March 29, 2005
Dear Mr. Heaney,
Based on the response we have received from River Oaks residents so far, we would like to propose some amendments that reflect a majority opinion. On the issue of saving healthy, mature trees, we propose an amendment that would provide for a city of Houston or other licensed arborist to conduct an inventory of the neighborhood’s healthy, mature trees and assess the viability of the existing tree canopy. In addition to the inventory, the arborist would assist the board in reviewing construction or improvement plans to ensure that such activities would not have a detrimental effect on the site’s trees. If the board, with the input of the arborist, permits a homeowner to remove a healthy, mature tree, we propose that two trees be planted in its place. If it is determined that the tree is diseased or dying, then we propose that it is replaced with one new tree. It should be the responsibility if each homeowner to preserve the trees on their property and abutting private property while conducting construction.
We would also like to propose an amendment that would provide for an Architectural Review Committee to advise the ROPO Board on the preservation of historically significant homes. We recommend that Randy Pace, the City of Houston’s historical preservation officer, be appointed to advise the board. It has also been suggested to us to pursue historical designation for the oldest sections of River Oaks in order to preserve the architectural integrity and unique character of our neighborhood.
In our survey of River Oaks residents, 36% of respondents voted for a complete ban on gas-powered leaf blowers, and 44% asked for stronger restrictions. Only 19% believed there should be no ban or further restrictions on the devices. Hopefully the board will designate hours of lawn maintenance operation that reflect the majority opinion. We also expect that language in the amendment will be altered, so that it will only require approval by 2/3 of the board, as opposed to unanimous approval, to change the permissible periods that lawn maintenance and landscaping work may be performed.
Yours very truly,
Jane Dale Owen
March 24, 2005
Dear Mr. Heaney,
First let me say thank you for your time and effort spent towards the concerns raised from my recent survey. The purpose of this letter is to express my concern for what I feel should be included into the third draft of the proposed restrictions.
First, the board should be able to approve or disapprove proposals based on a majority vote as opposed to unanimous vote.
Second, an architectural review committee should be established to
Enclosed please find a copy of a two page letter dated February 14, 2005 and tally sheet sent to all the River Oaks property owners that responded to the questionnaires I sent out last month. The results are very impressive and clearly reflect that the majority of the homeowners do want more restrictions on the use of leaf blowers as well as board involvement and approval prior to the property owner removing healthy mature trees.
At the www.cleanhouston.org website you will find all the comments. It was encouraging to see so many homeowners respond and show such concern for the issues at hand. I would be very interested to know what your thoughts are as to what can be done to facilitate changes in the deed restrictions.
I also hope that the restatement committee will deal with the issue of the number of board members needed to modify amendments to require only a majority and not a unanimous vote of the board. And finally, please address the problem of the ratio of the size of the house to the size of the lot to prevent new construction from overwhelming the entire neighborhood.
I look forward seeing to the updated version of the amendments and appreciate the hard work your committee has put into this process. Thank you all!
Yours very truly,
Jane Dale Owen
February 25, 2005
Dear Mr. Heaney,
Enclosed please find copies of questionnaires received this week. We have now received over 560 responses. And, as I already mentioned in my prior correspondence, the majority want more regulations on leaf blowers and on the cutting down of healthy trees in River Oaks.
I am also enclosing information we prepared on alternatives to leaf blowers, including a list of local venders that supply the equipment discussed. I think you may find it interesting.
Mr. Heaney, I would very much like to meet with the restatement committee and was hoping that you could arrange that for me. I will give you a call next week to see how that might be accomplished. Thank you for your help in facilitating this request.
Yours very truly,
Jane Dale Owen
February 4, 2005
Dear Mr. Heaney,
It’s been a few weeks since I sent out a letter and questionnaires to my fellow homeowners in River Oaks, approximately fifteen hundred, regarding issues relating to restrictions on the use of leaf blowers and on the removal of large healthy trees.
I’m pleased to report that we have relieved back almost five hundred responses. Copies if these responses have been dropped off to you as they have been coming in. Enclosed are copies of responses we received today. MY staff at my non-profit organization CLEAN has been collating the data and posting it on our website along with all the comments.
The results show that the majority of the respondents are in interested in adding further restrictions on the use of the leaf blowers as well as having board involvement regarding the removal of healthy trees. I would like you to make your committee aware if the questionnaire responses. At www.cleanhouston.org the totals are broken down and every comment is posted. They are updated daily as we are still receiving 15-20 responses per day.
A number of responding homeowners have volunteered to form committees to work actively to get some of these changes implemented. I will of course continue to work aggressively toward getting some restrictions implemented on both of these issues.
Mr. Heaney, I realize that you are in a difficult position as you need to represent what the majority of the homeowners want, what is best for the neighborhood at large and for this all without offending ones individual rights. Being able to please everyone will be impossible. But, I ask that your committee not yield to the pressure of a few at the expense of this very special and unique neighborhood.
Also, just a heads up- the press is anxiously watching the results of the questionnaire as well as what the response from the committee will be at the next re-write of the amendments. Thank you for you time.
Yours very truly,
Jane Dale Owen
