Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQs)
1. HomeOwners’ Association
1.1 Our annual assessments are $150.00. Where does the money go?
1.2 Where do I pay my assessments?
1.3 When are HOA assessments late?
1.4 What happens when people do not pay assessments for an extended period, not just late?
1.5 Where can I get a copy of the Copperfield Homeowners Association Bylaws?
2. Streets, Traffic, and Access
2.1 Can you stop those driving at dangerous speeds down my street?
3. Conditions, Covenants, and Restrictions (CCRs)
3.1 I do not have a copy of the Homeowner Restrictions, (CCR’s). Where can I get one?
3.2 I plan to construct an addition or change the appearance of my house, or make other modifications which alters the improved property. How do I get permission to do it?
4. Quality of Life
4.1 Watering causes white alkali buildup around the yard which can damage or kill trees and shrubs. What can be done?
4.2 Our swimming pool is good for small children, but what about a larger pool for adults as well?
4.3 How do I arrange to use the Copperfield Homeowner’s Swimming Pool?
4.4 What can I do to stop neighbors’ dogs from barking?
4.5 How do I obtain an American Flag on flag display holidays?
5. Maintenance Around Copperfield
5.1 Who should I call about dead animals in the street?
5.2 Who is responsible for picking up trash and debris along the streets and sidewalks?
5.3 Who picks up fallen trees, limbs, brush, etc.?
5.4 How do I get rid of large household items?
5.5 If I don’t mulch yard waste & leaves what do I do with it?
5.6 Where should I take my used Christmas tree?
5.7 What do I do with used crankcase oil, old household cleaners, paint, batteries, herbicides, pesticides, and other such items?
1.1 Our annual assessments are $150.00. Where does the money go? Our Association pays for lawn and gardening services of the common areas maintained by the association. Also for capital improvements such as the sidewalks constructed along Sommerford in 1999, decorative iron railings on the bridges added in 2000, seasonal banner brackets and banners, and construction of the entry gates in 1998-1999. Bookkeeping, mailing expenses, newsletter, etc. are also are paid by the Association.
1.2 Where do I pay my assessments? Homeowner’s Association Assessments payment should be made to:
Copperfield HOA
1701 Southwest Pkwy Ste 209
College Station, Tx 77840
1.3 When are HOA assessments late? Assessments cover the period June 1 to May 31, and are due June 1. Assessments are considered late after 30 days and a 10% late fee is imposed on past due balances after September 1. Accounts with balances that total 2 or more years may have lien filed against the property. To resolve questions contact Association Services at help@associationservicesbcs.com.
1.4 What happens when people do not pay assessments for an extended period, not just late? Letters will be sent out following legal guidelines to homeowners. For persistent nonpayment of assessments, liens may be placed against homeowner’s property. This is for the benefit and protection of all the homeowners. (Reference Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions For Copperfield, commonly referred to as CCR’s or Deed Restrictions)
1.5 Where can I get a copy of the Copperfield Homeowners Association Bylaws? You should be able to click on the “Legal Documents” button on the menu. You may read or print out the copy that is on-line. Or please write to:
Association Services
1701 Southwest Pkwy Ste 209
College Station, Tx 77840
who will send you a copy.
2.1 Can you stop those driving at dangerous speeds down my street? Call Bryan Police at 361-3888 and report the violator. Try to provide as much information as possible, so that the Police might be able to track down the speeder. The more reports phoned, the greater is the opportunity to have the Police monitor the street. Speed bumps, etc. require the residents living on the street to approve such devices.
3.1 I do not have a copy of the Homeowner Restrictions, (CCR’s). Where can I get one? You should contact your Realtor, title company, or builder for a copy. Your property deed should reference certain pages of the CCR’s referring to the Homeowners Association. Although time consuming and somewhat expensive at several dollars a page, copies can be obtained from the County Clerk’s office. One should know what section of Copperfield they live in before doing this however. The Copperfield web page now includes copies of the CCRs. While these are believed to be true and accurate copies, they are not certified (or certifiable) and cannot replace the copy you should have received at closing. These online copies can be accessed through the “Legal Documents” button on the menubar.
3.2 I plan to construct an addition or change the appearance of my house, or make other modifications which alters the improved property. How do I get permission to do it? First you will want to check the covenants & restrictions for your particular block and lot. This information should be among the original papers and documents you received upon purchase of the property. Major modifications, changes and/or additions should be submitted to the Architecture Control Committee for their approval and/or recommendations. Include necessary diagrams, drawings, rationale, builder and appropriate information. Be sure to allow sufficient time for this approval – the committee can take up to 45 days to respond to a request.
Structures in the front, side and back yards including fences planned for your property, need to be checked out before construction. You may contact the committee by emailing your request or questions to:
| Copperfield Architectural Committee 1701 Southwest Pkwy Ste 209 College Station, Tx 77840 979-822-4443 help@associationservicesbcs.com |
4.1 Watering causes white alkali buildup around the yard which can damage or kill trees and shrubs. What can be done? The professionals say that over watering is a big problem causing alkali (basic) buildup which damages plants with our city water. They recommend a good lawn watering of at least an inch once a week which will help cause the roots to grow down deeper. Most trees do not need to be watered, and many will die from excessive watering. Acidification can be applied through Sulfur or other applications obtained at the garden shops. Test kits are usually available to check the acidity of soils. Also check the newspapers for frequent articles in this regard.
4.2 Our swimming pool is good for small children, but what about a larger pool for adults as well? As you know large swimming pools are expensive. It would probably be up to the City of Bryan to plan and fund such a large and expensive project. The nearest city pool is Bryan Aquatics Center which is open year round. It is heated and annual passes may be purchased. It appears in discussions with city officials that the priority for pools presently is towards the west side of Bryan.
4.3 How do I arrange to use the Copperfield Homeowner’s Swimming Pool? The swimming pool usually opens in May of each year. There is a fee for use of the pool. A week or so before the pool opens, applications are available on the front porch located at 5500 Somerford Ln. Leave your check and the completed form. You will be notified about picking up a key and other information about use of the pool. There are about 100 families using the pool each year.
Rental of the facility for parties is available. Forms for rental are available at the same location. Only Copperfield Homeowners paying the family season fee may use the pool or rent the facilities for parties.
4.4 What can I do to stop neighbors’ dogs from barking? You may call the animal control at 361-3888 and report the problem. There is a procedure that is followed by the city to correct the problem. That means that you have to continue calling if the dog or dogs do not quit barking. Also, stray dogs, cats and other pets who run through the neighborhood without someone maintaining them with a leash should be reported by calling 979-361-3888.
4.5 How do I obtain an American Flag on flag display holidays? Call the chairman of the program at 979-778-0071 or write to Flags Across Bryan at P.O. Box 314, Bryan TX 77806 and ask for a blank application. The program is sponsored by Scout Troop 977 and the men of the United Methodist Church of Bryan.
Subscriptions cost $30.00 per year. The program provides and places U.S. flags in the yards of subscribers on selected official holidays during each year. A subscription covers a calendar year.
The Copperfield Homeowners’ Association pays the subscription to place flags along the entrance to Copperfield Drive. Also, individuals help to extend the number of flags along Copperfield and Canterbury Drives by sponsoring flags as memorials. You may make a memorial donation by noting such on a subscription blank.
5.1 Who should I call about dead animals in the street? Call City Dead Animal Pickup at 979-209-5900.
5.2 Who is responsible for picking up trash and debris along the streets and sidewalks? Actually, its everyone’s responsibility. Each individual should be responsible for not littering. There are some individuals in the community who include picking up trash during their regular exercise walks, along the main drives of the neighborhood. We salute these individuals and express our thanks on behalf of the Association.
The City says that a street sweeper operates throughout the community on a monthly basis. If you do not notice the street sweeper in your neighborhood monthly, call the Public Works Call Center at 979-209-5900 to report it.
5.3 Who picks up fallen trees, limbs, brush, etc.? The City does. Cut and stack brush at the curb in front of your house with cut ends facing the street. Stack brush away from parked cars, low hanging limbs, and mail boxes. It must be curbside before 6AM on Monday of the scheduled week of collection. Copperfield is in Residential Service Area #1. The schedule provides for every other week collection. To obtain a schedule call 979-209-5900 or go to https://www.bryantx.gov/. Don’t mix brush with junk or other items placed on the curb for collections.
5.4 How do I get rid of large household items? The City considers bulky items to include furniture, stoves, refrigerators, hot water heaters, washing machines, old bicycles, etc. Place bulk items curb side before 6AM on the Friday of the scheduled week of collection for Service Area 1. Don’t include hazardous materials, any liquids, tires, concrete, dirt or large amounts of building materials. Units containing freon must be certified by a licensed technician to be free of freon before collection. The city will collect it, if a $20 fee is paid in advance. For more information, please call 979-209-5900 or go to https://www.bryantx.gov/.
5.5 If I don’t mulch yard waste & leaves what do I do with it? The City proudly promotes the Don’t Bag It Program, but they say if that’s not your bag, then follow this procedure to have it collected. Bag your leaf and yard waste and place at the curb near your garbage container on the same day your regular garbage is collected. Call 979-209-5900 and asked about using special “Kraft” recyclable bags which the City will provide. It’s a program under development.
5.6 Where should I take my used Christmas tree? Watch the local news media for special programs concerning Christmas trees. In the past the City has exchanged seedlings for used Christmas trees. If your tree is flocked, it will have to be disposed as a bulky item (see disposal of bulky items). Non-flocked trees should be placed at curbside for collection by the leaf and yard waste crews or they may be taken to the Bryan Compost facility located on Pleasant Hill Road.
5.7 What do I do with used crankcase oil, old household cleaners, paint, batteries, herbicides, pesticides, and other such items?
Watch for announcements in the local news media of the Brazos Valley Hazardous Household Waste Collection Day. It is held in the spring and fall of each year. There is no charge for the disposal of these hazardous items.