POA hears from its members

As a result of well over 100 comments and emails made to the Canyon Lake POA Board at its regular meeting last week, an additional Special Board Meeting was held on Wednesday to further discuss signage in Canyon Lake with plans to pass emergency signage rule revisions. That two-hour meeting was chalked full of member comment and discussion via the Zoom virtual meeting platform.

With the additional input, the board decided not to implement an emergency signage revision and instead unanimously voted to table the signage rule changes until its regularly-scheduled March 7 board meeting.

The lively, and somewhat contentious at times, topic had to do with Canyon Lake POA rules for signage that is placed in the community setback area that is located between the street and the front lot line of each house’s property. The board, throughout the meeting made it clear that the rules in question had nothing to do with signs placed on an individual’s personal property.

The rules being considered for revision, though, addressed signs placed, painted or wrapped on vehicles, gift carts, watercraft or trailers.

Board President Chris Poland asked the other four directors to text him suggested rule changes of the five they discussed Wednesday and any other sign rules they may desire to alter. With this information, Chris said he will incorporate the suggestions into something that can be brought before the board and the community at the March meeting. From there, the board’s desire is to go the regular route of passing a 28-day rule review where it would be discussed and voted on again at the following meeting.

“I’d like to congratulate the board for the excellent discussion,” Chris said at the conclusion of the special Wednesday meeting after the signage rule changes were tabled. “Extra congratulations go to the community for terrific input. I agree with what has been said. We’ve learned more things through this process. I’m sure that is why the process has been established the way it has been and we diligently seek to follow it.”

Additionally, last week’s regular board meeting was a milestone for approving significant community projects and an extraordinary interaction between the board and members regarding several important issues.

Shade Structures

The board approved funding for new shade structures over picnic and play areas for both Sierra Park and Indian Beach. Both the Recreation Committee and Facilities Planning Committee recommended these projects. The shade structures will provide much-needed and sought-after family-gathering spaces, the board said.

Mailbox Lighting Project

The board approved funding for the Mailbox Lighting Project that will take place over the next 18 months as the mailbox slabs are replaced. This project results from significant research by the Facility Planning Committee and represents the best value for both the convenience and the safety the lighting will provide.

Irrigation Replacement Project

The board approved funding for the Irrigation Replacement Project for the golf course. This project will reduce water usage at the golf course by 14% and eliminate most of the weekly repairs that currently take place to the system. This project will also be partially funded by a grant from the water provider.

Proposed Rule Changes

There were three proposed rule changes approved as 28-Day Readings. This was the second iteration of each one based on board and community discussion at previous board meetings. As required by the Davis-Sterling Act which requires a process for changing rules, these three proposed rule changes will remain open for discussion before bringing them up for final action in no less than 28 days. The proposals are available on the CLPOA website at www.clpoa.com/rules.

RV Parking. The board is seeking to balance safety with access and the loading and unloading needs of their owners. The published proposal was amended at the meeting based on the member comments received.

Trailer Parking. The board is seeking to relax the trailer parking rules to accommodate overnight parking of trailers when connected to vehicles. The published proposal was modified slightly to better define where parking is permissible.

Wake Surfing in Slalom Course. This rule is related to wake surfing in the slalom course area, and it generated extensive testimony. The board’s key concern is the need to protect the course itself from continuous damage and the need for guidelines for safe use. Most of the testimony received was related to limiting an ideal area for wake surfing.

Signage Rules

At the regular board meeting last week, there was discussion related to possible rule changes pertaining to political signs. Controversy related to the number, location and content of political signs, flags, posters and banners has been an issue in Canyon Lake for many years.

This issue was particularly prominent this past election cycle. The board continues to receive emails expressing strong opinions on both sides of this issue. These emails include wide-ranging views on the duration of permissible display, their location on golf carts and their content. Restrictions on the American Flag display is not an issue, the board said, and is protected by law.

“As is our current practice, the decision to change a rule starts with an open discussion that is facilitated by a published background statement,” the board said. “Such a statement for this discussion was provided in the agenda package. The board appreciates this outpouring of opinion and has received well over 100 emails and comments.”

The board said it had planned on resolving the signage rules in two steps. The first was to enact emergency rule changes that appeared to be widely accepted. If enacted, they would have become effective immediately and remained in place for 120 days or until they were made permanent by the normal process. Other changes under review would be presented at a later time. Of course, that is not what happened and all was tabled Wednesday until the next meeting when the rule changes will be presented again.

“Your Board continues its dedication to the principles we developed, which includes our core values, purpose and vision,” the board said in a notice to its members. “We strive to accomplish them through deliberate planning, appropriate processes and continuous interaction with the community.”