Lost Your Trees to Ash Borers? Upcoming Sales May Help!

Green Meadows West Homeowners' Association (GMWHOA) members may need to plant new trees on their properties later this summer or fall, in order to stay within compliance of neighborhood covenants. Those covenants, established when the area was first developed, stipulate a minimum number of trees per lot. This number is determined by a given lot's square-footage.

The potential need developed after the City of Johnston began removing street-side Ash trees that have not been treated against Emerald Ash Borer infestation. Street trees that have successfully been treated at homeowner expense will likely not be removed, although the city reserves the right to do so.

Trees planted in the area between sidewalk and curb—colloquially called the "parking," and more technically called the "right-of-way"—are planted and maintained at homeowner expense.

Real estate professionals often say that street trees enhance curb appeal and improve potential resale values. Utility companies often promote potential energy savings generated by tree shade.

Green Meadows West rules and covenants stipulate a minimum number of trees per homeowner lot. For example: In Plat 2, one of the original plats (link here), the covenants specify:

"A minimum of one (1) tree is required per one thousand three hundred (1,300) square feet of space unoccupied by structures, parking, sidewalks or driveways. At least forty percent (40%) of the trees shall have a minimum of two-inch (2”) truck diameter measured two (2) feet vertically from the ground level."

If you have questions about covenant compliance at your location, please contact the Covenants Committee via the association manager. (Contact iformation below.)

Trees planted to meet GMWHOA covenants can be planted anywhere on homeowner property. However, city ordinances stipulate where any "street trees" may be planted, and how they must be trimmed in order to avoid coming into contact with vehicles or pedestrians. You may not be able to simply replant street trees removed by the city.

Also, a city permit is also now required for planting street trees.

Keep in mind that, according to city ordinances: "No street tree or street shrub that will grow more than 30 inches in height shall be planted on a corner lot where two streets intersect—for a distance of 25 feet in any direction from the point of intersection at the curb line (safety zone)"

Street trees must be a minimum of 3 feet from both sidewalk and curb.

Also, according to ordinances, no street tree shall be planted within:

• 15 lateral feet of overhead utility lines

• 3 lateral feet from water and sanitary sewer lines

• 10 feet from a fire hydrant

• 5 feet from a driveway

• 25 feet from a traffic control sign

• 3 feet from a sidewalk

Additionally, according to city ordinances, street trees must be kept trimmed to the following specifications:

• All branches will be at least 14 feet above the surface of the street.

• All branches will be 8 feet above the sidewalks.

To encourage tree planting across Johnston, the city's annual tree sale will open for on-line orders beginning 8 a.m. Fri., Apr. 12, 2022. Deliveries will take place Sat., May 7, 2022.

A list of tree species acceptable to the city is here: https://www.cityofjohnston.com/289/Plant-a-Tree

Also, the GMWHOA Grounds Committee is negotiating with select landscape vendors for potential discounts for homeowner-members. More details will be provided in the June-July 2022 newsletter.

Meanwhile, for more information and/or suggestions on how to select tree species, please contact the GMWHOA Grounds committee via: Association Manager Ben McMenamin, 515.222.5206; benm AT knappproperties DOT com 

Give Your Mailbox a Little TLC Before the Snow Flies

PHOTO: U.S. Postal Service

Homeowners use their mailboxes nearly everyday. Real estate agents will tell you that a mailbox is a key element in a home’s curb appeal—it’s one of the first things a visitor sees of a property. The U.S. Postal Service even recommends annual check-ups, ensuring that mail carriers can safely approach and access residential mailboxes, that addresses are clearly identified, and that delivered mail is protected from the elements.

More tips include:

• Tighten loose hinges on the door.

• Take care of rusty or loose parts.

• Replace missing or faded house numbers.

The Green Meadows West Homeowners’ Association has covenants governing the appearance and function of mailboxes: Mailboxes are to be black, with white house numbers, with an open attachment into which newspapers and flyers can be delivered. The attachment is necessary because federal law stipulates that only homeowners and postal carriers may access the interior of a mailbox, and that only postage-bearing materials may be placed into a mailbox. The law also stipulates that materials may not be hung, stuck, or otherwise attached to a mailbox.

When the Green Meadows West neighborhood was first developed by a real estate subsidiary of Pioneer Hi-Bred in the early 1990s, the paint specified was an olive or brown color. After that color was no longer available on the market, all plats within the association migrated to an all-black alternative. While there are still olive-brown mailboxes found in the neighborhood, these are expected to change with maintenance.

“The intent behind requiring a uniform-look is to put the aesthetic focus on houses, not mailboxes,” says neighborhood association board member Jack Sullivan.

The Johnston Ace Hardware store at 5800 Merle Hay Rd. is the designated vendor of Green Meadows West mailboxes. A pole and base costs $178.50. A mailbox, which includes the newspaper attachment, costs $20. Installation is available for $75. House numbers are $1 each.

Hardware store owner Gordon Sterk says that, unless a mailbox has been hit by a car or truck, total replacement is often unnecessary. “All you have to do is sand down the pole, paint it a [satin] back, and maybe replace the mailbox itself,” he says.

“Four stainless steel screws attach it to the base—no need to spend $200.” Johnston Postmaster Joleen Bolger reminds homeowners that mailboxes should have functional red flags. When raised, these indicate to carriers that outgoing mail is present.

“Unless they have mail for a given address, or they see a raised flag, postal carriers aren’t required to stop.” Keeping mailboxes clear of obstacles, such as trash cans or parked vehicles, is also important. “Postal carriers are not able to dismount their vehicles, unless it’s to deliver a package,” she says.

Five Friendly Springtime Reminders about Your Covenants

It's spring, and finally time to get back outdoors! As you're cleaning up your yards, landscaping and gardening, or just enjoying walking or biking around, here are a few reminders to help keep our Green Meadows West neighborhood looking good and playing safe. Covenants for each plat are downloadable here. If you have questions about covenant interpretation or enforcement, please do not hesitate to contact the association manager.

Remember:

• Recycling and garbage containers must be stored away from public view. Please do not leave containers on driveways or in visible side yard locations.

• Recreational vehicles, boats, tents, and trailers may only be located within public view at a residence a cumulative total of seven (7) days per year.

• Dumping of any kind in neighborhood common areas is not allowed. Broken concrete and other garbage pose safety hazards to grounds maintenance personnel. Even "clean" dirt can carry invasive seeds into our prairie and other low-maintenance areas. If you observe dumping in progress, please call law enforcement authorities. License plate numbers help.

• Unless otherwise temporarily specified by the association, signs for contractors, garage and yard sales, political candidates, sports teams, and other purposes may not be placed in neighborhood common areas. This includes areas such as boulevards, entrances, parks, prairies, and no-mow areas.

• With increased bicycle, foot, and other traffic in the neighborhood, automobile drivers should continue to observe all speed limits and stop signs. Motorized vehicles are not allowed on trails through the neighborhood, which are governed by city ordinance.

Keep Pools Cool, Safe, and Within Covenants

The Green Meadows West Homeowners’ Association encourages members to keep kids and pets safe this summer by observing all Johnston municipal laws and neighborhood covenants regarding swimming pools. Consumer and safety experts warn that small children can easily drown in small pools, toilets, and even 5-gallon buckets.

According to the City of Johnston, a pool is “any structure intended for swimming, recreational bathing or wading capable of containing water 24-inches-deep or more. This includes in-ground, above-ground, and on-ground pools; hot tubs; spas.”

Green Meadows West neighbors planning to install in-ground swimming pools should ensure they first purchase a building permit from the City of Johnston prior to construction, and meet building code requirements. Requirements include a 6-foot-high non-climbable fence with a self-locking gate.”

Green Meadows West covenants prohibit above-ground swimming pools other than “small swimming pools for infants.” In-ground pools are permitted.

The association recently successfully litigated the removal of an above-ground swimming pool. The pending removal is the third such enforcement action in neighborhood history. Fines of $17,000 or more may be assessed in the most-recent case.

For more information on Johnston building code requirements, click here.

For more information on Green Meadows West covenants, click here.