Woodmoor Improvement Association, April 24

Board Director Per Suhr passes away
Resident response
Board highlights

By Jackie Burhans

The Woodmoor Improvement Association (WIA) board met on April 24 and announced the death of one of its members. The board also heard a response from a resident on a covenant issue and heard director reports.

Board Director Per Suhr passes away

Before hearing director reports, President Brian Bush invoked presidential reports to announce, with great sadness, the death of Covenant Director Per Suhr. He was found deceased in his home on April 19 at age 81. He had just returned from a golfing trip to Laughlin, Nev. with fellow country club members. Suhr was a longtime resident of Woodmoor and had served on the WIA board for more years than anyone could count, including the past nine years alongside Bush. He was also a golfing buddy, friend, and colleague, said Bush, and his wisdom, integrity, and humor will be sorely missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. The board sends its condolences to his wife Alice, son Drew and daughter Shannon. Vice President Peter Bille will oversee covenant enforcement until the board appoints a replacement.

Resident response

Resident Jennifer Davis returned to the board to respond to the letter she received on her concerns that a neighbor had built a shed inside an easement. Referring to a letter from Bush, she said it had some factual errors. She noted that it said she had 14 days to respond after the Architectural Control Committee (ACC) approval, but since a shed is a miscellaneous project, it did not require noticing of the neighbors. She noted that no one in the meeting was a surveyor but that there were nearby rebar and surveyor caps which could be used to measure the location, and she claimed that it was not “very close” to the easement but two feet into the easement. The letter noted that the ACC approval was based on WIA’s Project Design Standards Manual (PDSM) and covenant restrictions. However, she cited the South Woodmoor Covenants as saying “no buildings, fences, or structures of any type shall be built over, across, in the line of, or in such a manner as to include such easements in the lot or tract.”

Davis further objected to the letter which claimed she was trying to weaponize the covenants and paint her as someone who is trying to cause trouble. She said she called attention to the board that a mistake was made and needed to be rectified and the board does not want to go down that path. The board, she said, is setting a precedent and, by allowing the shed to stay where it is, it would now let others build fences in the easement. She said that the board noted that it did not want to get involved in a lawsuit, but that it might have to and that she had already spoken with counsel. It would be unfortunate, she said, if the neighbors have to get together to get a judge to make the board do its job.

Bush responded that, based on her comments at the previous meeting, the board had sent the covenants administrator out to do measurements and found her allegations to be unsupportable. Although he had noted that overreaching by some HOAs had resulted in difficult legislation, the main reason for the board’s response was that, after re-measurement, it believes the shed complies within an inch or two. We simply disagree on the facts, he said, and the matter has to stop here. You have our decision, he concluded.

Board highlights

Bush reported for Treasurer Connie Brown that he had reviewed the financial statements and expenses and income both look good. He noted that the board is making more in interest income than expected, and less in Barn and office rentals.
Homeowners Association Administrator Denise Cagliaro said that WIA had mailed 85 third and final notices with a deadline of May 17 before liens would be filed, adding a cost of $350 to their balance. Bush noted that the board has a long-standing policy that, although it would place liens for unpaid dues or fines, it would not proceed to foreclosure on any property.
Woodmoor Public Safety (WPS) Chief Kevin Nielsen reported receiving the first reports of bears and reminded residents to keep trash and pet food in their garage.
Nielsen said there had been a few reports of Criminal Trespass Auto (CTA), this month, one of which included a stolen laptop its owner was able to track. The Sheriff’s Office found and impounded the vehicle and executed a search warrant and found the vehicle filled with property. All three vehicles in Woodmoor were left outside and unlocked.
ACC Director Ed Miller reported 39 projects submitted to the ACC for approval in March for a year-to-date total of 97, which represents a 4.3% increase from the previous year. The project approval rating for 2024 stands at 100%. Bush asked if large projects occurring in the neighborhood were checked for ACC approval. Miller replied that if they were not approved it would be a covenant violation and Nielsen confirmed that WPS calls in large projects to confirm.
Board member Cindy Thrush confirmed that chipping days have been set for June 29-30 and July 27-28 at Lewis-Palmer High School. Chipping is free to residents and open to non-residents for a nominal fee.
Common Area Director Steve Cutler reported that sprinklers at The Barn would start up after Mother’s Day and flowers would be planted by Memorial Day. He also reported looking at a prototype raptor pole to test where there is a colony of prairie dogs.
Bush confirmed that WIA is sending letters to neighbors near The Preserve about spraying noxious weeds. Bille noted that the substance used is environmentally friendly and safe for pets. Cutler noted that the grant WIA had received included resident education.

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The WIA Board of Directors usually meets at 7 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month in The Barn at 1691 Woodmoor Drive, Monument. The next meeting will be on May 22.

The WIA calendar can be found at www.woodmoor.org/wia-calendar/. WIA board meeting minutes can be found at www.woodmoor.org/meeting-minutes/ once approved and posted.

Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me.

Woodmoor Improvement Association, April 24 – Board member passes away

Board Director Per Suhr passes away

Resident response

Board highlights

Other Woodmoor Improvement Association articles