The Issues Facing Pine Ridge

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Pine Ridge is a strong and vibrant community, but like any growing neighborhood, we face important decisions that will shape our future. Protecting the character, safety, and long-term value of Pine Ridge requires thoughtful leadership and active involvement from residents.

 

Bob Farmer, John Hyde, and Diane South believe that the best way to protect Pine Ridge is to address these issues directly, with transparency, responsible planning, Proper representation and respect for the community.

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Protecting the Pine Ridge Master Plan

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The Pine Ridge Master Plan has guided the development of our community for over 50 years. It has  ensured that Pine Ridge grows responsibly while preserving the qualities that make it unique. One of the few Equestrian and Country Club Communities in the country.

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Protecting the Master Plan helps safeguard property values and maintain the character of our community. Responsible leadership means defending the plan and ensuring that future decisions continue to respect the vision residents invested in.

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Protecting Our Settlement Agreements

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Pine Ridge currently has two important settlement agreements that help protect our community from adverse development on neighboring properties.

 

These agreements are in place for two bordering developments:

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• Amber Ridge West (ARW) – located south of Pine Ridge along Ranger

• Black Diamond Reserve (BDR) – located east of Pine Ridge

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These agreements were created specifically to protect Pine Ridge residents and preserve the character and value of our community.

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The agreements are not informal understandings. They are part of the Warranty Deed signed and committed to by the current developer, meaning they are legally recognized commitments that affect how these neighboring properties can be developed.

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Under the current agreements:

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• Both ARW and BDR are limited to one home per acre, similar to Pine Ridge.

• These properties are required to maintain deed restrictions comparable to Pine Ridge standards.

• Black Diamond Reserve is also required to pay POA fees to Pine Ridge, currently approximately $6,200 per year.

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These protections were put in place when these properties were sold and removed from the Pine Ridge Master Plan to ensure that development surrounding Pine Ridge would remain compatible with the community that residents invested in.

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Developer Proposal and Negotiations

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The developer has publicly acknowledged that these settlement agreements exist on the ARW and BDR properties and that any changes on these properties would require him to negotiate with Pine Ridge.

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The developer has proposed a buyout of the settlement agreements, asking Pine Ridge to surrender these protections and agree not to dispute any development plans for the ARW and BDR properties.

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As part of this proposal, the developer also offered a potential path that could allow Pine Ridge to have influence over what happens to the Golf Course property.

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This proposal was presented publicly to all POA members and the Pine Ridge Board of Directors.

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Because of the potential impact of these agreements on the future of Pine Ridge, the Board recognized that this matter required experienced professional representation to ensure that any negotiation would fully protect the interests of all Pine Ridge property owners.

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Expert Representation for Pine Ridge

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A highly experienced real estate expert and negotiator agreed to represent Pine Ridge in these negotiations on a contingency basis, meaning the community would not incur financial obligation unless an agreement was reached.

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However, during the board meeting where the representative’s contract was scheduled to be ratified, a group of individuals who support the developer disrupted the meeting, causing the meeting to be adjourned before the contract could be formally approved.

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This interruption created a breach of the verbal handshake agreement the board had made with the representative.

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In order to demonstrate good faith and encourage the representative to continue working with Pine Ridge, the Board approved $25,000 as a good-faith payment to ask the representative to reconsider and proceed with representing the community in this complex matter.

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The representative agreed and began working on Pine Ridge’s behalf.

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Importantly, the representative has not cashed the check and continues to negotiate on a contingency basis.

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Protecting Pine Ridge in the Negotiations

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The goal of these negotiations is not simply to resolve legal agreements, but to ensure the best possible outcome for the entire Pine Ridge community.

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Key objectives being pursued include:

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• Generous site and sound buffers for all Pine Ridge properties bordering the developments

• No egress access into Pine Ridge from the neighboring developments

• Additional concessions and protections for Pine Ridge residents

• Potential compensation or other benefits for the community

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These negotiations involve tremendous potential value for Pine Ridge and must be handled carefully and strategically.

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Leadership That Understands What Is at Stake

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Bob Farmer, John Hyde, and Diane South understand the importance of these settlement agreements and the value they represent for the future of Pine Ridge.

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They believe the community should not abandon the opportunity to protect and strengthen these protections through careful negotiation.

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Protecting Pine Ridge requires leadership that understands both the legal complexities and the long-term impact of these decisions.

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Farmer, Hyde, and South are committed to ensuring that the interests of all Pine Ridge residents are protected throughout this process.

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Public Statements Regarding the Negotiations

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During a recent Meet the Candidates forum, the four candidates who have expressed support for the developer publicly stated that they would terminate the contingency contract with the professional negotiator currently representing Pine Ridge in the settlement agreement discussions.

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These statements were made publicly during the forum and were recorded on video.

Those candidates indicated that they believe Pine Ridge should not continue to spend resources negotiating protections related to the neighboring properties because Pine Ridge does not own those properties. They stated that they would allow the developer to proceed with development plans on the Amber Ridge West and Black Diamond Reserve properties without continuing the current negotiation process.

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This position represents a significant difference in approach regarding how Pine Ridge should protect the community’s interests.

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Bob Farmer, John Hyde, and Diane South believe that the settlement agreements and negotiations represent an important opportunity to protect Pine Ridge and ensure that the interests of residents are fully considered in any future development surrounding the community.

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They believe responsible leadership requires continuing the negotiation process in order to secure the best possible protections and outcomes for Pine Ridge residents.

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The Value of Protecting Pine Ridge

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The settlement agreements and the negotiations surrounding them represent one of the most significant opportunities Pine Ridge has to protect the long-term interests of the entire community.

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These agreements affect thousands of acres within and surrounding Pine Ridge and could influence how neighboring properties are developed for decades to come. Decisions made today will impact property values, community character, traffic, environmental protections, and the overall quality of life for Pine Ridge residents.

Because of the scale and importance of these issues, the negotiations require experienced representation and thoughtful leadership to ensure that Pine Ridge receives the strongest possible protections and benefits.

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Handled properly, these negotiations have the potential to secure meaningful protections such as development buffers, controlled access, environmental safeguards, and other concessions that help preserve the character and value of the Pine Ridge community.

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Bob Farmer, John Hyde, and Diane South believe that this opportunity should not be abandoned. Instead, it should be carefully managed so that the interests of all Pine Ridge property owners are fully protected.

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Protecting Pine Ridge means protecting the investments residents have already made and ensuring that future decisions strengthen the community rather than weaken it.

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Responsible Financial Management

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Strong financial stewardship is essential to maintaining the stability of the Pine Ridge Property Owners Association.

Under the leadership of Treasurer Bob Farmer, the community budget has been brought into balance and the association’s finances have strengthened. Continuing responsible budgeting and transparent financial reporting will help ensure that community resources are managed wisely. There has been no additional out of pocket money of any POA Member to accomplish this, nor will there be in the future.

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Community Amenities and Recreation

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Amenities play an important role in bringing neighbors together and strengthening community life.

As Pine Ridge grows, residents should have opportunities to discuss future recreational amenities that reflect the needs and interests of the community. Thoughtful planning will help ensure that Pine Ridge continues to offer spaces where neighbors can gather, socialize, and enjoy the outdoors.

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Road Safety and Infrastructure

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Maintaining safe roads and reliable infrastructure is essential to protecting the quality of life in Pine Ridge.

This includes addressing issues such as:

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• road maintenance and repairs
• safety at equestrian crossings
• long-term infrastructure improvements

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Ensuring that these issues are addressed responsibly will help keep Pine Ridge safe for residents, families, and visitors.

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Protecting Our Natural Resources

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Pine Ridge’s natural environment is one of the most valuable aspects of the community.

Protecting our aquifer and monitoring activities that could impact water resources is an important responsibility for community leadership. Preserving the natural beauty of Pine Ridge helps maintain both property values and the quality of life residents enjoy.

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Encouraging Resident Involvement

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A strong community depends on residents who are informed, engaged, and willing to participate in local leadership.

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Bob Farmer, John Hyde, and Diane South believe in encouraging more residents to become involved through committees, meetings, and open communication with the POA Board.

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When neighbors work together, Pine Ridge becomes stronger.

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Moving Forward Together

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Pine Ridge has always been a community built by neighbors who care about protecting what they have created together.

Bob Farmer, John Hyde, and Diane South are committed to continuing that tradition by providing leadership that protects the community, strengthens governance, and ensures that Pine Ridge remains a place residents are proud to call home.

Together, we can continue Protecting Pine Ridge, today and for the future.

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