Trees within Sonoma Pines
Trees are a valuable asset within Sonoma Pines. Not only do trees enhance the beauty of Sonoma Pines but they are also required for a healthy environment. Unfortunately we have some trees that are causing structural damage to our sidewalk and curb infrastructure. Other trees are simply no longer healthy or have died due to limited space where they have been planted or they simply have not had the appropriate pruning of the larger branches which has put them at risk of splitting. As a result in the near future you will see a contractor on site to remove some of the trees which are dead/unhealthy or have damaged our infrastructure. This will be followed with the removal and replacement of several sections of the sidewalks along Sonoma Pines Drive as a result of the damage caused by the trees.
Landscape Regulations
Under the Sonoma Pines Bylaw – Section B Landscaping – tree growth may not exceed a height or width that will interfere with views, grow over driveways, roads, across walkways, block vision to roads (at intersections), interfere with infrastructure, reach the roof height and/or are touching a building. The landscaping committee in partnership with the new tree committee will be reviewing our tree assets across the community and will be moving forward to address any issues. Single family home owners are asked to undertake a similar review/action.
Sonoma Pines Tree Committee
Two different companies have been brought into Sonoma Pines in the past to assess our trees – Bartlett Tree Experts in 2015 and KHS Landscape Professionals in September 2019. Our trees need to be managed given the issues emerging with damage to infrastructure and overall health. In order to proactively address, the Board has approved the formation of a “tree committee”. This committee will be responsible to assess all the trees in Sonoma Pines and to prepare a road map for a one, three, five year + plan on the overall management of our tree assets.
Accordingly, we are looking for three to five residents to form this committee. Interested residents are asked to submit a brief summary expressing their interest in participating in this committee. Summaries are to be put in a sealed envelop and marked “landscape committee” and dropped off at the office during business hours by COB on April 18th.
Red Stake Program
The Red Stake Program will be in effect again this year. If you wish to participate in the program you must complete the “red stake form” and pick up the red stakes at the office during office hours before May 15, 2024. Please note that we extended the deadline by 1 month.
Irrigation/Watering
We all have to play a role in water conservation. We have confirmed with WFN Utilities that we are currently in STAGE 2 watering restrictions. Since we are at STAGE 2 we will see lawns turning brown earlier than normal. The irrigation and water conservation committee would like to recommend that all watering time per zone be limited to 20 minutes. What does this mean?
For all Single Family Homes:
- Even numbered addresses may only water on Saturdays and Tuesdays.
- Odd numbered addresses may only water on Sundays and Wednesdays.
- No watering is permitted between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.
- Hand watering is permitted. Hand watering means holding a hose that has a spray nozzle attached or using a watering can and is allowed for plant materials and vegetable plantings. Lawns are excluded.
- Properties with auto sprinkler systems may only water between 12 and 6 AM on permitted days.
- Washing vehicles is permitted. However, responsible use is expected.
- WFN Law Enforcement Officers will be issuing fines up to $300, to anyone watering outside of watering regulations.
For all Multi-Family Homes and Common Areas:
- Due to the irrigation piping systems for the multi-family and common areas we can not always meet the requirements of the WFN watering restrictions. WFN are aware of our situation and have asked us to adhere to the watering restrictions as much as possible. As a result the auto sprinkler systems will be set to 2 days a week but will not follow the even/odd scenarios like single family homes. All other bullets listed for single family homes will also apply
Thanks everyone!
Willie Riewe
Director- Landscaping, Irrigation and Tree Committees
Sonoma Pines Board