Announcements

Roll Cart Storage
added 3/2/2024

With the beginning of automated trash pick-up starting on March 8, 2024, we want to share information provided both by the City and the Association regarding how/when services will be performed, as well as address roll cart storage.

The Covenants & Restrictions state in Section K of the Use Restrictions that “No lot shall be used or maintained as a dumping ground for rubbish, trash, garbage or other waste.  All trash, rubbish, garbage and other waste or materials being thrown away or disposed of must be placed or contained in one or more trash cans, containers, or city supplied trash bags, which cans, containers or city supplied trash bags shall be fly tight, rodent proof, nonflammable, reasonably waterproof and shall be covered.  Such cans, containers or city supplied trash bags are to be stored in concealed locations on lots, and may be placed in open locations only for that period of time allowed by the City of Columbia so as to facilitate collection.”  This means that roll carts cannot be stored in the driveway, on the front porch or on the side of a home.  Roll carts must be stored in concealed locations not visible from the front of the home, preferably in the garage.  In accordance with City Ordinance, carts may not be set out prior to 4 pm the day before their collection date and must be moved back to their concealed location no later than 10 pm on the date of collection.

Vanderveen Crossing Political Signage Regulations

Amended November 3, 2020

Notwithstanding anything contained in the Amended Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions of Vanderveen Crossing Subdivision, dated 8/29/2002, to the contrary as currently written or subsequently amended; and pursuant to Section 442 of the Revised Statues of Missouri, members of the Vanderveen Crossing Homeowners Association (HOA Members) may display political signs subject to the following rules and limitations:

1) the political sign shall be ground-mounted and displayed outdoors within the parcel’s front setback;

2) no political signs shall be placed anywhere on neighborhood common ground;

3) the content shall be limited to support of or opposition to a specifically named candidate seeking elected office, or a specifically named ballot measure;

4) the political sign shall exclude any attached materials or brochures;

5) the political sign shall be limited to 5 total square feet in area or smaller;

6) the number of political signs shall be limited to one per candidate in favor, one per candidate in opposition, one per ballot issue in favor, and one per ballot issue in opposition;

7) the political sign shall be displayed no sooner than 14 days prior to the opening of absentee/early voting for the specific election, and shall be removed within 3 days following the election;

8) the Homeowners Association (HOA) may remove political signs pursuant to the specific provisions for the removal of political signs permitted under Section 442 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri; and

9) HOA Members violating the terms of the rules governing political signs shall reimburse the reasonable costs the HOA incurs in pursuing enforcement of these rules.

We thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Trees & Landscaping

The last four to five years have been difficult on landscaping as we have bounced back-and-forth between droughts and rainy seasons.  Homeowners throughout the neighborhood have lost trees and shrubs as a result of these extremes.  The Covenants and Restrictions, Section 6C details the landscaping requirements:

1. Two trees (minimum two inch diameter caliper) placed in the front yard of each lot.
2. One tree which shall be placed in the street side yard of each corner lot.
3. One tree in the rear yard of all lots which are not corner lots.
4. A minimum of six (6) shrubs planted in the front lawn of each lot or in the street side yard of each corner lot.

The primary purpose of homeowners associations is to provide services and amenities to residents and protect property values while ensuring that the collective rights and interests of the homeowners are respected and preserved. 

The preservation of trees and landscaping is proven to increase property values!  According to Michigan University, for every $1 you invest in landscaping, you’ll see a 109% return.  Furthermore, they found that if trees are part of a beautiful, well-kempt landscape, it can increase your home value by 6-11%.  To stretch the benefit of trees and landscaping even further, landscaped properties surrounding you increases the curb appeal of the entire block.  This is the reason minimum landscaping requirements are included in the Covenants of homeowners associations.

There are no specific tree species proven to increase property values.  Instead, it’s about planting hardy trees that are disease-resistant and suited for our planting zone.  That way, they’ll be able to grow big and strong, which is the key to trees improving your property value.

Fall is the ideal time to plant trees for the following reasons:

1. In the fall trees can focus their energy on one job; developing new roots. Due to this focused growth, trees do not need nearly as much water in the fall as they do in the spring.
2. Fall temperatures are ideal for root growth. Roots like cool weather.
3. The price of trees! If your budget is a concern, planting in the fall is a great option.  While plant availability might be a fear, many nurseries have plenty of tree options and will often have them at discounted prices.

For the reasons outlined above, the Board is encouraging all homeowners to take a few moments to observe your landscaping to determine if it meets the minimum requirements.