CLUSTER-DEDICATED NEWS FROM RA

Charge Up Fairfax

The Charge Up Fairfax program was created to help community associations access Level 2 electric vehicle charging for residents and their guests. The most recent opening for applications closed on June 30, 2024; however, association leaders interested in participating are encouraged to subscribe to the link below and receive updates on future opportunities to participate in the program. 

Community Notification Sign-Up Form (smartsheet.com)

For more information on the resources available, please visit any of the following:



Charge Up Fairfax

Communities can prepare to apply now by surveying residents, identifying charging locations, and reviewing governing documents and funding options. More information is available on the Charge Up Fairfax webpage.

Permit Fee Waiver

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors authorized an 18-month extension for an exemption of all electrical and building permit fees for electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS). The current exemption, which was scheduled to expire on May 1, 2024, has been extended through October 31, 2025. Read more about the permit fee exemption.

Energy Conservation Assistance Program

This OEEC program provides technical assistance and matching reimbursement grants for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and resilience projects (e.g., LED lights, solar, and cool roofs) to qualifying organizations, including community associations. Organizations must commit to 50% of the project's cost with the county providing a 50% reimbursement of actual costs of making the energy upgrades – up to a maximum of $15,000 per year. Organizations in an equity-designated area may only need to contribute 25% of the project costs with the county providing a 75% reimbursement grant. Please see the ECAP webpage for more information or contact oeecinfo@fairfaxcounty.gov.

If you’re looking for environmental, climate and energy news updates in #FairfaxCounty, subscribe to OEEC's Climate and Energy e-newsletter. To sign up and to read past issues, click here: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/environment-energy-coordination/newsletters.

Condo Connect: Keeping Standards Current

By Charlotte Smith

Condominiums are encouraged to continue establishing standards for any element for which the unit owner is responsible. These critical design standards provide parameters for unit owners to update and maintain their property; common examples of elements for which condo unit owners are responsible are windows, doors, and decorative lighting, however, responsibility requirements and designations are unique to each condo association. Trim capping for windows and patio doors is a good example of evolving home improvement technology and is illustrative of the importance of keeping these standards current.

Current condo standards provide unit owners with crucial direction so that when they make improvements or maintain their property, they are doing so in a manner that does not incur a resale violation. Additionally, members who are selling their units typically need to replace items quickly; within 30 days of the DRB decision approving a new or updated condo standard, the condo’s dedicated flipbook will be updated online (Cluster Books (flipbuilder.com)), providing members with easy access to guidance. 

A current standard listing easy-to-source items is the best bet for creating a seamless maintenance and improvement process for your membership – staff is happy to offer guidance on wording, and even draft up a standard update (or creation) DRB application for your association’s board to review and sign. Please reach out to your Covenants advisor today to discuss all things unit-owned which may require a standard and the fastest route to achieving a DRB-approved condo standard and flipbook to share with your membership!

Update to Digital Standard Books Online 

The Cluster Resource Hub is now your go-to for locating and referencing your cluster’s current digital standard book online. 

Unfortunately, due to system upgrades and no longer supported software, Covenants Staff has moved all cluster and condo flipbooks to the RA Dropbox folder, where all documents are currently hosted: Cluster Standards Flipbooks - Dropbox. 

One positive change when moving to the Dropbox files is members can now review and download a current of their cluster’s standards from this library.  The previous platform used did not permit downloading.  As many associations are aware, RA is currently in the process of building a brand-new website on which documents/forms will be directly stored as opposed to housing on Dropbox.  Please note, all flipbooks will have a watermark, which states the last update performed, to ensure members know which version they are referencing when consulting cluster/condo standards.  Stay tuned for more information, as Dropbox will not be the final resting place for cluster/condo standards.   

Your association can expect that books will be updated and reposted within thirty (30) days of the DRB decision letter of an update to or creation of a standard; Covenants Staff is always working to ensure that posted information is clear, up-to-date, and easily accessible. 

Please be sure to update any membership publications (website, social media postings, digital newsletter, listserv, etc.) by removing the link to the old flipbook platform and replacing it with this new location. 

Please also contact your Covenants Advisor if your association’s leadership has any questions or comments about your cluster’s book; we’d be happy to review with you! 

How Are You Using Reston's Lakes? 

The RA Lakes Equity Working Group is exploring the current awareness and usage of RA’s four lakes, and the group is seeking member input on if, how and why they utilize Reston's lakes and how they would like to use them in the future. A brief lake-use survey is available in both English and Spanish; findings will be available in the coming weeks. 

As association leaders, please consider taking the survey and also sharing it with your membership. If you have already taken the survey, please do not complete it again.

Cluster Common Area

Planning for common area maintenance and improvement can be one of your association’s more stressful responsibilities; your dedicated Covenants Advisor is here to help!

Covenants Staff can refer you to our listing of contractors used by other associations, which includes service providers from ISA-certified arborists to electric vehicle charging station vendors.

Additionally, you may not know you need to submit DRB applications for items such as benches and drainage swales; any installations in common areas such as mailboxes or tot lots also need to go through the application process.

Tree removals are another ‘common’ improvement on association property; most DRB applications requesting approval for the removal of three (3) live trees or less can be reviewed by staff with an expedited turnaround time frame.

Please contact your dedicated Covenants Advisor with any questions about a contractor referral, the Design Guidelines or the DRB application process for improving the common area. We are here and happy to help.

2024 Meet and Greets: Legal Seminar Recap and Association Finance Meet and Greet Preview 

Covenants’ 2024 Legal Seminar, conducted in partnership with Chadwick, Washington, Moriarty, Elmore & Bunn P.C. on June 24th was an informative hit - thank you to those of you who attended! 

Topics covered included a Virginia state legislative update on all things community association-related, election integrity, solar panels and electric vehicle charging stations, plus a heavy emphasis on the Corporate Transparency Act. The full slide deck from the presentation and a recording of the event, including the question and answer session at the end, can all be accessed here: Cluster Legal Seminar - 2024 - Dropbox. 

On Monday, August 26th, in partnership with SmartStreet, Covenants will be presenting the next event in its 2024 Meet and Greet series:  an opportunity for association leaders to gather and receive an overview of financial and cash flow solutions, benefits for homeowners and board members, and highlighting opportunities for tailored lending solutions for associations. 

SmartStreet, powered by Banc of California, provides a platform that integrates numerous financial aspects into a single, user-friendly interface, setting a new standard for how associations handle their finances.  Whether it’s tracking payments, managing accounts, or generating financial reports, SmartStreet streamlines the entire process. 

SmartStreet realizes the importance of having the knowledge and tools to effectively manage association funds is crucial for the financial health and longevity of your association. 

This engaging session will be led by financial and association industry experts, Sally McCray & Glenda Carroll, covering fundamental principles in financial management, including highlighting solutions SmartStreet offers associations and/or management companies, including but not limited to suitable investment options for association funds, emphasizing risk management, diversification, and long-term growth potential. 

Smart Street is a banking partner of choice for community associations nationwide and is committed to supporting HOA leaders in achieving financial success. 

Registration will be required for this in-person event being held on August 26, 2024, at 6 p.m. here in the main conference center at RA Headquarters (12001 Sunrise Valley Drive). Please click here and complete the linked form to register:  https://forms.office.com/r/1euGFQcEvN. 

RSVP will be open through August 19. Registrants will receive additional details and copies of the information provided.

Refreshments will be provided by SmartStreet. 

CONTACT US

To learn how Reston Association can support your cluster, please contact Meagan Micozzi, Community Outreach Manager, at 703-435-6575 or reply to this email.

RESOURCE CENTER

Covenants Advisor Listing

Design Guidelines

Application Forms