The Board faced six major issues during 2020:
1. Enforcement of traffic laws on Legacy roads
The year began with the Board striving to complete the process for allowing the Horry County Police and the South Carolina Highway Patrol to enforce all traffic laws on our private roads. To begin the process, we were required to submit to an inspection by the Horry County Engineer’s Office. That inspection concluded that we needed several signage upgrades to meet the standards provided in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. We satisfied the Horry County Engineer’s requirements for changes to our speed and stop signs. The Board then sent the Horry County Engineer’s approval to the Horry County Attorney’s Office for further endorsement and approval. We received that approval and the Board then filed a Notice of Consent to Enforcement of State Traffic Laws (S.C. Code § 56-5-6310) with the Horry County Registrar of Deeds. Finally, the Board had new signage installed at each entrance to Legacy advising that our roads were now subject to the South Carolina Uniform Act Regulating Traffic to Private Roads. What this means is, that law enforcement can now enforce all State traffic laws on our private roads. This does NOT mean that we turned our roads over to the County: We did not. We just took the necessary steps to subject our roads to the opportunity for the enforcement of traffic laws, satisfying the many requests of our homeowners. Previously, law enforcement entities could not take enforcement actions of our private roads; now they can.
2. Road refurbishment
The Board solicited and received cost estimates for treating our roads. Coastal Asphalt provided an estimate of $51,701.59 for seal coating and restriping. Palmetto Corp. bid $68,000 to seal coat and Total Asphalt (York PA.) provided an estimate for rejuvenation of $54,352.00 for an application of refined coal tar, and $62,116.00 or an application of Veritas Green™. The Board selected Total Asphalt for two overarching reasons. The first is that their process comes with a five year warranty as opposed to the 1 year warranty provided by the other bidders. Second, the Veritas Green application used by Total Asphalt was traversable in 2-3 hours, while the topcoat suggested by the other bidders required a full day to become traversable.
3. Flooding issues in the area from 2703 Squealer Lake Trail extending through the wetlands area to Stump Blind Trail
The wetlands area extending from the rear of 2703 Squealer Lake Trail to Stump Blind Trail has become a problem to the extent that the area is retaining more water than it should. Horry County Stormwater has provided a preliminary explanation that the problem is most probably the result of beaver activity between those two points. The property is owned by Wright Timber Co Inc., 1824 Towns St., Johns Island, SC 29455. Through our attorney, we have asked for permission for Horry County Stormwater to access this property in order to make an informed assessment of the issue. We have not yet heard back from Wright Timber. However, we will continue to push Wright Timber for access and for Wright Timber to contribute to the resolution of the issue, once confirmed.
4. The SCDOT owned property at the cul-de-sac end of Stump Blind Trail
The property behind the Sessions property, owned by SCDOT has been purchased, pending the prospective purchaser completing due diligence. The purchaser has had the property surveyed and has asked the Board for a lot assessment determination. The Board has responded that the reconstituted lot would be subject to the same annual lot assessment as all other Legacy lots.
5. The Legacy Pool
The Legacy pool remained closed throughout the year due to the COVID-19 epidemic, to the disappointment of the Board and those who typically enjoy the pool. The Board is aware of some of the dissatisfaction associated with the pool closure, and the Board is very appreciative of that disappointment. The Board considered and evaluated the concept of rebates/refunds related to HOA dues, due to the pool closure. The Board has concluded that rebates/refunds would be unwarranted for the following reasons: The Board compared the cost of pool operation before COVID with the cost of maintaining the pool during COVID closure. We/the HOA encumbered a cost of $7,312.94 in pool-related expenses in 2019. In 2020, we/the HOA encumbered costs of $7,648.26 to maintain the pool in a condition to be ready for use in the event the COVID-19 epidemic subsided. As we all know, this was not the case, and the COVID virus continues to be a constant part of our lives. Hopefully, this will not be the standard for 2021. Therefore, given the continuing costs to maintain the pool, there will be no pool-related rebates or reductions in HOA dues assessments for the 2021 year.
6. Sink Holes
The Board is currently addressing two sink-holes that will require significant attention to make the necessary repairs. We have received a bid for these repairs.
Treasurer’s Report
We continue to be in reasonably good financial condition. This is due in part, to maintaining reasonable fiscal management. We continue to put monies aside for roads and will hopefully be able to grow that fund in preparation for the future.
We have a limited number of homeowners in arrears on dues and will be filing actions in the Horry County courts in May of 2021 to collect any remaining arrearages.
Note: The current financials, budget, and billing for 2021 HOA dues was mailed in December 2020. Annual dues can be paid any time prior to April 30, 2021. The annual dues are $400 per year. Make checks payable to Hunters Ridge Legacy HOA with a reference to your lot number in the memo. Mail your payment to Sisbro Properties P.O. Box 405 Myrtle Beach, SC 29578.
We know that 2020 has been difficult for everyone, but from all of us on your Board, we wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous new year.
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