FOAI Neighborhood Meeting, Feb. 6, 2004

February 6th, 2004 Neighborhood Briefing

Here is a summary of the meeting by John Sylva:

Friday night's meeting, essentially to inform the homeowners about (i) the developer's plans for proceeding with Fontana Phase 4 and resolution of Phase 3 drainage deficiencies and (ii) background leading to Avemore Apartments, its scope and the proceeding with its Phase 1 was well received by some 40 homeowner attendees. Each presentation lasted for about an hour. Besides the undersigned, the Board was represented by Lynwood Bell and Tom Williams. Tom Belt and Johnny Johnson also attended the two-part meeting.

The first briefing was given by Civil Engineer Steve Driver of Terra Partners LLC who was employed by Tony Nichols about two months ago to provide Phase 3 and 4 engineering services. Discussion of the engineering for the site development of Phase 4 was limited to Phase 4a which only encompasses the 13 lots sited on Aviano Way. He advised that the drainage shortcomings of Phase 3 are recognized and are being resolved in coordination with County engineers in conjunction with submittal of the Phase 4a plat for County approval on February 17th. The engineering of Phase 4a is limited to roads, site erosion and underground utilities. This effort is preliminary to lot sales, the revenue from which would ostensibly permit the completion of Fontana development. Actual construction would be through a contract awarded by Tony Nichols, usually to a general contractor. Award of this contract is expected in the March/April timeframe.

Steve Driver reviewed the County-Developer relationship, with emphasis on the resolution of construction deficiencies. At that time he was besieged by numerous complaints concerning problems encountered in various sections of Fontana and the frustration of not knowing exactly how to seek relief. He advised that it was his responsibility to evaluate these complaints and then take appropriate action. He suggested that they first be submitted to him, rather than the County. It was agreed that individual homeowners would submit complaints to the Board, and the Board would review, consolidate and submit these reports. Johnny Johnson agreed to act as the intermediary between the Board and Steve Driver. The undersigned, Lynwood Bell and Johnny Johnson will meet on Monday [February 9th] to develop procedures to do this.

The second presentation was found to be equally enlightening and appreciated. Robert Venturi of Stonehaus Development and the apparent program manager for Avemore Apartments described the three year delay in gaining County approval for the project, actions planned to mitigate Fontana concerns and the recent Stonehaus/Fontana agreements which benefited both parties. He presented the scope of the rental project as providing a multi-year, mixed use community of some 400 rental units with some commercial activity. Phase 1 of the project (7 buildings of 40 housing units each) is now under construction. Site development is expected to be completed in September, with one building per month realized thereafter. Scheduling of subsequent phases, including about 20,000 sf of commercial activity, will depend upon market conditions. A traffic light at the intersection of Fontana Drive and Route 20 is a County requirement.