VUECREST Newsletter February 2019 In This Issue: Hot Topics Good Neighbor Good Neighbor Appreciation Upcoming Social Events Correction Vuecrest Directors Keep Your Contact Information Current Calendar Items: Vuecrest Board Meeting Vuecrest Book Club Hot Topics Short term rentals in Vuecrest For the past few years, a few Vuecrest homes have been made available as short-term rentals from websites like Airbnb, HomeAway, and VRBO, some for durations as short as two days. Recent changes to Bellevue laws allow these rentals and provide some regulation of their operation (see below). Airbnbs are regulated by the City of Bellevue as a Home Occupation business which must meet the decision criteria of Land Use Code (LUC) 20.30N <https://bellevue.municipal.codes/LUC/20.30N> and as a ‘Bed and Breakfast’ per LUC 20.20.140 <https://bellevue.municipal.codes/LUC/20.20.140>. In sum, LUC 20.20.140 states a) 30 day rental limit, b) 2 rooms at a time max, c) 2 people at a time max (not per room), d) 1 off-street parking spot per rented room, and e) health and building code compliance. Per LUC 20.20.120.D <https://bellevue.municipal.codes/LUC/20.20.120>, a site cannot have both a Home Occupation permit and an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) registration. Spatially, an ADU is defined by a second kitchen, which is defined by a second heating device, such as a stove. Current Vuecrest Rental Policy and Protective Restrictions do not prohibit or govern these types of rentals, beyond requiring rental property information to be registered with the Association. The Directors understand that most homeowners would like to have the flexibility for long term rentals, but would like guidance from our neighbors about whether to look into changes to our rules. Please fill out this short survey to share your views by clicking on the following link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf_h7Z6IsAVualguVPY3b1gQP9nDCfX2DRxs05FzGWqpEhgXw/viewform?usp=sf_link <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf_h7Z6IsAVualguVPY3b1gQP9nDCfX2DRxs05FzGWqpEhgXw/viewform?usp=sf_link> Good Neighbor: See Something, Say Something In every community, there will always be room to grow, issues that require repeated attention, and occasional assistance with resolution. In Vuecrest, the HOA does its best to meet these needs, but YOU will always be the neighborhood’s first line of defense. Sometimes, we just don’t consider that our actions are impacting our neighbors or our community. Occasionally, just a quick, gentle neighborly reminder may alert us to an overlooked compliance issue. If you ever need additional help, you can receive more information from Jonathan Kagle, who is a valued, knowledgeable, long time Vuecrest resident, the HOA VP, and the Good Neighbor Committee Chair available at monthly board meetings. Here are some of the most common issues that will always need your attention. Jonathan will be addressing them in more depth in upcoming 2019 Newsletters. Parking in street for more than 24 hours Construction parking blocking road access Construction noise after hours or on holidays Construction debris Speeding and/or vehicles running stop signs Unapproved construction (e.g. giant porches, outbuildings) Boats/RV parking and/or storage Rent/Leased properties (need to inform Board per Rental Policy) HVAC screening Tree and landscape trimming for view protection and CC&R compliance General yard maintenance Trash bin etiquette (when stored, should not be visible from the street) Good Neighbor: Action Appreciation Our good neighbors at 9633 Vineyard Crest and 9636 Evergreen Drive allowed their neighbors to trim some view blocking trees on their property. Much appreciated, thank you! Upcoming Social Events We only have two major social events in Vuecrest every year. Our Easter Egg Hunt and the annual Summer Picnic. These events are fun for both young and old! It’s a time for making friends and reconnecting with all our neighbors who run from busy schedule to busy schedule. We have dedicated leaders who make these events happen, but many hands are needed to make light work. So, if you have a spare hour and can reconfirm rental chair delivery, set up signs, make nametags, or stuff Easter eggs (for example), we could use your help. Just email Mara at social@vuecrest.net <mailto:social@vuecrest.net> and she will contact you to find a small task that will fit your abilities and talents. Announcing Your Vuecrest Directors and Committee Leaders for 2019 Whoops! Mark von der Burg was not listed as a Director for 2019. He has been serving the community as a Director and Architectural Chair for the past two years and will continue through 2019. Keep your Vuecrest Contact Information UP TO DATE Please make sure that your contact information, renters information, and/or property management information is always up to date. Your information is not shared or distributed with any third party and is only used for your informational and safety benefit. Here’s how to update your information…Go to www.vuecrest.net <http://www.vuecrest.net/>, on the left click “Update Your Contact Information”, Input your information and click Submit. CALENDAR ITEMS: Monthly Board Meeting Thursday, February 7th at 7:00P The location will be at Lincoln Square South at WeWork on the fifth floor. The address is 10400 NE 4th Street, Bellevue WA 98004. To get to the location… park in the underground parking garage at Lincoln Square SOUTH. Then, take the elevator to the second floor. Walk South through the Food Hall to the bank of elevators that will take you to floor #5. The floor is locked, so Rebecca von der Burg (short lady, dark curly hair) will meet you at the elevators from 6:45P-7:10P to unlock access to the fifth floor. If you arrive later than 7:10P please call 425.785.7050 for assistance. See you there! The usual monthly Board Meeting is held on the first Thursday of each month, but may be changed for holidays or Director’s schedules. Please check www.vuecrest.net <http://www.vuecrest.net/> for updates and contact directors@vuecrest.net <mailto:directors@vuecrest.net> with your questions. Vuecrest Book Club Monday, February 4th at 7:00P This month’s Book Club will be held at Vonne Cunningham’s home, 9829 Hilltop Rd. Hope to see you there! Newcomers please check with emails below for possible time or venue changes. February 4th: Lake on Fire by Rosellen Brown. Review: this is a novel with a keen examination of social class, family, love, and revolution in a historical time marked by a tumultuous social landscape. March 4th: The Library Book by Susan Orlean. Review: At the center of the book is a seven-hour fire that raged through the Los Angeles Central Library on April 29, 1986, destroying or damaging more than a million books. Although this book is classified as non-fiction it reads like a novel. A real page-turner. April 1st: The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom. Review: Orphaned while onboard ship from Ireland, seven- year-old Lavinia (a white girl) arrives on the steps of a tobacco plantation where she is to live and work with the (black) slaves of the kitchen house. Vuecrest has its own Book Club and all residents are welcome to attend. We meet once a month at 7PM, usually on the first Monday at various members’ homes. It is a very relaxed atmosphere with light refreshments served. Feel free to join us to chat, laugh, nibble and meet new friends. Newcomers are always welcome! Email Mara Pitkethly dtpit@UW.edu <mailto:dtpit@UW.edu> dtpit@uw.com <mailto:dtpit@uw.com> or Melissa Hambleton mhambleton@comcast.net <mailto:mhambleton@comcast.net> for book details.