Portside Condominium HOA Newsletter
December 2024
Latest Portside News
Happy Holidays!
Thank you Dave and Susan Fersch for hosting a Christmas breakfast on Christmas morning.
Photo of the Month
All the colors of the rainbow. Photo by Sandy Short-Steiss.
HOA Board Highlights
Special Assessment Update
The Portside community voted in favor of the $1,300,000 Special Assessment to be used for needed repairs and general maintenance. 45 Owners voted in favor, 10 against, and 15 did not vote. Based on the Common Interest, 63% voted in favor, exceeding the required 51% approval threshold outlined in our governing documents. A summary of the plan can be found here.
Special Assessment Payments
The current Main Street Management website shows some incorrect data - we are working to fix this as soon as possible. The Special Assessment is not due in full on January 1, 2025. Instead, it is to be paid in six equal monthly installments with the first due January 31, 2025, and then monthly, with the sixth and last due June 30, 2025. Anyone wishing to pay in full in advance may do so at any time. Also, a previous update was in error regarding interest – there is no interest charged and no penalty for those choosing to pay upfront or over the six-month schedule. Exact amounts can be found here.
Roof Repairs
In late November, we completed repairs to Building Four's flat roof junction and did additional flashing work. These repairs come with a five-year guarantee. In addition, an inspection found a damaged roof truss in Building Four needing repair. A structural engineer provided a solution, and that repair will be finished soon..
Window and Trim Inspections/Repairs
We began window and trim inspections in early December, completing Building One and most of Building Two. Work will resume in January starting on Building Seven, proceeding in descending order from there. This process will take several months. The results fall into four categories:
- - Trim in Good Shape: Trim requires no additional work prior to painting which is scheduled for late spring.
- - Trim Replaced: Some or all the trim boards needed replacing. These were caulked and primed to maintain a good seal.
- - Trim Replacement and Stucco Repair: In addition to trim repair, some stucco repair will be needed.
- - Trim and Framing Repair: In addition to trim repair, there is evidence of wood (framing) rot and some framing will need repair.
To ensure accuracy, a second, follow up inspection is being conducted by a seasoned general contractor. Of the windows/window frames inspected so far, approximately fifteen window frames needed some or all of their trim replaced, two window frames needed minor stucco repair, three window frames need some framing repair, and three windows will be recommended to be replaced. We will be completing the necessary repairs based on these findings, and when window replacement is recommended, Owners will be notified. A database of all window frame work is being created to document the repairs as we proceed.
Window Replacement Updates
Some windows are original and in poor condition, which may allow leaks to persist, even if the trim is repaired. As windows are an Owner’s responsibility, the HOA will be gathering bids from suppliers for windows that match Portside’s look and feel. If you wish to replace your windows, let us know by submitting a work order so we can add you to the list. Reminder: If you notice an active leak in a window or ceiling, please submit a work order so it can be inspected and repaired promptly.
Railings Installation
To meet code requirements as requested by our insurance provider, powder-coated aluminum handrails will be installed on a few of the concrete stairs in the community.
Building Seven Drainage
Water is pooling on the sidewalks near Building Seven and is being repaired.
Water Intrusion Testing
Based on visual inspections or past experiences, some Owners suspect specific water damage in walls. If you would like a water intrusion test inside your unit (e.g., probes into walls or drywall removal), please submit a work order. This process can be messy and repairs like sanding and painting may not always be completed promptly.
Financial Summary
To date, approximately $40,000 in repairs have been completed related to the Special Assessment. Please note that our regular budget has a line item(s) for general repairs too. Moving forward, we will do our best to keep assessment funding and expenses separate by placing all assessment funding into a separate account and continue to provide regular updates to ensure transparency.
Upcoming Work in January and February
We will continue window and trim inspections and repair. Once Building Two is completed, work will resume on Building Seven, proceeding in descending order from there. We will also begin inspecting attic spaces (26 in total) - ideally during an active rainstorm. The HVAC condenser roof wells will be inspected and cleaned of leaf or other debris as needed. Owner cooperation will be needed for attic access.
Unit Renovations
If you are planning new renovations for your Unit, please make sure to submit an ARC (Architectural Review Form) before you begin work. You will be expected to follow county and HOA rules.
Portside Committees
| Committee Name | Members | Brief Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Internet Fiber | Mark Richmond Click here if you want to help. |
Find a low cost, higher speed Internet option for Portside. |
| 2. Larger Mailboxes | Ken Jeffries Click here if you want to help. |
Obtain larger USPS mailboxes. |
| 3. Electric (EV) Car Chargers | Barry McQuain Click here if you want to help. |
Investigate EV Chargers for the Portside community. |
| 4. Exterior Recladding | Mark Richmond Click here if you want to help. |
Research and propose new exterior cladding for the Porside buildings. |
| 5. Garages/Carports (And other permanent fixtures) | Lynn Claunch Click here if you want to help. |
Build a fence and/or guard gate around Portside. Office/Storage Building, Guard Gate, Guard Building, Gate/Perimeter Fences |
| 6. Update Portside Rules and Regulations | Click here if you want to volunteer to chair or just be a part of the Update Portside Rules and Regulations Committee. |
Update our Portside Rules and Regulations, to be ratified at the annual summer meeting. |
| 7. Beach Improvements | Click here if you want to volunteer to chair or just be a part of the Beach Improvements Committee. |
Brainstorm new ideas for the Portside beaches - Foot Showers, Cabana, Sand, drainage, pool float, maybe even a putting greebn ... |
| 8. Architectural Review Committee | Melanie Poteat, Michael Strange, |
The committee that reports to the HOA Board with a review of and recommendations for Portside's Common Areas and Unit renovation requests. |
Portside Members Spotlight: Meet Gordon and Debbie Aspin
Gordon and Debbie circa 1993 and Gordon and Debbie in Croatia earlier this year
This month, we’re turning the spotlight on Gordon and Debbie Aspin, two of Portside’s most charming (and let’s face it, entertaining) residents. Their story is a delightful blend of international flair, Midwestern roots, and a mutual love for adventure - shaken, not stirred, of course. From their beginnings across the Atlantic to their current retirement escapades, the Aspins are a testament to living life with humor and curiosity.
Gordon was born in the town of Bracknell, just northwest of London in Berkshire, England. If you’re thinking rolling hills and quaint cottages, you’re mostly right, but Gordon assures us it’s more suburban charm than Downton Abbey. Debbie, on the other hand, hails from Decatur, Illinois - the soybean capital of the world. Yes, folks, that’s a real title, and Debbie wears it proudly. She grew up attending Catholic school before making her way to the Chicago area for work, where fate (and a party invitation) brought her and Gordon together.
The Aspins met in the Chicago suburbs during a party Debbie hosted while moving houses. Gordon, fresh from the UK and working for Reuters, was invited on a whim. “We knew each other professionally, but not socially,” Gordon recalls. One party and several conversations later, a connection sparked, and the rest is history. The couple eventually got engaged on a ski trip to Telluride in 1994, a nod to their shared love of the slopes. Before settling in Davidson, the Aspins spent three decades in Naperville, Illinois, raising their two children, Sophia and David. Gordon’s career with Deloitte saw him diving deep into government and public sector tech - think modernizing Medicaid systems and translating COBOL into Python (yes, he still writes code!). Debbie managed HR and home life with equal flair. Their kids are now grown, with Sophia married and living in Naperville and David residing in downtown Chicago. No grandkids yet, but Gordon and Debbie are content enjoying their well-earned freedom.
Fast forward to 2017, Gordon and Debbie began planning their retirement. Warmer weather, proximity to water, and a nearby American Airlines hub were key criteria - hello, Charlotte! During a lunch visit to Lake Norman’s North Harbor Club, they found themselves enchanted by the condos across the way. During the covid summer lull in 2020, they snagged their first unit at Portside (and later added a second one for good measure).
Retirement has not slowed these two down. Debbie, an avid tennis player, is a regular on the courts, playing in multiple leagues. Gordon dabbles in pickleball, sails at the Lake Norman Yacht Club, and is even considering teaching sailing to middle and high schoolers. “Why not give back?” he says with a shrug and a smile. When they’re not active, the Aspins enjoy exploring North Carolina, scratching destinations off their “retirement bucket list” of local adventures - McAdenville’s Christmas lights, the Yadkin Valley wineries, and hikes on Grandfather Mountain are just a few highlights. Internationally, they’re frequent flyers to Europe, visiting Gordon’s family in the UK and Debbie’s favorite spots in Spain and France.
When it comes to dining, the Aspins are big fans of the local culinary scene. Savannah’s stands out as their go-to, though Kindred and The Pickled Peach also make the cut. “Savannah’s just has that cozy vibe,” Gordon notes. Rumor has it they were once seen within stumbling distance of the Wine Cottage - ok, maybe more than once, but not every night. But if you see them there, be sure to say hello!
Gordon and Debbie’s zest for life is infectious. Whether they’re sailing across Lake Norman or reminiscing about a good bottle of wine, they approach everything with humor and humility. So next time you see them around Portside, stop for a chat. You’re sure to leave with a smile, a story, and maybe even an invite to join Gordon on the water!
Other Information
| Property Manager Details | Previous Newsletters | Governing Documents |
|---|---|---|
Company: Main Stree Management, 18115 W Catawba Ave, Cornelius, NC 28031 |
||
Portside Property Manager: Ann Marie Creavin |
||
Phone: (704) 255-1266 |
||
Portside Document Website and Work Order / Repair Requests: Click here |