Where did our trees go?!?!
Some 150 trees were planted in Cortina that are potentially going to be destructive to community assets. Sissoo, Mesquite, Pine, Elm, and Sweet Acacia trees were planted by the developer in very restricted areas that don’t allow for proper growth. As these trees have matured, and in certain situations have begun to cause damage to the walls.
Rather than wait until the walls are significantly damaged, requiring potential assessment increases and potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars to repair, the board voted in August to pro-actively replace the offending trees before it becomes a major expense. The board is considering replacing the damaging trees with less invasive species of trees which will not damage the walls and still provide beauty and some shade. This project started September 27, 2011 and is currently on hold. The replacement of the trees in the boulevards in front of homes will continue for those damaged due to the extreme heat or disease that has killed many Evergreen Elms in the community. However, those will be replaced with Southern Live Oak trees that are more immune to disease.
A map of the trees to be removed can be downloaded by clicking on this link (PDF).
Thank you for your patience through this process.
-Cortina HOA Board of Directors
(updated 18-FEB-2012)
Oct 03, 2011
To anyone that volunteers their time and efforts to maintain the beauty of this community, thank you. It is appreciated because of all the reasons stated by the homeowners. It is a thankless job and everyone knows it. All of you went out and obtained the majority vote and I assume because you wanted what is best for the community. I don’t know why the community wasn’t informed better on such an importantly huge decision on the environment; one more step to communicate might have been enough, we will never know this time around. Some changes need to be made on how we communicate; I think everyone gets that now. Perhaps that could be an issue to be handled during this next meeting. I read your posting today on why you came to the conclusions you did regarding several species of trees in our community. They have not wavered from what I have been told so far; however, there is a lot of questions to be answered. I have communicated with a manager with “Renaissance” as well as a board member that made themselves available. I have also been privy to E-mails that expressed concerns from the president of the board that states she feels threaten by some of the communications she has received pertaining to this issue. First and foremost, my apologies to any board member that feels threaten; no one needs to be made to feel that way. I believe after talking with a number of members of this community, that they are every passionate about this issue, including myself. I don’t believe anyone was out to do any harm to any board member that is not what our community is made of. It’s good to listen to those in the business but it is not healthy to assume they’re right. The members of this community have come up with great information on this issue as well as alternative measures and they need to be listened too also. It is a very diverse community made up of professionals from all walks of life that need to be tapped into. Please take a step back and evaluate the situation and issue before us with an open mine. I understand the passion come down like one of our summer storms but just remember we all belong to this community.
Rick Morris
Oct 01, 2011
I find [name removed] comments to be completely unpersuasive. We all know that most do not pay close attention to the HOA governance, but expect that if a MAJOR decision is going to be made that impacts the look and feel and property values within the community, that the HOA will go to extreme lengths to inform the community and solict feedback before any final action is taken. I don’t believe that this was done.
I am a Realtor and can tell you that we live on the wrong side of Power Rd. Our property values are already impacted by that fact. One of the only things that we have going for us is the look and feel of our community and the board has made a decision that will both harm that look and feel and further harm our property values.
I want to know how we can get a temporary stop in the cutting of any trees, until the issue can be more fully explored at a special or regular meeting of the HOA. I also believe that any HOA board member who voted for the removal of these trees is not fit to serve on our board and should be removed.
Personally, I not only want the cutting of the trees to stop, I also want the board to replace the damage they have caused by having mature trees planted back in their place.
Oct 01, 2011
We’ve spent several years living in Milwaukee, WI and St Louis, MO where we were able to see PLENTY of damage from trees, having lived in wonderfully tree-lined streets. What I’ve seen around here is NOTHING. Honestly, my husband and I laughed at what “damage” was seen. Keep the trees – they are providing much more than they are “destroying”. If it starts to become a REAL problem, we should let the HOA know on a case-by-case (or tree-by-tree) basis. Thank you!
Oct 01, 2011
Thank you, Monica.
Oct 01, 2011
I’ve been in the community for almost two years now and can not believe that someone would think that it is okay to strip mine our community of our trees. I bought my home based on the visual appeal of this neighborhood. The tree lined streets were the biggest draw. I have the great joy of owning a house that backs up to a tree lined green belt. My freinds often comment about the resort feel of the back yard. You can just glimpse the street and other houses through them if you look hard enough. Other wise we are surrounded by natures beauty, cool shade, wind whispering through the leaves, birds singing in the branches…
You are going to come in here mow down my paradise, make me have to look at my neighbors out my back windows and listens to cats yoweling in the bushes…
NO THANK YOU!!! If you are so concerned about the health of my wall and pool. Please knock on my door so we can discuss this like informed grown adults before you change the entire asthethic of my home.
Thank you!
Oct 01, 2011
Board Directors owe the community better communication period!
Oct 01, 2011
Everyone isn’t interested in being a Cortina HOA Board member. Each homeowner cannot vote on every decision even when they go to the monthly meeting. What we should be able to expect, is that if something is important to the Board, it should be brought to the attention of the homeowners. Maybe?
The board asked to be elected, they asked to represent their community on this board. If you want better attended meetings have better communication, do not stop the newsletter, do not shout down a well and hope for attendees. That just doesn’t work.
The board isn’t looking for public comment or they would have asked for public comment. I do hope this issue encourages more people to get involved with the community, just different ones. Let’s commit to making Cortina a better more special place to live Permanently removing hundreds of trees is just not good for this community.
Oct 01, 2011
We were never given a chance to be part of the solution. We weren’t told such a major decision was up for discussion. If we’d been communicated with, the board would have known of all the less destructive solutions we’ve come up with BEFORE any trees had been cut and BEFORE any homeowners were upset. This decision has negatively impacted several families’ every day life.
Oct 01, 2011
This is exactly why the situation needs to be addressed on a case by case basis. This is exactly why there should not be a broad brush approach. I was one of the first to move into Cortina in 1993. My trees are fully mature. My sidewalks are fine. My walls are fine. And my trees are on the map to go. I want my trees. Cut yours. Leave mine. BTW, rumor has it, this is only the first phase. So rest assured, your tree will come down.
Oct 03, 2011
And you may have all your trees taken, but don’t make that decision for Cortina!
There are so many plants and trees that our EXPERT landscape company has killed already that they have enough on their plate of replanting already.
We as homeowners and HOA payers should have a say in such a large decision, we don’t need to go to every meeting on how the mailboxes were cleaned. There is no problem of discussing with homeowners a particular tree, not clear cutting all of Cortina! Seriously, open your eyes and look at where 90% of our trees are planted. Next to a wall or sidewalk, guess you’d be ok with cutting them all down?? This is just this years slate of tree removal!
We sure have a lot of website info and mailings on the Cortinafest, where was the information on our trees???
Oct 02, 2011
No, I do not think I can support the current Board.
But I am a member. I already wrote my October dues check.
Oct 02, 2011
Brady,
Thank you for your research on the issues before the homeowners. I could really get behind someone with some facts to discuss.
Oct 02, 2011
If I can add it all up it appears that the Morris’ have lost $5000-$50,000 in appraised value last Thursday too. I wish they would have known it was coming.