FCHOA Board Primer

Approval of new construction or additions to existing homes, and discussions of reported CR&R's violations consume most of the time at meetings. There are also often items of community interest on the agenda. We have, either unilaterally or in concert with other homeowners' groups, gone to bat to try to modify development plans that would negatively affect property in Flecha Caida. A notable example was in the early 1980's when the huge La Paloma complex was being planned. In this case we formed a coalition with a large number of other HOA's to protest the high density and hilltop defacement in the original plans and to ensure that down slope flooding the Finger Rock Wash would not inundate our roads and homes. With more than 22,000 signatures on a petition to modify the original designs, we were highly successful and La Paloma is a compatible asset to the central foothills. 

In the mid-eighties, we gathered with other neighboring groups to protest the proposed widening and straightening of River Road west of Craycroft Road, which would have opened created a major east-west artery at our front door. Again we won. We recently entered into another matter regarding a parcel of land adjacent to the east boundaries of Flecha Caida #3 near the Rillito River. An owner is asking to have a 16-acres parcel rezoned to build ten homes per acre. This is incompatible with the surrounding properties and could potentially cause serious flooding. We have written to all the concerned county officials protesting this proposal.

Those who attended the Annual Meeting in April 2000 are aware of another project that we are working on. We hope to form small districts to make our streets safer by the probable use of some speed humps, signage and boulevarding where drivers tend to speed or fail to exercise caution. The streets in Flecha Caida are dedicated county roads, but we have worked successfully with the Department of Transportation for many years on many projects. We hope this will be one of them.

SOME PROBLEMS WE CANNOT SOLVE

From time to time a property owners will have a dispute with his neighbors. We may not, by law, become involved in these 'border wars', as we are often compelled to explain, unless there is a breach of the CR&R's. When there is no violation of the CR&R's, the parties involved must seek resolution via the civil statutes, hopefully without going into court. Occasionally we get calls about barking or wandering household pets. There is really nothing we can do about this except contact the owner of the animal (if the individual is a property owner), which usually has little effect. The best way to handle this is to contact either the Sheriff's Department or Pima County Animal Control.

Another growing problem is the increasing number of rentals in Flecha Caida.  Most absentee landlords are very responsible abut assuring that their tenants comply with the CR&R's, but unfortunately there are many who seem not to care what happens on their property so long as the checks come in.  A sizable number turn the property over to a management company or agent and apparently do not include the duty of enforcing compliance with the CR&R’s in the contract.  Since we may deal only with property owners, this has resulted in some difficult situations.   If you should rent your property in the future, remember that you have the ultimate responsibility for what happens on or to it.

Another area where there has been an evolving problem over the years is the use of coolers and –increasingly—heat pumps retrofitted on rooftops.  In 1974, at the height of the energy crisis, the membership voted to waive enforcement of the prohibition of roof-mounted mechanical equipment on existing homes, with the provision that such installations be pre-approved.  This was mainly because of the design of the ductwork.  Over the years we have tried to make these as unobtrusive as possible.  We tried what came to be known as “goat pens” to screen the coolers, but these often blew off in storms or disintegrated.  In any case, the cure was often uglier than the problem.  Currently, with the advent of new equipment with a lower profile, we now approve them with a compatible color –usually the roof material.

As with the coolers, technological advances have dictated other ways of coping with things not dreamed of in 1957.  The Board, for example, heaved a massive sigh of relief with the advent of the 18-inch satellite dish.   These can easily be concealed on a patio or surrounded by small plants and, if hidden from public view, require no approval.

Another ongoing problem is that of our mailboxes.  We solved one complaint from those who provide emergency services by using reflective lettering on the boxes and on our street signs.  However, the mailboxes are constantly the victims of careless drivers and, sadly, vandalism.  We have tried several remedies and hope to come up with a solution one of these years.

There have been a number of misconceptions over the years about what is actually in the CR&R's.  One that has caused a few problems is the building of two-story houses, which are not prohibited.  We always try to protect views and privacy, but with the infill improvement of less desirable lots, we have granted more variances and approved more multi-story homes as time passes.

With our forty–year plus history, we have many precedents for enforcement on a case-by-case basis.  What is accepted on one property might be totally unacceptable on another.  We attempt, but are not bound by any of the recorded documents, to make all construction meet both the mandates of the CR&R's and the approval of affected neighbors.  This is possibly the most difficult aspect of being a member of the Board.  One must put aside personal likes and dislikes as to the style of proposed houses and other matters and produce solutions based strictly on what is in the CR&R's or sometimes County zoning.

The Board as a whole or one of its appointed committees makes all decisions.  No single Board member may speak for FCHOA.  We also depend upon our consulting architect and our attorney for their valuable services, which have included a number of successful litigations over the years.  We do not enter into this lightly, but will if necessary.

We would all like to do more, for example, to welcome new residents, keep up with what is going on in the foothills community and many other matters, but monitoring 560 lots is a time consuming task for the Board members, most of whom are very busy professionals with more than full time careers in a number of fields.

We can always use some extra sets of hands and new ideas.  We are restricted somewhat in what we can do, as well as in how much we can spend.  Even if you cannot devote the several hours per month to be a Board member, we would appreciate your help on the street project, welcoming committee or—maybe—finally getting our Flecha Neighborhood Watch program off the ground.

In any event, this is who we are and what we do.  It is never enough and sometimes misunderstood, but whether you support us or not, we are protecting your property rights and values together with our own.  As we enter this next millennium, we hope you will join us to preserve the Flecha way of life.