Blackman Farm Community Halloween Party

Blackman Farm Community Forum — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 15:45:24 +0000

Blackman Farm Halloween Party Planned

Join us for our 1st annual Blackman Farm Halloween Party,
Saturday, October 29th from 4pm to 6pm. Bring the kids out for some trick or
treating at the model homes. There will also be prizes and a costume contest.
For more information contact Joy Countryman at joycountryman@gmail.com.

Blackman Farm Independence Day Celebration!

Blackman Farm Community Forum — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 13:39:09 +0000

Blackman Farm Independence Day Celebration!

Mark your calendars!! July is just around the corner and we want to come together as a community and celebrate!
Saturday, July 2nd,
10:00am-2:00pm
We hope you will bring your families and join us in the fun! Meet us on the grassy area between the sales office and the playground!
Decorate those bikes, wagons, scooters, or just yourself and join us for a bike parade through the neighborhood led by the
Rutherford County Fire Department to kick off this event, at 10:00am.
The parade will begin and end at the cul-de-sac in front of the model homes and will be followed by some grilling, games, bounce house, and getting to know our neighbors.
So bring a side dish or dessert. lawn chairs, and come enjoy our community and celebrate with us! It’s sure to be a great time!
We are currently seeking volunteers to help make this event amazing!
For more information or to volunteer to help with this event please contact Joy Countryman, CTRL + Click to follow link” href=”615-294-2696″ target=”_blank”>615-294-2696 .

Blackman Farm Home Business & Craft Show

Blackman Farm Community Forum — Fri, 27 May 2011 14:45:36 +0000

For more information contact Joy Countryman at (615) 294-2696, or joycountryman@gmail.com.

Blackman Farm East: Separating Fact From Fiction

Blackman Farm Community Forum — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 03:27:38 +0000

In recent weeks we’ve observed a lot of passions stirring in our community regarding Centex/Pulte’s proposed planned expansion into the Hillwood Subdivision. But what is truly fact and what is simply fiction regarding this proposed expansion?

If you would like to comment on this subject, this is your forum.

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The following letter was provided by Blackman Farm homeowner Phil Jablonski:

September 13, 2010

Honorable Mayor Bragg

Council Members

RE: Amendments to Blackman Farms PRD

During its regular meeting on June 17, 2010 the City Council conducted a public hearing to consider amendments to the Blackman Farms PRD to add to it an adjacent tract that is the rear of the Hillwood PUD (Blackman Farms East). After the public hearing the Council members discussed the matter and then deferred action in order to allow the Planning Staff to have a neighborhood meeting to discuss a number of issues including drainage problems, owners association issues, and masonry content for structures.

On July 7, 2010 the Planning Staff attended a meeting with approximately 40 people at the Blackman Farms sales office. Several of those in attendance complained that there was a failure by the applicants to give adequate notice for the meeting resulting in many people who may have been interested in the meeting not having an opportunity to know about it and therefore not be in attendance. There was also a concern expressed about the size of the meeting room which was viewed as not being large enough to accommodate the entire neighborhood. The Planning Staff and the applicants agreed to meet a second time with the neighborhood and agreed to have the neighborhood members assist in the notification effort. On the matters that were discussed there was no general agreement other than that there was considerable dissatisfaction with the status of the owners association being controlled by the applicant.

On August 10, 2010 the Planning Staff attended a meeting held in the gymnasium of the Blackman Elementary School. Staff estimates that there were over 190 people in attendance. A copy of the agenda from the meeting is attached. After the presentations and after a period of questions and answers staff asked for a show of hands of those who favored a combined association and then a show of hand of those who favored separate associations. The overwhelming majority of those in attendance indicated a desire for separate associations.

With regards to the drainage issues, staff has not found that there are any major drainage deficiencies in the subdivision. There do appear to be some minor drainage issues that are mostly nuisance in nature including flooding of yards. The Planning Staff has forwarded the drainage issues to the City Engineer and has encouraged residents to contact the Engineering Department with information about drainage problems. Much of the drainage system remains under a warranty surety and any that need to be repaired will be done at the expense of the developer.

With regards to the masonry content, the applicant has provided an addendum to the plan that is included with the agenda materials. The addendum includes a plan for certain lots around the perimeter to the north and east to have masonry on three sides and that lots fronting along Almar Knot Drive to have 65% masonry on the front façade. The remainder of the lots are proposed to have the same restrictions as the remainder of Blackman Farms Subdivision which includes a minimum of 20% masonry on the front façade. Exhibits showing the appearance of the proposed structures are included with the revised program book.

With regards to the matter of the owners association issues, it is clear that most of the resident property owners in the subdivision who have participated in the meetings prefer that Blackman Farms East be under a separate owners association primarily so that it will hasten the time in which the property owners in Blackman Farms Subdivision will have control over the owners association. It appears to be their desire to gain control over the association so that they can alter the restrictions and have direct control over the management of the association and enforcement of restrictions.

From the City’s perspective, staff is uncertain whether the City should have a position on the matter of a combined association or separate associations. The City’s interest is that because there are common elements for the subdivisions including landscaping, private alleys, stormwater areas, development signage and recreation areas that there be a mandatory association capable of assessing dues to pay for their responsibility. Whether this be by one or by two associations or how the applicant or developer goes about accomplishing this is not necessarily a matter of zoning control for the City. The City Attorney advises that, particularly in the absence of a reason related to the City’s interests, it is legally questionable.

This is particularly the case because Staff has become aware that the original covenants and restrictions recorded with the first section of the subdivision and to which every lot in Blackman Farms Subdivision is subject included provision for inclusion of additional areas into the subdivision if such land is located in proper proximity to the subdivision. Under these covenants, deemed to have been known to every Blackman Farms owner before they purchased their home, the applicant-owners have the right to add most of the land they now propose to add to the existing homeowners association. This issue was foreseen and resolved in 2005. A copy of the relevant portion of the restrictions is attached.

Should you have questions prior to the meeting you may contact me at 893-6441. Staff will be available at the meeting to answer questions.

Respectfully submitted

Joseph D. Aydelott

Planning Director