There was considerable discussion on the challenges of operating under the COVID-19 restrictions at the November 7, 2020 Wintergreen Property Owners Association annual meeting, which was presented online only this year. (See the video, with an index, here.)
Beyond talk of the virus, however, there was news regarding roads, open space, security, facilities, and much more, such as:
• As announced to property owners in WPOA’s pre-meeting mailing, their 2021 annual assessments on property owners will increase 2 percent. Improved property (homes & condos) will be $1,820; unimproved property (lots) will be $1,208. Board Treasurer John Coy noted that this increase "has been consistent for the last four years," and called the $6,717,357 budget for the next year "sound and reasonable." Find the WPOA financial report here.
• The year started with a slow real estate market. This changed in April when the COVID impact hit. An estimated 450 Wintergreen properties will have changed hands by the end of this year, WPOA Executive Director Jay Roberts said. “That means more than 10 percent of the community's property owners are new. And they are excited to be here."
As might be expected from this sales increase, WPOA's Architectural Review Board has seen a large increase in activity as new owners look for ways to improve their new homes.
"All our community groups are likely to benefit from the increased interest from these new owners who are living and vacationing at Wintergreen," said Roberts, adding that it appears that the number of full-time residents at Wintergreen is also growing due to the "COVID effect."
"Property values are increasing and most of the existing inventory has been absorbed," Rod Kessler, Wintergreen Resort's General Manager, noted. He said people now buying homes at Wintergreen are coming as they always have, to enjoy the outdoors–the skiing, the hiking, the wildlife–but that many also see Wintergreen now as a place of refuge or safety, “a sanctuary.”
• WPOA is in negotiation with the Atlantic Coast Pipeline regarding the damage on the pipeline’s not used easement. "The forest is growing back rapidly," Roberts was happy to report. See this article in the News-Advance for details on the process.
• There has been major progress toward finally getting federal approval for an emergency exit on the mountain, connecting to the Blue Ridge Parkway from Wintergreen’s Laurel Springs Drive. "We remain committed to making this happen," said WPOA’s Roberts. "Much of the site work on our side of the line has been completed," noted Wintergreen Fire and Rescue Chief Curtis Sheets. "I'm pretty confident this will happen."
• If, as currently expected, COVID-19 restrictions are still an issue next summer, WPOA will attempt to rework its "unaccompanied guest" swimming pool policy at both the mountain and valley swimming pools to make it better, said Roberts. This summer both WPOA pools got high-speed wifi for visitors to enjoy.
• Property owners have a new meeting room they can use in the WPOA office building at the base of Wintergreen mountain. The room can seat 10 to 15 people. Details
• On the mountain, Wintergreen Drive is to get its scheduled asphalt surface in 2021. Laurel Springs Drive will be upgraded to hard and smooth asphalt next year.
In the valley, most of the asphalt paving was completed this year. Most of the new surface treatments on neighborhood roads in 2020 occurred on the mountain. The valley’s neighborhood roads will be the focus in 2021, Roberts noted.
• Wintergreen’s deer population is more under control, going from an all-time high in 2019 of 57.4, down to 27.7 per acre this year, said Roberts. The target is to be closer to 20. Lower deer numbers are better for the deer. Having not as many deer also means less damage to landscaping, reduces ticks, and means fewer predators, such as coyotes.
• Bear activity at Wintergreen doubled in 2020 and at the end of this year the reports are still coming in to WPOA. “The community needs to do a better job with bears,” said Roberts. “We’re looking for ways to keep the bears wild. One way to do that is to educate our owners about teaching their guests bear basics.”
Bear problems are mostly on the mountain. WPOA is working with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. Wintergreen Police are using rubber shot and paintball as humane deterrents, reported Police Chief Dennis Russell. “Remove sources of food. Don’t put out bird feeders out of season. Don't leave trash or snacks in your car. The bears can and do open car doors; they will try to break into your car if they smell food. Watch your doors and windows inside. Enjoy the outdoors by respecting our wildlife. We have to learn to live with bears,” Russell said.
• Speeding has become a major concern at Wintergreen, especially in the valley, the police chief reported. Russell said his patrol officers are going to start writing tickets. Details here.
• An uptick in attempted fraud was seen this year at Wintergreen. “If you get a phone call asking for money, hang up,” advised Chief Russell. “Call us immediately about any suspicious solicitation.” Russell said no one at Wintergreen lost any funds.
• There was also an increase in property crime this year, Russell noted. The good news is that Wintergreen Police investigators tracked down those responsible and there were “multiple arrests, court conventions, and jail time.” A single individual involved was in many of the cases. Russell has recommended good locks and installing remote viewing cameras inside and outside Wintergreen homes.
• Wintergreen Fire and Rescue continues to work to make the community safe, reported Chief Curtis Sheets, listing an impressive set of improvements such as more high-tech equipment and additions in staffing.
New signage on the popular trails were installed this summer. Wintergreen isn’t the only popular outdoor destination in the U.S. that had more issues with their tourists this year. For example, out west, residents around Lake Tahoe had similar problems.
Other issues covered at the meeting included a focus on improving signage, new mail boxes on the mountain, invasive species control, visitors at valley ponds, upcoming improvements to walking trails, ARB, a new WPOA website coming in December, major improvements coming to Founders’ Vision Overlook, expanded and improved video coverage on all Wintergreen entrances by the police, and revitalizing Stoney Creek Park. “We continue to focus on the details,” Roberts stressed.
See the video of the entire WPOA meeting here, including the reports from Friends of Wintergreen, Wintergreen Music, and the Nature Foundation at Wintergreen.
