| The HOA is pleased to announce the opportunity to add street lights for Countrywood to significantly improve safety and home values! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeChe7jaQ-oeB-nHeTFRmkkwupRMCI6dzb1e42sS60KpExcKw/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0 Prior efforts had proven to be financially prohibitive since the power would have been run from above ground in the back of houses to the street. However, since Alabama Power is making the investment to move the power to the street underground, the cost is exponentially less! Prior to discussing the opportunity with the city (who currently pays for Countrywood Highlands), the HOA would like your feedback as talking points. Additionally, if the current policies prohibit the city from covering cost, the HOA will use the information to inform the path forward depending on responses. Alabama Power has stated they could match the style of light poles that the other half of Countrywood has for continuity, but with more energy efficient and brighter lights. Attached is the proposed light fixture and map based on where transformers will be located. Although there are very few of them, the area that doesn’t have as many lights doesn’t have transformers, so cost would be significantly different for those few areas. Please let Carter know if you have any questions. We look forward to a safer Countrywood! Thank you for your participation in the above survey, Countrywood HOA |
Proposed light structure
Proposed lighting of street from similar recent installation
Proposed layout based on Transformers (X marks potential light placement)
Having lived in a neighborhood with bright lights on poles every 3-4 houses, this is not a good idea. Too much light pollution. Maybe every 8 houses but certainly no brighter than Countrywood Highlands.
Yes!!!! So exciting. We have pushed for this for years. I would be willing to pay sn assessment to get this done. But concerned the monthly cost of electricity will be cost prohibitive unless city will pay ours too.
I do not want a streetlight in my front yard. I like the dark streets at night. Please dont ruin our neighborhood charm.
Tab Whisenhunt
Good morning,
How exciting. – great job and tremendous effort!!! I was not able to access a survey, however, based on some of my neighbor comments I do have a suggestion. First of all – I truly appreciate all of your work to get the streetlight project considered by our city and by Alabama Power Company. I know it will be very well received by the vast majority of our neighbors, but not all, of course!
I am not in favor of just increasing the annual dues to help offset the initial costs or the ongoing costs. Some of the naysayers will just refuse to invest in the lighting project via dues and/or assessments while taking advantage of the appeal and the property value addition with the presence of the lights. I am aware that our HOA is not a legal entity and that we cannot enforce dues nor assessments. I would recommend that we see what it takes to become a legal entity in order to be in position to enforce assessments or annual HOA dues via tax liens on residential properties.
This approach might not be financially feasible, so I defer to whatever decision that our HOA officers make to go forward with the improvements via streetlights. You have my complete endorsement. I am also available to help in any way I can as you proceed with this neighborhood improvement.
One other topic for consideration is that we also approach AT&T and other carriers and TV cable companies to get all of our utilities underground. We will still have the poles and some cables in our back yards as long as residents have land line telephones and internet via other carriers (Perez family, for one). Of course, with the streaming platforms available, most anyone needs these days is internet to access television and internet…
Thanks, HOA, The Perez Family truly appreciates your efforts…