Recently by Administrator

If you did ... you get a second chance before the recycle bin police come after you! ;-)

On Thursday, June 19th, Con-Serv Industries delivered new 48 gallon recycling containers to all residents in Raspberry Falls. We distributed notification asking that residents leave out their smaller containers that morning for pickup. Several residents did not leave their small containers out so we are asking that if you still have the smaller bins, please place those recycling bins curbside this Thursday, June 26th by 6:00a.m. A truck will be by to pick up the old containers. Please use these new containers for the single-stream recycling program.

Calling all Volunteers!!! The Raspberry Falls HOA is in need of volunteers to serve on the following Resident  Committees: 

On Thursday, June 19th, CSI will be delivering a single 48 gallon container for all recycle material. Please have your smaller containers curbside by 6:00 am and leave the containers out for pick up by CSI. The larger containers will be delivered the same day.

From the Marquis sales office:

Marquis Homes is hosting a Groundbreaking Event Saturday, May 31st form 1 - 5 PM. The Estate Series Westover Model is under construction. Take golf cart community tours and learn about all of the breathtaking collections of Marquis Homes at Raspberry Falls. Raspberry residents are invited to attend.


Download the complete brochure to learn more:
Ground Breaking Ceremony May 31 2008.pdf

Virginia International Polo Club (VIPolo) will host another exciting polo event to benefit Capital Hospice. The inaugural Polo Cup was such a success that VIPolo founder and polo player Maureen Brennan was very excited to continue their involvement with Capital Hospice. The proceeds from the Polo Cup will go toward the Loudoun County Inpatient Center Building Fund. Thanks to the leadership of visionary real estate developer Al Van Metre, the proposed facility will have a home in Van Metre’s Glascock Field at Stone Ridge where US 50 and Gum Springs Road meet.

There are many of us (maybe all of us)  that only received one recycle bin from our new contractor (CSI). After waiting patiently for an answer from the HOA, I called CSI to get the straight scoop. Here it is:

They didn't have enough on hand to provide two to each homeowner. More bins are on order and will be delivered as soon as they are received by CSI. In the meantime, I will improvise (save those boxes from COSTCO!).

The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors voted 7 to 2 to deny permits to build several cell towers in western Loudoun. Here's an excerpt from Sally Kurtz, Catoctin supervisor:

The towers would have detracted from western Loudoun's historical charm and natural beauty. Imagine a gigantic fake pine rising 40 feet above the rest of the trees. ... We sell scenery. Our rural tourism business is booming, and that is because of the way the area looks.

Supervisors Waters and York (board Chairman) voted to approve the applications on grounds that many residents in western Loudoun are unable to access broadband internet that the new towers could provide. They also cited a safety concern because of spotty cell coverage in some areas.

So, no new cell towers in the vicinity of Raspberry ... at least not for now.

The homeowners elected Kathy Haberman to the HOA Board of Directors at the annual meeting tonight. Kathy is a 14 year Leesburg resident and a Raspberry resident since 2004. She currently is serving on the Landscape and Budget committee with Scott Lutz, Matt Elliott and Greg Branic. She is looking forward to serving the community as a Board member and preserving the Raspberry character and quality of life we all enjoy. Kathy is now the second homeowner on the Board as we prepare for the long anticipated HOA turnover to the residents from Van Metre.

Congratulations Kathy!

Con-Serv Industries (CSI) becomes our new trash pickup contractor effective March 1st . The last pickup by Potomac Disposal Service (PDS)  will be February 28th. Pickup days will remain the same; Monday and Thursday. Containers need to be curbside by 7:00 am on collection days. PDS will pickup their containers and recycling bins on February 28th and 29th. CSI will begin delivering containers beginning February 27th. Additional details follow:

Schedule:

• All containers to curbside by 7:00 am on pickup days
• Trash pickup days: Monday and Thursday
• Recycling pickup: Thursday
• Yard waste pickup: Monday
• Bulk waste pickup: Thursday
• Christmas tree pickup: First two weeks in January

About Recycling:

• CSI uses a "Single-Stream" recycling process.
• Please see the attachment to the announcement mailed to all residents.

Containers:

• # of trash containers: One (1) per address (95 gallon tote)
• Extra containers: $75 (purchased by resident - contact CSI directly to order)
• # of recycling bins: 2

Holiday Schedule:

• Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years: No pickup
• Pickup after these holidays will be on the next scheduled pickup day (NOT the day after)

Reminders:

• Trash containers must be kept out of sight at all times except on pickup days.
• Containers may be placed curbside after sundown the day before pickup but must be removed before sundown the day of pickup.

CSI contact: 703-444-3181

Residents who are selling their homes can advertise them on this site for free. Your ad will randomly appear on the home page (@Home in Raspberry Falls) with a full page on Homes for Sale. Simply email the Website Administrator (see bottom of page) and we will provide instructions. Our Website enjoys a high Google ranking and prospective buyers will find us when searching for Raspberry Falls. Restricted to residents. Not for real estate agents.

Letters were sent to all homeowners yesterday (February 11th) announcing the official launch of @Home in Raspberry Falls. What is important is that the letter contains your permanent registration authorization code and  registration instructions to gain access to the private areas of the site.

Questions or comments about the new site or the registration process can be directed to

admin at raspberryfalls dot org.

We are actively seeking volunteers to help manage the site. These include:

• News contributors
• Writers
• Content editors
• Publishing management
• Assistant webmaster

The site is built on the Movable Type publishing platform and is very easy to administer. Our goal is to create and promote the most professional, high content and interactive HOA site in the region and beyond. If you are interested in participating, direct your email to the address shown above.

Loudoun County property assessments were mailed last week. The assessor  indicates that the average property assessment is down 8% from last year with the eastern part of the county down even more. The west shows more modest decreases with some areas increasing slightly.

Kirby Bowers, the county Administrator, has proposed a 25.6 cent increase in the tax rate to fund what he says is the most "lean" budget in years. The proposed tax rate would be a 26.6% increase over the 96 cent 2007 rate. So lets do the math assuming your assessment is down 8% on a $1,000,000 home in Raspberry Falls:

1997: $1,000,000 assessed value at 96 cents per $100 = $9,600 property tax bill.
1998: $920,000 assessed value at $1.216 per $100 = $11,190 property tax bill.

The result is equal to a 17% increase. But, if your assessment is like mine which went up slightly, we are going to be paying a bit more than the stated 26.6% increase due to the proposed tax rate.

So, I say watch your assessment. The last time I checked, Raspberry homes sold in  2007 were selling for much less than what they sold for in 2006.

The County Supervisors will no doubt pare the proposed budget by some amount but the result will still be a hefty increase.

The LCSA is proposing the management combination of multiple community infrastructures as opposed to stand alone as we now have in Raspberry. This means rates could change. LCSA held a meeting for homeowners at the RFG&HC clubhouse on February 20th.

Representatives of LCSA made the following presentation: LCSA Proposed Rate Increase Presentation - Raspberry Falls.ppt. The following FAQ's were distributed: LCSA FAQs Proposed Rate Increase - Raspberry Falls.doc

Also, here is an Excel file to assist in estimation the new rate for you: LCSA Bill Estimator For Raspberry Falls.xls. Residents can add their information in the highlighted area. The rest of the spreadsheet is formula driven.

A recent email from Scott Lutz to the Raspberry Falls community:

Raspberry Falls Resident -
 
As some in the community may know, there are two applications for three cell phone towers across from Raspberry Falls.  I have attached my letter in response to these applications (the letter summarizes my comments I made at the Public Hearing on Tuesday, January 8th).  At the Public Hearing the Board of Supervisors referred the applications to the Land Use Committee who met on Tuesday, January 29th.  Instead of looking at any individual applications, the Land Use Committee took a step back and discussed whether the towers were needed and the wireless coverage areas across the County.  The Committee asked for additional maps and coverage information across the County.  I see this as a positive step.  The Committee is going to meet again on this issue at the end of the month. 
 
Recently, I was contacted by the Supervisor's Kurtz Office (our local Supervisor).  Four of the six cell phone tower applications across the County are in the Catoctin District (more cell phone tower applications are coming through the pipeline).  I was asked to reach out to our community to see what we thought of our wireless coverage. 
 
As for me, I have a Treo for my personal phone/internet (Verizon) and I have a BlackBerry for my business phone/internet (Cingular).  I never had a problem with either my Treo or BlackBerry within Raspberry Falls community or the Route 15 corridor.
 
What cellular services do you have and have you ever experienced problems?  Feel free to respond to this e-mail (and I will pass the information to Sally Kurtz's office) or you can forward your feedback directly to Sally Kurtz at skurtz@loudoun.gov   Also, feel free to forward this e-mail to your neighbors in the community.

Here's a copy of the letter delivered to the Board of Supervisors: 

Nextel Silo and CWS Whites Ferry Applications - Letter to Transportation and Land Use Committee.pdf

  
Thanks,
 
Scott
(571) 278-9389 

From a letter dated January 3, 2008 to Raspberry Falls homeowners:

The Board of Directors for your association would like to add another homeowner Board member to the Board of Directors. Application for Candicancy must be returned to Armstrong Mangement by January 21, 2008.

The letter included the appropriate application form. Those interested should complete the application and return to Armstrong Management as soon as possible and before the deadline.

 

The letter also annonced that the Moorlands Homeowners Association (AKA Raspberry Falls HOA) meeting will be on March 13, 2008. This is being billed as the Annual Meeting and a further notice will be forthcoming.

 

Questions can be directed to the HOA manager. See contact info at the bottom of this page.

In a letter to homeowners dated December 27, 2007 the HOA declares that the Board of Directors has not yet adopted the 2008 operating budget. Assessments remain the same for January and February of 2008. The delay is due to "research into community landscaping and other items and prefer to have answers to questions regarding these items" before establishing a new assessment level.

Questions should be directed to Customer Service or at (703) 385-1133. 

Raspberry Falls Golf and Hunt Club

off-season rates are in effect until the end of March, 2008:

Weekday (Monday through Thursday)

• 18 holes:  $55
•  9 holes:   $35
• Twilight:    $35
• Active Military:  $40

Weekend (Friday through Sunday)

• 18 holes:  $79
•  9 holes:   $40
• Twilight:    $52

You can schedule a tee time on-line at Tee It Up: Raspberry Falls. 

Or call: (703) 779-2555.

 

Loudoun County's newest winery, the Bluemont Vinyard, opened in October, 2007. Raspberry's own Bob and Loree Rupy are partners in the new venture. Located on the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Bluemont Vinyard boasts an elevation of about 1,000 feet. Their unique theme is "where elevation not only defines our location, but also our goal."

This morning's email contained a note from Loree ...

The Leesburg Vintner recently launced The Vintner Blog announcing Saturday wine tastings and various wine specials. The Vintner has anchored the corner of Loudoun and King Streets in downtown Leesburg since 1988. Mike Carroll, the proprietor, has a knack for finding and stocking great wines at a value price. Mike and his crew routinely hold wine tastings each Saturday afternoon from noon to 4:00 pm featuring some of the newest offerings by his distributors. In addition to great value offerings, the Vintner also carries a selection of great vintages from around the world including California, France and Italy.

A new venture has just launched called Modern Mom. Initially focused on Loudoun County, Modern Mom includes a full featured social media web portal complete with "Blogs Du Jour" and a new quarterly magazine. The founder, Hulya Aksu, is hoping to attract upwards of 20,000 moms from across the county. From the Loudoun Times Mirror, October 23rd:

Modern Mom Magazine debuts in Loudoun

Every issue of the glossy quarterly magazine will feature a Loudoun mom, articles on local businesses -- everything from toy stores to spas -- and provide information about family-friendly events in the area. The Web site will provide more content and opportunity for online interaction.

Here's an excerpt from the Modern Mom Website ~ About Us:

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on hand to greet the children and listen to what they want for the holidays! Light refreshments will be served and each child will receive a small gift. Moms and Dads, be sure to bring your cameras to capture the memories from this fun afternoon. We hope to see you there! Happy Holidays from everyone at Marquis Custom Homes! Download the complete printable flyer with directions [3MB PDF].

Saturday, December 8th ~ Noon - 4:00 pm

At the Raspberry Falls Sales Center

16569 Levade Drive, Leesburg, VA 20176

Raspberry Falls is unique being the first community in the county to be developed using the hamlet design ... we continue by being among the first community homeowner associations to deploy social media technology for the benefit of its members and the public.

The new @Home in Raspberry Falls website sponsored by the HOA is now firmly embracing this technology allowing our residents to "connect" on a social level as well as being kept informed about the events and issues that we share.

Van Metre Homes announced that customers have honored the new home builder with two J. D. Powers awards in the Washington D.C metro area:

• Highest in customer satisfaction with new-home builders.
• Highest ranked design among new-home builders.

The study is based on opinions of customers responding to the survey. Fifteen builders were measured in the D.C. Metro area. (View press release)

Congratulations!

Note: Raspberry Falls includes homes built by Van Metre Homes as well as the Marquis custom home division of Van Metre.

The @Home in Raspberry Falls public site is redesigned and in full production. An important feature of the public site is In The News, a repository of announcements, general news and information about the community, news from Van Metre, the county and the HOA.

The Residents Only portion that includes On The Vine and the The Directory is slated to be available on or about November 1st. Watch this space for a future announcement.

Date:  Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Time: 5:00 pm

Place:

Hampton Inn and Suites
117 Fort Evans Road N.E.
Leesburg, VA 20176

A letter of notice was mailed to all homeowners and dated October 4, 2007.

Here are the Tennis Court Rules and Regulations as published by the HOA on November 4, 2005:

Raspberry Falls Homeowners Association
Tennis Court Rules and Regulations

Noncompliance with the rules of the tennis courts may result in the suspension of recreational privileges. The tennis courts are for the exclusive use of Raspberry Falls Homeowners and Residents only. Please note that a member of the Association must accompany all guests.

• Tennis Courts are to be used for tennis only, and no other activities.
• No bicycles, roller skates, roller blades or skateboards, etc. are permitted on courts.
• Tennis Courts are considered closed from dusk to dawn. Anyone on the courts during closed hours will be considered trespassing and can be prosecuted by the Association.
• Children sixteen (16) years of age and younger not accompanied by an adult must relinquish a court to adults after 5:00 p.m. on all days.
• Proper tennis attire required at all times (Shirt, Tennis Shoes, Pants/Skirt).
• Playtime is limited to 90 minutes for singles play, 120 minutes for doubles play.
• No more than four players to a court.
• Keep the tennis courts clean, please take/remove all trash with you.
• Food or glass containers are not allowed on the courts at any time.
• No animals or pets are allowed on the courts.
• Gates must be kept closed at all times.
• Use of tennis courts must be conducted in a safe manner with due respect and consideration for others in the community. Tennis court rules and courtesies apply at all times. The use of profane or obscene language is not permitted. Rough play or abusive conduct is not permitted.
• The Association is not responsible for lost or stolen personal property left in the recreational areas.
• Association is not liable for any injuries sustained while utilizing the facility.
• Pass code for tennis court entry is 2006.

These rules may be revised or additional rules established at anytime by the Raspberry Falls Homeowners Association.

Download a printable copy (PDF).

Raspberry Falls @Home is transitioning from a privately sponsored site to HOA ownership. "Residents Only" features will be added including:

Public features will include:

• The existing Forum with public access to community news. The Forum will be upgraded to include opt-in email alerts when new information is posted.
• Marketing and sales information from Van Metre and Marquis.
• Ability to advertise homes for sale in the community.
• News from the Raspberry Falls Golf and Hunt Club.

The pool is scheduled to open this morning at 10:00 am. Many of us have waited a long time for this moment (10+ years). Enjoy and give us your feedback on what you think of the facilities. (add comments by clicking the comment link below.)

A copy of the hours of operation, rules and a membership application for residents to obtain passes can be downloaded here.

Save the date!

This is the day many residents have been waiting for. Residents should have received a letter from Armstrong Management announcing the pool opening along with 2006 Pool Rules and Regulations, Hours of Operation and an application for membership. The Membership Application must be returned to Armstrong by May 1st. Armstrong will mail Pool Passes to residents prior to May 27th.

A complete copy of the Rules and Regulations, Hours of Operation and Membership Application can be downloaded here: Raspberry Falls Community Pool

I haven't talked to anyone that isn't in assessment shock. Loudoun County mailed tax assessments to property owners last week and it seems there may be a storm gathering. According to the County Assessor half the county's residential property owners assessments rose more than 28%! That is after double digit increases the last three years. Even our Board of Supervisors are experiencing "shock and awe." The Leesburg Today reported these figures for our nine supervisors:

Supervisor	Jan 2005	Jan 2006	% Increase
Jim Burton (Blue Ridge)	$644,000	$991,900	54%
Jim Clem (Leesburg)	$420,000	$530,500	26%
Eugene Delgaudio (Sterling)	$236,100	$346,700	47%
Sally Kurtz (Catoctin-our district)	$466,380	$619,600	33%
Stephen Snow (Dulles)	$540,700	$683,800	26%
Mick Stanton (Sugarland Run)	$381,400	$510,600	34%
Bruce Tulloch (Potomac)	$541,800	$689,000	27%
Lori Waters (Broad Run)	$483,900	$642,300	33%
Scott York (At Large)	$418,200	$560,400	34%

To keep the average tax bill from increasing, the board would have to lower the tax rate from $1.04 per $100 to $0.81, according to the news article. The County Administrator has proposed $0.97 with many new school and transportation projects.

There are reports of heavy phone traffic to the assessor's office. Surprised? Not me. Appeals may reach a record this year. It will be interesting to see if any of our board members appeal their assessments.

My overall assessment went up 20%. The land portion went up 41%!!!!!!! The good news is built up equity. The bad news is the computation of assessed value (it is supposed to reflect some percentage of market value).

Are you shocked. Post your comments by clicking on the comment link below.

All of us should have received the Notice of Public Hearing concerning the Proposed Zoning Changes Affecting Your Property issued on January 23, 2006. As most of us know, Loudoun County is embroiled in bitter disputes over the zoning, packing density in the east while keeping the western part of the county more open.

Raspberry Falls was zoned AR1 before and continues to be zoned AR1 in the proposed amendment. Besides that, the community was planned back in the early 90's and was theoretically "grandfathered" before being rezoned in 2003-2004 under the last Board of Supervisors. Although, rule changes significantly delayed the building of our community pool.

While these zoning amendments do not directly effect the residents of Raspberry, they will effect most of the undeveloped land along the 15 corridor. The good news is we won't have high density development adding to the traffic congestion on Route 15.

A copy of the mailing can be downloaded here (pdf file).

Want to auto pay HOA dues each month?
Get the HOA Automated Payment Service Authorization Form here:

The long awaited community pool and tennis courts are set to open spring of 2006. Approximate dates to be open are Memorial Day to Labor Day. Here are a couple of recent photos:

(click for a larger view)

Selling your Raspberry Falls Home? By law (the Virginia Property Owners Association Act) you must supply the potential purchaser a resale package for review when you ratify a purchase contract and prior to settlement. The resale package can be ordered via the internet at Armstrong's Resale Package Request Website.

According to Scott Bennett at the club, residents of Raspberry Falls will enjoy reduced membership rates beginning 2006.

$3,840 per year for Fox Hunt
$2,000 per year for Fox Hunt Weekday

Download the membership packet here: RFG&HC Memberships (PDF)

1/15/2005: Pool/Tennis Complex...

Good news! A recent letter form Van Metre announced the county approval of the recreational facilities long on the drawing boards. The delay was caused by the implementation of the revised comprehensive plan in 2003 that ultimately put Raspberry Falls into a planning district restricting this type of facility. Long negotiations with county lawyers and some modifications to the plan resulted in final approval. Van Metre is predicting completion by the 4th of July, 2005.

11/17/2004: Pool/Tennis Complex...

As of this date, the county has not approved the final pool/tennis complex plans. Van Metre indicates all outstanding issues with the county have been addressed and they are waiting for the county to give final approval. Additional delays may jeopardize opening next spring/summer.

8/23/2004: Golf clubhouse expansion still pending county approval.

8/23/2004: Pool/Tennis Update...

County in final review stages for the pool and tennis complex. Pool to start construction as soon as possible after final approval. Target completion is late spring, 2005. Merv Forney has official plans filed with the county that are under their review. These plans are subject to change due to county requirements. There are architectural plans available for viewing in the Marquis model. Again, subject to change.

7/31/2004: Van Metre to transfer all remaining home sales and construction to Marquis Custom Homes. New hamlets in the future are in the North-East portion of the property (East of Raspberry Plain near the 12th and 13th holes).