Note: Charles Powell (703-929-3806) is now the designated GHCP point of contact with VDOT on road issues within the community.
Winter Snow Round-up. The Roads and Grounds Committee met on February 20. We had an active snow season this winter and a greater need for snow removal than in recent years. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) carries out snow removal on VDOT roads that are part of the state system. This year, there were a few complaints from residents about damage to VDOT roads when the contractors lowered their plow blades too close to the road surface. We also had at least one instance when a VDOT contractor inadvertently plowed a non-VDOT road with a blade lowered to paved road height, effectively removing gravel normally used on the non-VDOT road. **If you have any issues related to VDOT snow removal activities or other complaints previously reported to VDOT that have not yet been addressed, please contact Charles Powell (703-929-3806), or by email to the GHCPA office (ghcpassoc@gmail.com).
Snow removal on the non-VDOT roads in the community is carried out by a company hired by the Association when the snow depth is 4 inches or more on those roads. No action is taken to remove snow when the snowfall is under 4 inches. The potential for damage to the gravel roads in the community is increased when snow removal is attempted at lower snowfall amounts. This winter, the total cost for snow removal on the non-VDOT roads, boat ramp roads, and Clubhouse parking lot was $1,000. Costs for GH were charged against remaining GHCA funds; costs for CP were charged against remaining CPCA funds; and costs for Association-owned properties maintained by the SD were covered by SD funds.
Spring Road Review. In April, the committee will be conducting the spring “drive-around” review of the condition of all 21 non-VDOT roads in the community. The principal purpose of the review is to prioritize and plan for minimal maintenance that may be needed. Many roads have new or enlarged potholes, and the committee wants to determine where minimal maintenance and “pothole-filling” is most needed.
During the review, the committee will also update the data collected last fall on the number of new homes built on each of the non-VDOT roads. This data is used to determine how many roads may now meet basic minimum eligibility requirements for inclusion in the State secondary road system (e.g., the road must serve at least three occupied homes, have an acceptable right of way, and/or be a connector road between other roads already maintained by VDOT).
The committee will conduct the “drive-around” review around April 16 – 17. Don’t be surprised if you see some unfamiliar vehicles driving on your non-VDOT road. The committee will meet on April 30 to summarize the data collected during the review and prepare a report for the GHCPA Board. The committee also plans to meet with VDOT to review conditions previously identified by VDOT as impediments to inclusion of specific roads in the State system.
If you have any questions or concerns, you’d like the committee to consider, please contact any committee member, or email the GHCPA office at (ghcpassoc@gmail.com). Here is an updated list of committee members.
Roads and Grounds Committee:
Charles Powell, Chair, CP 703-929-3806
Kraig Kirschenbauer, GH 703-856-0984
Buddy Axtell, GH 703-282-2502
David Kirby, GH 804-472-2494
Scott Thomas, CP 301-643-2332
Directors:
Fred Selby, GH 703-283-0075
Jeanne Axtell, GH 703-282-2544
posted 03.27.25