Homeowners’ Association News
We are sure that many of you are making the best of current circumstances by trying to be more active outdoors during the COVID restrictions. With increased use, ULS has reported that there has been a disappointingly significant uptick in the amount of garbage being left in our community parks and pathways. The NDHA is asking everyone to please be extra vigilant and take more care to pick up after ourselves.
Enjoy the paths with your leashed dogs but remember to clean up after them. Please don’t leave a ‘full poop’ bag on the path system for someone else to pick up. Doing so is disrespectful to the rest of the community – the one you chose to live in. The appointed dog walker should not leave home without dog waste bags when taking Fido for a walk. The NDHA installed bag dispensers throughout the community for when you ‘forget’ or run out, so there is no excuse to not pick up. Leaving poop and/or poop bags on the ground is unhygienic and gross. Take it home or to the nearest garbage bin.
The Toboggan hills are being used extensively which is fantastic, but we are seeing crushed pop cans, used face masks etc. being left behind. This is also happening in and around the rink areas. Take your litter home with you or drop it off at the nearest bin. Parents, please pass this message on to your kids so our grassy slopes and recreation areas don’t look like a garbage dump come spring. We have such a beautiful community and access to Griffith Woods, let’s as a community take special care of it. Thank you!
Spring Projects – Did you Know…?
Spring really isn’t that far off, and some of you might be making plans for home and yard improvements. Please do your due diligence and research what is allowed under city bylaws, if you need to apply for a City Permit and especially, what is allowed as it pertains to any restrictive covenants, easements or other instruments registered against your property title. Work done without required permits could also negate potential insurance claims and get you in legal trouble. It is YOU, not your contractor, who will ultimately be held responsible for any infractions.
All homes in Discovery Ridge were built under a specific set of Architectural Guidelines set out by the developer (United Properties for most of us). As a “Master Planned Community,” these guidelines were created to ensure a consistent look in Discovery Ridge, to encourage natural (foliage) rather than structural barriers between properties as well as to safeguard sightlines and views for all residents. A specific quality standard and appearance for the community ensures a beautiful living environment and long-term property value in the community. It is why most of us bought here. Homeowners in condo associations will have specific condo association bylaws to follow that may be additional to what non-condo owners must adhere to. It is important to note that the developer in Discovery Ridge registered a Restrictive Covenant regarding fencing on the title of most properties in the community. Rules are extremely strict, are additional to city bylaws and are enforceable through the courts. Avoid expensive mistakes – be sure you are following ALL the rules that apply to your property. Property Title details can be provided for a fee at a local Registries office or on the Province’s “Spin2” website.
Fees & Invoices:
2021 NDHA invoicing will take place in February. We are pleased to announce that your annual fee will remain unchanged at $307 for 2021. Please note that several households have yet to pay their 2020 fee, which was due June 29th, 2020. These outstanding fees had an interest charge of 18% per annum applied effective December 31st 2020, per the terms of the encumbrance on your title. Again, a big thank you to those who pay your fee on time. It allows us to continue this important work in the neighborhood, which we ALL benefit from.
We are always happy to hear from our NDHA members; please access our website at www.ndha.ca for NDHA News updates or to send an email – you can also call us at 403-237-9595.