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[Anna R]

Hi,

 

We are owners in a block of units, and I wish to submit a proposal to the OC to make better use of a common property lawn area. 

Our complex has two buildings, with a large green lawn in between the two buildings.  It isn’t currently used much, and it seems a wasted space.  I think we could make better use of it, as there are many children in the complex and it would give them a place to play.

To make the area safer, I think it would need to be fenced at either end, and some planting done to make it look nicer. I have got quotes from fencing companies, and from our gardener for the planting.  The total cost would be around $5,000.

I think any concerns about damage or noise would be covered by the by-laws, so I don’t think it needs a special by-law to be created.

But – do I need to put a resolution to the AGM for this work, or should I just approach the EC?

Many Thanks

Anna

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[Anonymous]

I think Anna should propose this motion at the next Annual General Meeting: That a the Common Area lawn becomes a children’s play area immediately with no restrictions. It is the honest way to proceed.

At our strata complex, I myself proposed the following at our recent AGM. That the Common Property lawn area is immediately designated as a football playing area 24/7. It was approved unanimously, of course, however I did have to convince some members of our Owners Corporation to assign their proxies to me. We have already a couple of social games only marred by little kids wanting to play on the ‘pitch’.

Also, I am loving the new trend of inserting philosophical quotes here in Flat Chat. I will add one of my own favourites. “As the sand falls through the hourglass and snow falls on cedars, Sweden is the best football playing nation in the world and coffee should always be made the Swedish way, on the stove top.” Stig Larson RIP.

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[Jimmy-T]

Depending on the proximity of other people’s homes, I don’t know if designating it an unrestricted play area ’24/7′ is a good idea.  If there’s no one around likely to be disturbed, then fine, but otherwise it’s reasonable to set ‘playtimes”.

On philosophies, two of my favorite quotes suggest this once angry young man has been calmed by age:

“If you sit by the river long enough, the body of your enemy will float past.” – Japanese Proverb

and

“Before you go seeking revenge, you should dig two graves.” – Confucius.

 

But re Stig and his coffee, what’s with all the Thermos flasks?

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[Anna R]

I feel that a broader proposal to ‘spruce things up’ as mentioned by PeterC would be best. It seems the only thing that needs OC approval is the fence.

As it stands, the area can be used by anyone for any purpose, be it children playing, soccer matches or a picnic. Those activities would all be covered by existing by-laws re use of common property, so I don’t think that I am changing the use of the area with my proposal.

The reason it is not much used is aesthetic.  It is just a long, narrow stretch of grass, with a building wall on one side and external garage wall with vents on the other.  For smaller children, the safety aspect comes in with the stairs at either end.

I am hoping my proposal will make this area better used by all, for whatever purpose.  Our building is quite harmonious – but we don’t know each other very well.  There are multiple stairway entries, so we tend to only see the people who share our stairway. I hope that a common garden area with nice plants, and a bench or two will lead to more interaction with neighbours.  And if that’s the Mums and kids most of the time, then that’s a start.  I don’t see why we can’t have community Christmas and other get-togethers there too.

Perhaps I’m too much of an optomist, but I hope people will respect their neighbours when using the area. And if we get to know each other more, people tend to be more considerate of people they know.

On the practical front, we should be able to take the money from the maintenance budget, and we have a very healthy sinking fund anyway.

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