TOLLGATE ACTION COMMITTEE

Minutes

Saturday, April 14, 2018

8:30 AM

Tollgate Village Clubhouse

  1. The meeting was called to order at 8:30 A.M.
  2. Note that all of the information about these meetings are posted to the website:
  3. Tollgate Action Committee (TAC) is a voice for the neighborhood, but we now have more than a voice; we have a vote. Examples: Brad Wilson is the VP of the HOA. Luis Parra is Treasurer of the HOA. We also have two people representing Tollgate at Ghertner (Damon and Patrick).
  4. Committee Reports
  5. Treasurer - Luis Parra:Took in $44,800 for month of March. Up to date. Collecting more on late charges. Everything looks to be in line. Haven’t spent landscaping replacement yet (budgeted $20,000). The only question is that the bill from last year’s holiday decorations were put in this month. Made our reserve transfer of $4,472.
  6. Amenities -Larry Simmons: We now have a cue ball for the pool table! We have detailed, high-quality video of any issues that occur at the clubhouse.
  7. Grounds - John Liska:We keep asking about when the replacement trees will be planted. Damon keeps saying that it will happen, but he can’t get an answer from the company. They had committed to do it by March 15. If they plant them, we could ask them to maintain them for six months. Need to bag them and fill them with water. Very frustrating. The company is Quality Landscaping. Larry asked to see the contract. It was suggested that we consider a new company. Comment was made that the common areas look really good. The one fountain that is out in the lake but there was a delay because they were waiting for approval, but Brad and Luis said that it was approved. Fountain out front looks good – higher stream. Brad suggested that we look into a “windometer.”
  8. Neighborhood Watch - George Petzelt (could not attend): Going well; nothing much to report. Fire chief from Goose Creek may want to visit our meeting sometime. All volunteer fire department. Family day at the fire station on April 28.
  9. Resident said someone received a ticket for driving 32 in a 20 mph zone, so tickets are happening!
  10. Social – Laura Parra:Easter event was very successful. Will have S’mores at the Lake event soon to help meet new neighbors – first week in May possibly? Mike from Publix will sponsor a summer kickoff by the pool June 2. He will provide a lot of supplies.
  11. We need help! Request for volunteers. The Easter Egg hunt was high quality! Everyone did a super job. Folks here till 6 pm cleaning up. Need ideas, thoughts, etc. for all of the neighborhood activities. Talk to Laura or Luis. It’s fun!
  12. Yard Sale.May 5. Plan for clubhouse yard sale in the fall. This spring, we will just do individual sales in the yard.
  13. Officer Appreciation – Julie Jones (could not attend).
  14. Community Care – Suzanne Feinstein:Ready to respond to news of sick neighbors and new babies with baskets. Will do another t-shirt fundraiser soon.
  15. Old Business
  16. Development at Front of Tollgate:We are trying to keep the facts out there. The notices out front are for a second hearingat the BOMA meeting on May 8. TN code requires opening it up to public comments, similar to the Two Farms public events. Anyone is welcome to attend and make a comment. When the hearing is closed, BOMA (five members) has a vote. If it is approved, it goes forward. If not, it’s over.
  17. The vote is to change the zoning to allow live-work units, condos and townhomes in Tollgate with commercial development. The town staff worked with Regent and they reached a consensus.
  18. Regent Homes met with TAC, took our feedback into consideration and put it into the plan. We wanted more commercial; we didn’t get as much as we wanted, but more than original plan.
  19. We had a town meeting at the Community Center on Dec. 6. There were 76 votes; 76 yes, 0 no (100% in favor). TAC is to be the voice and these numbers strongly indicated that the neighborhood is in favor.
  20. Certain elected officials questioned: Do we really know what we voted for? We tried to be explicit and did an online vote. To make sure that the BOMA, planning commission and town staff knew who were voting, they received all of the emails and comments. 262 votes: 250 yes, 12 no (95% in favor). Unfortunately, some of the BOMA were using this information to send personal emails to voters.
  21. We had another community meeting on an evening with terrible weather and traffic; we had a decent turnout considering that, and great comments. Alderman Shepherd asked if he could speak (10 minutes). Dave McGowan to talk about residential and commercial developments (25 minutes total). We kept time. 111 votes: 90 yes, 21 no (81% in favor).
  22. TAC has been unbiased, factual, and involved.
  23. That brings us to the public hearing. We encourage you to watch the video that was posted on and Nextdoor. We pulled out the 30 minutes about Tollgate. The first part is the discussion on the changes the Planning Commission recommended to BOMA. The second part is the actual vote of the alderman and mayor on this item.
  24. The question was asked, could someone put townhomes and condos along Columbia Pike in front of Tollgate. It was explained that the changes being voted on by the BOMA prohibit residential developments within 600 feet of an arterial highway. In Thompsons Station, Columbia Pike and Lewisburg Pike are both arterial highways.
  25. We have a catalyst to finally get business in Tollgate. We are the gateway to Thompson’s Station, but we do not bear the responsibility for providing commercial development to the town of Thompson’s Station.
  26. Public comment: We all want something aesthetically pleasing and economically viable. The developer is working hard to make it what we all want. TAC appreciatesAlderman Brandon Bell’s leadership on this.
  27. Crystal Clear Update: Something else has come up that is very favorable. There will be an announcement in the next few weeks.
  28. Swings: The swing that was broken has been fixed. Larry is going to look at the swings in the Etheridge Amish area. Another recommendation was to consider getting swings made of recycled materials. TAC will ask Ghertner to look into this option.
  29. Dog Park: Brad has been working on some ideas. Looking to move fence on left side in 10-12 feet. Have two dog parks with a central corral, allowing to shut down one side at a time to fertilize and rejuvenate the grass. Also plan to add a French drain and change the rock path.
  30. Pool: Opens May 1. Luis and Laura have done a tremendous amount of work. Had pergolas power washed and braced. They will be stained. There will be fabric put over the top for shade. We have three giant, wind-resistant permanent umbrellas that will be placed in concrete. Probably won’t be in place by the time the pool opens (they are manufactured when you order them and shipped from Italy). The kiddie pool was drained yesterday for resurfacing. The bathrooms are being resurfaced with new floors and will be mopped daily. Note for Larry: Check on better lighting. Add LED bulbs to exhaust fans? Threw away a lot of broken furniture (thanks to Larry’s truck!). Pool is open from 8 am – 9 pm. We will enforce those rules.
  31. Carpet Cleaner: Luis has asked Damon and Patrick to buy a carpet cleaner. Luis and Laura are using their own cleaner. Luis will follow up.
  32. Playground:No updates on the drainage issue.
  33. Resident feedback
  34. One resident has seen many piles of pet waste, soiled diapers and condoms. How do we monitor that? By the townhomes, residents let dogs run loose. Ghertner sent out a note. There is a separate HOA for the Townhomes. Maybe do a neighborhood clean-up day. Laura and Suzanne will discuss.
  35. Second entrance seems to be stalled: There was some kind of issue with a pipe connection, but it has been fixed and paving should occur soon.
  36. In the new part of Americus, there is no greenspace. Houses look crowded and crammed. Kids on Millerton can go out and play in the greenspace.
  37. Adjourned at 9:54 A.M. CST