Here’s what to expect this Summer in Stagecoach!

Neighborhood Events:

• May 10 – Gypsy Pizza Pies 5-8pm & Pool Opens
• June 5 – Summer HOA Meeting 7pm
• June 14 – Summer Block Party 5pm
• June 14 – Eugene’s Hot Chicken 5-8pm
• June 28 – Dock of Bay Seafood 5-8pm

Spring Yard Sale: Multi-home yard sales will take place this Saturday. Don’t forget the city requires a permit.

C’s Food Truck 9am-1pm: C’s Cake & Coffee House, will have breakfast and brunch items this Saturday at the pool.

Pool Opening – May 10: The Pool is tentatively set to open on May 10^th pending the passing Health Department inspection. The Board worked diligently to get the pool ready and to provide a clean recreational place for your family. We also appreciate Megan Rexford and Ashley Green for helping Jessica clean the pool tile this past weekend. Between them and the residents that pressure washed last month, the pool is sparkling and ready to greet your family.

This year, you’ll notice we’ve added additional seating with 4 Adirondack chairs and 4 loungers to accommodate the uptick in visitors. The entrance gate and portions of the bathrooms were repainted and extra sidewalk lighting was added for safety. The lights turning on serve as a good cue to start packing up and also extends the visibility range for the security cameras at night. Visit the pool’s website to review Pool Rules or to make any pool reservations. A reservation must be made for any special parties. Lastly, you must be in good standing with annual dues paid and upkeep for your gate code to be activated.

Semi-Annual Board Meeting – June 5: This meeting will be held at the pool on Thursday, June 5^th at 7pm to make it easier to attend for increased participation. The Summer meeting always includes an election for the Stagecoach Trace Residential Association Board of Directors. Voting will be open for two positions this year. Each position serves a three-year term, and each year, the terms of one or two members expire, and they can seek reelection or conclude their board service.

This year, Megan Overton (Vice President) will be seeking re-election after being appointed to the position in January 2024, and the existing term she is serving expires. Michelle Mckenzie (Secretary) will also be seeking re-election as her 3-year term is expiring. While both are seeking second terms, we want to open the field of candidates to any homeowner who is interested in running as well. If you would like more information on what is involved in serving on this volunteer board, or would like to be added to the ballot, please reply to this email by May 9. A ballot will be distributed later in May, in preparation of the meeting.

Reap the Harvest: Our awesome residents – Megan Rexford, Ashley Green, Garic Williams and Will Lot – helped clear the weeds and prep the community garden for several veggies and pollinators. Six residents made donations to assist with filling the garden. With the upcoming rain, we should hopefully see bell peppers, banana peppers, squash, zucchini, radishes, tomatoes, and jalapenos sprout up soon.

Splish Splash: In the past month, the sprinkler system at the entrance experienced a hiccup with tree roots growing into water lines and is currently inoperable. We’re working to identify a budget friendly repair and have worked with the gracious homeowners on each side of the entrance to run temporary sprinklers to keep the grass green and flowers vibrant. We’ve tried to keep the sprinklers visibly discreet while keeping the entrance beautiful and welcoming.

Here’s what you can expect this Spring in Stagecoach!

Neighborhood Events

April 12 – Easter Egg Hunt at 10am

April 12 – BG’s Mini Donuts 9am-noon: Food truck with donuts and coffee will be set up in the front of the neighborhood

April 26 – Community Garden Volunteer 9am

April 26 – Hit Different BBQ 5-8pm

May 3 – Neighborhood Spring Yard Sale

May 3 – C’s Cakes and Coffee 9am-1pm

May 10 – Gypsy Pizza Pies 5-8pm

Easter Egg Hunt-April 12: A ton of eggs (1,000+) will be hidden in yards around the Silverstone cul-de-sac near the pool and playground. This event is open to grandkids, nieces/nephews, and kids of the neighborhood. We have 30 kids RSVP, if you have not let us know how many you will bring, please reply to this email. The Egg Hunt will begin at 10am and we encourage everyone to walk, if possible, to limit car traffic in this area for safety. This is also why the food truck will be located in the front of the neighborhood near Meadowview to keep traffic at a minimum while kids run rampant. It will be a hoppy day around the neighborhood!

Sparkling Pool Days Ahead: The pool may not be ready to sparkle but the pool deck and pavilion are! We’re super appreciative and beyond thankful of all the hard work Glen Reid and Justin and Susan Grimes dedicated to pressure washing the pool to get it ready for your family! The Pool is tentatively set to open on May 10th pending passing Health Department inspection.

Community Garden-April 26 at 9am: Roll up your sleeves and come help get the garden ready. There will be a workday on Saturday, April 26 at 9am to prep the beds, pull weeds and plant some veggies. If you would like to donate any supplies or volunteer, reply to this email to let us know how you want to help!

Spring Yard Sale/C’s Food Truck-May 3: Some residents are coordinating multi-home yard sales for Stagecoach on Saturday, May 3rd. If you’re interested, please reply with your address. The HOA will be posting addresses for yard sales publicly in addition to food truck details on Facebook to help generate external traffic to the neighborhood. C’s Cake & Coffee House will be set up from 9am–1pm.

Grass is always greener: As we know, all homes are well past 20 years old, and sod is another upkeep item that needs to be revisited over time. The covenants require all front and side yards to be sodded. Like trees, shrubs and flowers, sod has an end-of-life expectancy as well. Depending on the maintenance and grass type, most sodded yards survive 10-20 years. If you notice your grass not coming back after some April showers, have lost control of it to weeds or see mostly dirt, please start looking at treatment, seeding it or laying sod in the coming weeks. It’s easier to start now than in the peak of summer if you’re establishing new grass. If you’re combating shade in your yard with Bermuda, there’s other options like Emerald Zoysia. This type of Zoysia is a thicker grass that will grow in the shade and under trees. Take a stroll around your yard and see what upkeep is needed.  

Spring in Stagecoach is around the corner! Residents are already getting busy and the flowers will soon be blooming!

Before we jump into this month’s news, the Board wanted to thank residents for getting a jump start on spring cleaning. The neighborhood looks great even before the flower beds get TLC. We see you, and appreciate all the effort everyone puts forth in maintaining their home. 

Neighborhood Events: As we get warmer weather, here’s the upcoming events in Stagecoach. Mark your calendars.

• March 8 – Manna Ministry 6:45-10:30am: Neighborhood volunteer opportunity, as a group to hand out food boxes this Saturday! If you’re interested in volunteering and have not told us, please reply to this email.
• March 15 – C’s Cakes & Coffee 9am-1pm: Will be at the pool with breakfast and brunch items.
• April 12 – Easter Egg Hunt at 10am
• April 12 – BG’s Mini Donuts 9am-noon: This new food truck with donuts and coffee will be set up in the front of the neighborhood to keep car traffic away from the pool area while kids hunt easter eggs.
• April 26 – Hit Different BBQ 5-8pm
• May 10 – Gypsy Pizza Pies 5-8pm

Spring Clean Up: The Board needs volunteers to spare some elbow grease to get the pool and community garden ready.

• In March, we need 2-3 people to volunteer to pressure wash the pool deck area. Reply to this email and we’ll coordinate a time that works best for you.
• In April, we’ll have a clean-up day for volunteers to scrub pool furniture and the bathrooms. On that day, work will happen in the community garden with pulling weeds and preparing soil. The date will be announced later this month.
• Community Garden donations: We’ll begin accepting donations of dirt and seed this month and will accept any veggie plants beginning in April.

Easter Egg Hunt-April 12: A special bunny will visit the neighborhood again this year to hide eggs in the cul-de-sac near the pool and around the playground. This event is open to grandkids, nieces/nephews, and kids of the neighborhood. If you have any eggs from last year that you want to return or candy/toys to donate to fill the eggs, reply to this email.

Neighborhood Events: Gumbo to Geaux was another success with a great turnout. The owner always has such kind words about all the residents that show up and how everyone mingles with other neighbors. You may have also noticed the new neighborhood sign that’s interchangeable and easier to read that the Board purchased to help promote events and news. As it gets warmer, we have more upcoming events in the Spring as Stagecoach creeps out of hibernation. Mark your calendars!

• March 8 – Manna Ministry: We’ve set up a neighborhood volunteer opportunity for residents to go as a group and hand out food boxes at our nearby neighbor. If you’re interested in volunteering Saturday, March 8 from 6:45-10:30am and have not told us, please reply to this email.
• March 15 – C’s Cakes & Coffee Food Truck: Will be at the pool from 9am-1pm with breakfast and brunch items.
• April 12 – Easter Egg Hunt: A special bunny will visit the neighborhood again this year on Saturday, April 12 at 10am at the playground. This event is open to grandkids, nieces/nephews, and kids of the neighborhood. Thanks to Ashley Turner we have quite a large stockpile of eggs this year but if you have any that you want to return from last year or candy/toys to donate to fill the eggs, reply to this email.
• April 12 – BG’s Mini Donuts: This new food truck will be set up in the front of the neighborhood to keep car traffic away from the pool area while kids hunt easter eggs. Donuts and coffee will be sold from 9am-noon.

Tidy Up: As we arrive in February, a friendly reminder to remove your outdoor Christmas décor. While preparing your yard for the upcoming rainy Spring weather, check your yard to ensure you’re not allowing muddy runoff onto the sidewalks. We have walkers coming out for some sunshine and this can create a very slippery and dirty situation.

HOA Dues: Reminder annual dues ($400) are now past due. If you haven’t paid them, please do so in the next few days to avoid late fees. If you need information on any of the payment methods, reply to this email.

Hello 2025! Stagecoach is excited to see you!

Cleaning House: We’re starting the new year off with a little decluttering as you may have noticed. A crew gave the entire neighborhood trail a much-needed trimming by cutting and hauling out overgrown branches earlier this week. They also cleared out a section near Morning Mist’s cul-de-sac that is adjacent to the road. Efforts are continuing this week with Zamora’s tree crew trimming street trees along Sunset Trail and around some streetlights. Please use caution navigating around their trucks as you enter/exit the neighborhood.

HOA Board Meeting – Jan 20: The in-person community board meeting will be held Monday, January 20th at 6 pm at Church of Shelby Crossing (532 George Roy Pkwy). Hope to see you there!

In preparation for the meeting, we’re sharing a video highlighting this past year around Stagecoach. If you’ve ever wondered how your annual dues are spent or the inner workings around the neighborhood, enjoy this video! We’re appreciative of the volunteers that contributed to the neighborhood this past year and the residents that make Stagecoach such a great community!

Neighborhood Business Directory: The Board is in the beginning stages of updating the neighborhood’s directory of residents that own businesses or offer any services that could benefit other neighbors. If this applies to you let us know by replying to this email.

HOA Annual Dues – Jan 31: Reminder about the January 31st deadline for the upcoming 2025 annual dues. This year they are $400 and if you need information on any of the payment methods, reply to this email.

Cold Weather – Be Observant: As we endure some upcoming cold spells with the winter weather, remain vigilant and observant of your neighbors! If you notice any water ponding in unusual areas or running outside a neighbor’s home, say something. If you hear an HVAC unit clamoring on the side of a neighbor’s home, say something or let them know with a quick knock on the door. If you smell natural gas, report it with a quick call to Spire (800-292-4008). A lot of people aren’t out and about around their homes like normal due to colder weather to notice common issues. We’ve had a few concerns around the neighborhood in the past months that were quickly resolved with observant neighbors. Hope you all stay safe and warm!

Stagecoach is bright with holiday cheer even with the cold, dreary winter days that have arrived!

Annual Dues – Jan 31st: We’ve distributed the initial invoices for 2025 annual dues in preparation for the January 31st due date. If you’ve not received an invoice, let us know. As we shared back in June at the Summer community HOA meeting, the Board was looking at the need to increase annual dues by $50 for 2025 to $400. The Board officially elected to increase annual dues to $400 to accommodate the upcoming year’s annual budget and rising expenses. Budget transparency is critical and important to the Board. A video will be shared in January reflecting all the expenses incurred this past year and how the budget was stretched and utilized around the neighborhood in lieu of simply providing a lengthy word document.

HOA Board Meeting – Jan 20th: Mark your calendars! The in-person community board meeting will be held Monday, January 20th at 6 pm at Church of Shelby Crossing (532 George Roy Pkwy). During this meeting, we will recap this past year and review the upcoming year’s budget. Hope to see you there!

Santa’s Helpers: You may have noticed some neighbors helped to spread holiday cheer around the neighborhood by decorating street posts along Sunset Trail and at the entrance. We are appreciative of our neighborhood elves (Jessica Butzen, Heather McDermott, Ashley Turner and Pam Weaver) for braving the cold temps and volunteering to help make Stagecoach sparkle!

Bag or Mulch: As the colder weather sets in and you’re clearing leaves from your yard. Please do not blow the leaves into the storm drains. Leaves are notorious for clogging up the drains and causing flooding around the neighborhood, as most storm drains flow through other neighbors’ yards scattering all your debris.

Board Members – Boundaries: To avoid landing on the naughty list, we’re passing along a friendly reminder to please not show up at Board members’ homes with HOA concerns unannounced. Board members are dedicated to serving the neighborhood and promoting open communication, but we do have to draw a line with unexpected visitors. You can reach the Board anytime by sending a quick email or replying to this newsletter, calling the Board, or via Facebook. If you need the Board’s contact info, the website is posted at the entrance and contains all methods of contact. Most inquiries are answered within 24-48 hours. If you see Board members out walking or in the community, feel free to say hello or ask any questions, but let’s be respectful of their privacy when it comes to going to their homes on a whim.

Holiday Street Parking: The Board understands there’s normally an increase in events being hosted during the holiday season. We also need to keep the neighborhood safe, and intersections cleared with it getting dark earlier or people navigating home in the evening. If you have guests visit, please feel free to have them park at the pool for overflow.

Fall has officially arrived in Stagecoach.. and so have all the leaves!

Most Spirited House: The winner for this year’s Halloween Décor Contest was a two peat! The Gregg Family at 125 Morning Mist Trail went all out again with their blacklight illumination display and sound machines. Congratulations!

2025 Annual Dues – Digital Invoices: Residents will begin receiving digital invoices by early December in preparation for the January 31st due date. The initial invoice will be sent digitally to the household email addresses on file. As we shared back in June at the Summer community HOA meeting, the Board was looking at the need to increase annual dues by $50 for 2025 to $400. The Board has officially elected to increase annual dues to $400 to accommodate the upcoming year’s annual budget and rising expenses.

This increase comes after a significant uptick in expenses, over $5,000 the past two years surpassing cost-saving measures. The neighborhood and common areas are now over 20 years old, requiring a lot of updates and maintenance. We’re simply unable to offset the rising costs without this action. This past year’s cost saving measures included upgrades to the sprinkler system at the entrance and electrical at the pool. These two upgrades reduced this year’s expenses approximately $700 and the electrical is expected to produce more savings next year.

The approved budget for this upcoming FY25 will be shared at the community meeting in January. The budget includes street tree trimming along Sunset Trail from the entrance down to the stop sign near the pool, in addition to trimming around some streetlights on other streets for safety. The entire community trail will be trimmed back as this has not occurred in many years. We’ll also continue purchasing new pool furniture, an ongoing 3-year process of replacing the furniture in phases. Budget transparency is critical and important to the Board. We’re working to create a video of all the expenses incurred this past year that you may not have observed and how the budget was stretched and utilized around the neighborhood in lieu of simply providing a lengthy word document.

Slow Down: With the time change and sun setting earlier, please be mindful and take your time while navigating through the neighborhood. Kids and adults are out playing and walking when it’s dark. Please slow down!

Solicitors: Last month, there was a solicitor in the neighborhood that prompted questions that we would like to address. As a resident, you can ask them for their permit, issued by the city, that they are supposed to carry. If they do not have it, APD could ask them to leave, the HOA cannot. You can also snap a picture and report them for not carrying via Report a Concern on the city’s website. The HOA has a sign at the entrance that says no solicitation, but the city permit supersedes it. You can have a small ‘No Soliciting’ sign near your front door/doorbell and they cannot make contact. We understand that these solicitors are an annoyance or can pose a security concern as most are on foot without identifying cars or logos. Unfortunately, the HOA has to comply with the city’s policies.

Fall has officially arrived in Stagecoach!

Upcoming Events

Oct 10: Meadowview Elementary Fall Festival @ 5:30pm – Open to the public with food trucks offering dinner options and activities.

Oct 19: Gumbo To Geaux Food Truck @ 5-8pm – They’re returning to serve dinner again and offers everything from gumbo, shrimp & grits, burgers to bread pudding.

Let’s Get Spooky: As Halloween approaches and everyone prepares for trick or treaters, the HOA will hold another Outdoor Decor Contest to find the most spirited house in the neighborhood. Judging will occur on October 30th after sunset.

New Sign: The Board appreciates Councilman Zahariadis assisting the neighborhood in getting a “No Engine Brake” sign installed as you approach the neighborhood from Calera on Smokey Road. The sign was requested after some residents shared concerns of the loud unnecessary brakes being released at night and rattling homes.

Bingo & Movie Night: It was another fun-filled community night and perfect way to close out the pool season with residents coming together one last time. Once again, the community turned out and Eugene’s Food Truck sold out. The Board appreciates everyone who donated a gift card for Bingo and were able to play 9 rounds before sunset. Residents donated over 30 pounds of food for Chubbfathers community food pantry. Special thanks to Zach & Heather Harris for providing a karaoke machine to aid our comical MC/DJ for the evening, Michael Turner, who did a great job! Also to Jason & Michelle McKenzie and Zach Harris for helping with clean up, and Heather McDermott for providing the movie equipment. We appreciate everyone who contributes to these social events and makes Stagecoach such a special place to call home!

Neighborhood Yard Sale: Last week’s multi-home yard sale had 8 homes to participate despite a little rain! The Board appreciates residents for sharing the idea and helping to coordinate, their efforts allowed residents to clean out closets and garages.

Sunset Park Pavilion: You may have noticed the new pavilion is complete and even offered some cover from the rain for the last food truck visit. We’ll work to move a picnic table from the pool to the pavilion in the coming days to offer some seating, in addition to the painted caterpillar community rock display. To address some inquiries, the Board is holding on any furniture purchases to observe how the space is utilized and will also not be adding new landscaping at this time. After we see how the area serves residents, we’ll work to address these issues with purpose and craft a path to the playground to prevent kids from navigating pine straw.

Fence Upkeep: As cooler weather is on the horizon, a friendly reminder to pressure wash fences and get a new coat of stain on before Winter arrives. This not only keeps the neighborhood looking great but also ensures your fence will last longer.

As we look forward to cooler days and transitioning to Fall, the neighborhood has event and community information to share!

Upcoming Events – Mark your calendars!

Sept 21: Bingo & Movie Night / Food Trucks start @ 5pm

Sept 28: Neighborhood Yard Sale / C’s Cakes & Coffee Food Truck

Sept 29: HOA Pool Closes

Oct 10: Meadowview Elementary Fall Festival @ 5:30pm

Oct 19: Gumbo To Geaux Food Truck @ 5-9pm

Bingo & Movie Night – Sept 21: Join us for community Bingo & Movie Night as we say adios to the pool season with one last shindig. Bring your friends and family out for some food and fun!

• Eugene’s Hot Chicken Food Truck 5-8pm: Various flavors of wings, chicken tenders, sandwiches and loaded fries 
• IceIce Crazii Snack Truck 5-9pm: Frozen/flavored lemonade & shaved ice 
• Bingo @ Pool Pavilion 5:30pm
• Movie Night with The Sandlot 7pm: Starts after sunset in the field behind the pool. Bring your chairs, blankets, bug spray, etc.
• Food Drive for Chubbfathers: The HOA will be collecting nonperishable food items at the Pool Pavilion that we’ll donate on behalf of the neighborhood. This pantry is located outside of Chubbfathers and is open to anyone in need.

For Bingo, we’re hoping to provide prizes to up the ante. If you have any treats, prizes, unused gift cards, etc. you would like to donate, please let us know!

Neighborhood Yard Sale/Food Truck – Sept 28: Some residents are coordinating multi-home yard sales for Stagecoach on Saturday, September 28. If you’re interested and will have a yard sale at your home, please reply with your address. The HOA will be posting addresses for yard sales publicly in addition to food truck details on Facebook to help generate more external traffic to the neighborhood. C’s Cake & Coffee House will be set up from 8am – 1pm.

Pool Closing – Sept 29: All good things must come to an end. This pool season has been successful and probably one of the busiest in recent years with many residents taking advantage of the pool. Sunday, September 29 will be the last day the pool is open before we prepare it for the off-season.

Food Trucks: We saw a lot of you out grabbing dinner from Gumbo to Geaux last month, which had a great turnout and received tons of positive feedback! They asked to come back, and we took advantage and booked them for October 19. Gumbo to Geaux will conclude our food truck events this year. The various trucks visiting our community this Summer were a welcome addition to the neighborhood, and a great opportunity for residents to engage with one another. We look forward to bringing more next year.

Sunset Park Pavilion: The Board is working to have a new pavilion constructed to replace the gazebo that was damaged in the Memorial Day storms. The decision was made to pursue a pavilion instead of a gazebo to reduce long term maintenance while accommodating the neighborhood with better functionality. The pavilion will be larger than the prior gazebo and allows more open space for families to gather while watching kids/seeking shade at the playground and utilized as a central location for community events (Easter Egg Hunt/Food Trucks), and any socials outside of pool season.

Community Garden: As the summer growing season slows, so will the produce from the community garden. We’ve recently seen a lot of tomatoes, jalapenos, various peppers, and eggplant that was shared with residents, in addition to the squash, zucchini and cucumbers in prior months. This garden was a great experiment with neighbors assisting with watering the plants or picking the harvest. There will not be a fall garden due to slower foot traffic in the area plus an expected uptick of deer in the coming weeks who’ll munch it away. We hope to see the garden resurrected next Spring. The Board appreciates all the community donations and the Lott family for taking the initiative to create this opportunity for our neighborhood.

Story Time @ Meadowview: As the cooler temps bring more walkers out, we wanted to share the Story Walks addition at Meadowview’s track, in partnership with Alabaster’s Library. There are stories posted along the track that kids can enjoy while you get your steps in, and a new story will rotate each month.

New Water Meters: Calera Water recently replaced the meters throughout the neighborhood with smart leak detection meters. In the past few weeks, two homes have developed leaks on the city side that filled the meter box up with water. If you notice a leak, contact Calera Water. In the coming weeks, a new feature will be available that allows daily consumption reporting.

August Food Trucks: We asked for food truck recommendations in the HOA Facebook group and have booked some different trucks to visit the neighborhood from feedback.

• August 17: Gumbo to Geaux will serve dinner on Saturday (8/17) from 5-8pm. They’ll have everything from gumbo, shrimp & grits, burgers to bread pudding. This truck normally does not visit neighborhoods so let’s have a great turnout to keep new trucks coming to Stagecoach!
• August 31: C’s Cake & Coffee House will serve breakfast and brunch items, smoothies and desserts on Saturday (8/31) from 9am-2pm.

Farewell Summer Community Party – September 21: Come join us for community Bingo & Movie Night to say adios to the pool season with one last shindig. Bring your friends and family out for some food and fun! Here’s the tentative schedule of events. Mark your calendars!

• Eugene’s Hot Chicken Food Truck 5-8pm: Various flavors of wings, chicken tenders, sandwiches and loaded fries
• IceIce Crazii Snack Truck 5-9pm: Frozen/flavored lemonade & shaved ice
• Bingo @ Pool Pavilion 5:30pm
• Movie Night – The Sandlot 7pm: Starts after sunset in the field behind the pool

We’re hoping to provide prizes to up the ante for Bingo. If you have any treats, prizes, unused gift cards, etc. you would like to donate, please let us know!

Back to School: In a few days, school bells will be ringing, and school traffic and buses returning to the neighborhood. With increased activity on the sidewalks and roads, allow yourself extra time to navigate the neighborhood and watch for kids. SLOW DOWN. In your car, there’s a very important foot pedal to the left, please use it.

Flower Beds: Many flower beds around the neighborhood have drowned, suffered heat exhaustion or grown out of control. Updating flowerbeds is not simply a Spring activity, they also require some TLC in the dog days of Summer. Take a stroll through your beds to pull any weeds that have thrived with recent rain or trim back shriveled flowers that haven’t survived the heat or massive rainstorms.

Army Worms: We saw them around the neighborhood last month and now they’re popping back up for a two-peat after the recent rainy weather. These unwanted visitors can invade and completely devour your yard. Keep an eye out for these pests. If you see them, let your neighbors know as they can spread within a day and treat your yard promptly. 

Crappy Situation: In addition to army worms, some yards have seen crappy gifts left behind from dogs. We’ve received concerns on multiple streets about dogs who have freely strolled into a neighbor’s yard and left unwanted gifts. Keep your dogs from roaming as it’s against the covenants and city leash law. If your dog has an accident, be kind and clean it up. It’s not fair or acceptable for other residents to have to clean up the remnants.

Political Signs: As we approach another election cycle, a reminder about signs. The covenants state (Article IV, 4.7 Signs) that written authorization from the Board is required for signs. To keep it resident-friendly, we’re sharing guidance for acceptable signs. Political signs must be for a candidate only, and 1 sign per candidate. No party or slogans allowed. Signs must be posted in the yard only, not on the exterior or interior (windows) of your home. The sign can be posted 30 days before an election and must be removed within 10 days after the election. The sign cannot exceed 24 inches in height or width.

Food Truck – July 13: Due to the large turnout in May, C’s Cake & Coffee House has asked to come back! They’ll be in the pool parking lot this Saturday from 9am – 2pm. They’ll be serving breakfast and brunch items, smoothies and desserts. 

Hot Summer – Pool Updates: Fireworks weren’t the only thing popping and booming over the holiday, so was the pool! We’ve seen an uptick in visitors with more residents attending this Summer compared to prior years. We’re thrilled so many families can enjoy the pool, but have encountered some new challenges with chair availability, unknown pool guests, and pool chemicals.

• Higher Capacity can impact the pool’s chemistry, combined with the recent extreme heat, requires the chlorine to work harder. We’ve received inquiries about skin/eye irritation, and we’re actively working with the pool company to address and prevent it. You can help us with two simple steps, by rinsing off and wearing clean swimsuits. Rinsing off via the shower before entering the pool can aid by removing excess lotions/chemicals. Wearing clean swimsuits prevents the introduction of unnecessary bacteria that can alter the pool chemistry balance, specifically if you’ve visited a lake/river/creek. If you’re prone to sensitive skin, please take advantage of the shower on your way out to rinse off.
• Chair consideration, let’s be friendly neighbors and spare chairs during peak hours. If you see a family without one,  a large party (max 8 guests), or a kid who has one reserved with a towel and is actively playing, let’s share. Feel free to bring your own chair or umbrella if visiting during peak hours, they are welcomed. We’ve worked to add additional seating and will continue to do so in the future. 

Lastly, you may be asked for your address if you’re visiting. We’ve seen some guests attending without a resident present, which is against the pool rules. This is a community pool and investment that we’re trying to protect but also keep a safe place by knowing who is visiting our neighborhood. 

Block Party & Movie Night Feedback: The event last month was a success and had great turnout! We hope to have this event each year to kick off Summer and to let neighbors mingle. We’re anticipating a similar event in September once the weather is a little cooler with Bingo at the pool and movie night following. Stay tuned for updates! The Board is super thankful for the Roberson family for allowing the food trucks to park in their driveway, allowing for extra parking and to ensure safety. Heather McDermott for letting us borrow the movie set up and Bette Hefty for assisting all the kids with the rock painting project. There were so many helpful residents that really allowed this event to be a success and fun evening for the neighborhood.

Rock Painting: The rock painting project led to the creation of a very hungry caterpillar that now consists of 30+ rocks! The caterpillar is currently located at the pool gate for now and we’ll be asking for name suggestions within the HOA Facebook group. Due to the growing size and enjoyment all year, we’ll relocate it to the playground/gazebo area once that area is finalized. This is a community display, if any Stagecoach kids (kids/grandkids) were unable to attend and would like to paint a rock, reply to this email and we will get you the supplies.

Creepy Crawlers aka Army Worms: We’re approaching that time of year, where some unwanted visitors can begin to invade and completely devour yards. Please keep an eye out for these pests. If you see them, let your neighbors know as they can spread within a day and treat your yard promptly!

Block Party & Movie Night: The event starts at 5pm in the playground/pool area. We’ve had a change with the food truck that was providing a dinner option. Dixieland Funnel Cakes & Grill will be providing chicken fingers and fries. We really appreciate them stepping in to serve dinner after the hot dog truck encountered mechanical issues. IceIce Crazii (frozen/flavored lemonade & shaved ice) will still be attending from 5-9pm to ensure frozen snacks throughout the event. The movie (Trolls Band Together) will run from 8-9:30pm in the field. Stop by and visit the food trucks if you are unable to stay for the event.

You’ll be able to set up tents, tables, chairs, outdoor games, etc. around the playground or in the field near the pool. You may bring a grill, but they must stay in the grassy areas. For the movie, feel free to bring your coziest bean bags, lawn chairs, blanket, bug spray, flashlights, etc. We hope everyone enjoys this family friendly event as you get to mingle with your neighbors.

HOA Board Meeting Recap: The community meeting was held at the pool tonight and we saw some new attendees with the location change. The Board addressed what’s occurred this year so far with maintenance/repairs, improvements, community engagement and events, and what to expect for the remainder of the year. We shared the new resolution that was recently approved modifying the minimum number of Directors required for the Board from five to three to align the needs of the Board in a digital age and streamlined operations. This year’s election outcome was shared, with Jessica Butzen receiving unanimous votes as she will continue to serve on the Board as President for a 3-year term. She has worked diligently the past year with the neighborhood and Board to provide the best neighborhood for your family while upholding property values and community appeal.

During the meeting, the current expenditures for this fiscal year were shared. Like most, we’ve seen a significant cost increase in expenses in the past two years, surpassing the cost saving measures incurred last year, specifically with property taxes and landscape services. While the Board is unable to control property taxes, we did recently receive bids for landscape services to ensure and confirm the budget is being utilized efficiently. The common areas and neighborhood are now over 20 years old, a lot of updates and required maintenance is needed. Despite analyzing each expense and searching for alternatives, we announced the need to increase next year’s annual dues by $50, for an annual total of $400. We’re simply unable to offset the rising costs without this action, as this year alone we’re seeing over $3,500 increase in fixed expenses.  

Sunset Park Gazebo: As most of you may be aware during the early morning storm on Memorial Day, the straight-line winds brought down two trees onto the Sunset Park gazebo, near the pool. While we hate to see the large trees come down, we had to make the decision to remove the remaining trees in that area. Once the land settles, a landscape plan will be created in addition to determining how to best repurpose that area. After resident feedback last Fall, overwhelming feedback did not believe that gazebo provided value to the neighborhood. Over the next few months, we’ll look for other alternatives that allow the area to serve neighborhood families as a centralized hub while also addressing the curb appeal of the area.

Pool Plumbing: If you visited the pool over the holiday weekend, you may have noticed the women’s restroom was closed. Repairs have been made and some other items will be addressed over the coming weeks. We’re attempting to make the repairs in phases to prevent disruption and pool closure, by keeping at least one restroom operational. The Board is also immensely grateful to Zach Harris for his assistance in addressing these issues and assisting the HOA in saving money with these repairs.

Community Garden: The Lott family has begun the laborious work of creating garden beds in the field near the pool. We appreciate them investing their physical labor, time and finances to this endeavor that will serve our community. After residents requested a community garden, the Board is happy to facilitate this opportunity to serve as an educational opportunity for kids and for different generations to have a communal project for community service or to reap the harvest. This initial season will serve as a learning experience and if you would like to support or participate, you can reach out to the Lotts via the HOA Facebook group or reply to this email.

Exterior Modification: In the coming days, a handout will be distributed to mailboxes providing a reminder about exterior modifications or upgrades. As many of the homes in the neighborhood age and require updates, we wanted to share a quick info sheet of what changes require approval and what does not. We’ve received many questions in the past months and hope this will assist. You can also find the architectural review process for any new exterior modifications or changes on the HOA’s website. Of course, we are happy to help or answer any questions.

Pool Opening – May 11: Board members have worked diligently to get the pool ready and to provide a clean and safe recreation place for your family. The pool will open upon its annual inspection by the Health Department. This year, you’ll notice the bathroom floors have been repainted and new sidewalk lighting added for safety. The pool closes at sunset and when the new lights kick on, they’ll serve as a good cue to start packing up. The lighting also extends the visibility range for the security cameras at night. Visit the pool’s website to review Pool Rules or to make any pool reservations. A reservation must be made for any special parties, and we’ve already received a few so get your date reserved today. Lastly, you must be in good standing with annual dues paid and upkeep for your gate code to be activated.  

Food Truck – May 11: To celebrate the pool opening and also Mother’s Day, C’s Cake & Coffee House will be at the pool, Saturday, May 11 from 9am – 2pm. They will be serving breakfast and brunch items. To attract more food trucks in the future, we need a great turnout to make it worth their while.

Summer Block Party & Movie Night – June 1: We’ll kick the summer off with a neighborhood block party at the playground/pool area on Saturday, June 1 at 6pm. The event will start at 6pm and a movie night will be held behind the pool around 7:30pm, pending sunset. You’ll be able to set up tents, tables, chairs, etc. around the playground or in the field near the pool. This will be a completely casual event for all residents and ages! We’ll share more details as we get closer.

Semi-Annual Board Meeting – June 6: This meeting will be held at the pool on Thursday, June 6^th at 6pm. The location was changed to make it easier to attend for increased participation. As we mentioned last month, an election will be held for the Stagecoach Trace Residential Association Board of Directors. This year, Jessica Butzen will be seeking re-election after being appointed to the President position last Fall, and the existing 3-year term she is serving expires. The ballot is now open and you can vote until June 5^th at 6pm.

Member at Large: The Board previously mentioned this position would also be included on the ballot. After some consideration, Lee Eshenbaugh has stepped down from the Board, and we really appreciate her service and dedication in serving the neighborhood. At this time, the Board will not be seeking to fill the Member at Large position as the Board works to adjust the minimum number of Board of Directors required from five to three, to align the Board with the needs of the community. With most operations now being digital, there’s reduced responsibilities for Board members. This adjustment will not impact any of the existing terms or current positions.

Gratitude: We appreciate Zach Harris for assisting the Board with a water leak at the pool’s meter. His acts of service allowed the HOA to save labor costs with plumbing repairs. Board members, Jessica and Michelle, also stepped forward to complete cleaning and adding a new coat of paint to the remaining street posts this past month.

Facebook: With all of the summer events, we’ll be pushing out updates via the HOA’s Facebook Page and also the private-resident only HOA Facebook group. These are two separate items so please follow both. The resident group allows residents to interact, and the Board to share information not meant for the general public, but also allows you to see information quicker as the public page has to combat algorithms. 

Pet Directory: To help residents identify lost pets, a picture directory of furry friends from around the neighborhood was created within the HOA Facebook group this past month. If you’re not on Facebook, feel free to reply with a picture of your pet and address and we’ll post it for you.

Hoppy Day: The Easter Egg hunt was a success! There were over 20 kids that attended, and we had a huge response from residents! Over 700 eggs were donated for the event! The Board appreciates all the help that was received, and definitely from some special bunnies (Robert & Darlene McManus; Polly Brock; Bette Hefty; Dusty Crosswell & Heather McDermott) in hiding all the eggs. With this turnout and response from the neighborhood, we’ll host this event again next year!

Pool Opening: As the weather gets warmer, the question everyone wants to know is when will the pool open? If everything goes well with the annual Health Department inspection, the pool will open Saturday, May 11^th.  Remember you have to be in good standing with annual dues paid for your gate code to be activated.  

Food Truck: Another popular question the Board receives, is can we get a food truck in the neighborhood? Your wishes have been answered! To celebrate the pool opening and also Mother’s Day, C’s Cake & Coffee House out of Montevallo will have a food truck at the pool, Saturday, May 11^th  from 9am – 2pm. They will be serving breakfast and brunch items. We’ll share more information and the menu next month and on the HOA’s Facebook. To attract more food trucks in the future, we need a great turnout to make it worth their while.

Elections & Semi-Annual Board Meeting: We’ll be holding this year’s meeting at the pool on Thursday, June 6^th at 6pm. We’re changing the location this summer to make it easier for attendance and increased participation. Voting will be open for two positions on the Stagecoach Trace Residential Association Board of Directors. Each position serves a three-year term, and each year, the terms of one or two members expire, and they can seek reelection or conclude their board service.

This year, Jessica Butzen will be seeking election after being appointed to the President position last Fall, when Dennis Bogart resigned with his term expiring in June 2024. Jessica previously served as Treasurer prior to the appointment. Lee Eshenbaugh will be seeking election after being appointed to the Member at Large position, when Amber Pennington was reassigned to Treasurer, after Jessica’s appointment. While both are seeking second terms, we want to open the field of candidates to any homeowner who is interested in running as well. If you would like more information on what is involved in serving on this volunteer board, or would like to be added to the ballot, please reply to this email by April 26. The ballot will also have a write-in option.

Spring Showers: As you’re working in your yard this spring, please refrain from blowing debris into the storm drains. With upcoming spring showers on the horizon, we need the drains to remain clear. The debris flows through others’ properties and along the trail, as our neighborhood does not have retention ponds. Bagging your debris makes a difference in keeping the neighborhood clean.

Easter Egg Hunt (3/23): A bunny will be hopping through Stagecoach on Saturday, March 23 at 10am. Mark your calendars! This event is open to grandkids, nieces/nephews, and kids of the neighborhood. Meet at the gazebo near the playground/pool. Eggs will be hidden around the playground and throughout the cul-de-sac near the pool. This bunny will be covering a large area and is friendly for kids of all ages! Reply to let us know if you want to donate plastic eggs, prefilled eggs or candy for this event. If attending, reply to let us know how many kids you will bring. We’re trying to get a headcount to ensure plenty of eggs for everyone! 

Ladies Walking Group (3/20): After some interest was expressed, the Board would like to facilitate a few walking dates in hopes neighbors will take over and organically plan future walks. The 1st walk will be Wednesday, March 20 at noon. Join us for a daytime stroll around the neighborhood! With longer days on the horizon, we’ll have one soon in the evening as that received a lot of interest too! 

Facebook Group: If you haven’t joined the HOA Facebook group, join today! Don’t miss any neighborhood or event updates.

Playground Trees: As you’ve navigated the neighborhood recently, you may have noticed a few trees missing from the playground area. One recently fell during a storm, and the Board proceeded with removing two other trees due to large branches. Please use caution in the pine straw area as the ground still needs to settle from stump removals. This area will be left uncovered the next few months so if uneven settling occurs it can be addressed, as needed.  

Gratitude: The Board is super appreciative of some residents stepping forward this month to help with some projects around the neighborhood. A huge THANK YOU goes out to Garic Williams for staining the roof of the playground set and residents (Leigh Ann Foote, Zach Harris, Pat O’Brien, and Michelle and Jason McKenzie) who stepped forward and volunteered to clean street posts. As of today, we’ve been able to add a new coat of paint on posts at 5 intersections. There are some street posts remaining at the entrance, on Morning Mist and Blue Sky that need a good scrub in preparation of paint. If you’ll help clean these remaining posts, please reply and let us know!

Budget Friendly: These volunteers are not only serving the neighborhood but also aiding in keeping HOA annual dues from increasing. As the neighborhood ages, the need for maintenance increases. We’re really trying to utilize the volunteer route whether it’s with trail clean up or cleaning posts. An hour of your time really goes a long way!

Covenant Amendments: The Board shared an email last week announcing the approval of the changes, and the approved document was added to the HOA website.

Spring Cleaning: Reminder with warmer weather arriving, please take the time to address any pressure washing or repainting shutters if you received a letter back in the Fall. We know everyone is excited to battle the pollen as yards are resurrected with new blooms.

Greetings, neighbors!

Volunteers: As everyone begins dabbling with spring cleaning, the HOA is looking to spruce up as well. The Board needs 9 residents to volunteer to clean a pair of street posts (street name/stop sign) at an intersection around the neighborhood. After the posts get a good scrub, the Board will be refreshing the black paint. Please reply if you’ll help us by cleaning the posts within an intersection.  

Modifying Covenants: The Board has received an initial draft back from the lawyer and is submitting revisions and feedback on the two amendments previously shared. We expect to receive and vote to approve the final version within the coming weeks. After the Board votes, we’ll email and put a copy in your mailbox, and then hold the vote the following week. Stay tuned for updates.

Political Signs: It’s an election year if you weren’t aware. The covenants state (Article IV, 4.7 Signs) that written authorization from the Board is required for signs. To keep it resident-friendly, we’re sharing guidance for acceptable signs. Political signs must be for a candidate only, and 1 sign per candidate. No party or slogans allowed. Signs must be posted in the yard only, not on the exterior or interior (windows) of your home. The sign can be posted 30 days before an election and must be removed within 10 days after the election. The sign cannot exceed 24 inches in height or width.

Tidy Up: As we arrive in February, we want to send a reminder to remove your outdoor Christmas décor, while also getting prepared for the upcoming rainy Spring weather. Please check your yard to ensure you’re not allowing muddy runoff onto the sidewalks. We have walkers coming out of hibernation and this creates a very slippery and dirty situation. With the nicer weather, please clear the leaves that have accumulated from the sidewalks and curbs.

Entrance Flag: We appreciate Bobbie Miller and Dennis Bogart for helping us quickly replace the flag at the entrance after it became tattered with the recent high winds.  

Take a Seat: With the warmer weather on the horizon, the Board purchased two benches for the playground area that will be setup in the coming days. This allows parents/grandparents a place to sit while they watch kids play instead of opting for the ground or squeezing into the small picnic table. If you’re walking feel free to take a rest while the squirrels scurry nearby.

HOA Dues: Reminder annual dues ($350) are now past due. If you haven’t paid them, please do so in the next few days to avoid late fees.

HOA Annual Meeting – The annual meeting was held Monday, January 15th at 6 pm at Church of Shelby Crossing (532 George Roy Pkwy). There was a great turnout at the annual HOA meeting, and the Board really appreciates residents attending and sharing feedback. We also appreciate Councilman Zach Zahariadis for providing city updates with Hwy 119’s progress and the future redlight at Veterans Park, in addition to answering residents’ questions.

Vice President: The Board announced Megan Overton as the newly appointed resident to serve in this position and appreciates her volunteering to contribute to the neighborhood.

Annual Budget: The budget documents were shared that recapped this past year’s (FY23) expenditures, and the Board being resourceful in maximizing funds to maintain the neighborhood while also replenishing the HOA’s Savings account, without an increase in annual dues. The budget for 2024 was also shared with an outline of how the Board intends to allocate for the next two years.

This outline stems from the survey residents completed back in October, and the Board’s focus on completing maintenance before pursuing any new project. To achieve everything and keep annual dues from increasing, we need each household to volunteer with clean up days and projects so the neighborhood can continue to strive for improvements without raising annual dues.

Modifying Covenants: The annual meeting served as an info session as well to discuss the proposed changes (attached), that were previously shared within the HOA’s Facebook group and via email prior to the meeting. The Board has received all positive feedback thus far and will be moving forward with getting the HOA’s lawyer to draft the (2) amendments. The 1st covenant will be a completely new addition to restrict rental properties. The 2nd covenant adds some language to an existing covenant at the advice of the HOA’s lawyer, in the event of a situation such as natural disaster, foreclosure, etc., and after multiple communication attempts with the property owner.

HOA Dues: Reminder annual dues ($350) are due before January 31st.

Fall Clean Up: Don’t forget the upcoming neighborhood volunteer clean-up day on Saturday, Nov 11. We’ll meet at the playground at 8AM and wrap up by noon. The clean-up day will focus on a portion of the trail and street trees. A few hours of your time can go a long way in serving the neighborhood! 

Adios Halloween: We had a great time getting into the spirit this past month. The Board appreciates Brooke Williams and Tatum Abel for coordinating the pumpkin carving event. Despite the wet weather and relocating to the pavilion it was a great time! If you missed the announcement on Facebook, our judges selected the blacklight illumination display at 125 Morning Mist Trail as the winner of the Halloween Décor Contest! Congratulations!

Facebook – New Group: If you’re on Facebook, you may have seen the HOA launch a private Residents-Only group. This group allows neighbors to engage with each other while sharing neighborhood specific information such as lost/found pets, events, needs, etc. Please join if you haven’t already!

HOA Dues: The Board has elected to keep annual dues for 2024 as-is at $350 with inflation still lingering. The HOA saw an increase with each utility service and general maintenance for the neighborhood this past year, as you’ve experienced as well. The Board remains committed to combating these expenses while being financially resourceful and keeping the neighborhood desirable. 

This past year, the board transitioned to a new website and internet service at the pool for some cost savings. As the neighborhood ages, board members and residents updated pool furniture this spring and put a new coat of stain on the playground this month. These efforts avoided the expense of contracting out services but also to prolong the need for replacement. Of course, the upcoming clean-up day with residents volunteering will help decrease the need to seek out a company.

HOA Dues – New Payment Methods: Invoices will appear in your mailbox before December and are due by January 31st. This year the Board will be accepting Venmo and Zelle payments. Residents can still pay by check or with a credit card online but with increasing credit card fees, the Board wanted to provide additional flexible options.

Neighborhood Upkeep: You may have noticed in prior newsletters the Board generating awareness for broad issues such as mailbox upkeep, pressure washing, faded shutters, trail fences, etc., before violation letters are issued. Another attempt we’ve made recently is sending informational letters to encourage specific upkeep before winter or spring depending on the topic. We’ve already seen some residents act and spruce up or clean up their properties, and we are appreciative of the quick response!

Greetings Neighbors!

We Asked, You Spoke: We really appreciate everyone who completed the resident feedback survey. We received great input that represents a collective picture of the neighborhood. The Board will continue reviewing the feedback as we begin to discuss the upcoming year, and short-term vs long-term goals. Overall, there was a very strong desire to see more community engagement and we’ll look for ways to create those opportunities. Here’s a quick summary of the results.

• Most utilized neighborhood features: Pool and Sidewalks
• Amenity that provides the Most Value to the neighborhood: Pool (50%)
• Amenity that provides the Least Value to the neighborhood: Both Gazebos (over 85%) – Sunset Park Gazebo alone (74%)
• Community Events hosted in the neighborhood: 75% in favor – most requested was food truck
• Volunteer Clean Up Days Participation: 58% in favor with 27% as “maybes” or would indirectly contribute supplies
• Amending Covenants to prohibit corporations from purchasing homes for rental properties: 87% in favor

Stagecoach is getting Booo-tiful: You may have noticed some neighbors and the front entrance have gotten into the Halloween spirit recently! If you haven’t, we have two neighborhood events to help you find your spooky bone. 

• Outdoor Décor Contest – The HOA will hold a contest to find the most spirited house. Participating houses will be judged on Oct 30.
• Pumpkin Carving – Some neighbors will be hosting a little community pumpkin carving fun at the playground on Sunday, Oct 15 at 3pm. Bring your carving tools and pumpkins and let’s all kick off cooler weather together. Some seating will be available, but feel free to bring your lawn chairs for extra comfort!

Unwelcome Visitor Update: As we previously communicated there was a man checking for unlocked cars last week. We posted videos on the HOA’s Facebook page in hopes of identifying him. As of today, thankfully no residents have reported anything missing or damaged.

School Parking: We understand it’s convenient to park in the front cul-de-sac to walk your kiddos over to Meadow View and that nonresidents do this too. Recently, the intersection has become blocked so let’s do our part by parking in the cul-de-sac and taking a few extra steps. If you see a nonresident, please advise them to be mindful too. A blocked intersection creates a burden on those trying to leave the neighborhood but also a safety concern for drivers and the littles too.

Pressure Wash Reminder: We’re requesting that everyone take a look at their siding in case some Fall cleaning is needed. The Board is trying to create awareness before reminders are sent to homeowners. Simple cleaning tasks are what keep the neighborhood looking great.

Kudzu: While Stagecoach is getting creepy this month so is the kudzu. If you notice it, please remove it and treat it ASAP as it will continue to spread.

Other Dates to Remember:

Oct 5 – Meadow View Elementary’s Fall Festival: Interested in food trucks, vendor booths, inflatables, or carnival games? This annual event is $10 if you want to partake in the activities or you can walk over for the food trucks for free! More info is posted on their Facebook. 

Oct 7 – Free Landfill Day: Need to get rid of extra junk that’s magically appeared, take advantage of this opportunity. More info is provided on Shelby County’s website. 

Greetings, neighbors!

We hope you are enjoying the end of Summer! We have a few updates to share. 

Pool Closing – The pool is officially closed after a great pool season. Whether it was to catch some rays, cool off or to host a party, it was great to see many families enjoy this community amenity. We saw minimal issues this year and are appreciative of all the residents who made it an enjoyable summer!

Board Members – After over a decade of serving the neighborhood, Dennis Bogart has stepped down from serving as President. The Board voted at Sunday’s (9/10) meeting to realign the Board of Directors with the following assignments and new appointments. Each member’s dedication to serve this community is much appreciated and allows the HOA to keep management within our own neighborhood. 

• Jessica Butzen, President (reassigned) 
• Sheila Jeffreys, Vice President (unchanged)
• Michelle McKenzie, Secretary (unchanged)
• Amber Pennington, Treasurer (reassigned) 
• Lee Eshenbaugh, Member at Large (new appointment)

Dueling Duo – We’ve had a few sightings around the neighborhood of a pair of hawks that have taken up residency nearby. We ask that you remain cautious with bird or squirrel feeders as the hawks have been scouting these. Also be aware of any small pets that they may find appealing.

Sparkling Homes – As cooler days are (hopefully) on the horizon, we are requesting that everyone take a look at their siding. Several homes need a good scrubbing and we want to create awareness before reminders are sent. Simple cleaning tasks are what keeps the neighborhood looking great. This also allows an opportunity to pressure wash before cooler weather arrives.

Exterior Modifications – Just a reminder, if you plan any exterior modifications to your home, or add a fence or shed, you need to contact the Board beforehand. The information is provided on the HOA website. The request process is listed under the Architectural Review Committee and if you need a refresher of requirements, the Covenants are posted too. 

Halloween – Before October arrives, we wanted to address a common question that’s asked each year. What day will Halloween be celebrated in the neighborhood for trick-or-treating? Each year it’s the same response of Oct 31st. We want this year to be another great turnout and festivity among neighbors.

Greetings, neighbors!

We hope you are enjoying your Summer and staying cool! We have a few updates to share.

Pool Closing – We’ve had a great pool season this year and appreciate all of the neighbors for making it a successful and safe summer! The pool will be closing for the season Sunday, September 10th at 5pm. Go enjoy some more dips to cool off and take advantage of this community amenity. 

Board Members – As a reminder, Dennis Bogart will be stepping down as President in September. We appreciate all that Dennis has done for Stagecoach Trace over the past decade. The Board will advise the reorganization of Board members and positions at the September Board meeting and will announce the changes within September’s newsletter. We are always looking for new members to serve on the Board or to volunteer seasonally, please let us know if you are interested.

Safety/Speeding/Street Parking – As the school year is now upon us and buses are back to navigating the neighborhood, speeding and street parking becomes a bigger safety issue for children. Excessive street parking and multiple cars in front of a home makes it difficult for neighbors to back out of driveways, school buses to clear certain turns, and challenging for drivers to see who’s coming as they are forced to use the wrong side of the road. Please slow down when traveling through the neighborhood. We have a great neighborhood with kids out playing and riding bicycles, and we want to keep it a safe place for outdoor activities.

Grass Clippings – As you keep your yards looking great and tackling your lawns that seem to grow quicker each day, we ask that you don’t blow your grass clippings into the road. It creates drainage issues for neighbors when the clippings clog the storm drains, and makes the neighborhood look unkempt. Our city trash collection will pick up the bags of clippings each Friday too. 

Greetings, neighbors!

We hope you are having a great Summer! We have a few updates to share. 

Board Meeting Recap – The HOA Board held its summer meeting on June 15 with residents in attendance, and Amber Pennington was elected Member at Large by unanimous vote. Dennis Bogart announced he will be resigning from the HOA Board in September when the pool closes after serving a decade as President. We reviewed and shared the annual HOA Budget and current FY expenditures. The neighborhood is now over 20 years old and we discussed the need to keep it looking great and to stand out from all of the other neighborhoods being built around us. Attention is in the details! To ensure we keep aging gracefully it’s important to maintain our fences as many have aged with the neighborhood and to not overlook mailbox upkeep. Some mailboxes can be revived in 5 minutes with a few Clorox sprays and a wipe down. If it’s covered in rust, after you clean it, spend 10 minutes with some spray paint.

Sidewalks – With the recent heavy rain storms, please check your sidewalks to prevent a neighbor from sliding or taking a hazardous fall. Some of the sidewalks have become saturated with mud from runoff due to recent yard work or lack of edging. Let’s keep the sidewalks safe and clean. Like most, a visit to the doctor is not what any of us have on our summer checklist.

Molly Maid @ the Pool – We’ve had a great and very busy pool season! We’ve seen many of you out enjoying the pool and trying to cool off from the sweltering heat. We’re dedicated to keeping the pool area clean and providing your family with a nice place to visit, and wanted to share a reminder. If you spill a 40 oz red drink, please use the hose to wash it away. Drop some lunch crumbs, please use the broom to sweep it up. If you find a sticky situation and need some cleaning spray, you’ll hit the jackpot by looking under each bathroom sink. These quick gestures will prevent ants from biting the toes of our little visitors.

HOA Board Meeting – June 15th: The in-person board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 15th at 7:00 p.m. at Church of Shelby Crossing (532 George Roy Pkwy). During this meeting, we will elect the At-Large position. This position is open to anyone that would like to volunteer to serve on the board. Currently, Amber Pennington holds this position and will be seeking re-election. We have requested interest from other residents who would like to be considered for this position and as of today, received no responses. There is a write-in option on the ballot. 

Free Summer Kid Meals: If your kids work up an appetite from swimming or they’re annihilating your grocery budget, or the grandkids are visiting, take a stroll to Meadowview Elementary. Alabaster City Schools is offering free summer breakfast and lunch meals June 5 – July 21 for kids 18 years old or younger, and they don’t have to be an ACS student! Breakfast is served 7:30-8:30 and lunch is served 11:00-12:30. Adults can also participate too. For adults, breakfast is $3 and lunch is $5. No registration or approvals needed. We are very fortunate to have this resource in our backyard! Visit ACS website for menus or more info.

Spruce Up: The neighborhood is looking great and alive now that everything has bloomed! As you tend to your yards, please be sure to look at your fence and mailbox for maintenance. We have some aging fences in the neighborhood that need to be spruced up or replaced. There are also some leaning and rusted mailboxes that need some attention too.  

Pool Season: The pool has seen a lot of visitors the past few weeks and so far is off to a great season! You might have noticed we have added 5 new lounge chairs this past week to help with seating and to also begin replacing the older chairs in phases. 

A Community, not Motorcross: As a reminder, motorized vehicles, including dirt bikes and 4-wheelers, are prohibited from accessing the trail and the field behind the pool. This is community property and not a public ATV track. Not only does this prevent damage but it’s also a safety concern. Last month, a child was airlifted out of Veteran’s Park from a nearby neighborhood after getting hit on a dirt bike by a car. We have neighbors walking their animals or playing with their kids in these areas with the expectation of safety, and not thrill seeking children. 

We have a few exciting updates to pass along. 

Pool Season: The pool is officially open! Come get an early start on your summer! Let’s have a safe and responsible pool season! The pool opens at sunrise and closes at sunset. Kids under the age of 10 require a guardian present; Kids 10-16 require an adult 21+ present. There is also a new internet connection for your use. Look for the directions in the club house. Lastly, you must be in good standing and have paid your HOA Dues to access the pool. If you’ve forgotten your pool code, simply reply to this email.

New Website: The HOA will be launching a new and improved website this month. Our current site has become costly to maintain and a fresh start is needed. To make the website more visually appealing and to show off Stagecoach, we are in need of updated photos from around the neighborhood. If you have any that you are willing to share for the website, please send them to us. 

The new website will no longer require login credentials. To aid our transition for the Member Directory, we need each resident to submit this form. Submissions will help us get a head start and will allow you to keep receiving HOA communication.

Yard Sale: Reminder about residents coordinating yard sales around the neighborhood on Saturday June 3rd. Hopefully this will help some of you figure out what to do with your spring cleaning piles. If you participate, you need to obtain a garage sale permit from the city. This is a city rule and we are simply the messenger. 

At-Large Position: We will be voting at our in person June board meeting for the At-Large position. This position is open to anyone that would like to volunteer to serve on the board. Currently, Amber Pennington holds the position and will be seeking re-election. If you would like to be added to the ballot or have interest in serving on the board in the future or in other capacities as needs open up, please reply to this email.. 

We hope you’re enjoying the Spring weather and we wanted to share a few updates.

Boats/RV/Sheds: Warmer weather encourages residents to bring out their boats and campers from winter hibernation. We want to remind you they are not allowed to be stored in your driveway. We do not mind if you clean them or load/unload in your driveway but they are prohibited from being stored there. Review the covenants if you need a spring refresh. If spring cleaning encourages you to purchase a shed for your yard tools, the storage shed requirements are provided on the website too. 
 
Pool ReOpening: Pool season is approaching! Pending a good inspection and if weather permits, we’ll try to open it mid-May. If we encounter the summer blues, it will open Memorial Day weekend, Saturday May 27th. You will notice the new camera system and wifi sign when you visit the pool. Both were upgraded recently to increase security for the pool, playground, and parking lot. Reminder, you must be in good standing and have paid your HOA Dues to access the pool.

THANK YOU: In preparation of the pool reopening, we had some neighbors and board members put in much needed elbow grease to benefit the community. The pool furniture, entry gate and picnic tables were all pressure washed and received a new coat of paint, in addition to the pool pavilion getting a nice scrubbing. All this work will provide a clean space for your family but will also preserve the longevity of the furniture, which helps our budget! We would like to send a huge THANK YOU to the volunteers, Zach Harris, Heather McDermott, Chris & Jessica Butzen, and Jason & Michelle McKenzie for getting the pool area ready for the season.

Yard Sale: Some neighbors have reached out about multiple residents coordinating yard sales around the neighborhood on Saturday June 3rd. Hopefully this will help some of you figure out what to do with your spring-cleaning piles. Reminder if you participate, you need to obtain a garage sale permit from the city. This is a city rule and we are simply the messenger. 

At-Large Position: We will be voting at our in-person June board meeting for the At-Large position. This position is open to anyone that would like to volunteer to serve on the board. Currently, Amber Pennington holds the position and will be seeking re-election. If you would like to be added to the ballot or have interest in serving on the board in the future or in other capacities as needs open up, please let us know.

That is all for now. Once again, we thank you for everything you do to make Stagecoach Trace a wonderful place to call home.

We hope you’re enjoying the brief introduction of Spring weather as we share a few updates.

Spring Cleanup: It’s that time of year to bring the mowers back out and everyone begins working in their yards to bring our neighborhood back to life. While you’re cleaning the pollen off of everything, we ask that you take a look at your fence and mailbox to ensure they are in good condition. Is it leaning, does it need a new coat of paint or does it need to be replaced? If the mailbox post needs to be replaced, you can take a picture to Lowes or Home Depot and ask them to order one for you. 

Street Tree Trimming: You may have also noticed, tree trimming has begun in the neighborhood and will continue to take place along Silverstone Lane, Blue Sky Lane, and south of Morning Mist. 

Driving in Stagecoach: We have received numerous complaints about dangerous drivers in the neighborhood in the hours before and after school. Drivers are speeding and totally ignoring stop signs, especially along Silverstone Lane and Sunset Trail. During these hours, children are walking the streets and waiting for their buses on sidewalks. We all need to slow down and pay attention to stop signs or someone will get hurt. Please everyone, teens and adults, THINK when you drive.

Pool ReOpening: Everyone’s favorite season is coming up… Pool season! The pool will tentatively open Memorial Day weekend, Saturday May 27th. Pending a good inspection and if weather permits, we’ll try to open it possibly sooner on Saturday, May 20th. Reminder, you must be in good standing and have paid your HOA Dues to access the pool. If you’ve forgotten your pool code, just let us know.

At-Large Position: We will be voting at our in person June board meeting for the At-Large position. This position is open to anyone that would like to volunteer to serve on the board. Currently, Amber Pennington holds the position and will be seeking re-election. If you would like to be added to the ballot or have interest in serving on the board in the future or in other capacities as needs open up, please email us your information. 

Decorating Committee: Amber is also looking for anyone that likes to decorate to volunteer for the decorating committee. The position doesn’t require a lot of commitment, just a few times a year.

We hope you are enjoying the last days of Winter as pass along a few updates.

In-Person HOA Board Meeting: We would like to thank everyone who came out to the in-person board meeting. We reviewed the 2023 budget, shared updates and answered some residents’ questions. We appreciate City Councilman Zach Zahariadis and Mayor Scott Brakefield for attending and sharing updates on city projects. 

HOA Dues & Contact Information: A lot of you have sent in your information and paid your annual dues, but if you haven’t had a chance, please send in any changes to your contact information. Late Dues: please pay your dues as soon as possible to avoid late fees that will be assessed at the end of February. Legal action will be taken against people who are behind on their dues and can include foreclosure.

General Updates: As we move into the new budget year, you will notice a few new signs appearing or being replaced around the neighborhood, including in the pool’s parking lot. Last week, you may have encountered Zamora Tree Service removing an extremely large tree that had met its end of life near Sunrise Park off of Sunset Trail. We have also updated the internet and cameras at the pool. This isn’t only a cost savings but will provide extra security at the pool. The upgraded cameras now span out to include the playground and parking lot, and contain a spotlight and siren system to deter unwanted guests from tampering with the HOA common areas. Upgrading the internet will also serve pool guests with wifi access while at the pool. A sign will be posted at the pool with the new wifi information.

President Position: After years of service, Dennis will be stepping down as President later this year. The President’s position will be coming open in September and we need someone to serve in this role. The President is responsible for the pool, maintenance contracts, and handling other various issues while keeping the Board, as a whole, on track.  

Decorating Committee: Amber is asking for anyone that likes to decorate to volunteer to be on the decorating committee. The position doesn’t require a lot of commitment, just a few times a year.

Speeding: Please slow down when traveling through the neighborhood. As it gets warmer there are more neighbors out walking and kids riding bicycles, we want to be sure everyone is safe.

Control the Pets: We have received some complaints about barking dogs and homeowners being disrupted while enjoying their backyards, working from home or sleeping during the day if they work the night shift. We ask that everyone be a considerate and respectful neighbor and resolve any prolonged periods of your barking. As warmer weather approaches, please keep your dogs in fenced areas or otherwise contained on your property. And if you are having trouble with dogs roaming areas around your house, the best action to take is to call Animal Control from the City of Alabaster. The number is 205-664-6761. Animal Control has the authority to respond and enforce city ordinances.