December 2012 — N 1212
Supervisor Foy
The HOA thanks Supervisor Foy for having 2 members of his staff – Brian Miller and Chad Ball attend our HOA meeting. It was great to have representation from the county at the meeting and there was a good exchange of information. Thanks also to Brian and Chad for attending our meeting which made for a long work day for them both!
Colton Lee Development
(on the former Horse Ranch)
We were expecting the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to be released in October and then again in November. Now it is December and all we know is that the EIR is being finalized and should be out very soon. At this point we are making an educated guess that there will be a Planning Commission meeting towards the end of January We will let you know the news as soon as we know it so watch your email for additional information. GOOD NEWS: Supervisor Foy is working to have the Planning Commission meeting for this project in Simi Valley instead of in Ventura. This is great news since it will be much easier for all of us to attend a meeting locally!! Remember we will need the support of the entire neighborhood when the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors meet on this project. Again, more details to come!!!
Katherine Road and the Colton Lee Development
Part of the requirements for widening Katherine Road means that the County Right of Way will be used to widen the road. Because our neighborhood had been in existence for so long there are areas where the County ownership of the Right of Way is not complete – meaning the County does not own the Right of Way in some areas. It is our understanding that Colton Lee may be trying to buy or somehow get deeded the Right of Way for the areas that the County does not currently own. So, if you hear of anyone trying to buy or inquire about the Right of Way along Katherine Road you know what is happening. If anyone does hear of any activity on this topic let the HOA know.
As part of the development of the old Horse Ranch Katherine Road will be widened from the project site to the Pass Road. Included will be 4 turn-outs for emergency parking (no parking zones for us!). Trees removed or endangered, as well as other changes due to the widening. The road widening was a big issue for us at the last HOA meeting which Supervisor Foy attended. As a result of our concern Supervisor Foy requested Colton Lee to walk Katherine Road with him and concerned neighbors to review the impacts of the potential road widening. The neighborhood is invited and we will want as many of the people affected by the road widening to walk with us. When we get more information on time and date we will send an email notice. If you live on Katherine Road you should be there! Talk with your neighbors too! This walk will be scheduled when the EIR is final.
Waste Management – Contract Negotiations are coming – Questions for the neighborhood!!!!
At the Homeowners meeting at the end of September with Supervisor Foy, we discussed the service provided to the Knoll’s by Waste Management. We followed up with Jeff Pratt from the County. The Knolls pays the highest rate in the area, receives the least service, that is green waste one week recycling the other, and has no senior discounts.
It has been suggested as our contract will be reviewed and renewed in the upcoming year that we let the County know what we would like to see in our next contract. What would you like to see in the new contract – weekly recycling/green waste pickup, senior discounts, more free dump days, what else???? We need to send a prioritized list to the county soon so please get us your suggestions ASAP!! Please contact us at SusanaKnollsHOA@roadrunner.com
State to impose fire prevention fees on Ventura County Residents
U.S. Mail notices have gone out about this fee and Brian Miller from Supervisor Foy’s office talked about it at the December HOA meeting. Since we live in a high fire area the state will be assessing us $150 per habitable structure. There is a provision that reduces the fee by $35 when the property is protected by a local fire district so our assessment will be $115. The Ventura County Fire Department protested this fee stating that residents are already paying for fire protection. Regardless, we will all be billed and will have to pay the fee. To download the document with more details click here.
Threat to Citrus Trees
The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) is a pest that acts as a carrier or vector spreading "huanglongbing" (HLB), a devastating disease of citrus trees. This bacterial disease is transmitted to healthy trees by the psyllid after it feeds on infected plant tissue. Once infected the trees will die. It was reported at the HOA meeting that this pest is in Ventura county and that those with citrus trees should be aware of this problem. For more information click here: Fact Sheet and CA Food and Agriculture
Help us keep the Knolls Informed
Help us reach everyone in the neighborhood. Talk to your neighbors about sending us their email address so we can add them to our neighborhood list. We keep the list private (really!) and do not share the email addresses with anyone. We also only send out information about the neighborhood only—no spam. To join the list and receive this newsletter and other information about the neighborhood have your neighbors send an email to SusanaKnollsHoa@roadrunner.com
Susana Knolls HOA Meetings
Susana Knolls HOA meetings are held every other month, on the First Tuesday of that month at 7:00 at the Depot. Join us for our next meeting on Tuesday, February 5, 2013.
This newsletter is a production of the Santa Susana Knolls Homeowners Association (SSKHA). If you have any questions, comments, or feedback, please let us know. Please share this newsletter with your neighbors. You do not have to be a member of the SSKHA to be on our email list. To subscribe to this newsletter click here. If you are a member of the HOA we really do not want you to unsubscribe but if you must, you can use this link: unsubscribe. The newsletter is produced from the spacious Santa Susana Knolls town center offices at 1409 Kuehner, No. 5, Santa Susana, CA 93063.