Results of Waterford Owners Survey, March/April 2007
Summary of comments

Comments are quoted as nearly verbatim as possible. Where annotations in square brackets are present these are clarifications and minor corrections of grammar or spelling by the editor of this summary. A number of the most minor spelling corrections, typically 1 letter, have been made in the transcription without using square brackets. All original comments as submitted have been recorded in scans of the returned forms as pdf documents.

This copy of the comment summary annotates each unsolicited comment to show whether its relevance is primarily for the HOA, the County, or the CSD.  Responses to questions 1 and 2 mainly involve County government, responses to question 3 involve the HOA exclusively.


Question 1:  Condition of streets

Question 2:  Importance of street maintenance


Response 1:  Wrote in line for Sailsbury, checked to indicate Very Poor condition.

Response 6:  Sailsbury between Kensington and Portsmouth has a big dip and uneven around the man hole.

Response 11:  Primary pavement failures appear to be the result of settling around sewer manholes.

Response 12:
Soil settling around sewer manholes within Waterford & on Sailsbury Dr. are becoming a major problem! The soil settling is creating  [causing] the asphalt to settle as well & has created major obstacles for automobiles relative to tire alignment, shock absorbers, etc. On Sailsbury the settling has also occurred along the line that connects to the sewer manhole, which has created a major dip in the road that also has raised problems with automobile tire (wheel) alignment & shock absorbers.

In addition to the above, many of the streets within Waterford are starting to deteriorate! The asphalt is cracking & crumbling.

Response 18:  Manholes (covers) need immediate attention.

Response 22:
Francisco, Lake Hills are in poor condition. We need to make this a priority in order to get the attention of County officials.

Response 25:
Waterford  Pot holes [manholes?] have deep indentations around all sides - I've seen people swerving around these obstacles. Would like to see more speed signs down Sheffield Dr. - especially the first two blocks off Francisco.

Response 28:
[Waterford road condition checked as good] with exception to the settlement around manholes
[Waterford importance of street maintenance checked as Important] @ manholes

Response 30:
All the compaction at the manholes are defective & should be redone - Very dangerous when going around turn & you hit one.

Response 32:
Lakehills Drive has been poorly patched for years. Every rain makes it worse. How about fixing it right - once and for all. It really has been a disgrace.

Response 41:  Lakehills need for maintenance double-underscored to emphasize "urgent".

Response 50:
Our streets need complete overlaying of new pavement! The streets are in very poor shape.

Response 55:
The streets in general are in very good condition. The areas around the manhole covers are sinking and need to be taken care of.

Response 58:
The main problems with the roads in Waterford are the high [huge?] dips, especially at the intersection of Sailsbury & Portsmouth and on Sailsbury itself. There are others that are problems also.

Response 65:
The entire lower half of our cul-de-sac seems to be settling, which has already presented problems with sewer and water lines. Two repairs have left us with very shoddy patches more reminiscent of Green Acres than Waterford!

Response 68:
Fix potholes and bumps - other than that ok.

Response 71:
I've been in contact with both Kocal and the DOT. Many streets within Waterford have dips and sinking around man hole covers. Should be fixed immediately! DOT indicated around June - not acceptable . Just going 15 mph the car bounces when going over some of those areas.

Response 77:
Roads have become a driving hazard. Pedestrians crowd the edge of Lakehills. Streets sagging above storm drain lines. HELP!

Response 79:
Wherever the county or contractors have patched the roads they have done a bad job (there are exceptions), their patches are either too high or too low, so you wind up with a bump!! DOT does a terrible job of inspecting their work!!!

All the cement trucks have ruined Francisco Drive!

Response 80:
[arrow from "Streets in Waterford" to...] Consider spot repair & slurry seal to prolong life

Repsones 83:  Sailsbury street between Kensington & Portsmouty really needs repair.

Response 86:
I've lived in Waterford since 1989. The streets mentioned above have never had any extensive maintenance, especially Lakehills. It's well overdue to completely pave and not patch the roads.

Response 90:
The worst street in Waterford is Sailsbury -- near the field of Marina -- terrible dips and manhole cover issues.

Response 91:
Contractor doing the EID H2O Treatment Plant will further damage the roads as they are now.

Response 98:
Streets within Waterford - Several sunken areas at manholes are dangerous. [double underscore] I fee, due to one, while running in the evening. Get them fixed (whithin DOT specs) or risk litigation for injuries!

Response 104:
Portsmouth & Durham, Carnelian & Amherst, Carnelian & Cromwell, Sailsbury & playing fields: Sewer covers & surrounding road pavement are problems.

Sheffield Dr. - Cracking along south side

Response 107
Manhole cover depressions in the roads within Waterford and surrounding areas need attention. These have been reworked in the past but it appears the workmanship was inadequate - They need to be reworked!:

Response 108
[Boldface is rendered as used in the response's attached printout of (probably) a Microsoft Word document.]
Street and road maintenance:
Man holes and at curbs where underground lines cross the streets have dangerously low spots causing hazards. Example: At the top of Cromwell the man hole has a sunken area in front of it, approximately 6" deep, enough to cause substantial damage to a car, a child rding their bicycle.

In many areas throughout the neighborhood there are low spots again at curbs where underground lines cross the streets and manholes. These are dangerous tripping hazards. Two of my neighbors have sprained their ankles or almost fallen down because of these low areas. We certainly don't want to incur lawsuits for physical injuries.

This is all the results of improper compaction/inspection when the streets were constructed. Also there is severe alligator cracking in the streets which in time wille require major repairs. These poorly maintained streets create a safety hazard and at the same time are decreasing the values of our homes. As El Dorado County tax payers shouldn't we be receiving the value that is promised to us.

Another example, I was driving through a neighborhood to the South of Waterford with the homes that are not custom and of lesser value, yet their streets are freshly paved. Why aren't ours?

We have lived in Waterford for 13 years -- during that time Lakehills Drive remains a "patchwork quilt". It most definitely needs major attention to fix it, not just "put a bandage one it". Francisco Drive -- our main boulevard into our neighborhoods is also in need of some repairs.

Response 109:
Sink holes around manhole covers causing unsafe condition for childrens play & destructive to automobiles (Donohue [Court]). I reported this to DOT (Reba/Tom Celio) on 10/11/2004. Was told by irrig. maint person who was inspecting "yes my supvr & I drove around to inspect sewer & storm drain & we both agreed that Waterford storm drains are among the worst in El Dorado Hills" This is what prompted my call in 2004. I have since called again 2/20/06. Spoke withReba again. Said claim will be posted again.

Bottom line. This is a known problem and needs immediate attention.

P.S. In 2004 it was Kocal mgmt who tent me to DOT for this problem.


Question 3:  Acceptability of dimensional composition roofing

Response 3:
Comp roofing - new superior in construction durability & appearance - especially for traditional style homes where a tile roof is inappropriate for the home's character.

Response 16:
There are dimensional composition shingles that are very attractive now. I strongly recommend amending the CC&R to permit use of these new and attractive shingles.

Response 20:
If we don't amend the roofing CC&Rs to allow dimensional comp roofing, we will probably be sued to allow it. Such legal issues are an unnecessary drain on finjancial resources and a distraction from more important issues.

Response 24:
There are many excellent alternatives to traditional roofing. I agree we should allow these attractive alternatives.

Response 30:
If this is the roofing I've seen, it looks great, half the cost 50 yr life! I think it looks better than shake.

Response 40:  50 year or lifetime products

Response 44:  ["Yes with ARC approval" underscored, starred, and marked with 8 exclamation points.]

Response  49:
I think that the age of the shake roofs along with the huge difference of the landscaping notably the tree growth has become a fire hazard and in the event of a fire we will see a loss of many homes proportional to "Oakland Hills"  a few years back. There is a time to use reality instead of the home value factor for excuses to not allow different types of roofing materials such as steel coated with crushed granite, cement slate and others that look, wear, [and provide] fire resistance and many other qualities that would add rather than reduce home values.

Fire safe alone should be the strong point of argument. An old shake roof is as unsafe as are some of the wood fences in the neighborhood. Thank God for landscaping which hide[s] most of these horrible structures.

Repsonse 57:   "Never" [written in as addition choice and checked]

Response 64:   "ABSOLUTELY NO" [added to"No" response for emphasis]

Response 67:
Please do not lower the high standards that have been set & followed by many of us who already replaced our old roofs!

Response 68:
Yes - should be automatic (if possible). This is very important!!  Please change this as soon as possible.  Too costly to replace shingles with tile!! Most homes cannot support tile roof.

Response 74:  ["No" response circled]

Response 75:
[arrow drawn from "Yes, with ARC approval" choice to comment] -> I really think this should be allowed.  When we re-roofed our house 3 years ago, it cost $35k because our only choices were a 50 year fire-treated (Class 1) shke roof, or a tile roof, which would have required reconstructing an entire roof. There are many very nice looking composite roofing materials out there, and as long as the ARC is careful & doesn't let homeowners put up cheap looking composite, our neighborhood will not suffer.

Response 80:  Guidelines should be adopted, then if someone complies - no ARC approval should be needed.

Response 82:  Roofing top priority  [form had checked "Yes, with ARC approval" for permitting dimensional comp]

Response 85:
["No" circled for emphasis in answer to multiple choice question on acceptability of dimensional comp]
Comp roofs are cheap and look cheap. I moved to Waterford in 1980 [1990? First occupancy in Waterford was in 1988.] and the standard has not been kept up. Kocal has not done its job of maintaining streets & enforcing CC&Rs. I hope we see a change.

Response 86:
Roofing: A dimensional comp roof as in "Presidential Series" is O.K. with me, especially replacement for the wood shake roofs.

Response 88:
YES! [annotation on checked box to accept dimensional comp with ARC approval] I definitely think dimensional composition should be allowed! Much better than shake roofing!

Response 91:
[Choice of "No" for dimensional comp checked and circled and annotated with "No!"  underscored 4 times]

Response 94:    [Choice of "No" checked and circled]

Response 95:
I do not feel the CC&R should be changed. If it is changed, I feel it will have a negative effect on values.

Response 103:
Many multi-million $ homes in the Monterey peninsula area, e.g. 17 mi. drive, use these new high end materials. I think if carefully considered and controlled, use of new materials would enhance the appearance of Waterford and give more options to homeowners. Also, it's time to consider fire danger from shake roofs. If we ever get a fire close by, with an east wind, blowing embers could destroy Waterford homes. I would definitely consider a diemensional composition roof to replace my shake roof when the time comes for replacement.

Response 107:
[cheked alternative of "Yes, with new CC&R limitations and ARC approval" is circled]
Absolutely allow comp shingles with specifications. Way overdue to update to these superior roof assemblies.

Response 108:
[Boldface is rendered as used in the response's attached printout of (probably) a Microsoft Word document.]
Roofs:
Choices - CC&R's for Waterford were written approximately 20 years ago when composition roofing materials did not have the dimensional aesthetics or quality they do today. You will find that composition roofs are used where there is severe weather and fire hazards.

There are fimes, when for whatever reason, you must get on your roof -- Cracks and damage occur but may not show up for months. Composition roofs offer durability (40 and 40 year roofs) and experience the least leaks.

Example, for our neighborhood only approve for use the top two grades -- "Presidential" and one just under it.

Many upper scale neighborhoods are now allowing composition roofs. Example: Lake Hills Oaks to the West of Waterford has composition roofs. I also noticed that the Promontory is allowing metal roofs in their development.

My recommendation would be to update/expand Waterford CC&Rs to include as another roofing material choice - Composition, but only top of the line (Presidential) or equal and to specific colors.

Response 110:
The roofing issue should take priority & be resolved within a timely manner. We are entering the time of year in which these types of projects take place.

Many homeowners, myself included, wish to make roof repairs/replacements this summer. Please make this a priority without personal opinions. The information sent with the survey was one sided against a comp roof.

This should be accomplished early enough to allow major decisions to be made for this summer.


Other topics:

Law enforcement, safety & security
     variously (County) and (HOA)

Response 4:
Very happy with police [CHP] in neighborhood writing speeding tickets. More patrols needed as speeding is still a problem.

Have seen new speed bump products that apparently allow emergency vehicles through while slowing cars & trucks. We should look into it again for within Waterford.

Response 10:
* Living in Carnelian st, I heard lots of noises, cars driving fast and teenagers yelling outside. Specially at night and on the weekends. Suggestions:  Have CHP come at night on the weekends (12 am - 3 am) or if possible place road bumps on major drives such as Carnelian, Sheffield.

Also, do you have restrictions regarding sexual offenders in our community? Can we not allow them to live here? There is one more (total of two) who [have moved into] our community.  Do we need to report these predators since they live so close to shools? Let's protect our family and community. What can we do about this?  Do you scrutinize people who come to live in this prestigious community?

*Another suggestion, gate our Waterford community. I see people crossing through Waterford to get to schools, the new Safeway, etc. If you need to raise HOA [dues] let's do it, we [would be] much better have safer community than more traffic.

Response 22:
Also, D.U.I. check-points [are desired] since in El Dor. Co. we have one of the highest rates of D.U.I.s in the state.

Response 25:
Would like to see more speed signs down Sheffield Dr. - especially the first two blocks off Francisco.

Response 52:    It would be nice to have the security patrol back again.

Response 70:
Speeding on Sheffield Dr., from Francisco entrance down into Waterford must be slowed with continued CHP visibility & heavy enforcement, especially Friday - Saturday evenings & communt times.  Thanks!

Remove double yellow line on Sheffield -- it makes it look like a 40 msh arterial rather than a 25 mph residential street, as posted --
* Use of radar trailer, speed sign?

Response 73:    More security Please!!

Response 83:    Will like very much to have a 3-way stop sign at the intersection of Kensington & Francisco.

Response 105:
CHP partroling our streets: I am against that! It's the Sheriff's job to keep our streets safe! He was against EDH becoming a city, he got what he wanted - so let him do his job!

Response 108:
[Boldface and underlining is rendered as used in the response's attached printout of (probably) a Microsoft Word document.]
Speed Limit Sign:
What is the speed limit on Lakehills Drive?  We believe there used to be a sign (40 or 45 MPH)



Landscape and home maintenance       (HOA)

Response 54:
There are a few, to too many, residences that do little or very little in maintaining their landscape. Numerous properties have done little to shape shrubs be them [sic - they] small to very large.

A volunteer group of residents should be gathered to tour our Waterford development and report back to KOCAL any residents whose landscape need[s] work. A written letter then sent to the residents, who need landscape work. Three warning[s] = a fine.

Response 81:
[arrow from street condition & maintenance need multiple choice responses] Oops, I was thinking about how the homes are looking, not the actual streets. That said, I think parts of the neighborhood look run down. People are not taking care of their home and some are in deperate need of painting & yard maintenance. I am fortunate to have neighbor[s] who care for their property. Hopefully these homes, famlies, have been addressed. (Sheffield has some pretty shabby sructures)

Response 85:
Our neighborhood looks terrible. Homeowners yards are a mess, unkept. Cars parked outside in most cases. The CC&Rs should be enforced. I do not want my preperty value to drop because a neighbor won't maintain their property.

Response 108:
[Boldface is rendered as used in the response's attached printout of (probably) a Microsoft Word document.]
Rentals:
I would like to recommend that the Waterford CC&R's be amended with regard to "rental houses". That the front yards be professionally maintained. Again with the purpose in mind of maintaining the integrity/grooming that our custom/upper scale neighborhood deserves. From our experience, most Renters promise much but do little. We simply advised our Renters that for their convenience a gardener was included to edge/mow the front yard for them. The gardener expenses were factored into the monthly rent.

Parking, maintenance        (HOA)

Response 106:
I offer two solutions to appear [sic - appearance of?] the conditions of the streets:

Have someone apply Round-Up, or a similar product to all of the cracks in the street to remove the weeds, grass, etc. (I have no problem volunteering to do my Cul De Sac, or even assisting with some other volunteers if that is our best option.)

Have everyone park their cars only on the driveway or in the garage. I know there isn't much enforcement regarding the parking, and I'm not quite sure what the exact ruling is regardinw parking, but it is [a] solution to improve the overall appearance.

I was on a board in Fair Oaks for 14 years, and the biggest obstacle we encountered was parking, because several homeowners used their garage as a storage facility, and most homes were only two car garages, and large SUV's couldn't fit. Our solution was to allow cars to park on the street only if the driveway was already full.

When comparing our neighborhood to Marina down the street, at any given day you may be able to count about a dozen vehicles parked on driveways or in the street, but compared to our community, you can count almost 300 vehicles (Yes, I have counted).

I personally feel the cars parked on the street endanger the children because you can't always see around them, and do encounter some blind spots. I'm also not a fan of how many don't park in their garage, and how many park in the street knowing they have at least 6 parking spots to choose from instead of parking on the street. I'm not quite sure what the current CC&R rule is for parking, but I believe the amount of cars seen does take away from the beauty of the cummunity.


Street lights        (HOA)

Response 68:    Street lights too bright. Replace with fewer, low intensity street lamps.


Neighboring land use
       (County)

Response 3:
E.D. County Hearing re: Lakehills Parcel P06-0017 - rezone
No!  Waterford board must respond ASAP re: rezoning lots on Lakehills to smaller 3 acre parcels inconsistent with current look of that area. Keep themas. 10 acre parcels

[Supplementary note: Around this time we also received comments from one owner by phone and from another owner by face-to-face conversation regarding this proposed subdivision. One of those comments expressed concern, the other was highly critical of the proposed subdivision. A one-line synopsis is that all Waterford owners who commented expressed a desire to maintain the character of the adjacent land in Equestrian Village.]

Parks        (HOA) and (CSD)

Response 34:  Please include an update on Lake Forest Park development plans in the next Window on Waterford.


Social        (CSD) [and (HOA)?]

Response 101:
For the Entertainment Committee:  How do we meet singles in the neighborhood? Dance, email, event, etc. I would be interested. Thank you.