Dear Meadows of Blackhawk Homeowners,

This is a copy of a posting by me on the Meadows of Blackhawk Message Forum. Please disseminate it to interested parties. A prompt reply to this would be appreciated.

I met with John Damrich, Director of Planning and Acquisition for Ryland Homes in Texas at the mailboxes last Friday, along with a representative of Tiemann Land and Cattle. Damrich said a new person with Ryland made the decision to go with the current mailbox setup, something different than what was already in the rest of the neighborhood, and that he would not have done that. He understands that a cover needs to be put over the mailboxes, and is willing to do something. The question is "What?" He sent me to a Ryland subdivision in Leander to see what he is proposing and it is basically a long, narrow peaked corrugated metal cover, with a wide, round pole on each end supporting it (pictures are available upon request by e-mail). Tiemann's representative is going to provide him with information on how to get electrical service for lighting to the location. I asked him about the possibility of putting something in on the center of the lot that was like the mail kiosks in the other later developed parts of Meadows. He said that he feared the neighbor who backed up to it from Crane Creek Loop would be opposed to looking out his back window at a big structure like this and might have a legal basis to prevent a structure of that sort. I've since talked to that property owner and he stated unequivocally that he is not concerned with the placement of a big structure behind him. Damrich also said, however, that because there were so few mailboxes in this area and no new development planned to use this mail kiosk, that there wasn't justification for putting in a structure the size of the others in the subdivision. He also resisted a circular drive. He mentioned he was willing to put in some "red tipped" plants of some kind along the back of the abutting neighbor's property to screen the cover from view, but that was the extent of his offering in addition to the metal cover with lights over the mailboxes in their current placement. He said that Gehan was also going to be responsible for a portion of whatever is installed. I need to get feedback from everyone who uses the mailboxes on Linville Ridge as soon as possible to go back to Ryland/Gehan with their expectations. I would appreciate it if all of those interested would respond back to me by e-mail, with an indication of your expectations, and whether the proposal by Ryland is acceptable or not. I am going to begin seeking feedback this way, and will seek other ways to get feedback if I can't get it done this way. I also would appreciate it if interested people would pass this on to their neighbors who also have an interest in this issue.

Thanks,

Perrin Butler
Meadows of Blackhawk HOA