April 10th, 2020
Dear Westchester HOA Homeowners
The Westchester HOA Board of Directors has recognized that oak trees originally installed between the sidewalks and the streets by the builder have become problematic as they have grown and matured. Their roots, which predominantly grow horizontally, have uplifted sidewalks and gutters and in some cases damaged our asphalt roads. As these trees continue to grow, the board believes that the damage they cause will continue to increase.
Our HOA is responsible for maintaining the street trees as well as the sidewalks, curbing and roadways that they impact. With that responsibility comes the need to pay for the repairs to these impacted areas as well as to trim street tree limbs which we do annually. As the trees get larger, they also produce more and more fallen leaves in the spring; leaves which many homeowners rely on nature to flush down the storm drains and into the lakes. Our storm drains and lakes are HOA owned and we are responsible for cleaning both areas. The cost of all of this maintenance comes from HOA dues.
To mitigate what the Board perceives to be long term escalating costs we have taken steps to remove a few of those trees which we feel to be immediately problematic. These decisions have not been taken lightly. We have consulted with individual arborists, tree service companies and the Hillsborough County Natural Resources Department. All have identified that not taking action would result in expensive long term problems. As a result, Hillsborough County has issued a global permit for removal and replacement of our Live Oak street trees. The permit is good for two years and may be extended as needed. Hillsborough County requires that any of the removed trees must be replaced by a new tree of “Florida Fancy” A-Grade quality and that they are at least six feet tall. The particular species has not yet been identified by the Board, but all replacement trees will be the same species. Please note that none of these actions will cost individual homeowners anything. The HOA will bear the cost of all of these actions.
Our HOA manager, Leigh Slement and HOA President John MacConnell have walked all three areas twice looking for trees that they feel qualify. That includes 13 trees in Sheffield, one in Coventry and four in Newcastle. Homeowners near those trees affected were notified by individual letters dated March 24th. This removal constitutes phase one of a long term multiyear process to remove damaging oak trees. Contracted removal includes removing the tree, grinding the stump, then six to nine months later replacing with a new tree. TIMETABLE: The removal of the 18 trees mentioned above is currently underway. We have planned for the removal of approximately 15 additional trees in the fall of 2020. Our ultimate goal is to remove all 400+ street trees over an extended period of time. How fast the process proceeds depends on how fast the smaller trees grow to where they present a problem.
We want all homeowners to know that the Board recognizes the aesthetic value and street beauty of our tree lined streets and is trying to balance aesthetics with long term costs. Please understand that this process is quite long term and may not affect an individual tree for several years to come.