Homeowners’ Association News
Happy February to all as we enter the last half of winter! We hope that you will get a chance to take part in the holiday breaks and fun local activities that come with this month. Enjoy!
The NDHA Directors continue to work on the 2023 budget, sadly with an eye to the increasing costs we are incurring to meet our obligations. As mentioned in January, we have not been immune to the sudden inflationary pressure being applied to the many goods and services the NDHA uses. Fortunately, our contract pricing with ULS is locked in for a few more years but we must plan for future realities. The board will ensure that sufficient funds are available to administer the Association and complete the superior standard of landscaping our community expects. Most importantly, we will make certain that the long-term financial outlook of the NDHA remains secure for its members.
A decision on the 2023 fee rate is forthcoming. Please look for further information in your invoice notification package, which will come to you later this month. Your NDHA invoice will be sent to the email address associated with your membership portal, or by post mail if we do not have an email address.
Please note that several households have yet to pay their 2022 fee, which was due on June 29th. These outstanding accounts had an interest charge of 18% per annum applied effective December 31st, 2022, per the terms of the encumbrance on your title. If you are unsure of your payment status or have questions or concerns, you can log onto your account via our website at ndha.ca This will allow you to check if you have paid and are up to date. Alternatively, you can contact us at NDHAmembership@ndha.ca for help with your account, or to set one up. Please reference your Discovery Ridge property address when you email us. Thank you to all who have paid for 2022, we appreciate it!
Dog “Business” – Enjoy the paths with your leashed dogs but please remember to pick up after them. ULS does NOT clean up dog poop. We have no off-leash areas here, so there is no excuse for anyone to leave dog poop behind. Please don’t leave a ‘full poop’ bag on the path system for someone else to pick up. The appointed dog walker should never leave home without dog waste bags when taking Fido for a walk. The NDHA used your fees to install bag dispensers throughout Discovery Ridge for when you ‘forget’ or run out, so to not pick up is just lazy and disrespectful to the rest of the community, the one you chose to live in. Leaving poop and/or poop bags on the ground is unhygienic, gross, and serves to attract coyotes, bobcats and other wild animals to that may attack your pet! Take it home or to the nearest garbage bin, please!
Spring Projects – Did you Know…?
Spring isn’t that far off, and some of you might be making plans for home and yard improvements. 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 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). These guidelines were meant to guarantee a specific quality standard and “look” for the community when it was being built, and to ensure 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.
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.