LAKERIDGE RESIDENTS --- UPDATE!

A FEW REMINDERS

County Officials Requests: 

*  Knox County as contacted the Association’s Board and asked they our residents cut back trees so that emergency vehicles can move freely.  Cut down or back on shrubs that are near intersections.  Do not park on the street.

*  The Sheriff’s Department has advised us that many home addresses are not visible from the street causing a delay or reduction in service.  They request that residents place large street numbers on mailboxes AND near your front door. 

With the events that fill our news . . .  here is a public database to check for offender in any area.  This information was passed onto me from one of our Association’s members.  Just type in the Zip Code to find an offender in that area.  http://www.criminalcheck.com/

Please keep your outside lights on for safety at night AND an eye open for your neighbors.  If you see anything suspicious, please contact the Sheriff’s Department Non- Emergency number at (865) 215-2444.  Any ideas for our website or for upcoming newsletters, please let us know: lakeridgetn@lakeridgetn.com 

The Lakeridge residents have a vital network called the E-MAIL TREE.  It is the first and quickest notification system where Lakeridge residents can get the latest information about events affecting the neighborhood.  While we would hope to only have good news to share, that e-mail notification was especially valuable when reports of a potential child abductor, complete with composite sketch, was delivered to neighborhood computer desktops.  We were instantly informed and had the information we needed to keep our families safe.  This same system was used to alert us about break-ins, too, and provided tips on how to discourage robberies.  To sign up for e-mail notifications, just click here!

Lakeridge Board Update  - - - Covenants: 

With the posting of our neighborhood Bylaws and Covenants on this our Neighborhood Association website, have come many residents listing concerns.  Many residents were unaware that these rules and regulations even existed or even in violation of our neighborhood Covenants.  Before making your Homeowners’ Association aware of your concerns we ask that you contacted them directly to share with them your concerns.  Many, many times this is all it takes as most everyone is willing to live in harmony with their fellow neighbors.  Just opening the lines of communications with a friendly smile and a positive attitude will make for strong neighbors. 

However, if these actions are not successful and a review by the Board is in agreement of your complaint  . . . your Homeowners’ Association will address these concerns listing your name and this Board in the complaint.  We support your right to live as was designed in our Covenants. 

Speaking of Covenants . . .  Located on the HOA page is a link to a map that will show the area that you live in, as there are six different Covenants that cover the difference sections of our neighborhood.  In addition, on that page you will find links to view and print the Covenants that cover your property. 

Neighborhood Concerns from your neighbors:

    * Boats or trailers are  not permitted to be parked in visible view from the street.  This is part of our Covenants that keep our neighborhood appealing.

    * Sheds are not permitted on any property.  This too is part of our Covenants.

    * Concerns over residents, primarily teenage boys, driving off-road vehicles (dirt bikes and three wheelers) and bicycles through yards to access the undeveloped area adjacent to the stream that runs through the subdivision.  The property surrounding the stream area is also private property, belonging to the homes surrounding this area.  The slope down from several areas to the stream is quite steep and someone is going to get hurt.  One resident stopped a boy from riding a dirt bike over a fallen log just below the grassy part of one section.  Apparently the boy did not realize that on the other side of the log was a steep drop down into the stream bed, and there was no way that he would be able to stop.  Besides the safety factor, residents do not appreciate people riding their vehicles through their yards that they have worked so hard to maintain.  Personal requests have been made to several individuals to stop this practice, but this does not seem to work.  Parents who purchase these vehicles for their children should not simply turn them loose on the neighborhood.  It is their responsibility to explain the rules of the road and find an appropriate place for them to ride, which does not involve their neighbor's property.  Please notify the authorities when this happens again and post DO NOT TRESPASS signs near these off road entrances. 

    *  I noticed in the Covenants that satellite dishes for satellite TV are prohibited.  This is illegal for Homeowners' Association to have this in their Covenants as it restricts a person's ability to choose a service.  Cable could dominate if this was not the case.  RESPONSE: These covenants were drawn up during a time of the 8 to 10 foot dishes . . . however; we do have on record an amendment that allows for the smaller dishes that you are talking about (with continued respect to discrete positioning). 

    * When setting out trash to be collected, please be courteous to tape up boxes (or tightly secure the lids of boxes) that contain lightweight materials (i.e. Styrofoam peanuts).  The wind gusts and garbage collectors sometimes scatter this lightweight material. 

    * Could we put together some sort directory of services that residents of Lakeridge provide?  For instance, babysitters, pet sitters, lawn care...  I know that the phone directory needs updating so maybe we could deliver update forms to all the residents and include on that form an area where they can opt to state any special services that they want included in the directory.  (great idea, now part of the NEW Neighborhood Directory)

    * Dogs running loose are again a problem.  I walk my pet on a lease and do not appreciate others who just let their pet run the neighborhood.  This causes a problem if the dogs fight, or worst yet attack me while I walk my small child.  It’s the law, lease your pets.

    * If you walk your pet please pick up after it.  I don’t own a pet and don’t appreciate picking up after supposed “caring” pet owner.  It is your responsibility, otherwise, stay in your own yard. 

    * Individuals should keep their cats indoors or leashed. People are tired of neighborhood cats walking on their cars, using their mulch beds for toilets, and harassing their dogs.

    * Speed limit in our neighborhood is 25 Miles Per Hour.  In the early morning and early evening hours, residents are walking or jogging.  Please keep an eye out for them and SLOW DOWN.

To learn more about our Bylaws and Covenants . . . click on the links.