Professional Documents
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Homeowner Survey
Results
November 2006
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Shadow Lakes Homeowner Survey Submittals Received as of November 4, 2006
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Survey Summary Page 1 of 6
Results Summary
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Total: 58
Visible: 58
2. Method of Contact
1. How would you like to receive Shadow Lakes communications? (Note: To avoid
printing costs, the most economical and preferred method of communication is via
EMAIL or our website. Hard copies of communications will ONLY be delivered to
homeowners that DO NOT have email or internet access.)
Response Response
Percent Total
By email/website 93.1% 54
By phone 1.7% 1
Total Respondents 58
2. If you entered either 'Email' or 'Phone' above, please enter your information below.
Response Response
Percent Total
Email: 98.2% 55
Phone: 42.9% 24
Total Respondents 56
Total Respondents 58
4. Street Address
Total Respondents 58
1 - 5 years 22.8% 13
5 - 10 years 21.1% 12
Total Respondents 57
6. # of Household Members
Total Respondents 57
Cat(s) 46.3% 25
Dog(s) 70.4% 38
Horse(s) 1.9% 1
Rabbit(s) 0% 0
Total Respondents 54
8. What do you like MOST about living in Shadow Lakes? (Select all that apply.)
Response Response
Percent Total
Country setting (away from
91.1% 51
congested areas)
Location (proximity to Raleigh, RTP,
48.2% 27
etc.)
Privacy 62.5% 35
Safety 48.2% 27
Total Respondents 56
9. What do you think needs to be IMPROVED in Shadow Lakes? (Select all that apply.)
Response Response
Percent Total
Speeding 67.9% 38
Vandalism 35.7% 20
Total Respondents 56
7. Homeowner Organization
10. What type of homeowner group would you support in Shadow Lakes?
Response Response
Percent Total
Total Respondents 56
11. If you have input or concerns regarding any of the above mentioned entities, please
elaborate:
Total Respondents 22
8. Volunteer Committees
12. What type of volunteer committees would you (or your household members) be
willing to participate on, worked around your schedule? (Select all that apply.)
Response Response
Percent Total
I do not wish to volunteer for any
12.5% 7
committees.
Total Respondents 56
9. Homeowner Contribution
13. What is the MAXIMUM monetary contribution you can afford and would be willing to
make to support a neighborhood group? (For example, $100.00 per year, or $10.00 per
month.)
Response Response
Percent Total
Total Respondents 55
Total Respondents 8
Total Respondents 9
Response Response
Percent Total
Total Respondents 5
Total Respondents 15
• I have no computer
• Hard copy delivered to my mailbox
# of Household Members
# Responses
1 7
2 14
3 12
4 13
5 8
6 2
7 1
What do you like MOST about living in Shadow Lakes? (Select all that apply.)
What do you think needs to be IMPROVED in Shadow Lakes? (Select all that apply.)
• Barking dogs!
• Recreational vehicles were not allowed in covenants and we enjoy our boat as much as anyone. Perhaps "hidden from street"
needs to be the code.
• nothing
• People running a backyard business/ Limitations to the number of detached sheds or buildings people can have on property
• Special note of roaming dog(s) issue.
• Noise control - what is considered 'early' when mowing? Entry way - ongoing attention needed
• kids on dirt bikes & go carts.
• No enforcement teeth or 100% following of basic covenants to retain/improve our home values and neighborhood quality.
• Rental property (the property is properly maintained and the tenants care about the well-being of the neighborhood)
• Body Shop businesses run from the home. Constant mechanical work on numerous vehicles peformed at all hours of day and
night, indicating commercial repairs.
• Dogs getting into our garbage and strewing it all over the yard. Dogs using our lawn as the neighborhood potty. Dogs growling
and lunging out at you when you walk by. There is a leash ordinance here, and I don't understand pet owners who don't obey it.
This is such an issue for us, we have actually toyed off and on with the notion of moving.
• Respect for others privacy/property
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Shadow Lakes Homeowner Survey - OPEN-ENDED RESPONSES
NOTE: These responses were indicated in the “OTHER” or “MISCELLANEOUS” field as open-ended responses.
affect entire community. Club is nice idea but neighbors change and resentments grow when you work outside a structure.
• i agree to no other option other than the one i picked . period.
• I really do not like the idea of an association telling us what we can and cannot do, or paying dues.
• I support leaving the homeowner's association inactive.
• None of the Above
• The formation of a arbitration committee along with the "Neighborhood group" could be a viable means of working together as a
community!If this is of interest, I would be more than happy to expand on my idea's.
• There's been a lot of talk about just "going to our neighbors and working things out privately." That's a wonderful idea, but not
always practical. I don't know if I would want them to have legal recourse or not, but I would like to see some sort of third party
grievance committee we could contact when going to our neighbors with concerns either is not possible or was tried and didn't
work.
• Would only support a Neighborhood Club we are Shadow Lakes 1 and we have NO convenants.
If you have input or concerns regarding any of the above mentioned entities, please elaborate:
• Definitely do not need to turn Shadow Lakes into another Cary. Guidelines are fine, but it should not be to the extreme where
everyone should have the same mailbox or made to have the same style of house number on their home. This should not be a
restrictive or confined community where people are afraid to do anything in their yards.
• The concerns that I have will be voiced in future meetings and not in an open forum environment.
• The only issue that concerns me is the homeowners that cannot afford to bring their property up to a position where they are
not in violation. Is there something we can do to help these instances?
• I hope someone has contacted the County Attorney or Register to Deeds and that the information given above is accurate. We
could make HOA dues as low as $20-$25 a year and that should not be a hardship on anyone yet allow for full participation in
community maintenance. 41 households participated when we did last entry sign at $25 each and the organizers had to put in
rest of money to pay for sign. Please be advised there are two people working on the entry sign at WMC Road. Should be
complete by or before Christmas.
• I am not interested in a Homeowners Association. I know the restrictive covenants do not last much longer, timewise, and I
look forward to that time when I have total control over my property.
• I think that when you put in place an ACTIVE HOA that you increase your risk of discord with in the neighborhood.
• i totally disagree to an active homeowner association , or a " combination " of an active homeowners assocition and
"neighborhood club "
• I am for a way to control neighborhood annoyances (noise, unwanted visits from other people's pets, and speeding;regardless
of the vehicle)as well as any activities which would put existing homeowners at risk of losing property value or the quiet, safe,
comfortable neighborhood feeling.
• The Homeowner's Association guidelines would need to be sharply drawn with no fuzzy areas for misunderstandings. Everyone
must be made aware of what the consequences would be if the rules and regulations are not followed. We would also have to
address how to deal with some people who have been in violation of some rules and regulations for years now, with no
consequences. A neighborhood club will do nothing to preserve Shadow Lakes property values or lure prospective buyers. Being
friendly with your neighbors is nice, but my house is an investment to me. When the time comes to sell, I do not want to lose
money on my home because my neighbors house has not be maintained to the same standards. A Homeowner's Association is
meant to protect the neighborhood as a whole.
• Personal observation: Volunteers with their own chain saws, plants, paint, etc. would get a true sense of
satisfaction/accomplishment in working as a group. However, when the same few residents are the only ones involved time and
time again, their attitudes would undoubtedly deteriorate to resentment and the group would fall apart. Such is human nature.
• I don't think in the long run the "club" approach will be successful. I think the orginal convenant is reasonable.
• I know that most HOA do not permit sheds. I do not mind sheds, but they do need to be maintained and painted to match the
house. The fences in our neighbor are need of repair. I am going to replace mine soon (garden fence in back yard) and replace
it with a vinyl fence. Also, I would like at least some form of HOA that would maintain the entrances. The entrance of S.H. II
has been a problem since I have lived here. Tori Rockwell spent $600 to fix it back in 1995. Only to see the letters broken
within 1 year. I think they have been replaced 2 more times. We need to have a light at that entrance installed by progess
energy. It may help. Finally, some of us wanted some form of HOA when we first move to S.H., but nobody would agree to it. I
like living here and have looked to move, but the lots on the ponds are large and the our kids have a safe place to play.
• One of the very reasons I purchased this house was because there was no monthly homeowner's association dues, and I didn't
want some well-meaning committee telling me what color to paint my house, when to cut my grass, or if I can have a satellite
dish, etc. If I wanted that I would have moved to Cary.
• My biggest concern since moving to the neighborhood in May of this year, is the speeding and the continous roaming of
neighborhood dogs. I am hoping that our baby will be able to enjoy time outside without concerns of speeding traffic or dogs
that approach him in his own yard. When my older sons have gone for walks or bike rides they have been approached by dogs.
• Again, when I bought in SLII 11 years ago I was given the covenants. And mortgage lenders also have them. They lent to
buyers in this subdiv partly because of the protective (vs. restrictive) covenants - legal docs - to help ensure their investment!!!
(Why or how some owners do not have /did not get them is a mystery, especially for SLII). The problem is they lack teeth. No
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Shadow Lakes Homeowner Survey - OPEN-ENDED RESPONSES
NOTE: These responses were indicated in the “OTHER” or “MISCELLANEOUS” field as open-ended responses.
enforcement provisions. That is why we need some kind of formal, official entity to enforce (or maybe 'ensure' is a better word)
them. Our homes are our biggest investment/net worth. This is what it is all about: Maintaining and increasing the value of our
properties and entire neighborhood. No one is an isolated island around here.
• If there was only a Neighborhood Club there may be families that took from but never contributed to the cause. However, HOAs
tend to be too restrictive. Hopefully, a combination of the first two would be best suited for our neighborhood.
• i have been part of an hoac when i resided in fl. you have to be very careful w people and their property and telling them what
to do on their own property. it can cause more harm than good. it can cause people to get very upset and resulting in vandalism
to the neighborhood or damage to personal property esp those on the committiee. enforcing to much may not be the best
decision.
• Plus I was suppose to help with this questionaire, this is the 1st I have seen it. Main reason we do not agreee with a HOA.
People are already NOT working together. If 4 to 5 people who requested to work on this item were not included that tells me
there is already an issue.
• As we understand it, the restrictive covenants for phase 1 are dead since turning twenty years old... can anyone elaborate on
this? At the meeting, only phase 2 was discussed as being intact. Thank you.
• I think if we have an "Active HMO" or a "Neighborhood Club" we will have more of the bickering that showed itself on the
website. We need to find creative ways to make everyone want to keep their property up. I think the website is a good idea,
people can put their input and opinions and then everyone will have an idea of what might be seen as a problem and if it
concerns them, they can address it. No one wants to have someone else telling them what to do with their property. If people
can put what problems they are having on the website in a polite way, then everyone can deal with it accordingly.
• Would be willing to serve on both the club and control committe should they be formed.
• see # 10
What type of volunteer committees would you (or your household members) be willing to participate on, worked
around your schedule? (Select all that apply.)
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Shadow Lakes Homeowner Survey - OPEN-ENDED RESPONSES
NOTE: These responses were indicated in the “OTHER” or “MISCELLANEOUS” field as open-ended responses.
Miscellaneous Comments
• 13. I do not want a set in stone homeowners dues! I would like to participate on a case by case situation. 17. I moved to the
country for relaxed and casual living. I am not in favor of a home owners association with powers of compliance. In conclusion,
there is, has been, and probably will continue to be far more government than need be in my life.
• All residents of Shadow Lakes should commend those in charge of this endeavor. I personally appreciate your interest and
commitment and wish you luck. Homeowner contribution - Who would do the bookkeeping and would they be bonded? Street
lights - It would be helpful to have one person who would be interested in surveying and reporting street light outages.
• are the ponds privately owned or are they open to all residents for fishing, feeding ducks, etc.
• Great web site! Thanks for taking the time to put this together for us!!
• I am concerned about speeding and roaming dogs in our neighborhood. I am concerned for the safety of these pets that
constantly roam from the homeowner's property. Some of these dogs are friendly but these animals could be hit by a car, or
roam to the main roads and lose their way. I had a vicious-looking, teeth-bearing dog jump me on my own property, I was
scared for my life.
• I think it is a mistake to not make some kind of contribution or fee mandatory even if on a sliding scale. Pass hat at mtgs? $100
may be too high for most folks. $50 should be doable for everyone. A small investment to protect their largest investment!!!
• my answer to question 16 is yes, please contact him. If you and he can agree on his services then, absolutely, he'd like to be
included on our website
• NA
• Nice survey and tremendous effort.
• Put nothing in the money question due to money we would and have already put into our lake. Again a group of people will
decide what money goes were.
• re: question #13 im a single mom and its hard enough w that and w gas prices so high and all else i really dont have the money.
for some 10 is nothing but to me its gas money..however i would give time if needed for things that needed to be done around
the neighborhood. plus i gave for the sign at the front entrance and see where that got some jerks stole it.. i just feel were going
to spend alot of money just for it to go to waste and get messed up.. my main issue right now in this neighborhood is the 3 dogs
on shadow lakes. one being a chiuchiua and 2 yellow mix. they are goin to get hit and they have already damaged a friends car
by jumping on it while she was driving. i have seen them chase people esp elderly and their dogs as well as getting into my trash
can..
• Thank you for all the time and effort you have each put into this campaign. I'm encouraged to see old-fashioned values about
neighbors and community and will pray that the effort to be casual works. My years and expereince have made me somewhat
cynical butI never mind being proven wrong. We need to clean up.
• Thank you for taking the time, effort and money to start this important community activity.
• Thanks DJ (Danny Johnson)!
• This is what I was talking about in my comments about a directory. Sorry, didn't know these questions would be coming up.
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