Red Mountain Ranch News & Events

It’s time for the annual meeting again! At this meeting, the Board of Directors will ONLY review and discuss the budget. This will NOT be the time to discuss the quality of landscaping or the driving range issue. Here is the notice that all homeowners of Red Mountain Ranch:

You should be able to click on each community to see the budget.

[2010 Master Budget Narrative]

NOTICE OF THE 2009 ANNUAL MEETING OF THE MEMBERS OF THE RED MOUNTAIN RANCH OWNERS ASSOCIATION

Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of the Members of the Red Mountain Ranch Owners Association, Inc., an Arizona non-profit corporation, will commence at 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at the Red Mountain Ranch Elementary School in the Multi Purpose Room, 6650 E. Raftriver Street, Mesa, Arizona, 85215 with sign in beginning at 6:30 p.m. so the meeting can start promptly at 6:45 p.m.

THE PURPOSE OF THE MEETING IS TO REVIEW THE ASSOCIATION’S PROPOSED YEAR 2010 BUDGETS.

A general overview of each budget will be presented in the order below and questions pertaining to a specific budget will be accepted after the presentation of that budget.

DISCUSSION ORDER

MASTER ASSOCIATION
RED MOUNTAIN VILLAGES
SKY MOUNTAIN ESTATES
COUNTRY CLUB ESTATES
SIENNA HILLS
LAKEVIEW ESTATES
SONORAN ESTATES
RED ROCK PASS
DOS LAGOS

This is a good opportunity to meet your neighbors, the Board of Directors and the Rossmar & Graham Management Team. Any questions or comments regarding the budgets can also be directed to the management office prior to the meeting at (480) 981-6480.

____________________________________________________________________

NOTICE OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE RED MOUNTAIN RANCH OWNERS ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Notice is hereby given that the regular meeting of the Red Mountain Ranch Owners Association Board of Directors will be held immediately after the adjournment of the Annual meeting on Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at the Red Mountain Ranch Elementary School in the Multi Purpose Room, 6650 E. Raftriver Street, Mesa, Arizona 85215.

In case you haven’t noticed, javelinas have been roaming Red Mountain Ranch more frequently. Most recently, they’ve even ventured into higher density areas like the Villages. But don’t be afraid, it’s the season for a good spook.

If you leave your Halloween pumpkin out on your porch all night, don’t be surprised to see it devoured by morning’s light. Pumpkins appear to be a real treat to our smelly grunting desert fiends.

Just remember to be very careful and cautious when approaching. Mama javelinas tend to be very protective of their babies.

Fun facts: According to Wikipedia, “Peccaries (also known as javelinas, by the Portuguese name javali and Spanish jabalí or pecarí) are medium-sized mammals of the family Tayassuidae. Peccaries are members of the artiodactyl suborder Suina, as are swine (Suidae) and possibly hippopotami.[1] They are found in the southwestern area of North America and throughout Central and South America. Peccaries usually measure between 90 to 130 centimetres (3.0 to 4.3 ft), and a full-grown adult usually weighs between about 20 to 40 kilograms (44 to 88 lb).”

If you have photos and want to share them with Red Mountain Ranch Blog, please email them to news@redmountainranch.info.

Various law enforcement agencies utilized Red Mountain Ranch over the Labor Day Weekend to stage a DUI checkpoint. Earlier this year, the Red Mountain Ranch Board of Directors gave approval to the DUI Task Force to use the east entrance on Redmont Drive to stage vehicles and the portable sobriety testing station. Arizona Department of Public Safety, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Department, City of Mesa and even Town of Gilbert all participated in the event.

Several residents complained of the blockade of the Redmont Drive entrance but also agreed that it was necessary to prevent any potentially drunk drivers from taking a detour through Red Mountain Ranch in order to avoid law enforcement.

Any residents who have any additional comments or suggestions should contact the management office of Red Mountain Ranch.

Here are several photos from the event:

Now that the Red Mountain Ranch Blog is fully up and running and all the “bugs” seemed to be worked out, I would like to invite residents of Red Mountain Ranch to write and contribute to this blog on an ongoing basis.

I am looking for individuals from all over the community to submit news and events, photos or simple trivia on our wonderful neighborhood.

You will be set up with your own unique login to post what’s on your mind.

If you are a somewhat skilled writer and have something to say, please email me at news@redmountainranch.info.

In what appeared to be a record turnout, homeowner-neighbors of the Red Mountain Ranch community attended a meeting sponsored by Welker Development Resources regarding the rezoning of Parcel 7B.

The meeting was required by the City of Mesa Planning Division as part of the process to seek a zoning modification to the existing parcel which is currently zoned as a driving range.

Welker Development Resources has been hired by Shelby Futch, owner of the Red Mountain Ranch Country Club, to seek the rezoning change which will allow Futch to build out the driving range with 41 custom homes. No timeline has been set for such development but City Council approval would clear any hurdles for that occur.

Here is the beginning of a series of videos of the meeting which are all available on our YouTube account. (We do appologize for the jumpy quality of the video.)

Some time late Sunday night or early Monday morning, someone broke into Las Sendas Spine Institute located in the Zahara complex.

Apparently, the perpetrator(s) broke in through the glass of the front door. Once inside, they ripped a flat screen television/monitor from the wall. We are unaware if any other items were stolen.

Residents of Red Mountain Ranch are urged to be vigilant of thieves and vandals. Should you see someone engaged in strange or illegal activity, please call 911.

Here is the latest email from Cannon Randall:

Ladies and Gentlemen of Red Mountain Ranch: 23 August 2009

Every resident of RMR will soon be in receipt of a letter from our RMR Owners Association Board. That letter reviews the RMRCC owner’s application to amend the Development Master Plan and rezone the open space, now included as the golf course driving range, for residential development. The letter also requests the comment and opinion of residents. More of our neighbors will now be better informed of this possible development. As this is discussed across your fences, or on morning walks, please strongly encourage your friends to write our Association at rmroa@msn.com, and voice their opposition. And, if you have not previously written our Association expressing opposition, please do so. You may also forward your letter to rmrdrivingrange@cox.net , and to our City Council Representative, Ms. Dina Higgins at councilmember.higgins@mesaaz.gov.

A Web site is now available for you to learn of new or developing information about this rezoning issue. Please go to: www.redmountainfirst.org. The Red Mountain First organization was successful in their effort to stop a commercial rezoning at the intersection of Recker and Thomas, and have made their web site available to us to pass along information to those who are in opposition to this rezoning proposal. We thank Red Mountain First for the use of their Web site.

The Planning and Zoning Board Hearing (16 September) and City Council Meeting (the middle of October) are the most important battles we face. We have inquired as to the possibility of a postponement to the City Council review of this rezoning issue. This, to accommodate the high number of “winter” residents of RMR, that they may voice their opposition in person, to our elected representatives, prior to any City Council deliberations beginning on this rezoning question. This has yet to be resolved.

OUR FIRST SKIRMISH….IT IS IMPORTANT: On Tuesday, the 25th of August,

6:30 pm at Red Mountain Elementary School, the developers will conduct a citizens meeting for residents. This meeting is required by City Government. Only one residents meeting has been scheduled. Please attend…..Remind your neighbors to attend…..voice your opinion…..get every answer you deserve. This is the FIRST STEP IN STOPPING this assault on individual homeowners and families; on our community; and on the open space and ambiance of our neighborhood, which for 25 years, all have enjoyed. Our District Representative on the City Council, Ms. Dina Higgins will be attending.

Our thanks to all who can attend the residents meeting; to all who have written letters to our Association; to all who have offered support; and to all who have volunteered.

Very sincerely,

Cannon Randall

In response to both homeowner requests and the letter issued by Welker Development Resources regarding Parcel 7B, the Board of Directors of the Red Mountain Ranch Owners Association has issued the following letter. According to the letter the directors have taken a “neutral position” as it continues to evaluate all option and make use of legal counsel.

Here is a copy of that letter.

Where the Driving Range Rezoning Stands Today

Ladies and Gentlemen of Red Mountain Ranch,

Our current e-mail list is almost exclusively country club members, totaling just over 700 addresses. In response to our 25 July letter to you, our HOA has received just less than 200 replies voicing opposition. If we are to move our HOA Board from its current “neutral” position, which is a requirement of the by-laws they must operate within, and advice of their legal counsel: We MUST achieve an opposing response from a majority of the homeowners that make up our community, about 850 opposing inputs will be required.(The HOA e-mail address: rmroa@msn.com) Yes, our HOA is an important piece of this effort, City Government gives serious consideration to the opinion they offer. However, this proposal can be defeated by your inputs to the City Planning and Zoning Hearing and/or The City Council as the process moves forward, even if our HOA Board is unable to offer an opposing position.

The RMRCC owner must count on a combination of resident apathy, absence, or our inability to communicate the potential downside impacts that may come with this development proposal to all residents. If the owner succeeds…..there will be 41 homes eventually built on the driving range. If he fails……and the integrity of our Community Development Master Plan (DMP) continues to protect this open space……the property will remain as it is; a community open space amenity: It will be a driving range, nothing more.

THE DOWN SIDE: The potential negative impacts of this development, to every individual and family who reside in RMR, are many and glaring:

1. The fact that 7% of community open space, an amenity in existence for 25 years, and now protected by the DMP….which the owner is also attempting to amend simultaneously with the rezoning request, will be lost forever.
2. The current views, green space, and the community atmosphere we now enjoy, will be replaced by 41 homes, and will be lost forever.
3. The driving range, an amenity of very significant value to golf members, will be lost forever.
4. The golf course is the centerpiece of our community, designed by a renowned architect, and has been a primary factor in the decision of many who have chosen RMR as a residence and place to enjoy that amenity. Will this significant degradation to the golf course leave our RMR community….as an 18 hole “Pay for Play” community, not at all unlike Painted Mountain? You decide.
5. The potential impact on property values: No one can quantify this, but with this many “real” negative impacts, in company with the assorted other “potentially” negative impacts, where do you think it will lead us? You decide.

What are the growing numbers of residents who oppose this abomination doing to stop it:

1. We are continuing our dialog with our HOA Board with the hope of expanding our ability to communicate with every resident in the community.
2. We are expanding our e-mail address list, and solicit your support in expanding it further, to assure that every household is aware of every potential downside risk this rezoning and amendment to our community DMP will bring.
3. We have gained the support of Red Mountain First, the citizens group that stopped the commercial development of property at Thomas and Recker.
4. We are developing a Website to enhance communications that will also allow residents to file petitions to City Government electronically.
5. We have asked City Planning Officials to require the owner to expand the official 1000’ notification requirement to include more of our community. (Amending the DMP will impact on every family in our community…..not just those adjacent to the proposed rezoning area.)
6. We have continued our dialog with City Planning officials and our HOA to assure that every restriction or covenant in the Community’s CC and R documents are strictly adhered to.

YOU CAN HELP STOP THIS:

1. Go to rmrdrivingrange@cox.net and volunteer to help.
2. If you haven’t written the HOA and expressed your opposition, DO IT NOW! (Even if we don’t reach the majority threshold necessary for our HOA to move to an “opposing position”, your letter will reach City Government, and be heard.)
3. Speak with your friends and neighbors; explain the negative consequences of this proposal, and especially that: THERE WILL BE ONLY ONE WINNER IF THIS DEVELOPMENT SHOULD BE APPROVED, AND IT WILL CLEARLY NOT BE YOU, OR YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS!
4. Relay the above e-mail addresses to those you know oppose this proposal, especially those residents who are not club members, so they may receive the same information you will be receiving.
5. ATTEND THE RESIDENTS MEETING: The Meeting is scheduled for 25 August, 6:30PM, at the RMR Elementary School Cafeteria. During this meeting the owner will tell us of his plans for the development of the 12+ acre block of our community open space. Ask questions, make your opinion known, and tell the owner that you want this proposal withdrawn now! DON’T MISS THIS MEETING, IT’S THE FIRST STEP.
6. Take 10 minutes next Saturday….knock on a couple of doors, spread the word…..we need your help if this is to be stopped.

We will continue to update everyone on our address list as this process continues. Circle these dates: Residents Meeting 25 August; Planning and Zoning Board Hearing 16 September; the City Council Hearing is as yet to be announced, but approximately 15 October.

BUT FIRST….CONTACT OUR HOA…..VOICE YOUR OPPOSITION

(The Associations e-mail address: rmroa@msn.com) 

Very sincerely
Cannon Randall
rmrdrivingrange@cox.net

In accordance with the City of Mesa Planning Division Department, Welker Development Resources has issued the following letter to homeowners who own property at or within 1,000 feet of the proposed development of Parcel 7B.

Click here to read the letter.

Saturday night brought a brief but powerful storm through Red Mountain Ranch.

Several trees were toppled on residential, common and business areas.

Here are a few photos of the damage:

Vandals have struck again at the building located on the northeast corner of Thomas Road and Raftriver Road. The incident occurred some time late Friday night or early Saturday morning.

The newly constructed building owned by ECSD, LLC, was tagged near the roof and a property wall located on the north side of the building. The owner of the building, Martin J. Maslonka, is a resident of Red Mountain Ranch.

It appears the perpetrator(s) climbed up on the roof of the building to spraypaint words directed at a local resident “Zach Weber.” The words are vulgar but we have provided photos here.

If you know anything about the incident or who may have perpetrated the act, please contact Mesa Police Department at (480) 644-2211.

Act such as these will affect your property value. It is in every resident’s best interest to watch closely for activities like this and report them immediately.

Last night, it appears that vandals – probably kids – stole the letters off the monument sign located on the northeast corner of Virginia and Recker Roads (Olympic Estates).

According to the June issue of The Red Mountain Ranch Up Close, the Board of Directors approved the construction ot the monument during the March 20th monthly meeting at a cost of $990.00 plus tax.

We have been informed that new letters have been ordered and the monument should be repaired soon.

This is a reminder to be vigilant of strange and illegal activities in the neighborhood. Please call the Mesa Police Department if you suspect anything. It would also be a good idea to take a photograph if you have your camera handy. Finally, please inform the management of Red Mountain Ranch Owners Association of any damages to the community.

It’s a shame that things like this happen as it costs everyone in the community.

Early this morning, two local companies dropped rocks and baggies with half-sheet solicitations attached throughout Red Mountain Ranch. Here are photos of the flyers and several street shots of the solicilitter.

Please call these companies and tell them you will never use their products or services. Here is there contact info:

Sedona Red Rock Landscape
www.sedonaldm.com
(602) 354-5757

Tsunami Pool & Power Wash Industries
(602) 288-8394

The Red Mountain Ranch Owners Association is restricted in its ability to prevent this type of activity so any action will need to be initiated by individual homeowners.

The City of Mesa does have a set of codes/ordinances “on the books” that covers this type of activity.

Here are several applicable sections of Mesa’s code:

5-6-2:                 POSTING NOTICE, PLACARD, BILLS PROHIBITED IN CERTAIN PLACES:

No person shall post, stick, stamp, paint, or otherwise fix or cause the same to be done by any person any notice, placard, bill, card, poster, advertisement, or other paper or device calculated to attract the attention of the public, except such as may be authorized or required by the laws of the United States, this State, or of this City. (Res. 1006)

5-6-5:                 DISTRIBUTION ON UNINHABITED OR VACANT PRIVATE PREMISES:

It shall be unlawful for any person to distribute, deposit, place, throw, scatter, or cast any commercial or noncommercial handbill in or upon any private premises which are temporarily or continuously uninhabited or vacant. (Res. 1006)

5-6-6:                 PROHIBITING DISTRIBUTION WHERE PROPERTY POSTED:

It shall be unlawful for any person to distribute, deposit, place, throw, scatter, or cast any commercial or noncommercial handbill upon any premises if requested by anyone thereon not to do so or if there is placed on said premises in a conspicuous position near the entrance thereof a sign bearing the words “No Trespassing,” “No Peddlers or Agents,” “No Advertisements,” or any similar notice indicating in any manner that the occupants of said premises do not desire to be molested or to have their right of privacy disturbed or to have any such handbills left upon such premises. (Res. 1006)

5-6-7:                 DISTRIBUTION ON INHABITED PRIVATE PREMISES:

No person shall distribute, deposit, place, throw, scatter, or cast any commercial or noncommercial handbill in or upon any private premises which are inhabited except by handing or transmitting any such handbill directly to the owner, occupant, or other person then present in or upon such private premises; provided, however, that in case of inhabited private premises which are not posted as provided herein, the aforesaid person, unless requested by anyone upon such premises not to do so, may place or deposit any such handbill in or upon such inhabited private premises if such handbill is so placed or deposited as to secure or prevent such handbill from being blown or drifted about such premises or elsewhere, except that mailboxes may not be so used when so prohibited by federal postal laws or regulations. (Res. 1006)

Sometime within the last 48 hours (Sunday-Monday – Memorial Day Weekend),  The Villages were “tagged” by vandal(s) who spray painted the text, ”EMG 187″ on two walls.

One of the damaged walls is on the south side of Tabor Street at the corner of Raftriver. The other wall is on Snowdon between Saddleback and Gallatin (east side).

According to an anonymous observer, a dark green or dark blue sedan was seen parked along Snowdon near the damaged wall approximately 10 PM on Sunday May 24th. Two caucasian males were also seen loitering by the vehicle. Both had shaved heads and were in their late teens or early 20’s.

It is not known what the words “EMG 187″ actually represents, but the numbers “187′ is police code for “homicide.” “EMG” may stand for “East Mesa Gang.”

Anyone who sees any gang activity or acts of vandalism is urged to call the Mesa Police Department at (480) 644-2211 or if an emergency, dial 911.

You are also asked to email your observations or photos to rmroa@msn.com.

Homeowners of the damaged walls need to know that these walls are not considered common area and are the legal responsibility of the homeowner.