Frequently Asked Questions
1.      How can we afford a new deck?
We held funds in reserve for years to comply with the Water District’s demands that we demolish our existing fence, move, and rebuild a new fence along the entire Creekside western boundary. We also planned to move our shed on the southern boundary by demolishing the existing concrete foundation, and pouring a new foundation and moving it northward into the yard. We thus have the capital reserves available because we no longer are required to spend the funds our membership budgeted to move the fence or move the shed or change anything about the way we currently use our property.
2.      Will we hurt our Heritage Oak Tree by building a new deck?
The Grounds Utilization and Revitalization Project subcommittee has spent the past 5 months working with certified arborists, the City of Saratoga, and licensed contractors compiling bids and recommendations on how to proceed with the project to maximize the health and protection of the oak tree. We can avoid disrupting the tree’s roots by constructing an elevated deck that minimizes the impact on the roots. The subcommittee wants to make the Heritage Oak Tree the focal point of the deck, and we will ensure that extreme care is taken, use hand tools and specialized equipment during construction, and rely on a flexible substructure that does not require digging into the roots underneath the tree canopy. We will also improve the tree health by removing some of the dirt that was placed up against the trunk of the tree years ago when the concrete pool deck was extended. This work inadvertently covered the root collar, which can promote wet conditions causing drowning, introduction of mold and fungi that can lead to decay and other injuries that can kill the tree. This project aims to maximize the utilization of the land around the tree that the club fought so hard to keep after a long negotiation with the Water District.
3.      Will the proposed deck allow rainwater and landscape irrigation to reach the oak tree roots and will a deck be safe for the tree?
Yes, the proposed deck will be constructed with up to 1/8 inch spacing between the deck boards to permit rainwater and landscape irrigation to seep through the gaps and fall to the ground. Neither the frame nor the deck substructure will be attached to the tree, and at least 5 inches of space around the tree trunk will be provided to allow for tree growth. We are hiring a certified arborist to properly trim the Heritage Oak tree and evaluate the tree’s root system and determine the safest way to construct the deck and work around it.
4.      How will we minimize our construction costs?
We plan to use a combination of licensed contractors and neighborhood labor, similar to the way we managed the new BBQ project. Our Grounds Utilization and Revitalization Project (GURP) team is being led by our own members who are professional, licensed contractors, architects, and engineers with many years of construction experience. We plan to hold neighborhood work parties and encourage our youth to participate and gain valuable hands-on experience in construction work by learning directly from experts in the field.
5.      What are the required votes needed to approve this measure?
Just like at our Annual Membership Meeting, we need a simple majority of a quorum of the membership to approve this measure. Carolin Weber, our SWCA Secretary, determined that a quorum for our September 22, 2024 Annual Meeting (which is at least 25% of total members) was 39 Families. This is what we followed for the Annual Meeting voting to approve the FY25 budget. To gain approval for this project we need to have at least 39 Families vote (we will de-dupe multiple votes from the same family) and get a simple majority of the votes cast to be FOR the project. A YES vote is a vote FOR the project. A NO vote is a vote AGAINST the project
6. When will we start construction?
Pending membership approval, we are planning to start in January so long as we have a signed, final agreement for ownership of the ~2,000 sq. ft. land parcel that runs the width of the property along the west Creekside fence. We are in close contact with Valley Water, and they are aware of our planned construction timing. We expect to have the land/easement agreement signed this fall. We will not start construction until we have the signed agreement and legal ownership of the land.