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| THE COLONY NEWS | APRIL 2021 | 11 COMMITTEE NEWS By Jane Payne G-53 RENOVATION: I'm so happy that spring is here. I love to see the blooming plants and trees around The Colony. This spring we are renovating a centrally located area that everyone can enjoy – G-53 (previously called the Boulder Yard). Soon the image of dirt and boulders will fade from your mind as we transform this area into an outdoor retreat to rest, meditate, enjoy lunch, etc., while listening to a bubbling fountain. G-53 is located on the corner of Colony Drive and Avenida Florita behind Calle Lampara. It is currently a dirt lot with trees and a natural spring that goes under Colony Drive from W-5 to the golf course. As mentioned last month, in January we had additional meetings and made a lot of progress on a landscape design for the area. Anthony Reynoso, HOA Landscape Superintendent, was able to gather the quotes and create a proposal which was approved by the HOA Board at its Feb. 18 meeting. The LAC members were busy visiting various companies looking at their fountains, tables and benches. Although I don't have photos to share with you, let me explain the plan for the area. Before we start work, a couple of diseased sycamore trees closest to the homeowners on Calle Lampara will be removed. A smaller part of the area, near the stream and where the remaining trees are, will be left natural. This area is to look at, but not walk around in, due to the slight slope, uneven surfaces, tree roots, etc. There will be a gentle transition from the natural area to the renovated area, which will have plants, trees and mulch. A decomposed granite path from the street will lead to a center area that will have an L-shaped pergola. This structure will provide a couple of benefits: filtered shade and a place to put the solar panels needed to power the fountain. Under the pergola will be benches for relaxing and a table with benches for eating lunch, playing a game or chatting with neighbors. All of the furniture will be cement with sturdy bases and inlaid tile. Details on the colors of the table and benches and the tile design will be decided at our March LAC meeting. Don't worry, it won't be gaudy, as our goal is to have a tasteful complement to the natural environment. The pergola and furniture will be the focal point. However, we will complement it with an urn-shaped simple fountain placed among some stones. It will have a single bubble of water at the top, which will cascade down the sides. The fountain will be pond-less, meaning that the water and pump will be underground. The water will run down the fountain and go into the underground basin so we won't have standing water to attract unwanted animals. As I said above, it will also be solar- powered and running during the day. We hope you will enjoy this peaceful, outdoor area coming this spring. INFORMATION FOR NEW RESIDENTS: As mentioned in the February Colony News article, all homeowners must follow the Standards and Guidelines. Current S&G can be found in The Colony 2020-2021 Homeowners Telephone Directory starting on page 63. They are also on The Colony website and TownSq. Below are some of the key highlights, and I encourage everyone to read the complete S&G. WHO MAINTAINS WHAT: The Landscape Maintenance Standards and Guidelines apply only to the home front yards, the Clubhouse area, and the various common areas that are maintained by the Homeowners Association. • Homeowners are responsible for maintaining their front yard hardscapes (walkways, driveways), underground utilities, and the 3-inch plastic drain line which drains their back and side yards to the street. • The HOA is responsible for maintaining the front yard area turf, plants, trees and irrigation. Homeowner pruning of front yard plants or trees is not allowed. FRONT YARD: This is the area from the curb to your front gate (if you have one) or your side gate (if you don't have a front gate). One front yard tree is required per lot and most homes have a planter tree as well. WHAT YOU CAN HAVE: • A few solar lights or battery-powered lights, spaced 3'-4' apart on the house side of the walkway leading to the front door, or 3'-4' apart along the house side of the walkway leading to the side gate are permitted. • Decorative natural boulders from 6"-18" (maximum) in size may be used within the planter, providing no more than 6 are used per home front and are approved by the LAC and the LS (Landscape Superintendent). WHAT IS PROHIBITED: • Pots, statues, artifacts (man-made items), or lawn furniture are not permitted in/on front yard lawns, planter areas, walkways, tree wells, driveways, or hanging from trees. An exception is made for the fabric "welcome-type" flags, with the limit of one per household. • Trellises and decorative lawn edgings (corrugated, scalloped or stake-type) are not permitted in a front yard area. LANDSCAPE ADVISORY Landscape & Tree Concerns For all landscape and/or tree issues, questions, or problems, call The Colony Landscape line at (951) 698-0731. For after hours and weekend irrigation emergencies only, call the Main Gate at (951) 677-0238.

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