support those who will actively support Foxridge. One of our board members, Anita Joseph-Conkling is running for a City Council position. Hopefully we can give our members more information about candidates from our area in future issues of Foxtales. It is anticipated that there will be low numbers of voters turning out for this election and this gives the members of Foxridge a golden opportunity to elect someone who knows our problems and needs and will be supportive of our area in the new city council. Remember Florida--every vote counts so please vote!!

We are about to kick off our yearly membership drive and you will see inserts for annual dues payment in the Foxtales. I cannot emphasize the importance of your support for our Association. Your support allows us to maintain the area, publish Foxtales and enforce covenants. In addition, we are in the process of amending our covenants to promote better covenants protection and maintenance and improvement of our area.

We are at a crossroads; either we promote our area and protect our property values through a reasonable enforcement of our covenants or we become the "wild bunch," have no rules, and allow our area to degenerate into a scene from "the Dukes of Hazard". I suggest we follow the former route and keep Foxridge beautiful and a desirable place to live. This route also will lead to increased property values and, from a financial view point, help every member in Foxridge.

The keystone of this plan is the amending of our covenants to accomplish several goals:

1. To make all covenants in the Foxridge area uniform and therefore more understandable and enforceable.

2. To allow for the board to more easily address problems in our area.

3. To force real-estate brokers to inform new members of our covenants, therefore ensuring that new members are aware of the covenants before they buy an home in Foxridge

4. To make all present members aware of our covenants and to ensure all members have a copy of the amended covenants.

One key element of the new amended covenant would be mandatory annual dues. While I feel that it is only fair for all in Foxridge to pay dues, the main reason for mandatory dues is to ensure that all members of Foxridge are aware of the covenants and that real estate brokers will be obligated to give all new members a copy of the covenants and explain the covenants to new home owners. This is currently not happening.

We need a simple majority of our members to amend our current covenants but we hope for wider support. To ensure that all members can make an informed choice, we will either deliver or mail to every member a copy of the amended covenants. In addition, we will hold a special annual meeting to discuss members questions and concerns regarding the covenant changes. That meeting will be held the Homestead Elementary on Friday January 19 at 6:30. We moved the meeting to this date with hopes that more people will be free to attend.

On behalf of the board, I ask for your support in this

Here's some commonly asked questions about your ACC.

Why do we need an Architectural Control Committee?

Two answers: First, it is a proven fact that property values in communities with reasonable covenants and architectural guidelines are as much as 10% higher than comparable communities without them.

Second: Just get in your car and drive to any neighborhood that doesn't have these covenants and guidelines and take a look. Go ahead, I'll wait.........

See? There's no accounting for some people's taste, is there?

What does the ACC do?

Basically, we try to maintain the aesthetic integrity of Foxridge by creating and enforcing guidelines for things like room additions, decks, roof materials, paint colors and major landscaping changes. We are not control Nazis by any means, but, the fact is, somebody has to be there to protect you or you could end up next door to a pink house with a life-size statue of Elvis on the front lawn.

Speaking of pink, did you know that the human eye can distinguish over 10,000 different colors?

Yes, I'm an Eye Doctor, remember? But did you know that the colors pink and brown are both derivatives of the same root (primary) color? (Red) Now, I'll bet we all pretty much agree that it's OK to paint a house brown, but pink only looks good on a Cadillac. The question is, who decides how far from brown (and how close to pink) can you get and still be OK to paint your house? Other questions like: What can I re-roof my house with? Where can I put my air conditioner? Just how big can my statue of Elvis be? All these are legitimate questions that, depending on who's asking and who's answering, have many possible answers, and all 990 households in Foxridge will never agree.

When it comes to style and design, It's OK (even desirable) to disagree about the small stuff, but we live in a community that has a certain look and feel. What we have to agree on, therefore, is that somebody ultimately has to decide the big stuff... And that's what the ACC does.

So... when you're planning to make a change to your house or property, here's some simple guidelines:

1) Read your covenants! Most of what you need is in there.

2) If in doubt...Ask! (after all, that's what you tell your kids) Ask your neighbors, too!

3) Look around! If it doesn't already exist somewhere in Foxridge (or it's in real short supply), that's a clue!

Most of all:

4) Be open minded and reasonable! We have approved almost everything, but I'm sure there's a solution or compromise to every request.

...and if you still want a pink house, I know a good real estate guy who can find you one! PC

Upcoming FIA Board meeting schedule:

January 22; February 12; March 19

Meetings are held at 7:00 PM at Homestead Elementary school and are open to the public.

Thanks for the festive holiday look...

Thanks to Foxridge residents Anita Joseph Conkling, Terry Riester as well as Hobby Lobby for decorations that gave the entrances to Foxridge a great seasonal look.

Accord Representative needed for Foxridge!

February 6 will be Lee Davis’s last meeting at ACCORD. The community owes many thanks to Lee who has represented Foxridge and has looked out for our interests in Arapahoe County. Lee will be packing up and retiring (more completely) to parts as yet undecided. ACCORD will be changing into as yet undefined role in the City of Centennial. The hope is ACCORD will continue its advisory role on issues of growth and development. We need a voice for Foxridge! ACCORD meets on the first Monday of every month. Developers, the county, South Suburban and others interested in our area come to ACCORD and seek input from the many homeowner organizations that make up ACCORD. If you would be interested in serving your community, please contact Katie Barrett (303.721.9280 / [email protected]).

Weigh down your recycled newspapers, please!

Foxtales, the official publication of the Foxridge Improvement Association, has a circulation of 1,000. If you want a great way to target your message to a great community, advertise in Foxtales!

Advertising Rates:

Personal Classifieds:

$5.00 for 150 characters/spaces
$2.00 for an additional block of 50 characters/spaces.

Business Classifieds:

$10.00 for 150 characters/spaces
$3.00 for an additional block of 50

Display Ads:

Full Page $125
1/2-Page $75
1/4-Page $40
Bus. Card $20
Full Sheet insert $125

(already printed)

Foxridge Resident Discount:
20 Percent discount for one mo.

Non-Resident Discount:
10 discount available for 3 mos.

Discounts may not be combined.

• Consolidation or Annexation of all eleven (11) filings under one (1) Association Board that will act as the governing body. This is the way we are already operating, but we need a majority approval of the new document to make it official. Under the new Covenants, the Association will have the authority, among others, to designate and empower a committee, such as the Architectural Control Committee (ACC), to make decisions on homeowner requests for improvements, as well as have the authority to rule on homeowner appeals from negative (ACC) decisions.

• Other important items that will be introduced are a Mandatory Assessment or Dues, General Liability and Director’s Errors & Omissions Insurance, Appealing a Decision by the Architectural Control Committee, and How Many Votes Per Household.

• Most of the specific language pertaining to elements that may change over time (such as roofing materials, satellite dishes, solar panels, air conditioners, swamp coolers, RVs) will be removed from the Covenants to a separate document that is easier to change and update, as needed. This will be the "Architectural Standards", and will address most of the items you are probably most concerned about. You will NO LONGER see specific guidelines for these issues in the Covenants.

If you are wondering ‘how can we even think about changing to our Covenants? What about the 30-year rule?’ – it is because of the C.R.S. (Colorado Revised Statute) No. 38-33.3-217, which gives us the right to go to court and win the right to change, amend or even create a whole new set of Covenants. Winning the right to amend the covenants will require a majority vote of all homeowners, and we’re looking to hold a vote in April/May 2001.

If you wondering, ‘Why bother?’ -- it is because our original Covenants were written mostly during the initial construction, and are, at times, more a guideline for the Developer than the Homeowner. The lack of Mandatory Dues makes enforcement of our existing Covenants very difficult. You may have already noticed some serious infractions that seem to continue. Also, the amended covenants could help shield homeowners from problems that could arise in the course of conducting homeowner association business. It is simply time to "remodel".

A discussion document is being mailed to you for review. It will also be available soon on our website at www.homestead.com/foxridge. IT IS NOT A FINISHED DOCUMENT. We want your input at this early stage. Your comments will be incorporated and all of it turned over to our legal counsel for preparation. The final proposed document will be mailed to each homeowner for a final Review and Approval by a Majority Vote.

Now, ask yourself these three questions:

1. Am I interested in maintaining and/or increasing my home’s value?

2. Will I take the time to read through the Discussion document before the meeting?

3. Will I give up a Friday evening to help re-mold our community and give Foxridge a position of unity, stature and pride as we march into our new City of Centennial?

In response to your question, YES, I would support a vote for mandatory dues.

As an appraiser of residential real estate, I have directly observed that neighborhoods that enforce their covenants have a stronger appeal. And, I would like to see Foxridge develop a stronger image. Due to weedy areas, trucks and RVs parked in the neighborhood, I have heard us referred to as "Fixridge".

Additionally, I have been battling with the company handling my trash pickup. Quite often they miss picking up on my scheduled day and my trash will often sit curbside for several days. Their position is that it will be picked up when it is convenient for them. Individual accounts get serviced at a lower priority level than developments that have a neighborhood contract. I know that the idea of a neighborhood contract has been talked about in the past. Perhaps, now is the time to talk about it again. Since we all have to pay for trash removal one way or another, I would think that a neighborhood contract would give us all better service.

Kathy Irwin

The purpose of this e-mail is to express our objection to mandatory homeowners dues. We have lived in Foxridge for 11 years and have always voluntarily paid the subject dues. If 50 percent or more of the residents are not paying dues consistently from year to year then it would suggest to me that they do not feel the need or see the benefits from the dues that the 50 percent of us that do pay. I believe mandatory dues and enforcement of such would serve to polarize the neighborhood, not to mention become an incredible administrative nightmare to enforce. Quite frankly, I believe it is more positive to do with less and address the important issues of those residents that are interested and participate in the issues important to our neighborhood. It is unrealistic to think everyone wants to be involved and socialize with their neighbors. The issue of covenants is always very divisive in any community. The fact that some residents maintain that they did not realize Foxridge was a covenant controlled community when they moved here can not always be true. Our neighborhood entry signs expressly state we are a covenant-controlled community. Any statement that their real estate agent did not tell them is either a lie, poor representation by the real estate agent or a mistake on the part of the purchaser for not asking the right questions when buying a home in Foxridge. In fact there are 2 agents that live in Foxridge that publicly claim to sell most of the homes in our area. If they are not providing their clients with copies of the covenants when they list or sell a home they are doing all of us a disservice. We were given a copy of the covenants when we bought our home from the sellers and would do the same when we sell. Personally we are happy with the covenants in Foxridge because they do maintain the integrity of our area without the need for overzealous covenant police that can cause unwanted confrontations in our neighborhood. We are not in favor of a wholesale change to our covenants, but are willing to consider updates that the passage of time may require. I have been before the board and attended meetings when an issue is of importance to us. I believe our board is working well and as the old saying goes, "if it ain't broke then don't fix it". Thanks for your time & efforts.

Rusty & Ann Marie Brusenhan

I am very much IN FAVOR of mandatory dues for Foxridge. I have lived here for ten years, and remember a time when I was with joy as I drove down my street. It was truly such a beautiful place. Now, my heart sinks as I drive down the same street and pass, at times, up to 35 parked cars and gravel which has been brought into a neighbors side yard so that he can park even more cars. I have seen cars parked on lawns, and even witnessed three beautiful aspen trees leveled to the ground, so that a neighbor could park his precious cars in their place. I also see a red van parked on gravel with expired plates, and a rather large motor home, which is parked on our street most of the summer.

I am a single mom, and my house is my only major investment. I have worked hard maintaining it, and it is my future. I would gladly pay $50, $75, $100 or even $200 a year to protect that investment. Foxridge is beautiful, and $50 a year is a bargain to keep it that way.

Thank you for your commitment of time and energy. It is most appreciated.

Susan Foster

As a 14-year resident of Foxridge I want to support your attempt to have homeowner association dues mandatory. $25 is incredibly cheap so I think you could increase it initially by $10 or $15 bucks and then allow for increases with inflation, scope of use, etc. I know it is easy to put off paying the dues. However, I don't think anyone who doesn't pay is sending a message, except that maybe they are to self absorbed or just plain cheap to do their duty. Again, thanks for everything, Richard Taylor 303 741-1444

As an original Foxridge resident (moved in 1978), I am highly supportive of mandatory dues. In fact, dues are painfully low and should be moved up if projects are available and in need of funding. Best regards.

Steve Staley

We support a vote for mandatory dues. Mandatory dues in an adequate amount will translate into a stronger homeowners association. A stronger association will result in more effective enforcement of the covenants. A clear example of why we need covenants is set-forth in a letter in the recent issue of the "Foxtales." The writer wants to put a "modest" antenna on his house and a "modest" RV in his driveway.

Steve and Pam Johnson

See "Letters," continued on next page

"Letters," continued from previous page

I have lived in Foxridge for about 10 years, and have always supported dues. The only problem we've had is knowing if we've paid. Sometimes we have gotten an envelope; that was a good reminder. We support a strong HOA.

Regarding your question about mandatory dues, I would say that first of all I would support sensible covenants. I especially concur with the recommendations made by Bob Aliano whose letter appeared in the last Foxtales. It seems like there are so many extremes--no covenants or obsessive ones! That's my 2 cents worth!

Susan Harman

I would support mandatory dues for the Foxridge subdivision. (Easy for me to say, since I always pay mine anyway, and I think everyone should!) Also, would support an increase to $50 or so. Thanks!

Sue Miller

No quality neighborhood permits RVs, boats and sheds to be stored on residential property. Older residential areas predating protective covenants are public eyesores more often than not.

Several early 1970’s neighborhoods nearby are now cluttered with a wide variety of "luxury junk" that certainly depresses peroperty values. The thoughtlessness of a few can easily have a devastating impact on the majority. First impressions are lasting impressions and "curbside appeal" remains a critical home resale component.

The Foxridge residents currently storing RVs and boats in yards and on driveways should be required to properly store this equipment. It seems to me that anyone able to afford such "toys" should have adequate resources to keep them off site.

The offenders here are alienating their neighbors and harming the precious image of Foxridge. As a 20-year Foxridge homeowner, I call for the elimination of selfish attitudes manifested by poor judgement