When the Hickory Cove subdivision was first developed in the 1960s the roads were gravel and subject to frequent washouts and erosion. At one point the US postal service would not deliver mail to the residents due to the poor condition of the roads.
In the mid 1980s a group of property owners stepped forward to solve the problem. Twenty-One property owners contributed $2,500 each for a total of $52,000 to have Hickory Cove and Barnhill Lane paved. In today’s dollars that is well over $100,000 and back then asphalt was significantly less expensive than it is today.
HCPOA Mission
The sole mission of the HCPOA is to manage and maintain the private roads serving the Hickory Cove and Mallards Crossing subdivisions. Activities are limited to road maintenance, repaving, and snow removal.
Roads Maintained
HCPOA maintains all of Hickory Cove lane starting just past Village East out to where the road ends at the lake including Barnhill Lane and Pierpoint Court, altogether a distance of approximately 2 miles.
HCPOA has no involvement with the other roads that branch off of Hickory Cove Lane such as Nicholas Lane and Clearwater Drive.
POA Communities
HCPOA serves the Hickory Cove and Mallards Crossing communities.
Other communities such as Village North and Hickory Point are not considered part of the HCPOA. Many of these communities have their own POA organizations.
However, since these communities can only be accessed via Hickory Cove Lane they have a stake in the support of the roadway. Contributions from these groups or individuals is encouraged and very much appreciated.
Annual Dues
The annual assessments are set each year by the HCPOA board of directors.
The funds collected are used for road and shoulder maintenance, grass cutting, insurance and snow removal. Excess funds accumulate over a multi-year period and are used to resurface the road when it becomes necessary.
A small amount is used annually for administrative purposes such as insurance, postage and PO box fees. The officers and board members are not compensated in any way.
Once a year the treasurer creates a financial report detailing income and expenses which is shared with the POA membership.
In August of each year each property owner is sent a notice that includes the assessment for that year.
Declared and Undeclared POA members
Under Virginia law, POA organizations have two primary membership groups: declared and undeclared. By signing a declaration document owners commit to support the POA and therefore have the right to vote on POA issues and be eligible for officer/board positions.
Undeclared property owners have a voice in decision making but cannot vote or hold office within the POA. Once a property has been declared to the POA it cannot be rescinded and is conveyed to any subsequent owner of the property.
Both declared and undeclared members are obligated by law to pay the annual assessment.
Unpaid Assessments
Under Virginia law all property owners in a CIC (Common Interest Community) are obligated to pay the annual assessment in a timely manner. A lien can be placed against a member’s property if, after several attempts, efforts to collect the payment prove to be unsuccessful. This has happened in extreme circumstances but it is extremely rare. The vast majority of members pay the POA assessment without issue.
Hickory Cove Rules of the Road
- Please obey the posted speed limit — 25 mph and all traffic signage. These exist for the
safety of all. - Always stay to the right to provide ample room for opposite traffic. This is especially important on the hills and curves of our roads. Beware that trucks and trailers may require additional space.
- Walk facing traffic at all times. If walking after dusk consider wearing reflective clothing or
carrying portable lighting, Please remember . . . Pedestrians have the right of way at all times.
Bicycles are to have appropriate reflective hardware and lights after dusk. - Be aware that other motorized vehicles (ATV’s, golf carts, bicycles, scooters, etc.) may be sharing the road. Slow and pass only when safe to do so.
- Be aware of animals — especially deer — that frequent our community and pose a significant
risk to motorists. - Special caution should be taken to prepare inexperienced drivers for the hazards of the roads.
- Boating: Keep right—Marine police enforce. Docking lights off except when nearing a dock.
Roadway Vegetation Trimming Guide
Property owners are reminded to manage vegetation along the roads maintained by Hickory Cove Property Owners Association, Inc. (HCPOA). These roads are Hickory Cove Lane, Barnhill Lane, and Pierpoint Court.
Areas of concern are those that limit visibility along and down the road, overhang the roadway creating a vehicle obstacle, limits use of the right-of-way to pull off the road, and dead growth that could fall and block or create a hazard on the road. Consider trimming as follows:
- Brush and branches cut back 6’ from the roadway as practical.
- Dead trees – Remove those that are leaning toward or could fall on the road.
- Over hanging branches less than 13’ above the roadway removed at the tree trunk.
- Invasive plants, such as bamboo, to be removed including the roots and treated with eradication chemicals.
If you are unable to maintain or to find a service to manage the vegetation, contact a HCPOA Board member.
Social Activities
HCPOA does not formally support neighborhood social activities but often social activities accompany HCPOA meetings at individual expense.
How to Learn More
Contact HCPOA officers with questions or complaints. If the issue is not resolved to your satisfaction or if you feel the HCPOA is in violation of the law, you can escalate it to the state of Virginia for further review. Please refer to the POA documents section for more information on this topic and the form that must be submitted.
Last edited 09/14/2019 Jack Harrison
