Spring 2016 • Volume 7, Issue 2

    See your print newsletter for additional details and information.
    Thoughts from my time as President

    By Chris Palmer

    For the past five and a half years on the Board and two and a half as President, it has been a pleasure to work with some very dedicated, giving people whose goal has been to make sure Windward retains its value and stature as the top community in the Northern suburbs. As the real estate market has improved over the last two years, I have interacted with dozens of new residents and prospective buyers. Their praise regarding the Windward neighborhoods, its atmosphere, the common areas and the sense that this is where they want to raise their families speaks volumes to the effectiveness of those efforts. 

    As I transition off the board and prepare to cheer on the next President,…

    I’d like to personally thank the Board and Committee members who have given up a little or in some cases a lot of their time to help make my job easier and the results outstanding.

    I’d also like to suggest to the new people moving into Windward, that it is worth whatever time you can offer to contribute to these efforts. Windward won’t stay this way without your help. We do things other HOA’s don’t to encourage high quality and maintain standards. The more you understand why we do this, what the results are and how it impacts your future home values, lifestyle and the neighbors it attracts, the better we’ll all be.
    You have a lot on your plate?  “If you want to get something done, give it to a busy person.” Some of the strongest performers over the years have been pros at juggling obligations. Whether, PTA/School Council, kids’ homework and sports, and other volunteer boards, or full time job, part time consultant wife’s work travel, kids’ sports, or local/national fundraiser, spokesperson/advocate, or just managing aging parents, all as Board members have found time to make a huge difference in the fabric of Windward life. Retired men and women have stepped up to give back in areas from Board and Committee service to clean up projects. Working fathers and mothers have helped on the Finance, Communications, Modifications, Covenants, Civic, Social, Lake and Property Committees. If you have the desire, there is a way for you to contribute as your schedule allows.

    Rewards  — meeting some fantastic neighbors that you might, because Windward is large, never have met. Hearing from those who have chosen Windward that you have made a difference. Seeing your neighborhood home be the object of admiration from those recruiting businesses and events to the Alpharetta area.

    With a parting toast to Windward and 30 more years of excellence!
    Annual Meeting Highlights
    The Windward Annual meeting held on March 30 and was well attended thanks to the Guest Speaker, Ms. Katie Reeves, our District Representative the Fulton County Board of Education and Door Prizes from many generous local businesses. 
    Ms. Reeves discussed the recent school improvements, plans for future growth, funding and School Board processes, and answered questions for the attendees. See recap here.
    Also, Windward Lake Club owner and Windward resident, Chip Halbauer reviewed progress on the club over the last year (Pool, Furniture, Court resurfacing), discussed the Marina improvements and other ongoing efforts to improve the facilities and focus its programs on the needs of the members (vs. tennis academy staff). Apparently, several members have let their imaginations work overtime and created and disseminated rumors without consulting with the ownership to determine the truth. The Club was not sold in April, no contracts have been signed to sell it or any portion, and WCSA will not be buying it.
    Windward Annual HOA Meeting Door Prizes: 

    Windward Community Services Association (WCSA) would like to thank the companies and organizations that donated Door Prizes for your 2016 Annual HOA Meeting. Our hope is you will consider supporting these companies/organizations that are supporting you:

    Amy Lynn of Berkshire Hathaway Realtors, Amy Herington of Berkshire Hathaway Realtors, Bagel Boys on Webb Bridge, Bank of North Georgia, Bite Restaurant on Webb Bridge, Donut Theory on Webb Bridge, EcoSmart Dry Cleaners on Webb Bridge, Einstein’s on Windward Parkway, Exhale Yoga in Avalon, Expanxion Electric in Alpharetta, First Watch Daytime Café in Alpharetta, Fuzziwigs Candy Shop in Avalon, JAM Fitness on Webb Bridge, J. Christopher’s in Windward Terraces, Jet’s Pizza on McGinnis Ferry, Lake Windward Yacht Club, Lifetime Fitness in Alpharetta, LottaFrutta in Avalon, Dr. Mazer (Dentist) in Alpharetta, Margi Urquhart (a Coldwell Banker Realtor), Never Enough Thyme on McGinnis Ferry, Orange Theory Fitness in Alpharetta, Smoothie King on Old Milton Parkway, Starbuck’s at Windward Terraces, Toscana Italian Cuisine in Suwanee, Twisted Taco on Windward Parkway, Windward Community Services Assoc., Village Park Senior Living on Webb Bridge, Windward Homeowners, Inc. (WHI), Windward Lake Club, and Windward Tavern on McGinnis Ferry.

    Thank you for the following volunteer Windward residents who secured the door prizes: Amanda Bralley, Ron Bloom, Margie Martin, Martine Zurinskas, Nancy Bristol, and Sue Unger.
    Rock at the Dock

    May 21 • 5 pm – 8 pm

    The 5th annual Rock-at-the-Dock, hosted by Windward Community Services Association (WCSA), will be held Saturday, May 21st at the community boat launch park off of Lake Windward Drive. Festivities kick off at 5:00 pm and will continue until 8:00 pm, rain or shine. Don’t miss this year’s event — food trucks, live music, and free activities for all.

    Come and enjoy dinner with our visiting food trucks — Smokin’Mo’s BBQ and King of Pops…there is something for everyone! The first 100 pops are free, so get there early! Bring your blankets and chairs–sit back, relax and listen lake side to the classic rock and roll from “The Excellerators.” The kids will be kept busy with face painting, balloon clowns, petting zoo, and rock climbing wall. Lake Windward Yacht Club will also host a Fishing Derby in the morning starting at 6 am with divisions for all ages including a Bass Championship division.

    Windward residents come down, enjoy the fun and remember that all activities are free. Mark your calendars for this fabulous event. Bring your blanket s, lawn chairs and get ready to enjoy a day out with your neighbors. Parking is limited so carpool if you can. Overflow parking at the WLC.

    Volunteers are needed! If you’re interested in lending a helping hand (or have any questions), please email WCSA's Social Committee. Complete event details can be found at the resident section of www.windwardcommunity.org. Don’t forget to visit our Sponsor Booths!
    Let’s make this the biggest 
    Derby yet. Spread the word with your Windward fishing buddies!
    9th Annual Lake Windward Yacht Club Fishing Derby

    May 21 • 6 am – 1 pm

    The Lake Windward Yacht Club will hold its 8th Annual Fishing Derby on May 21st. It is open to all Windward residents that register for the event. There will serious competition for Lake Windward’s best fishers and family fun for beginners. Never fished before? No problem, there will be loaner rods available for those who don’t have one.

    Where:You can fish from boats or the public docks around the lake. You can also fish from private docs to which you have been granted access by the owner.

    Registration & Check in: Will start at 6am and will be located at the Lake Windward boat launch. All contestants must check in and pick up the rules for the competition to be eligible for trophies.

    Official Weigh-in of Catch: All contestants must be back to the boat launch no later than 1:00 PM for official weigh in of fish.

    Trophies: There will be three competitive divisions: Children 10 and under (all types of fish), Ages 11-17 (all types of fish) and Championship (bass only). There will be an award ceremony where trophies will be presented during the “Rock at the Dock” celebration

    Entry Fees: Free for all Windward residents

    More Information: Please check our website or contact John Alford.

    • Slide Title

      Write your caption here

      Button

    • Slide Title

      Write your caption here

      Button

    • Slide Title

      Write your caption here

      Button
    Lake Windward Yacht Club

    Spring has sprung at The Lake Windward Yacht Club! The Yacht Club kicked off 2016 with a fabulous Commodores Ball February 12th. The formal event took place at The Metropolitan Club where everyone enjoyed fabulous appetizers and a delicious meal of either steak or salmon served by the Metropolitan’s Club attentive staff. Commodore, Roger Faulkner provided updates and introduced the 2016 events and then everyone danced the night away.

    Saturday, March 19th Don and Carol Swenson hosted the Chili Cook-Off and Silent Auction for the second year in a row. Over 50 members attended with 11 Crockpots of Chili and 8 Cornbread entries. All were absolutely delicious, but the winners were John Heimlich’s Red Chili, “BBC”, Karen Poole’s “Hot Chick” white Chili and John Heimlich’s ,”Niblick” cornbread. Following the tasting and voting the Silent Auction took place where beautiful Collectible Art, Products and Services donated by local merchants, including the Windward Lake Club, a Day Fishing Trip and a Beach vacation were competitively bid on. Proceeds from the auction will enhance the already great events planned for the remaining of the year. The entire night was a huge success including the first absolutely stunning sunset of the year and ending with some fierce competitive Billiards matches.

    We are looking forward to a fabulous year of land and raft up events. Please visit our website where you can join for the first time and/or register for 2016. Please find The Yacht Club Gear and Accessories which are available to order on the website as well. [email protected]

    Event Dates for 2016:
    MAY 21: Fishing Derby & “Rock the Boat”

    JUNE 18: Nashville Night

    JULY 16: “Parrothead” Party

    AUGUST 20: Pirate “Yo, Ho, Ho & A Bottle of Rum

     SEPTEMBER 17: Football Tailgate “Tie-up” 

    OCTOBER 15: Oktoberfest Boat Launch Area 

    NOVEMBER 19: Martini Night Indoor Event 

    DECEMBER 3: Holiday Party Indoor Event 

    DECEMBER 4: Annual Holiday Boat Lights Parade On The Lake

    Membership Information: [email protected]
    March 2016 Dredging Update

    As many lake residents are aware we are planning to dredge the lake this year. It has been a time consuming and difficult process accentuated with the fact that 1. Previous dredge company is out of business; 2. Required new location for Silt material disposal; 3. Permits and Engineer drawings required for all aspects of the project. The 2 primary goals for this dredge cycle – 1. Involve a professional company to manage the process oversee the engineering and coordinate the effort with the City and vendor. 2 – Establish a process that is repeatable for storage & removal of material as we budget & anticipate dredging every 3-4 years. 

    In 2012 we took ~2600 cubic yards of silt material out of the lake in the primary stream watershed areas. We are anticipating taking over 4000 cubic yards out this year and tackling all the coves with organic debris as well as the primary silt deposit areas. We have found a very reputable company that is doing other communities in the North Fulton community lakes and also on Lake Lanier. We are in the final stages of design work, permit processing with the City of Alpharetta and contract negotiation with the dredger. Once again residents will be able to contract for personal dredging areas around their docks/sea walls. We will have a resident community meeting in the next 4-6 weeks to communicate all of the specifics of the dredge and a complete timeline and will announce via e-blast. Lake residents will be contacted directly by US Postal Mail and email regarding this meeting and dredge details. Lake Windward is the largest single amenity Windward has and we are proud to provide not only the lake maintenance monthly with Aqua Docs, a high quality Fishery program but also a routinely scheduled dredge program that protects our most valuable asset. Most importantly, please update your resident profile contact information at www.windwardcommunity.org to ensure we can email you.

    We appreciate your continued patience,
    The Windward Dredge Team
    Resident Access to Lake Windward

    Access to our beautiful lake is available to ALL Windward residents, not just the fortunate minority that happen to live on the lake. Below we’ve attempted to highlight some of the ways you can utilize this tremendous resource regardless of where in Windward you reside. Remember, all regulations listed in the Windward covenants must be adhered to. This includes boat registration, size guidelines, motor type, behavior, etc.

    Boat/Canoe/Kayak Access: WCSA (Windward Community Services Association) requires that all watercraft on Lake Windward be registered. Lake Windward is a private lake for resident use only. Lake Windward use and participation in lake activities is at your own risk. The Management Company will issue a numbered decal which should be affixed in a visible location on the forward, port (left) side of your watercraft. This applies to all watercraft; sailboats, pontoon boats, canoes, kayaks, paddle boards etc. Registration information can be found on the WCSA website: www.windwardcommunity.org.

    Boat Launch Park: Registered and approved boats and other water craft may be launched from the boat launch ramp which is located on Lake Windward Drive directly across the street from Signal Point and the sports park entrance. This is the only launch area approved for boats. Kayaks and paddle boards may be launched from either the boat ramp or the pocket parks

    The Windward Boat Launch is a Private Facility for the exclusive use and enjoyment of Windward Resident Owners in good standing and their guest. Guests using the Boat Launch must be accompanied by a Windward resident at all times. Trespassing is not permitted. The Boat Launch is open for use 24 hours a day but an electronic pass (aka fob) to open the gate lock is required. They are available to residents only. No Owner or occupant shall loan a Boat Launch fob to non-owners and occupants. A fob to the Boat Launch area can be obtained from the management company by contacting FirstResidential Service at 678 551-7550.

    Pocket Parks:Two lakeside “pocket parks” are available for resident use. Both parks have docks and can be used for a range of activities including fishing, kayak or paddle board access or just having a good old fashioned picnic outing. One pocket park is located on Clipper Bay Drive, toward the Southlake Drive end of Clipper Bay. The other is located on Schooner Ridge near the circle. Boats of any type may not be launched from the pocket parks.

    Fishing: Fish can be caught from all pocket parks or from your personal watercraft. Lake Windward is a very good fishery with a variety of game fish for anglers of all capabilities. Bluegill, Shellcracker, Redbreast Sunfish, Crappie, Spotted Bass, and Largemouth Bass roam our waters in abundance. We are continually improving the fishery and are striving to improve the size and quality of the largemouth bass population. In order to support our fishery management efforts, please be aware that beginning January of 2016, a new size limit has been put into effect on Lake Windward. All fish greater than or equal to 16 inches must be released alive back into the lake!
    Fish Habitat maps, GPS coordinates, the fish survey and fishing related articles may be found by logging in to the Windward website and clicking on the Community Information tab. In the resource center page there is a Lake Related link. In addition, if you would like information or a bit of advice on the best fishing lures, locations, or techniques please send a note to [email protected] and we can arrange to have one of the many local expert anglers on the Lake Committee give you a call.

    Boat Rides: On the 3rd Sunday of each month from May to November, volunteer skippers conduct tours of Windward Lake for our residents. The boat seats up to a total of 10 passengers. A child is counted a one passenger. To schedule your email must be on the website (and be up to date). An evite is sent out the week before. A confirmation is sent for riders to verify or cancel on Thursday. The rides last for about 45 min to 1 hour. Bring your cooler and refreshments and enjoy some time on the lake!

    Note to prospective riders. The skippers volunteer their time. There are always people who want to go and if you don’t make your scheduled time after the opportunity to cancel, you may not sign up again this year.Lake Windward Yacht Club: The Lake Windward Yacht Club was formed in 2008 to promote the enjoyment of Lake Windward. Membership is open to all Windward residents and you don’t need to own a boat to become a member or participate in the events the club sponsors. The club hosts approximately 12 events throughout the year, typically on the 3rd Saturday of the month. The events include; informal Saturday evening raft-ups, a regatta, fishing contests, and a formal dinner/dance. To find out more about becoming a member of The Lake Windward Yacht Club email [email protected]

    Upcoming Events: The Windward Yacht Club is Sponsoring the annual Rock at the Dock event on May 21st. Activities are based at the Boat Launch Park area and include a fishing derby, live music, food, activities for the kids and good family fun! A Fishing Lake Windward seminar is being planned prior to the big fishing derby. If you are interested in finding out more please send an email and let us know.

    Windward Lake Club: If you own or are thinking of owning a boat, canoe or kayak the Windward Lake Club Marina has both dock slips for boats and canoe and kayak land racks located on their property, along with a launching area. Contact Windward Lake Club at (770) 442-5783 for more information.

    For further questions on these lake access opportunities, please email the Lake Committee Chair, Rob Chapdelaine.

    Submitted by the Lake Committee
    The Best is Yet to Come!

    • Slide Title

      Write your caption here

      Button

    • Slide Title

      Write your caption here

      Button

    • Slide Title

      Write your caption here

      Button
    • Button
    The Golf Club of Georgia is gearing up for a spectacular 2016 through a $20M renovation project of our two award winning golf courses, and our magnificent 53,000 square foot clubhouse.

    The Creekside course reopened in June, 2015 after a $3M Bob Cupp renovation. The improvements to the course included the renovation of all bunkers, the addition of several tees to enhance the playability for golfers of all levels, and the complete renovation of the third hole. Further improvements are planned during the winter, including the reconstruction of holes six and seven, along with strategic tree and undergrowth removals.

    “This course is all you’ll ever need,” according to Rod Kooker, General Manager, “and all you’ll ever want.”

    But in case you do want for more, The Golf Club of Georgia offers The Lakeside Course surrounding scenic Lake Windward. Sam Welch, Director of Agronomy explains briefly the current construction project on The Lakeside Course. “The Lakeside Course will see all bunkers renovated and new tees added in a similar fashion to Creekside, along with the complete reconstruction of the second hole. Mr. Cupp’s beatification and artistic flare of views from all the golf holes adjacent to Lake Windward will be evident. Further, more extensive renovations are planned for 2017. These improvements will include the installation of zoysia grass fairways, tree removals, reconstruction of the Practice Facilities, and possibly new, more heat-tolerant bentgrass putting surfaces.”

    Rated in the Top 20 Best Golf Courses in Georgia by Golf Digest, 2015-2016, we expect our two Championship golf courses to remain two of the very best in Georgia as construction is fully completed.
    Renovation has begun in our clubhouse beginning with the Men’s Grill and locker rooms, continuing upstairs to the conversion of a 250 person Ballroom and Conference space. We expect to host the city’s most prestigious events, platinum weddings, and corporate meetings. Small intimate celebrations will be our expertise. Our new space will be customizable with built-in air walls, and will include the latest technology to support any event.

    Our new Tavern on the Green with its indoor/outdoor bar and social spaces elevates The Golf Club of Georgia to an even higher level of sophistication. We’re confident our members and their guests will consider this new amenity to be one of the finest in the city to socialize, relax, and enjoy time with friends and family.

    The restaurant will receive incredible architectural styling within a designer setting enveloped within a warm Carolina Lodge feel with warm wood floors and trim, soft fabrics and medium tones. This space will boast floor to ceiling windows which open to unobstructed views of the Great Lawn and lake for our diners to enjoy the open airiness of the season, or sitting beside one of our two stacked stone fireplaces. No matter what the season, our members will experience an exquisite array of menu options delighting and surprising your palette.

    An addition to the footprint of our club will be the new Muirfield Room connecting our dining room to this octagonal shaped space that is reminiscent of the historic Muirfield in Scotland. The Muirfield Room will offer dining for our members, and can also be used for special events, private parties, and gatherings. Completely surrounded by walls of windows that fully open to offer views of all our outdoor social spaces, this very special space will transform an ordinary dinner out into an enchanted, lovely evening you’ll want to experience again, and again.

    The final accoutrement to our splendid club will be the addition of our new wine bar and tasting room. This space is all about experiencing the finest hand-selected wines that will be a treat for even the toughest connoisseur. Please visit our website to view our 3D virtual tour of the Future of The Golf Club of Georgia. We hope you’ll agree that the best is yet to come! | www.GCOG.com
    “The Lakeside Course will see all bunkers renovated and new tees added in a similar fashion to Creekside, along with the complete reconstruction of the second hole. Mr. Cupp’s beatification and artistic flare of views from all the golf holes adjacent to Lake Windward will be evident. Further, more extensive renovations are planned for 2017. These improvements will include the installation of zoysia grass fairways, tree removals, reconstruction of the Practice Facilities, and possibly new, more heat-tolerant bentgrass putting surfaces.”
    Alpharetta Comprehensive Land Use Plan Update

    Zoning, Traffic Impact, Parks, Greenway expansion, Rental availability, Business Areas. These are all topics for discussion as Alpharetta evaluates the options to update the 2030 Comprehensive Land Use Plan as required by the Atlanta Regional Commission process.

    Consultants Kimley-Horn have led the steering committee and public presentations to obtain input to present to the City Council. The process has identified where Business would like to be located and where there are opportunities for changes to encourage nodes of office, retail and residential that might have people walk to work, and the store from their homes/condos/apartments and reduce traffic. This is if the developers and businesses will follow that encouragement in their plans.

    The map above shows where these nodes are (like Avalon and City Center), or could be if the argument for walkable mixed use areas is valid. The challenge will be fitting this vision into an area where existing business and residential currently exist.

    Your input will make a difference at the Planning Commission and City Council meeting in May/June. If you look at Avalon and City Center (as it builds out) as successful nodes, there is validity in the concept that can bring value to Alpharetta and benefit Windward in that people will want to live near these activity points. But consider, and think 10 to 20 years in the future, and keep in mind the adage that, “The devil is in the details”:

    Do you think nodes E, F and G make sense near Windward? Do the nodes help or hurt with traffic concerns and/or schools? What is there already to make this a functional node? What is missing? What will make it work best? To make this change will probably mean taking some property currently zoned for offices and making it retail or residential. Will it reduce traffic? Will it reduce jobs? Which is more important?
    Will the changes protect residential areas from the results of the CLUP changes? It is good for the property values in the node. What does it do to an established Windward and how can we maximize our desirability? For example, will walkers/bikers, etc. cut through Windward neighborhoods with the expanded Greenway? Will the node become a traffic bottleneck as we drive to our destinations?

    Will the idea that Millennials want to live in these Mixed-use areas change when they start having families and look for more space? Will they be easy to sell and move up? What about competition from other proposed large mixed-use developments along GA 400? How do you make sure a Mixed-use development doesn’t become rental housing with vacant retail in a suburban environment (the studies are all for urban mixed-use)? For example, if the Ocee area (Jones Bridge / Kimball Bridge had more offices, it would be a node, but the office/retail part has stagnated for years, with only the Addison apartments producing revenues. This is in spite of Webb Bridge Park, Lake Windward Elementary and the Bob Fulton Library bringing potential customers to the area.

    These may be worst case scenario questions, but the more people who evaluate the pros and cons, the better the outcome. And while the consultants study the trends, trend have been known to go a different direction when changes in the stimuli (autonomous and electric vehicles, working from home as contractors/consultants, tax and investment impacts from the Federal and State policy changes). No one has an infallible crystal ball. Stay current with the discussions. Communicate with the City Council. Let your ideas be considered.
    Amenity Nodes & Undeveloped Parcels Zoned for Office Use
    Webb Bridge Vision: Traffic Thoroughfare vs. Residential Road

    As decisions have been made regarding developments on the few parcels of land remaining along Webb Bridge Road, the discussions have centered, often loudly, on traffic and the impact on our quality of life. Alpharetta is preparing to conduct a visioning exercise, as was done for Rucker Road and Kimball Bridge to lay out the options for comment hopefully by those most affected (Windward and the other local neighborhoods vs. those wanting to cut through to work).

    When this occurs, projected to be in May with follow-up in August/September, the decision will have to be made whether Webb Bridge becomes a 4 lane thoroughfare like Jones Bridge or stays, and is reinforced for use as a residential road. Many have advocated that a residential road, where it is safe to bike, for kids to walk to school and where moving traffic isn’t the primary concern. They also note the amount of time required to get from home to the kids’ athletic events, the store or to work.
    Those who see Webb Bridge as a thoroughfare think in terms of Alpharetta being the downtown and jobs center of North Fulton. They feel that the more connecting roads with greater capacity will get traffic un-gridlocked and contribute to high property values that local jobs bring.

    As the corridor for the majority of school options for Windward, the decisions will impact most people’s transportation plans. And with school quality strongly influencing property values, the results will make home values rise or fall.

    Lastly, home values are currently high because there has been high demand. People aren’t willing to give up the quality of life that Windward and the surrounding neighborhoods have offered. What happens if that changes and people move here for the schools and leave because of the traffic?
    Since the City Council will have several members whose previous decisions have created concern for Windward resident running for election next year, this is the ideal time to make sure that the vision we want is the vision we get. Please look for notifications in the monthly Windward e-blasts (contact the FirstService office if you aren’t getting these), Facebook, newspapers and City press releases regarding the schedule and agenda for these Visioning meeting and let your voices be heard.
    Modification Committee Update
    The WCSA Modification Committee (MC) continues their service to preserve and enhance the value of the Windward Community. As a reminder.
    • The $30 MC fee for minor projects, and $50 MC fee for moderate projects, has been eliminated. However, submit your project as failure to do so likely will result in a fine of at least $300.
    • Take advantage of your complimentary 30 minute landscape architect and/or construction architect consultation, prior to submitting your modification project.
      • Contact First Services Residential at 678-624-9453 for your complimentary consultation. 
    • For major projects, you will receive the services of a complimentary MC liaison. 

    The final decisions of the MC Meetings for thru February 2016 are as follows: 

    Approved as submitted; or with adjusted new solution = 88 >>> 93%
    Denied (request in violation of Windward Covenants) = 7 >>> 7%

    If you are having a challenge with the MC process, please email the MC at [email protected].

    Thank you Modification Committee for your service to Windward.

    Submitted by Ed Unger
    FRONT YARD LANDSCAPING

    Curb appeal includes a clean well maintained house & yard.

    Windward is aware of curb appeal and fresh inviting landscapes keep our community viable. We have completed most of the main street landscaping throughout our community. Windward’s complementary 30 min. landscape consultations (call FirstService to schedule) are assisting homeowners with enhancing the curb appeal of their homes.

    Trees are an integral part of Windward and Alpharetta and as such they are integral to our streetscapes and our front yard landscaping. The key is to have a balanced landscape, with trees shrubs and groundcovers enhancing our streets and front yards. Thirty years of tree growth has in some cases created landscapes that are unbalanced. Thirty years is a long time for any yard to sustain itself and keep its curb appeal.

    If you have a yard that has not aged gracefully and needs an upgrade, don’t be afraid to ask what can be done. In some cases, thinning out a heavy tree canopy or tree replacement may be warranted. Sometimes a new approach to the type of planting is needed. Street trees continue to be a priority for Windward and the City of Alpharetta. A mature tree lined street continues to be the goal, but can the landscape between the trees be reworked and refreshed? Windward is here to help with your curb appeal.
    Realtor Roundtable Summary

    The 2016 Windward Realtor Roundtable was held in February; with 18 Windward Realtors present. Per input from the Realtors, several updates were incorporated into Windward’s website to help enhance Realtor’s marketing efforts in Windward. Go to: www.windwardcommunity.org

    Click on the tab > Community Information

    From the drop down > Realtor/HOA Information Sheet
    The WCSA Board presented updates re Windward, results of WCSA’s 2015 community wide survey, potential zoning/development local to Windward, updates to the Modification submittal/review process, updated Design Guidelines, and an overview of the 2016 Windward social opportunities. Updates were also presented re the two private Windward entities – The Windward Lake Club and The Golf Club of Georgia; both of which are in the process of significant upgrades and are seeking to expand their memberships. Also of note, Windward currently has over 60 volunteers serving on a WCSA Board or Committee!

    In 2015 there were 149 homes sold to residents moving into Windward; this is roughly 6% of the current Windward homes. WCSA thanks the 18 Realtors who attended, and for the constructive input to preserve and enhance the Windward community.

    Submitted by Ed Unger

    Gentle Reminders

    Please limit Graduation banners display to May 1 until June 12. Graduation Banners must be professionally done, and only one per neighborhood is allowed. They may not obstruct the entry monuments.

    Red colored mulch is not allowed. Pine straw and pine bark mulch are the things to use. The preferred landscape edging is a trench, or rolled pine straw to keep in mulch. Landscape Adhesives to keep mulch from washing are also available (Google “Landscape or Mulch adhesives” for local stores). Any other (metal) edging allowed in the design guidelines and rules must be buried at near grade (lawn) level so it is minimally visible in passing.

    Complaints on people not being responsible for picking up after their dogs have started to come in with warmer weather. 
    Please send cell phone pictures showing the offending dog and owner’s name to First Service for covenant enforcement. DNA testing is now available to match dogs with droppings. Neighboring Apartment complexes charge $250 per violation. Does Windward need to go there?

    If your yard man has missed your weeds, it is now time 
    to make sure he does the spring clean-up. 
    Recent drive-thru’s have noticed this problem.

    Boats also need to be maintained to Windward standards. Some look like they haven’t been cleaned in years. Notifications have been/are being sent to both lake-resident and marina owners. By June we may need to alert a few people to repair their boat or remove it from the lake. A word to the wise is hopefully sufficient. Thanks for your help and cooperation.
    Reporting Suspicious Activity

    WCSA and FirstService Residential (FSR) (Windward’s Property Management Company) occasionally receive phone calls from residents regarding suspicious activity. Any and all suspicious activity should be reported directly to the Alpharetta Police Department at either their non-emergency number of 678-297-6300, option 1, (note: you may want to place this number as a contact in your cell phone) or 911. Please recognize neither WCSA nor FSR is able to assist with investigating any suspicious activity. In all cases suspicious activity investigation is handled by the Alpharetta Police Department.

    Submitted by Ed Unger
    Share by: