Exciting plans for Amberleigh Square are under consideration

Knowing that many residents have questions about the proposed Amberleigh Square, I wanted to share the most updated information. I have been meeting with all interested parties about a plan change being considered for Amberleigh.

The first discussion occurred at the Annual Meeting of the Amberleigh Homes Owners Association (HOA) on April 7. On April 23rd, I met with seven individual residents and we discussed their concerns. We have also had follow-up phone conversations. Several residents shared great ideas, resulting in some of the items included in the plan detailed below.

I understand that the residents would like a decision from me, one way or the other, as soon as possible. Certain elements of a decision to proceed are beyond my control, but I do intend to move forward with the plan below. Construction of the apartments is likely to begin this fall, but is not definite yet.

The revised Amberleigh Square Land Plan includes two single family homes that will be built across from the Community Center. These homes replace the basketball court which no one was in favor of-particularly the residents who live closest to it.

Two of the four buildings would be angled so that the visual impact of those buildings on the residents closest to the building will be reduced. Consideration is being given to stepping the buildings and lowering them to reduce the scale of the buildings. All of the buildings have been moved as close as possible to the rear property line.

As part of the most recent Land Plan, a significant Landscape Berm has been added between the residents closest to the apartments and their back yards. This Berm Area ranges from approximately 48 feet to 60 feet from the property line to the driveway and will be beautifully landscaped. It will be planted with Norway Spruce, Zelkova, Maple, Dogwood and Cherry Trees, decorative grasses and other plantings (subject to final selection and availability). Some decorative fencing is also being considered.

Special Consideration to the Parking Lot Lighting and the proposed Lighting Specifications will provide "downward lighting" so that once the public safety issues of the parking lot are addressed, the lighting will be as limited to the lot as possible.

New improved neighborhood street signs will be installed. Additional stop signs are also proposed. The amount and location of the stop signs are subject to the review and approval of Benner and Spring Townships.

Revised Intersection Details are being proposed where indicated on the plan. These intersection details will reduce the speed of traffic throughout the neighborhood and add to the aesthetics along with the new street signs. The intersection improvements will be a part of the final wearing course of paving and are subject to the review and approval of Benner and Spring Townships.

Construction of the Village Green will start prior to the start of construction of Amberleigh Square. The Village Green will be owned by the Amberleigh Home Owners Association (HOA). The maintenance of the Village Green would be the responsibility of the proposed apartments. The ponds and areas around the ponds would be owned by the apartments. The maintenance responsibility of the ponds would be the planned apartments. The community walking trails would be the maintenance responsibility of the planned apartments.

The good news for all HOA residents of Amberleigh is that monthly HOA fees would be REDUCED as the maintenance of these areas was originally slated to be the responsibility of the HOA.

A Community Center for the use of all Amberleigh residents is proposed. The Community Center will include a Fitness Center, an equipped Business Center, a Living Room with a fireplace and small bar area, Kitchen and Separate Bathrooms. All of these facilities would be available FREE OF CHARGE to Amberleigh Residents.

The Community Center would also include an Outdoor Pool. All Single Family home owners who purchased their home prior to April 2009 will have FREE USE OF THE POOL for as long as they reside in the home, because the Apartments impact them more directly than the Townhome owners. Townhome residents and future Single Family residents will be able to use the pool for a nominal fee. The fee will contribute to the maintenance and management of the pool.

Garages will be added to the Amberleigh Square Parking Areas as shown on the proposed plan. Garbage Areas will be screened on three sides and are shown on the plan.

We are giving special consideration for the Single Family homeowners who purchased their home prior to April 2009, particularly the Single Family homeowners on lots adjacent to the apartments. Those residents will be contacted directly regarding that special consideration.

The Apartments, all one and two bedroom homes, will be managed Dana Glass Properties, Inc. As proven property managers, we will do our best to provide for long-term focused professional management. The exteriors of the buildings and the landscaping will be meticulously maintained. Behavior that is not consistent with a Class A Apartment Community by the residents will not be tolerated. The overall aesthetic quality of the neighborhood is very important to us, just as we know it is to you.

During the course of our conversations, it became clear to me that there is a genuine desire for the Amberleigh Community to grow and become a unique place to live in Centre County. The community's location, housing design and land planning is an attractive addition to the Bellefonte Community. This is our goal and commitment to our residents.

We share the ultimate goals of a safe, aesthetically beautiful and valuable property, and it is in our collective interest to work together to nurture Amberleigh and our long-term property values. I am confident that Amberleigh Square will fit in nicely at Amberleigh. I thank many of you for contributing so positively to the planning process.

Sincerely,

Michael S. Glass, President
Dana Glass Properties, Inc.