December 7, 2023
Meeting Purpose:
Community meeting to discuss keeping the neighborhood remaining
nice, safe, and increasing property values.
Key Takeaways
- Properties being marketed for over $1 million and continuing to
rise. - The goal is to maintain property values and ensure a safe and
welcoming neighborhood.
Opening Remarks
Melissa Walters welcomed attendees, including those on Zoom.
She emphasized working together across party lines for the good
of the community.
Agenda followed including the discussion of financials which will
be sent out with the 1st Quarter Newsletter.
Treasurer update:
- Melissa stated that the fiscal year began October 2023.
- HOA Annual Assessment increasing to $250/year effective
January 1, 2024 - Budget items listed for members present and will be included
with 1st Quarter Newsletter. - Budget discussion – there were some questions from the
members about the authority of the board in determining increased
assessments, establishing contracts without member approval.
These will be addressed in a FAQ on the THA website.
Committees and Officers
- No members have volunteered for available committee roles.
- Officer roles were announced:
- Andrew Moran President
- Todd Boring, Vice President
- Melissa Walters, Treasurer
- Secretary has yet to be appointed
- We continue to seek Committee volunteers
- Board stated they are still working on Bylaws
Minimum Lot Size
- · Question raised about minimum lot size signs on Calumet.
- A petition by a homeowner on Calumet (outside of Timbercrest HOA) was filed to establish minimum lot sizes
- for all properties on Calumet St. between Samson and Burkett.
- Minimum lot size prevents building townhomes as these require subdividing lots.
- Andy determined that all of Prospect and about half of Binz is not covered under the minimum lot size regulation.
- The Board of Directors will be working to file to get these areas included under the minimum lot size.
Short Term Rentals (Air BnB and VRBO)
- Andy Moran brought up this topic and discussed the following
concerns:
o Security – transient tenants who have no long term stake
in the character of the neighborhood
o Noise – Concerns over noise due to parties and other
activities attracted by these short term rentals
o Traffic – Parking on street blocking traffic. - Members mentioned following pros:
o Income source for members
o Rules and regulations that are enforced on short term
renters to address concerns
o Fees could be imposed on members - Constable mentioned that he has seen regular issues in nice communities stemming from short term rentals.
- Currently Deed Restrictions/Bylaws for THA say nothing about short term (or long term) rentals. If THA wants to restrict short term rentals, changes will need to be made to the Deed Restrictions. Currently this will require a majority vote from at least 75% of members.
Other items discussed in the Meeting:
- Timbercrest HOA Website – http://timbercresthoa.org has been
launched in compliance with Texas Property Code. Currently, Vice
Chairman Todd Boring is managing the website. - Several opportunities remain open for committees, please consider
getting involved. - Finally, the Board did summarize to the Members in the last open
board meeting discussing why it was agreed upon to use
Buildium (accounting software for Associations) and its costs.
Questions raised to by Members of the HOA in attendance in that
Meeting are as follows and will be posted on the website as to the
Boards position, interpretation and or understanding:
- Does the HOA have the authority in its Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (“DCCR”) to restrict a Member from making its residence within Timbercrest available for short or long term rentals (“STRs” or ”LTRs”) through platforms like Airbnb or VRBO, through a rental management company or directly by the Member on efforts? If so, would such restriction apply prospectively and not retrospectively?
- Does the Board have the authority to increase the annual assessment from one-hundred dollars ($100) to two-hundred and fifty dollars ($250)? Specifically, does the Board need the approval of the Members to increase the current assessment from one-hundred dollars ($100.00) to the Maximum Annual Assessment as established in Article 7 in the DCCR?
- Does the Board have an obligation to conduct a financial audit of Timbercrest HOA? Specifically, is such an obligation triggered at the request of a Member of Timbercrest HOA?
- Does the Board have the authority to enter into contracts with vendors and other professionals without the approval of the members.
