News Articles
HOA Updates!
Posted on Mar 8th, 2013
Applewood Homeowners,
One of our goals for 2013 is to give an update at the beginning of each month. If there is something you would like to know about, please let us know. Your feedback is important to us as we strive to improve our community development. As always, thank you for working so hard in keeping your property and home looking great!
One of our goals for 2013 is to give an update at the beginning of each month. If there is something you would like to know about, please let us know. Your feedback is important to us as we strive to improve our community development. As always, thank you for working so hard in keeping your property and home looking great!
Below are a few updates...
Annual Homeowner Meeting
On February 21st, the HOA conducted the annual homeowner meeting. There were many topics discussed and the 2013 annual budget was approved. You can access the meeting minutes and PowerPoint presentation on our website.
Applewood Homeowner Selected to City Position
Homeowner and current HOA board member David Kobus has been selected as the newest member of the City's Board of Adjustment. The board conducts public hearings and make decisions on applications for special use permits, variances or restrictions to municipal codes. Please congratulate him on this important appointment.
Reserve Study
Applewood HOA completed an official independent Level 1 Reserve Study that extended out 30 years for capital replacements. It complies with Washington State Law and assures homeowners that they won't get hit with a catastrophic special assessment in the future. After the draft study is finalized you will be able to access it on the website.
Yard Waste Pickup to Resume
Applewood homeowners can resume placing their yard debris container (green can) at the curb beginning the week of March 4th and every other week thereafter. Containers should be rolled to the curb by 7 a.m. on the same day as garbage collection occurs. Please put all containers away as soon as possible. Thank you!
Keene Road Improvement Project
Due to homeowner interest, the HOA investigated and learned that the land between our block wall and Keene Rd is owned by Applewood Estates which contain 2 easements. One easement is with the City of Richland for utilities and the other is with the Bureau of Reclamation for water drain off. At the annual meeting, homeowners authorized the HOA to evaluate the potential for a Keene Road improvement initiative and associated cost.
The land across Keene Rd (along Cherrywood Estates) is owned by the City and is being landscaped with funds from the Keene Rd Improvement Project. Landscaping our side of Keene Road will be the responsibility of the HOA and homeowners which would take a special assessment to complete.
Windy Time of Year
Due to very windy conditions this time of year, the HOA would like to encourage all homeowners to bag their trash before placing it in the trash container. This will help reduce blowing and unsightly litter in Applewood Estates. Thank you!
Neighborhood Elementary School
On Wednesday, February 27th, the City Planning Commission accepted city staff recommendations and will recommend to the City Council to rezone the current PUD for a new elementary school. No one at the meeting opposed it.
The Richland School District immediately issued a request for qualifications (RFQ) and is moving forward on the education specifications process for the new elementary school. RFQs are notices for professional firms to provide the District their qualifications. The timeline for the new elementary school will be discussed at the upcoming RSD board workshop.
Identity Theft Prevention Class
The Richland Police Department is conducting this free class for tips and tricks to help you protect your identity from potential thieves. The class will be held at the Richland Library on Friday, April 12th @ 1:00 pm. Click HERE.
Fuji Way Traffic
The HOA has completed the last of the police traffic studies and have met with city officials regarding the volume and speed of traffic on Fuji Way. The city took special notice of the increase in speeds and will now be conducting their own official traffic study and come back to the HOA with options for traffic control devices. Special thank you to homeowners Dave Ballard and Bernie Beldin for their efforts and building a solid working relationship with the city.
Yoke's Underway
We will soon have another option for grocery shopping. Work is underway for a new Yoke's Fresh Market on Keene Road near Westcliffe Blvd. Yoke's will be a 52,000-square-foot grocery store with 256 parking stalls on a 5.8-acre site. Yoke's is just part of a larger 12.5-acre proposal that would include a mini-mall, restaurants and pads for future commercial development.
Project or Modification?
If you are thinking of building a project or modifying your home this year (including a TV satellite dish), remember to fill out Project Approval Form and turn it into the HOA.
Tony Valdez, President
Applewood Estates Homeowners Association
On February 21st, the HOA conducted the annual homeowner meeting. There were many topics discussed and the 2013 annual budget was approved. You can access the meeting minutes and PowerPoint presentation on our website.
Applewood Homeowner Selected to City Position
Homeowner and current HOA board member David Kobus has been selected as the newest member of the City's Board of Adjustment. The board conducts public hearings and make decisions on applications for special use permits, variances or restrictions to municipal codes. Please congratulate him on this important appointment.
Reserve Study
Applewood HOA completed an official independent Level 1 Reserve Study that extended out 30 years for capital replacements. It complies with Washington State Law and assures homeowners that they won't get hit with a catastrophic special assessment in the future. After the draft study is finalized you will be able to access it on the website.
Yard Waste Pickup to Resume
Applewood homeowners can resume placing their yard debris container (green can) at the curb beginning the week of March 4th and every other week thereafter. Containers should be rolled to the curb by 7 a.m. on the same day as garbage collection occurs. Please put all containers away as soon as possible. Thank you!
Keene Road Improvement Project
Due to homeowner interest, the HOA investigated and learned that the land between our block wall and Keene Rd is owned by Applewood Estates which contain 2 easements. One easement is with the City of Richland for utilities and the other is with the Bureau of Reclamation for water drain off. At the annual meeting, homeowners authorized the HOA to evaluate the potential for a Keene Road improvement initiative and associated cost.
The land across Keene Rd (along Cherrywood Estates) is owned by the City and is being landscaped with funds from the Keene Rd Improvement Project. Landscaping our side of Keene Road will be the responsibility of the HOA and homeowners which would take a special assessment to complete.
Windy Time of Year
Due to very windy conditions this time of year, the HOA would like to encourage all homeowners to bag their trash before placing it in the trash container. This will help reduce blowing and unsightly litter in Applewood Estates. Thank you!
Neighborhood Elementary School
On Wednesday, February 27th, the City Planning Commission accepted city staff recommendations and will recommend to the City Council to rezone the current PUD for a new elementary school. No one at the meeting opposed it.
The Richland School District immediately issued a request for qualifications (RFQ) and is moving forward on the education specifications process for the new elementary school. RFQs are notices for professional firms to provide the District their qualifications. The timeline for the new elementary school will be discussed at the upcoming RSD board workshop.
Identity Theft Prevention Class
The Richland Police Department is conducting this free class for tips and tricks to help you protect your identity from potential thieves. The class will be held at the Richland Library on Friday, April 12th @ 1:00 pm. Click HERE.
Fuji Way Traffic
The HOA has completed the last of the police traffic studies and have met with city officials regarding the volume and speed of traffic on Fuji Way. The city took special notice of the increase in speeds and will now be conducting their own official traffic study and come back to the HOA with options for traffic control devices. Special thank you to homeowners Dave Ballard and Bernie Beldin for their efforts and building a solid working relationship with the city.
Yoke's Underway
We will soon have another option for grocery shopping. Work is underway for a new Yoke's Fresh Market on Keene Road near Westcliffe Blvd. Yoke's will be a 52,000-square-foot grocery store with 256 parking stalls on a 5.8-acre site. Yoke's is just part of a larger 12.5-acre proposal that would include a mini-mall, restaurants and pads for future commercial development.
Project or Modification?
If you are thinking of building a project or modifying your home this year (including a TV satellite dish), remember to fill out Project Approval Form and turn it into the HOA.
Tony Valdez, President
Applewood Estates Homeowners Association