Hot topics from the HOA Board for February 2021
Residents’ safety is a high priority with the Board. As the density of homes within Sovereign Oaks continues to increase, vehicle traffic on our residential streets also continues to increase. Several items related to traffic concerns were discussed at the most recent board meeting and are included in this month’s “Hot Topics” from your BOD.
Front Exit Gate to Remain Open
Despite several mentions about the danger of using the open entrance gate as an exit in an effort to shave ten seconds off of drive time, there have been several near misses recently and residents’ complaints about vehicles speeding through the entrance gate the wrong way. As a result, the front gate controller will be modified to enable both the entrance and exit gates to remain open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. This modification to the controller may take a few weeks to accomplish so in the interim, watch out for oncoming traffic!
Speeding Remains a Concern/STOP
As a repeat reminder, the speed limit within Sovereign Oaks is 25 mph. Stating the obvious, kids, adults and dogs walking, biking or running along the roads should feel, and be, safe within our neighborhood. Our shared residential roads have no sidewalks so please slow down while driving within Sovereign Oaks. Also, the recently installed stop signs are meant as a reminder for the safety of all to look for oncoming traffic when navigating from feeder roads onto major roads. Everyone benefits from a little driver courtesy.
Hello, dogs!
Speaking of dogs, the growing dog population within Sovereign Oaks is also a sign of the growing number of residents and increased density. While dogs are a welcome addition to the neighborhood, they require those of us with dogs to be responsible pet owners and neighbors. Keeping your pet off neighbors’ lawns and gardens is both respectful and expected. “Packages” left by the side of the road are the responsibility of the pet owner to discard. Clean up after your pets to keep the neighborhood clean and pleasant for all.
Annual Bush Hogging
Winter is the optimal time to perform annual weed cut back (bush hogging) which is required of certain lot owners. The HOA will be communicating with those Lot Owners (primarily undeveloped Meadow Lots) in coming days. Bush Hogging must be completed by February 28th. If Lots remain unmowed after that date, the HOA will contract to have the work done and charge Lot Owners the cost of bush hogging. Additional fees may apply.
While individual lot owners can make their own arrangements, the HOA Trails & Landscapes Committee has identified two local resources who are available:
Dover Dillingham 828-298-2331.
Wayne Pressley at WNC Tractor Werx 828-545-8103
Community Contributions
Invasive Plants 101
[Thanks for Margot Ammidown for contributing this informational resource from the NC Invasive Plants Council to help us recognize invasive plants in our community and why this knowledge matters. Find out more from the same source at this link.]
What Are Invasive Species?
Everyone in Southeastern US is familiar with kudzu, which has become the poster child for invasive plants. Scenes of cars, buildings and entire fields engulfed by the plant have circulated over the years. Introduced at the Japanese pavilion in the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, this ornamental has since become known as “the vine that ate the South”.
NC-IPC strives to prevent the next kudzu from invading our forests, crops, and our personal properties. Here are a few examples of how invasive plants affect North Carolina:
It is estimated that $34.7 billion a year are spent managing invasive plants in the United States. Introduction of invasive plants is injurious to our economy, our environment, and can even lead to human health issues.
Invasive plants can displace native vegetation such as Longleaf pine, interrupting fire regimes and modifying soil characteristics. The endangered Red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW) is dependent on Longleaf pine trees to make it’s home. If these pine trees are not available, not only does the RCW have no where to live, but neither does the other wildlife that inhabits empty RCW nests, such as insects, frogs, and other birds. This is an example of how the negative impacts of invasive species can ripple through an ecosystem .
Invasive plants change the landscape. English Ivy, for example, creates habitat that allows mosquito populations to thrive, thus increasing the chance of mosquito borne illness to humans and pets.