Summary:

41% of surveys distributed were returned. There appears, very obviously, a tiering of desires for the focus of this board. The tiers are as follows:

1  Safety and Security
2  Property Value Enhancement
3  Common Area Maintenance / Improvements

Respondents identified all the following as top initiatives.

Detailed Analysis:

68% of respondents rated Safety and Security as the top rated priority for the Board
64% of respondents rated Property Value Enhancement as the second highest priority for the Board
61% of respondents rated Common Area Maintenance as the third highest priority for the Board
[A worksheet analysis is posted here.]

Safety and Security:

Speeding was by far the largest concern highlighted. Suggestions included speed bumps, to random police enforcement.

Neighborhood Watch was the second concern highlighted. However, this initiative, via comments, was closely linked to the vandalism recently highlighted with the new tennis court. This also tied very closely to working to get additional Fairfax County police vigilance. This vigilance would be used to ward off vandalism, but also to slow down residents. In addition, several write in initiatives were offered concerned with these topics. This included a request to look into getting an additional stop sign put in at the intersection of Bishopsgate Way and Burywood Lane. The stop sign would be on Bishopsgate Way, forcing drivers to stop prior to taking their turn onto Burywood.

In addition, there were additional requests that we look at cutting back overgrowth close to Bishopsgate Way and look at cutting back vegetation around the turns coming off of route 7 and around the stream. Both of these suggestions were requested due to safety concerns; however, the concerns rise as speeds increase.

Although protection of property values, or property value enhancement was rated as second priority of the board, it received the most write in comments and the most passionate responses. The number one issue our homeowners were interested in was making sure we remained in the Great Falls school district. Associated with that, though, was that everyone expressed a strong desire to remain out of the resTOWN initiative. This was driven not just from the tax perspective, but also from the perception that if we participated in resTOWN we would be viewed more a part of Reston and redistricted out of Great Falls schools.

There was also a lot of write in comments concerning the overall appearance of our neighborhood. Most responses were very positive about the look and feel of our neighborhood; however, there were a few write-ins that indicated that due to trashcans left out too long, or toys left on front lawns, there has been a slight degradation. In the end, though, the majority of the respondents said that they desired the HOA to enforce the bylaws, but also to not get to stringent.

Lastly, there was a desire to remain engaged with the political infrastructure of Fairfax County. Primarily to stabilize the property tax increases which have been astronomical as of late.

Common Area Maintenance:

The top issue highlighted in this area was working with Fairfax County to get our community connected to the Reston Bike Path network.

Ascot Signage was second in terms of high level interest; however, there were several strong oppositions to the signage, mainly due to support costs.

There was also a strong desire to improve the overall look of the creek that runs through our common area. The primary recommendation was to cut back some of the vegetation on the tennis court side of the stream.

Lastly, there was a strong desire not to add too much to the common amenities that would incur recurring costs. Therefore, most of the other initiatives highlighted in the survey were either crossed off, or given a very low priority. There was interest in creating activities for kids that utilize our common area, and there was write in interest in creating a sand volleyball and regular volleyball court.