be app reciated. We hope to finalize the proposed changes soon. Once completed and approved b y the attorney, we will be requesting your vote to approve the changes.
The Board will be recommending changes, but your vo te is necessary for any changes to the restrictions. When you receive your ballot….Please vote!
ll be requesting your vote to approve the changes.
The Board will be recommending changes, but your vo te is necessary for any changes to the restrictions. When you receive your ballot….Please vote!
AA AAnother Oil Spill on Our Streets nother Oil Spill on Our Streets nother Oil Spill on Our Streets nother Oil Spill on Our Streets An Allied Waste truck spilled oil on our street in Apri l. Mike Lucente worked with the crew assigned by Allied Waste, and most of the spill has been removed. This is the second incident involving a trash company allowing the load t o shift and damaging our streets.
Allied Waste did pay for the cleanup on both occasions, b ut it required several meetings and the time of a Board member. Please remind the contractors you hire for trash removal, lawn maintenance, pool maintenance and othe r services to check their vehicles for leaks, and to be careful on our streets. Let’s all w ork together to prevent oil leaks on the street…talk with your contractors and please check thei r vehicles. Thanks!
La Buena Vida Newsletter Page 6 of 6 La Buena Vida Newsletter Page 6 of 6 La Buena Vida Newsletter Page 6 of 6 La Buena Vida Newsletter Page 6 of 6 Website Website Website Website If you have pictures or information you would like to share with other property owners, please contact us. We love pictures – especially ones we can post on our website. If you have not visited our website, please check it out at www.lbvpoa.com . All of the official POA documents are posted there, as well as the past newsl etters and some pictures. If you have not provided us with your email address or a current phone number, please do so. Official notices and ballots will be sent via the US PS mail, but we prefer to send
rs and some pictures. If you have not provided us with your email address or a current phone number, please do so. Official notices and ballots will be sent via the US PS mail, but we prefer to send everything else via email.
BB BBoard of Direct oard of Direct oard of Direct oard of Directors ors ors ors Meetings Meetings Meetings Meetings The Association Board meets on the second Tuesday of eac h month. All meetings are open to property owners of La Buena Vida, with the o ccasional exception of executive sessions. The meetings typically start at 4:30 pm, but sp ecific date and time is subject to change – depending on our business travel schedule. Plea se contact Jeanne Hunter in advance if you wish to attend a Board meeting.
LBV Board President Gayly Opem (361) 790-0015 [email protected] (262) 681-7720 Gayly until Oct 15th Vice President Michael Lucente (361) 877-93 16 [email protected] Secretary Jeanne Hunter (361) 729-5436 [email protected] Treasurer Michael Johnson (361) 729 -9707 [email protected] Architectural Committee Chairman Randy Hunter [email protected] Member David Becker [email protected] Member Byron Fields [email protected] About Our Organization The La Buena Vida Property Owners Association, Inc. (the “Association” or “POA”) is incorporated under the laws of the State of Texas as a non-profit corporation, and gra nted powers of administering the Covenants, Conditi ons and
s Association, Inc. (the “Association” or “POA”) is incorporated under the laws of the State of Texas as a non-profit corporation, and gra nted powers of administering the Covenants, Conditi ons and Restrictions (these “Restrictions”) for La Buena Vi da. The purpose of the Restrictions is to preserve the natural beauty of the property, to encourage attractive improvements which are harmonious and compatible, and to enhance the quality and economic value of the community and each lot th erein.
The Bylaws of the Association govern the election o f the Board of Directors of the Association, their term of office, and meetings, powers and duties. Each owner of a lot i n the La Buena Vida subdivision is automatically a Member of the Association, with one vote per lot. Members elect all Directors for a term of one year.
Photo Copyright Cissy Beasley 2014 – Looking south with the Islands of Rockport in t he forefront, La Buena Vida in the middle, and City by the Sea at the top. Cissy granted us permission to use this photo which was taken in March of 2014 in our newsletter. Thanks Cissy!
LA BUENA VIDA POA c/o Jeanne Hunter 19 La Buena Vida Dr.
Aransas Pass, TX 78336