Action Update #3

Thank you to our homeowners, who continue to provide input and suggestions regarding the Board’s improvement undertakings. From the start we asked for your engagement, and you have come through!

In our previous Action Update, we identified two Community improvement priorities: (1) dangerous erosion of the asphalt pavements along Big Canyon Drive and (2) severely stressed landscaping around our entry gates, center medians, and to address the forthcoming water restrictions that will be imposed on cites and the entire State of California. We are making steady progress in addressing both:

Big Canyon Drive Rehabilitation:

In 2020, the Board engaged the services of LaBelle Marvin, Inc., a prominent Pavement Engineering firm, to evaluate Big Canyon Drive. Based on comprehensive assessments, Big Canyon Drive has deteriorated into a potential safety hazard, as well as a Community eyesore – as numerous homeowners have also noted. Moreover, deterioration of our asphalt pavement is accelerating and the velocity of that acceleration is escalating. Probable cause is build-up of asphalt concrete overlays that have just put a Band-Aid on the problem thus far, some pavements constructed on oversaturated soil with a relatively high moisture content -- and current traffic use. In fact, some 75,000 vehicles enter and leave our Big Canyon Community every month, including trucks and other heavy construction vehicles working on residents’ projects. Clearly, tackling our roadway deterioration is an urgent priority. The Board has directed LaBelle Marvin to act as the Road Rehabilitation construction project manager to develop a scope of work, a bidding process for the project and to be on-site to verify that the construction adheres to the prescribed standards. Work is anticipated to start in Spring, 2022. We will keep you posted.

Entry and Median Landscaping:

Community improvement priorities include replacing the thirsty landscaping in these areas with attractive, environmentally-friendly, drought-resistant plant materials. Our application for turf rebate from the City of Newport Beach is moving forward with a recent third-party inspection as part of the qualifying process. We are very hopeful of a positive decision and a rebate from the City of $262,000, meaning an estimated net cost to BCCA of $52,000. For homeowners who have written with concerns that replanting will result in a “desert-look”, please be assured the plant palette will be carefully selected to ensure it reflects the unique elegance and style of our Big Canyon Community, while adhering to the guidelines imposed by Water Districts that operate this program. But please be patient, new plants start small and take a little time to fill out and fully flourish!

And finally . . . By now, or shortly, you will have received notice of a Special Meeting of Members of Big Canyon Community Association – Thursday, December 9, 2021, 6:00 PM at the Big Canyon Country Club. Its purpose is to vote on a special assessment of $5,000 per household, to replenish the seriously undercapitalized Reserves. A copy of this mailing is included with this Action Update. We urge you read it to fully understand the reasons and need for this special assessment and vote in its favor. In short, only by returning our Reserves to a healthy position can we begin the process of restoring Big Canyon to its full splendor for the enjoyment of those who live here now and for those who will follow.

We are so excited about what lies ahead and with the support of our homeowners are committed to getting the job done. Please let us know if you have any questions or require further clarifications.

Your Board of Directors,

Michael Brewer, Marilyn French, Gerald Giannini, Howard Lang, Michael Roney, J. Peter Scherer, Leonard Simon, Lillian Singelyn, Bill Taormina