2012 April
2012 April Vol. 2 No. 4
Focus on...Landscaping & Lawn Care
Eco-Friendly Landscaping
In the face of rising water costs, maintenance costs, and a continued depressed
housing market, many community associations are finding long-term savings
through new landscape strategies that also help our environment. Eco-friendly
landscaping practices are not just the domain of the hardcore nature lover
anymore. They can mean significant returns on your investment.
Read More
Chemical Concerns
Since the 1950s, American lawns have been “hooked” on petroleum-based and synthetic chemicals. A plethora of post-war pesticides,
herbicides, fungicides and fertilizers were eagerly embraced by both homeowners
and landscape professionals dazzled by the dramatic results; an almost
instantaneous, lush, green lawn. There was a downside, however. Grasses become
dependent on an endless feed of chemicals for their sustenance, and the
underlying soil became sterile and inhospitable. Take away the chemicals, and
the lawn quickly withered and went brown, unable to sustain itself.
Read More
Treating Trees
When it comes to weather, Chicago's climate conditions are as changing as an
adolescent's emotions. One day it's 55 and sunny, the next day you are
shoveling snow off your sidewalk. This turbulent weather combined with poor
landscaping and a lack of knowledge about proper maintenance can really take a
toll on your landscape, particularly your trees.
Read More
Feeling Flowerful
Spring is here, which means the sky is blue, the grass is green, and the flowers
will be blooming—that is, if you plant them. From knowing which plants do best in which location
to keeping up with everyday care and maintenance, keeping your condo or co-op
property looking nice can be hard work, but worth every minute and dime spent
in the end. And with some extra knowledge from the inside, not only can
properties uphold a high level of aesthetics, the endeavor can be
cost-effective, even in this day in age.
Read More
Catering to Man's Best Friend
It’s no secret that Chicagoans love their dogs. In 2011, DogFriendly.com ranked Chicago the second most dog-friendly city in the United States (Portland, Oregon, ranked number 1). The criteria was based on the number of lodgings, attractions, outdoor restaurants, stores and beaches that welcome dogs. According to city statistics, it's estimated that Chicago residents own nearly three-quarters of a million dogs.
Read MoreChicago's Albany Park
One of Chicago's greatest assets is its diversity, exemplified in the multitude
of ethnic communities such as Polonia Triangle, Chinatown, Little Italy and
Greektown. Although there may be a predominant cultural group in each
neighborhood, each is populated with a multitude of other nationalities,
resulting in a medley of cultures.
Read More
The Insurance Puzzle
Insurance is a relatively simple concept that any homeowner can understand. You purchase a policy paying a premium to an insurer, and when a claim gets
filed, the insurer pays. So in theory, insuring a condominium or association
property should be virtually the same principle—only on a larger scale, right?
Read More
Q&A: Losing Minutes
Prior to the current management company, the board would review the minutes after each meeting and then distribute them to all the owners. The new management company states that the minutes cannot be distributed until they have been approved at the next meeting which is three months apart. This leaves the building with no information about the meetings until three months after they have occurred. I cannot find anything that legally says that minutes can only be approved at the next meeting before distribution but our management company contends that this is correct. Could you provide any guidance on this? It is leading to a large information gap within the building. Read More
Q&A: Regulating Common Elements
Last year the parents of several teens purchased a portable basketball standard and asked the board permission to put it in a location where their children can use it and the board agreed. Given the layout of our property the only place to put it is near an entrance to a parking garage. Predictably some residents complained of the noise but it was soon winter and the portable hoop was stored away. At the last meeting, the board gave a verbal direction to the management to have the building staff put the standard back in place. Doesn't the board have a responsibility to issue a policy or can they just tell the owners it is okay to use the common element space as they want? Does the management company have a responsibility to advise the board that permission to use the common elements for the benefit of a sub-group of residents should be covered by a policy? Read More
