Dear Residents,
Many of you have returned home following the evacuation for Hurricane Matthew to find extensive damage in our community and unfortunately, to your home as well. We have worked throughout Matthew and his aftermath to provide timely and accurate updates about the situation at the Landings. This is a substantial challenge that we are committed to meeting. To that end, the majority of questions now are focused on trees and debris removal. The information below reflects the current status of those subject areas.
Contractors removing trees on private lots should remove the tree(s) from the property at the prerogative of the property owner. If the tree(s) is left on the property, it will be picked up by the Landings Association (TLA) and our contractors at a future time. Landscape contractors cleaning up private lots may leave the yard debris in the right-of-way for future collection. Remember, the right-of-way is the area approximately 10 feet from the curb or edge of pavement. Due to the sheer volume, please understand that collection of the entire community will require weeks of work.
I am working with Chatham County and Chatham Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) and have already addressed the to-date requirements for County contractor collection of storm debris. I am awaiting word on the next set of requirements for the Landings to be included in debris removal under federal, state and local emergency management funding requirements.
TLA has hired MTS and R&D Tree and Storm Services to supplement our crews in the clean-up. They are easily distinguishable as all trucks have large black dump truck bodies with rear mounted cranes with grapples. Crews started at the gates and major thoroughfares and will follow the same progression as the initial street clearing: primary streets, loop streets, longest dead-end streets, hammer heads and cul-de-sacs. If a crew has skipped your property while on a street, it is likely that the equipment (each has specific capabilities and limitations depending on the situation) wasn’t appropriate to handle your situation. Rest assured that a crew will return.
We currently have reports of 160 trees on TLA common property that are presenting potential hazards to private property. TLA staff members and contractors are in the process of addressing these situations. We understand that there are a great number that have not been reported and our team is actively surveying for these situations. In the event that you have a TLA tree that is overhanging your property and is in immediate danger of damaging your home, please contact amberc@landings.org or use SeeClickFix to report it.
This obviously is a stressful time for everyone, especially those of you with damage to your home. It is important to me, our staff and the Association Board of Directors that our community and your lives be restored to normalcy as quickly as possible.
Staff has already made rapid progress due to the fact that key Security and Public Works staff members remained on the island during the storm. As Hurricane Matthew came through, Security Director Tim Cook along with Sergeant Chad Bundy remained vigilant in The Main Gatehouse and stayed there for the entire night. At first light the next morning, Public Works Director Paul Kurilla cleared his way from his home on Isle of Hope driving our backhoe to begin removing the downed trees blocking the roadways and the entrance to the Main Gate. The planned and strategic placement of these key staff members has made all the difference in how quickly we were able to respond to the damage caused by Hurricane Matthew. I certainly cannot say enough about their dedication and commitment to service.
I would be remiss if I didn’t pause to acknowledge the help and support we have received from residents. From the offers of assistance with cleaning to bringing food by for staff who are working long hours to picking up resources so staff will not be pulled away; a million thanks. Your contribution has not gone unnoticed and is appreciated more than you will ever know.
Sincere thanks to all for your support and cooperation.
Shari Haldeman
General Manager/COO
