Download the Spring 2008 Dominion Station Express issue (639KB PDF)
From the President’s Desk
I would like to open by recognizing the latest member of your volunteer organization, Ms. Aimee Jorns. Aimee is our new Shared Facilities Committee Chairperson. She has been very active planning the community events and has some great ideas for increasing our community pride and increasing a sense of being a neighbor to each other. Based on her ambitions and ideas for our community events, I am very excited and appreciative to have her as Chairperson for this committee!
With that being said, I would like to point out that we are entering a time of execution on many community-based initiatives. This spring brings rejuvenation to the community. As we continue our plans to re-energize and re-vitalize the community, we have been working very diligently on effective review and execution on all of the initiatives obtained from all homeowners within the community over the past year.
The spring inspection is a time when the community management can provide us with feedback on the status of our home’s exteriors. This year, the Board has instructed management to provide a comprehensive and complete review of all aspects of our homes. The checklist sent out, and posted on the website, is the same form management will be using to conduct the inspections. After completion of the first few sections, management has provided some initial feedback. Overall, many of us are doing quite well in ensuring our homes maintain the curb appeal needed in today’s market. One particular deficient area which management has commented on relates to power washing and staining/painting of decks, siding and fences. As we are no longer under a water restriction, please be aware that many of us will receive letters pertaining to this matter. The main point being that, before you re-stain or paint, please check the guidelines for colors and styles. Last year many folks used non-approved colors and subsequently had to re-paint. I urge everyone to ask our management company for direction before painting or staining, if in doubt.
The following is a list of our initiatives, both approved and under review. All of these initiatives assist in stabilizing our home values, provide a positive impact to the community’s aesthetics and allow us to enjoy our amenities:
Approved initiatives
- Re-surfacing of all of our community pools.
- Complete bathroom remodeling in the clubhouse.
- Revitalization of the flowerbeds at the entrances of the community.
- Complete and comprehensive spring inspections of all homes.
- Community policing petition and formal request to the Sheriff’s office.
- Re-key of clubhouse with electronic entrance and monitoring.
- Erosion prevention and mitigation projects.
- Creation of a three-year plan for budgeting of future initiatives.
Under review
- Irrigation maintenance along Church Road, which has not worked in many years.
- Tot-lot refresh initiative.
- Review of current clubhouse rental policy, including increased times at a reduced fee.
- Expansion of the pool entrance to include an electronic entry system.
- Relocation of the flag poles at the entrance of Church and Magnolia.
- Expansion of the website to include forums and other means to interact with other community members.
- Creation of a gym at the clubhouse for homeowners.
Many people have been asking about the status of the expansion of Atlantic Blvd. For those who attended the special meeting with Supervisor McGimsey, VDOT and the contracting company, you can affirm that we, as a community, must remain proactive and vigilant regarding this project. Obtaining updates, questioning and providing feedback to Supervisor McGimsey’s office is crucial in ensuring the most positive impact on our community. Remember, even though not all of our homes back to Atlantic Boulevard., the effects of the project WILL affect our collective community.
Yes, Verizon is installing FIOS in parts of the community. Please note that the Board was unaware of the project until we woke up to see construction down Blossom Road! We have asked management to remain especially vigilant regarding the impact the work may have on the community. If you see anything, which you feel is less than acceptable with the work being done, please contact Kathy with that information. Also, if anyone has any questions regarding the initiatives under review, now is the time to provide your input. We always strive to make the best decisions, based on collective feedback, and the Board is always open to input. Furthermore, if there is anything you believe we need to address or discuss, please attend the monthly meeting or send us an email via the website www.dshoa.com.
In closing, I want to thank everyone for their patience and support as we continue to execute on our projects for the betterment of our community. I also want everyone to know that the Board greatly appreciates all feedback and we welcome all residents who want to be a part of the volunteer organization.
Happy spring!
Warm Regards,
David Robinette, President, DSHOA
McGimsey Meeting Reveals Fate of Atlantic Boulevard
By: Susan Lloyd
As we took seats in the Dominion Station clubhouse on April 2, some of us were more aware than others of the imminence of Atlantic Boulevard’s extension. Many of our neighbors had attended, on February 21, a Public Hearing dedicated to the subject; those folks were the more knowledgeable.
On April 2, Loudoun County Supervisor Andrea McGimsey and Lori Stevenson were present. The principal speaker was Susan Shaw of VDOT, who was joined by a representative of Dewberry, a local engineering/surveying firm. I don’t recall there being an empty seat, and the meeting was genuinely spirited. The Atlantic Boulevard extension will significantly impact Dominion Station, a community already dealing with the Magnolia “Speedway.”
Construction of the extension will begin in 2009 and terminate late in 2010. The right-of-way will be acquired in July. Construction is slated to take place between 7 AM and 3 PM, Monday through Friday. Initially 20 million was allocated by the State; that figure has since climbed to 24 million, and Loudoun County loaned an additional million to VDOT to assist with the cost. The extension, a little more than a half-mile in length, will become a “four-lane median-divided urban roadway.” From Magnolia, it will extend to the intersection of Church and Davis, and will include a bridge above the W&OD Trail. There is to be a sidewalk on one side (west) and an asphalt shared-use path on the other (east).
There is no provision for noise abatement, other than evergreen trees, whose cost will be borne by VDOT. The speed limit is expected to be 35-40 mph; by 2030, the number of vehicles traversing Atlantic on a daily basis is expected to be 39,300, a figure which realistically could double.
Severn and Steeplechase are to be closed; Steeplechase, however, may remain entirely open until completion of Nokes. We understood that Steeplechase and Severn will duplicate Cedar Green, in that right turns may be made by vehicles traveling north on 28.
The plausibility of a traffic light at the intersection of Magnolia and Atlantic is under study, as is the traffic pattern. Also under consideration are possible parking areas for cars whose owners would be using the bike trail.
It would appear that our neighbors living on upper Baggett Terrace will be most affected by the extension, which is expected to follow the pattern of the two dirt mounds already in existence behind Thompson. If the dirt is found to be adequate for construction purposes, it will be utilized and the pattern will be similar to that offered by the two mounds as they stand now.
Reminder
The deadline for all newsletter submissions is August 1st, 2008
Reminder
The deadline for mail-in registration for pool passes is May 15th. On-site registration dates and times are as follows: May 10th- 10 AM-12 PM; May 15th- 6:30 PM-8:30 PM
Community Clean-Up a Success
By: Lisa Eyler
On Saturday, April 5th, seven Dominion Station town house residents and one condo resident spent two hours in the morning picking up trash (including a discarded Christmas tree) throughout our community. Volunteers included Kevin Chroninger, Aimee Jorns, Melissa Fishman, Kirsti Ramos, Robert Williams, Joan and Gary Whitehead (as pictured left to right from top row to bottom row), and Lisa Eyler. VDOT was called on Monday morning to pick up the 16 large orange trash bags volunteers loaded and placed along Magnolia Road. We were thankful the weather cooperated that day. We will most likely hold another cleanup in the fall, and hope to have more residents volunteer to help. (Photo Credit: Lisa Eyler)
REMINDER
The next Neighborhood Watch Program meeting is on Wednesday, May 14th at 6:30 PM in the clubhouse.
ARC REMINDER
All ARC submissions must be in by the second Thursday of the month before the committee meets. Following this requirement will give them ample time to review the requests.
Disclaimer
Dominion Station Express is a volunteer generated publication, produced for the residents of Dominion Station by volunteer residents and as such it does not reflect any official policy or process of the Dominion Station Community, its Board of Directors or Management Company. All rights are reserved.
Download the Winter 2008 Dominion Station Express issue (512KB PDF)