Close It!
Dad used to say, “were you born in a barn? Shut the door!” Of course he was talking about the front door and it usually got slammed in response (yep, I was a bad kid and now a bad mostly-adult). In PGA it seems that residents like to leave their garage door open…..which is against the rules. Security and the POA staff have plenty to do without writing citations and imposing fines for open doors but the rule is there for your safety and security. The little crime that PGA National experiences is usually crimes of opportunity. What is frightening is that most people don’t lock the door between the garage and the house so while you are walking FiFi or Fido “right down the street”, not only can thieves help themselves to what is in your garage but they may be waiting for you inside your house (or just go help themselves there too).
I recently heard about a device that has WiFi capability and instant close keypad to allow you to open or close the garage door from your smartphone and see if it is open or closed remotely. I understand that there are several options and Home Depot, Lowes and others carry them. Please look into them if you are someone who uses their garage door as a front door.
Storm Season
It is officially here: The start of storm season. Sorry, I can’t use the “H” word until the end of November but you know what I mean! If you don’t already have supplies like batteries, non-perishable food, water, extra medications, etc. it’s time to stock up. There are several resources where you can get lists of what you might need and how to prepare, including the POA website at pga-poa.com
Fixin’ Up the Place
The POA Architectural Review Committee (“ARC”) has processed over 100 applications at the last two meetings. We were happy to see a number landscape improvement apps as well as quite a few people purchasing whole-house generators and impact glass windows/hurricane shutters. The PGA POA governing documents, and in particular Article XII of the PGA POA Amended and Restated By-Laws require owners to get written approval for any and all exterior changes. Application forms are available on the aforementioned website and if you have any questions, you can call Lori at the POA office (561-627-2800); we are always happy to help.
As a reminder, you are required to get approval before doing the work. The majority of the application fees are $25.00 but there is a $250.00 application fee for “work started or completed prior to submitting for the required approval”.
While you are making your property and home beautiful, the POA has a number of projects and long range plans that I’ve mentioned in the past. The overpasses on Ryder Cup and Avenue of the Champions were both re-planted. The hedges at those locations were 30 years old and the species is no longer available so it was time for a full replacement; the directional signs will be repainted and repaired; several of the gardens in Masters Park are being replaced and/or filled in; gutters are being replaced on all POA guardhouses; and the landscape north of the Preston entry along Ryder Cup Blvd will be replaced but no trees will be removed. We are hopeful that this will result in a better sight-line for cars heading toward Northlake Blvd and for cars exiting and entering Preston.
One other project that is just about to get started is FPL’s replacement of the street lights along the main roads and in some of the communities. They will be installing LED lights that will cause better illumination and will again be white lights (Yea: no more “Easter-Egg colored” multi-hued sodium vapor bulbs!).
Long Range Plans include the re-design of the main entry “ellipse” (it isn’t really a circle but a wide elongated a divided roadway). The POA has asked the City of Palm Beach Gardens to consider the location for their “Art in Public Places” program since the POA would like a sculpture in the elevated center. Once plans are finalized, the POA will make formal announcements and show the plans but right now it is just a long range plan. The frontage along PGA Blvd is also on the Long Range Plans. Will be meeting with representatives from the City of Palm Beach Gardens to find out what is involved with re-landscaping the frontage and whether the fence should be replaced in its current location or further south toward the actual property line.
Payment Please
On June 1st the annual assessment notices were mailed to your address of record. The Board was able to keep the assessment at $730.00 so please remember to watch for the mail. Remember, the POA invoice comes in a large flat envelope that also contains the budget and footnotes. Owners are required to pay by July 1st whether you receive the mail or not so be sure to watch for the notification and call us at (561-627-2800) if you don’t receive it. Many owners have signed up for “Direct Debit” and those who haven’t may do so by completing the form enclosed with the mailing but for it to go into effect with the July 1st assessment, we have to have the correct and completed forms before June 15th. This form is also on our website.
In Closing
The world has gone a little crazy so I thought I’d reprint something I’ve said before: You never know what burdens others have so be kind to people; smile and wave (even when they cut you off in traffic); try to make someone’s day just a little better. In summary, go back to what we learned in kindergarten: Say please and thank you, share and play nice!