Survey Results

Once again, the Oakbrook Fence Survey results are now posted.

A summary of the survey results can be found here.

Question 9 Free-Text Responses

Question 9 Free-Text Responses (edited)

1.Thanks for doing this. Wish I picked up my mail more often and had seen it sooner - I would have forwarded it to more people.

2.How do other communities address similar problems?

3.I support the HOA taking ownership of street-facing woodcrete fences only because while I believe a majority of our neighbors would care for them on their property, I can imagine a few might not. Furthermore, the example I listed above of the neighbor who refuses to replace a falling-down fence is an demonstrates how someone who lives in this neighborhood is not willing to make an investment. As inexpensive as wood is, can you imagine an individual willing to pony up even more money to fix woodcrete?

4.It looks like we will end up paying $19,000.00 for repaired fence... My question is if we own the fence, shouldn't we place restrictions on what can grow on the fence and also require tree trimming of the owner's trees that are growing into the fence? The only way this got passed is because we would not have to create an assessment.

5.I think # 7 needs a maybe as the circumstances at a later time may not wwarrant any replacement at all. This survey to me is a bit slanted too... If you don't want to keep the neighborhood up and in good shape, just say so. Also, there are many that do not belong to the other yahoo group so not sure how you think this survey will portray the feelings of the members. How are we to know that you as the 'author' are not selectively taking the responses as well?

6.I would support an amendment in the covenants to allow for a fund specifically to allocate for a fence repairs/replacements above the market cost of a professionally installed cedar fence along the current woodcrete area to provide for financial assistance for Homeowners. Amount of assistance could be determined by amount in the fund and number of eligible applicants. Homeowners must agree to use HOA contractor or allow HOA to arrange repairs, and sign a waiver otherwise be subject for full repair cost. There is at least one home on Graceland trail that has chosen to place a masonry fence on their property.

8.Appreciate the information I'm getting from my neighbors. Not getting ANY from the Board or Real Manage as it relates to this fence issue. You would think something of this magnitude, would warrant direct contact with each household. Additionally, and something affects each and every household in Oak Brook and The Glen; when are the streets signs going to be replaced with something legible and more safe? It's been 3 years and rather embarassing to vistors, delivery, and/or emergency personnel, especially at night when they are not legible at all.

9.Thanks George for doing this. The board has over stepped their boundaries in my opinion. This issue should have been put to a vote by all homeowners. Some of us could not make the annual meeting.

10.When these homes were built, no one in the neighborhood had a choice on the type of fence that would be used on their lot. Those with woodcrete were told it was a neighborhood requirement and the HOA would cover the maintenance. If Scott Felder/Ryland would have made the woodcrete and maintenance of it the homeowners responsibility, no one in their right mind would have purchased a lot with woodcrete as the cost would have far outweighed the benefits. The problems with the fence are not a result of lack of maintenance by the homeowner, it is a result of bad building practices by Scott Felder/Ryland. Bottom line, this needs to be addressed by the HOA for the betterment of the neighborhood and consistency with other similar neighborhoods. In fairness, if the homeowner is held responsible for the woodcrete, then only the homeowners who use the neighborhood pool, tennis courts, etc. should pay for the costs associated with those ammenities.

11.Please, enough already. The repairs need to be done, trying to force 5 homeowners (I'm not one of them) that are affected to bare the cost is very unreasonable.

12.George, The survey is a great idea. But for those that can't or don't want to take the survey electronically (e.g. some don't have internet access, some don't subscribe to the oakbrook yahoo group, etc.), how will they be providing their input? This is one of the things the board should have done a much better job on in terms of getting input. The fence committee had the perception of being thrown together and was purposely kept small which I believe is one reason their are a lot of people that knew nothing about the issue.

13.I will help pay for paper/printing so that every house in the Oakbrook HOA could have a copy of the results of this survey.

14.Dude, let this go. You are crying over spilled milk. Do you really want to see the woodcrete fence fall down and the homeowner replace it with cedar, then we will have all sort of fencing lining the thourougfares. The way the deed restrictions work, they can do this because everyone else has cedar - so it is acceptable. Or would you want to change that to fit your purpose as well. This repair isn't going to be a special assessment. That is what your dues are for - upkeep of the neighborhood. And don't give me the "my wood fence should be considered the same. I just repaired and replace two sections of fence that fell down with my neighbor. Total cost - $21 a peice. If that were woodcrete it would have cost about $900.

15.A good maintain wood/cedar fence could be use to replace the existing ones, but at the owner expenses. Everybody else have to maintain their own.

16.Thanks for taking it upon yourself for sending out the survey. This is probably a much better way of finding out how the homeowners feel about the issue.

17.thanks good idea for getting increased feedback

18.Thanks for putting together this survey. I think this is a GREAT way to obtain more resident feedback and help the HOA see what the majority of residents are thinking.

19.Appreciate you putting this survey together George. Surveys can be a polarizing thing and we respect the content and manner in which you have constructed this one.

20.Interesting concept, George. I don't think this idea is every going to make everyone happy...I think although not handled perfectly, it needs to just be left alone after this, so that we can move forward. Good survey.

21.A proxy sent to all home owners would be more inclusive than say a neighborhood Yahoo group.

Question 6 Free-Text Responses

Question 6 Free-Text Responses

1.If HOA ownership of the fence is inevitable, it makes some sense to start collecting a minimal fee now if the money is guaranteed to be set aside and held for this actual project and not thrown in the general fund in the future. Owners along the fence should contribute an additional amount - at least as much as it would cost them to replace that fence section with cedar wood fencing, just as I am paying to replace my cedar fence that faces the hike and bike trail.

2.If we know about the need replacement 10-15 years in advance, then a portion of the current dues should go toward a designated "fence replacement fund" that is earmarked specifically for this purpose.

3.ONLY if limestone is chosen. I would not support the raising of dues for another woodcrete fence. Again, I think it is a collossal WASTE of our money.

4.Whether I support it or not there is likely a need to raise these at some time. Whether it be for the fence or any other need for the community as a whole. I would say yes but it woudl depend on what are looking at as to the amount. Maybe special assessments. Look at other neighborhoods. I have a friend in Cat Hollow that is doing this right now. There are a few places to fix from what was reported and I have not heard of replacing all the fencing at one time so where is that statement coming from?

5.HOA dues is already too high.

6.I would like to see a long-term neighborhood plan which would detail maintenance of all HOA facilities/obligations (pool, fountains, pumps, tennis courts, fences, basketball courts, playgrounds, trail, signs, lighting, mailbox areas, etc.) before I would make a decision on raising dues. I would hope this long-term plan could be developed for discussion at the next annual meeting.

7.Woodcrete fence owners are required to pay for fence repairs per the existing HOA rules. It is unethical to allow the HOA to pick and choose who is not held to this contract.

8.Between an additional $10 and $30 per month.

9.I don't support raising any HOA dues until the board works with the homeowners to develop a list of improvements and their budgets, and then decide on the priorities for what is reasonable. It is ridiculous to spend money in reserves just because we have it available. What would we do if a storm blew the roof off the pool pavilion or destroyed some other common owned piece of property. Then we are right back at special assessments.

10.I think money should be set aside from the current budget to plan for the expense.

11.By whatever it takes. Have you seen neighborhoods that have wood fences lining the main thouroufares? Just drive down Great Oaks from Hillside to O'Connor and turn your head both ways. Now that is junky.

12.I would like to know how much money is currently going into the reserve fund for capital improvements. I would be willing to see the HOA dues increase by the amount needed to fund an account solely for the purpose of replacing the fence in 10-15 years. Somewhere in the $3 to $5 range.

13.My first choice is to have an increase in my monthly dues NOW to begin building a pool of money to eventually replace the fence in 10 years or so. I am also not opposed to a special assessment as noted in Q7, however, I believe the current woodcrete fence looks fine except for the few areas on Morgan Hill where the fence if shifting. I would hope we wouldn't need any replacement for at least 10 years or more.

14.I would support an increase in HOA dues, but the actual amount depends on what the actual fence material is. I want a quallity, long lasting fence, and don't think a cedar fence is an option, but do not want to write a blank check.

15.again the woodcrete fence is made of concrete and will llast a lifetime

Question 5 Free-Text Responses

Question 5 Free-Text Responses

1.To some degree this depends on the cost as well. Cedar won't last very long and I am assuming the wrought iron and limestone would be even more expensive than the woodcrete.

2.Limestone on Avery Ranch Rd, wood crete everywhere else. Assuming the easement stands, which it should not.

3.Wrought Iron (or other "see-through" fence) is not acceptable for lots bordering busy streets such as Avery Ranch Blvd, Morgan Hill Trail, etc.

4.Cedar/wood and woordcrete require more maintanence and will look bad after a year. Wrought iron would allow no privacy for those living along the main thoroughfares. Seeing how nice and strong the Avery Ranch rock walls are, as well as witnessing the increasing value of those homes, my only support towards a new fence would be for rock.

5.Whatever the board feels is best and is approved through the approval process.

6.Rock is too expensive to maintain.

7.None of the above, Easement should not stand!

8.I don't understand why our board thinks the fence will only last 10-15 years , if installed correctly it should last many more years

9.I think the Limestone fence that Avery Ranch subdivisions use is very attractive and requires little maintenance and will keep our property values up.

10.Would request a commitee be formed to investigate options and present them for open fourm discussion and then an HOA vote. Commitee should also present what they feel is the best overall option.

11.the existing woodcrete fence should last +50 yrs - it is made of concrete and nothing will eat / rot or harm it...it is nuts to consider replacing this fence when it is perfectly fine...the sections that are crooked need to be straightened and anybody in the future that takes this fence down for pool construction etc will have to have a qualified contracotor replace it correctly

12.Rock/limestone is a death trap if somebody crashes into it! Let's not use that! Plus it has maintenance issues with mold growth and removal.

Question 4 Free-Text Responses

Question 4 Free-Text Responses

1.Fences should stay in the hands of the property owners.

2.The HOA should not have the financial responsibility to maintain the fences in question. Financial responsibility should reside with the homeowner who is benifiting from a maintenance free fence. Simply put, all fences backing onto open space or roads are constructed within the homeowner’s lot. Maintenance of these fences is required on the part of the property owner for both sides of the fence. Maintenance of all other fences located on the perimeter of a lot is the responsibility of each property owner for their own side of the fence.

3.I do not think the HOA should own ALL our fences -- just the woodcrete that is seen from the streets. HOWEVER, I do think the HOA should enforce more fence repairs. For example, our neighbor refuses to replace his fence. Our dog got into his yard one day and we looked for her for hours. It was only when he and his wife let their own dog out that they saw our dog in the yard and brought her home. In addition, the other side of his fence, which borders on our mailboxes, has been leaning outwards with a huge gap for four months. It looks horrible and surely cannot be helping the overall appearance of our neighborhood.

4.All property owners should take care of their own fence. Otherwise, why not include a number of the fences in your survey.

5.none

6.The parameters need to be specified in the covenants.

7.I just request that everyone be treated equitably. Why is the cedar fence on private property between Oak Brook and Avery ranch currently being replaced and maintained with HOA funds and yet the fence between Oak Brook Glen and Brushy Creek not been given the same consideration? Why is a portion of the fence on Sutter Creek replaced and maintained by the HOA but not others? It appears there is no long term community plan and we are at the whim of the Board at the time.

8.If they're going after all public facing and/or exposed fences, I think the easement should go for ALL public facing fences, not those that separate properties from each other to the side or rear.

9.None of the above, Easement should not stand!

10.To keep our properties values up and maintain a consistent look of the neighborhood, I think all fences that border other neighborhoods should be maintained by the HOA to ensure a consistent look and level of quality.

11.All existing woodcrete fences with a street, Olsen Meadows or pool/park exposure. Note this does not apply to anything I personally own.

12.It would be absurd for homeowners to think that if they have a wooden fence, the HOA is suddenly going to repair and replace it as well. Ryland did not place the fences in the proper place in the first place, creating this monstrosity of a problem, so having been involved since the beginning, I think they did the best they could with what they had.

13.all woodcrete fences only

Question 3 - Free-text responses

Question 3 - Free-text responses

1.I think as the whole neighborhood will be picking up the cost, there should be a neighborhood wide vote on this issue.

2.My husband and I were unaware that the fence was going to be repaired/replaced until we saw someone surveying and we asked. Frankly, our preference is that the shoddy woodcrete fence be replaced with stone walls like in Avery Ranch. That would do wonders for our property value. The crew surveying the fence the day we spoke with them said they were providing an estimate for a rock wall. We are curious as to why that option is not even being presented.

3.This sets a dangerous precident. What is to prevent two board members conveying their homes to the HOA in the same manner? The land is not being conveyed. The process needs to be amended in the covenants.

4.The Board should have done something like this survey to gather real input from the ENTIRE community. I also believe the process was rushed.

5.Details like the HOA picking up ownership I don't think were discussed. I am almost sure I never saw dollars figures as noted above.

6.not everyone was able to attend that meeting and that information was not made available to all residents

7.Just moving into Oakbrook recently, I think some type of letter should have been mailed out to EVERY household, Not everyone in Oakbrook may belong to the neighborhood news group.

8.However, I do not believe the board reflect the majority of the members.

9.Options should be presented to the entire community for a vote on how to proceed.

10.I'm not overly concerned with the way things were handled. Although I knew about the issue with the fence from all the comments on the Yahoo Group, not all homeowners subscribe to this group. Conducting a survey, both electronically like this one AND via postal mail to those homeowners not available electronically would have been a better way to find out how the majority of homeowners feel about the fence issue.

11.Appreciate the boards volunteerism and willingness to take on these issues. I believe that HOA ownership of the woodcrete fence is in the best long term interest of all Oak Brook owners.

12.The residents should have been made aware of the total cost to repair/replace the woodcrete fencing--not just the $19,000 for a few panals. It should have been pointed out that a special assessment would be necessary.

13.I see both sides of this issue. Perhaps those communicating to the community at large, did not do it in the best way possible, but there were mailings included in the newsletter. I think in hindsight, it would have been better to send out specific letters to each homeowner regarding the fence only. Since there isn't an answer that speaks in this tone, I will leave it blank, with this comment.

Oakbrook Fence Survey Summary of Results Now Posted

The Oakbrook Fence Survey results are now posted. Thanks to all 56 folks who took the survey.

A summary of the survey results can be found here

I will release some of the individual responses later this weekend. I will not post all responses verbatim, and that includes addresses, identifying information, etc.

One note here: I was worried that some folks might be tempted enter multiple responses to the survey, but only 4 people left no identifying info at all (and actually, one of those four was signed "whatever"). Many people used street # & street or the Zip+4, some put just the street name or 78717. So, I did not segregate out the non-responsive/minimally responsive answers to Question 8, as I was satisfied nobody was trying to overwhelm the survey.