HSV POA CPFWC Bi-Annual Report – Nov 2024

At the Wednesday, November 20, 2024, Hot Springs Village Board Meeting, Common Property, Forestry, and Wildlife Committee (CPFWC) Secretary Anne Shears presented the committee’s bi-annual report. Shears discussed the Urban Deer Hunt, numerous reports of hazardous trees, and the committee’s need for new members.

HSV Deer Herd has Reached or is Near the Ideal Size

Shears said, “The Urban Deer Hunt [UDH] Registration occurred in August, and about 200 hunters are signed up. The hunt is ongoing through the end of February. Informal discussions would suggest that the herd is now at, or near, the ideal size, with about 1,000 now inhabiting the village. We believe our habitat can support the herd at its current size. So, our future goal will be maintenance.”

Shears thanked Former CPFWC Memberand Advisor Scott McCord, POA Board Member Mark Quinton, and Superintendents David Harper and Todd Noles for doing a great job managing the UDH the past two years.

Tree-Cutting Permits

“In the immediate aftermath of the tornado, the committee implemented a two-month moratorium on tree-cutting permits. This was done to help focus all resources toward clean-up efforts, leaving the professional tree-cutters and their equipment entirely at the disposal of the POA (rather than working for individual property owners on small projects.)”

Property Owners Express Concern With Hazardous Trees on Common Property

“HAZARDOUS TREE REPORTS from property owners are passed along to staff for rapid response: They have been too numerous for us to count. Hazardous trees were also reported by the committee as “incidental findings” during site visits for other purposes.”

“Based on reports and informal phone calls from property owners, as well as informal conversations, it became apparent that HAZARDOUS TREES are the No. 1 Concern of Property Owners with regard to the management of common property. Their concerns are NOT imaginary, and their anxiety over hazardous trees is very real. We give them the highest priority.”

Committee Membership Decrease

“While the above has been ongoing over the past six months, our committee membership has decreased to the point where we are having difficulty meeting a quorum. Factors contributing to this decline include relocation, health matters, and family crises.”

“Although several previous members from years past have agreed to serve temporarily on the committee, this is only a short-term solution. We need new members. Therefore, I encourage property owners who care about the management of our common properties, to file applications for membership on this committee. The only requirements are that the property owner be in good standing with the POA and be able to handle the physical rigors of site visits (which may involve walking on slopes or uneven ground.)”

Ready to be an Awesome Part of the Common Property Committee Team?

If you are interested in joining the Common Property, Forestry, and Wildlife Committee, applications are available here and can be submitted via email to jwhite@hsvpoa.org or in person at the HSVPOA Administration Building, 895 DeSoto Boulevard, attention Julie White, Assistant to the General Manager.