Q. When is an Architectural Review Request required, and how do I submit it?

A. Per CCR Article 5, Architectural Control, no building (such as a shed, etc.), fence, wall, porch, deck, or any other structure or improvement, (collectively "Improvements") including, without limitation, the alteration or painting of the exterior surface of any existing Improvement or the original house shall be undertaken upon any Lot unless the plans and specification and location of the proposed Improvement have been expressly approved in writing by the Architectural Committee. The Architectural Review Request is located under HOA Documents and the form has instructions on how to submit it.

Q. How do I contact the Stonehurst Property Manager?

A. Effective August 1, 2022, the Stonehurst Property Manager is Kevin Bragman at Greenville HOA Services, LLC (GHS)

The mailing address is:

Stonehurst HOA
C/O Greenville HOA Services, LLC
P.O. Box 80429
Simpsonville, SC 29680

864-213-2156
www.greenvillehoa.com
email: support@greenvillehoa.com

The physical address is:
Greenville HOA Services, LLC
1200 Woodruff Rd, Ste A3 (in the Merovan Center)
Greenville, SC 29607
GHS has the following lobby policy. "Our front lobby is for dropping off payments, architectural change requests, and other general correspondence only. Most questions can be answered by phone or e-mail. If we can't provide a solution over the phone or through e-mail, we will schedule you to meet with one of our associates." So if you want to have a discussion with a Property Manager, please make an appointment.

The GHS portal to check your account balance, make online payments, and review private HOA documents is https://greenville.cincwebaxis.com
You must register and create your password. Online payments can be made by debit or credit cards, and echeck. Processing fees apply for online payments. Payment by personal check is mailed to the mailing address above. GHS's main function is to produce financial reports and collect the annual assessments, issue delinquency notices, CCR compliance notices, CCR compliance action notices (fines), assessment information to close on house sales, and assist the Board with other items such as audits and corporate income tax returns. The Board will continue to process the Architectural Review Requests and maintain this HOA website.

Q. What are the rules for parking cars on the street in Stonehurst subdivision, or for blocking sidewalks?

A. Although the Board strongly encourages parking in your garage or on your driveway in order to keep the streets clear for two-way traffic, there are no rules in the CCRs about parking cars on the street. The Board discussed this in a meeting on June 12, 2021. The Board concluded that street parking for cars needs to follow the rules set by the City of Easley. These rules will be enforced by the City police, and not by the Board. See the menu for HOA Meeting Minutes for further information. For the City of Easley Parking Rules, see Easley Parking Rules . In a meeting on June 7, 2022, the Board considered a complaint on parked cars blocking the sidewalk. The Board noted that the Easley Parking Rules also forbid blocking the sidewalk, and decided that homeowners should report sidewalk blockage directly to the City police. The non-emergency number is 864-859-4025.

Q. How do I report a violation of the CCRs to the HOA Board of Directors?

A. Violations of CCRs should be reported to the Board, as the Board must determine if it is an actual violation. To report a violation, send an email to Board@StonehurstEasley.org or a letter to Board of Directors, P.O. Box 2848, Easley, SC 29641. The Board does not tell the violator who it was that reported the violation. Violations are dealt with using procedure BODP-3, Violation Enforcement Policy, which can be read at the HOA Documents tab.

Q. What is the standard for maintenance of lawns in Stonehurst?

A. In a Board meeting on September 8, 2021, the Board set the standard that any grass or weeds in a yard that are taller than 12 inches (or 24 inches on a steep slope) is a violation of the CCRs and will lead to corrective action in accordance with Board position BODP-3, Violation Enforcement Policy. The Board does not pay the property manager to make periodic inspections, so the Board requests that violations of CCRs be reported to the Board as described in the preceeding FAQ.

Q. What are the HOA rules about signs in yards?

A. The basic HOA rules are found in CCRs Section 7.12. "No advertising signs or billboard shall be erected on any Lot." Also, in Bylaws Article 6, the Board of Directors is given the power to make rules and regulations. The Board of Directors has decided on these additional regulations for signs. Only short-term (less than 5 days), non-political signs (and no business advertising) are allowed at the subdivision entrance. Short-term signs such as yard sales, open house for house sale, directions to a party, etc, are permitted at the entrance. One real estate sign (house for sale or rent) of a reasonable size (less than about 3 feet by 2 feet) is permitted in the front yards. Up to 2 political signs of a reasonable size (less than about 3 feet by 2 feet) are permitted in the front yards, limited to 3 months prior to the election date, and up to 1 week after the election date.

Q. What are the City of Easley rules about trash pickup and the rolling trash carts?

A. Trash pickup for Stonehurst is on Monday morning (except for holidays, when it slips to Tuesday). Have your trash out Sunday evening or Monday morning before 7am. All trash must be in a rolling trash cart with the lid closed and the handle side toward the house. You can also get a brown cart just for grass clippings, for $35 per year. If you need to use more than one trash cart, call the City to arrange it (there is an extra fee). For the details, see Easley Rules On Rolling Trash Carts

Q. Can I store my trash cart outside my garage?

A. Since the City of Easley has implemented the use of large trash carts on wheels, there has been interest in outside storage for these carts. In the CCRs, Section 7.13 says that trash cans shall be screened to conceal them from view of neighboring Lots and streets. Section 5.1 says that any structure shall be approved by the Architectural Committee. The Architectural Review form is available in the HOA Documents section of this website. Email and mail instructions are on the form. The HOA will consider the submitted design to be satisfactory if the cart is not visible from the street in front of the house, or from the side. This could be an L shaped screen on the side of the house or a U shaped screen in the rear of the house. Also, it does not have to be a solid screen, an appropriate lattice screen or picket screen will be adequate.

Q. How do I recycle or get rid of unusual trash or yard waste?

A. The City of Easley does not have curbside recycling. The City picks up Brown Goods (e.g., household furniture) and White Goods (e.g., old appliances) for disposal by appointment. The City also takes limited recycling at a recycling center at 801 Pope Field Road, and one at 201 West A Avenue (behind City hall). The hours are 9am-6pm, but closed on Sunday and Wednesday. The City also has large rolling brown carts for loose grass clippings (not leaves), by special request to the City. The City picks up small brush curbside. Pickens County operates several recycling/disposal centers, however those do not take yard waste. The closest is at 1151 N Old Pendleton Rd, about 2.6 miles from Stonehurst. The County also operates a landfill (which has a large brush pile for all yard waste). For the details, see Garbage, Recyling, and Yard Waste

Q. What are the City of Easley rules about noisy dogs, dogs not on a leash, or animals in general?

A. The City of Easley's Animal Ordinance is in Chapter 90. The Pickens County Animal Control Officer in the sheriff's office enforces the rules, and can be contacted at 864-898-2459. For the details, see City of Easley Animal Ordinance . Homeowners have complained that dog feces not being picked up has been a problem. Easley City Ordinance Section 90.06, “Animal Care”, states that “Any owner, keeper, or other person having control or supervision of an animal must remove promptly all feces left by the animal on any street, sidewalk, or plaza or in any public park anywhere within the city.” If homeowners can identify the responsible people, they could report it to the Pickens County Animal Control Officer. The Board also considers that leaving feces on another’s property is a violation of the HOA’s Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CCRs), under section 7.10, as an unsanitary condition. The Board will send violation notices when offenders are reported to the Board.

Q. Considering that CCR 7.20 forbids above-ground pools, what are the rules about kiddie pools?

A. The Board has decided not to waste time and money on enforcement action for inflatable kiddie pools that hold 18 inches of water or less and are in the back yard.

Q. What do I need to know about the Schneider Electric Company recall of load centers (electrical panels) which were installed in Stonehurst houses?

A. On July 16, 2022, the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced recall 22-159 (click on CPSC 22-159 ) for Schneider electrical panels (called load panels by Schneider) due to fire hazards caused by overheating due to loose connections on the neutral bus system. Ryan Homes says that they are not involved in the recall, and that homeowners should work with Schneider to have the panel inspected and repaired if necessary. Schneider has agreed to do this as part of the recall. According to the information available on June 28, 2022, the affected panels were manufactured from December 1, 2019 to March 12, 2022. Therefore any Stonehurst homeowner whose house was built on or after December 1, 2019, should use this linked file (click on How to Check Electrical Panel ) to check your panel (you only need to open the swing door) and if it meets the criteria, contact Schneider for an inspection by calling 888-778-2733; option 2,1,4 from 8AM-5PM ET. When the inspection or repair is completed, the electrician will write or place a sticker inside the panel swing door indicating that the recall has been addressed.

Q. What do I need to know about the Goodman Manufacturing Co.(AKA Daikin Comfort Technologies) Recall for Drain Pans in Gas Furnaces?

A. In January 2022, in coordination with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Goodman has announced a recall for some drain pans in the cooling coil unit on top of Goodman gas furnaces. This only applies to furnaces where the cooling coil is stacked on top of the furnace. The affected drain pans can warp and allow hot furnace gases to start a fire. Over 20 houses in the U.S. have experienced fire and smoke damage from this defect. The affected drain pans were used from January 2019 to November 2021, and the affected furnaces include some installed in Stonehurst subdivision. It appears that only the one-story homes have the affected configuration. Homeowners who purchased a house after December 2018 should go to the recall website and use the serial number of their coil unit to see if they are affected. If you are affected, Goodman will send you a replacement part and will have an installer come to install it. The coil unit is attached to the top of the gas furnace and the serial number is on the white tag on the front of the coil unit. In April 2022, Daikin Industries, the owner of Goodman, announced that they had changed the Goodman company name to Daikin Comfort Technologies, but that the Goodman brand name would keep being used. The recall website is Drain Pan Recall . The Goodman website is Goodman Manufacturing

Q. What are the rules for the 30 foot wide easement for Force Main Sewer Line shown on my lot survey?

A. There is a sewage pumping station adjacent to the west side of Stonehurst subdivision that pumps sewage to a treatment plant. The discharge pipe travels underground, with no manways, through backyards on the south side of the subdivision and is noted on your lot survey with a 30 foot wide easement. As far as we know, lots 32-62 and 87-102 are affected by the easement, but refer to your lot survey. Lots 87-96 also have a gravity flow sewer line in that easement, which does have manways. The easement is to Easley Combined Utilities (ECU). The document granting the easement is in the Pickens County land records. To read it, see Force Main Sewer Easement . Fences and other structures such as sheds, trees, and bushes are prohibited on this easement. The easement is regularly patrolled by ECU, and violations of the easement are strictly enforced. No waivers have been allowed.

Q. What are the rules about using fireworks in Stonehurst subdivision?

A. The Board has determined that the CCRs have no direct references to fireworks. Therefore, the Board's position is that complaints about fireworks should be addressed to the City police and not to the Board.

Q. What are the rules about regrading lots?

A. As discussed in CCRs Sections 7.17 and 8.1, there are limits as to how a homeowner can change the grade of a lot. If anything will be changed on the drainage easements, you will need HOA approval. As stated on the master plat, there are 5 foot wide drainage easements along all interior lot lines (toward another house) and 10 foot wide drainage easements along all exterior lot lines. The basic principle of grading lots in Stonehurst is that storm water should drain toward the interior lot line, where depressions called swales carry the water away. For most lots in Stonehurst, the swales take the water to the rear of the lot, where the land is sloped to take the water to the concrete drains of the storm drain system, or off the lots into undeveloped areas. For some lots, the swales take the water to the front of the lot and onto the road. In no case should grading be changed to force water onto a neighbor's lot. If a fence located in the easement is significantly impeding the flow of storm water, it must be undercut to allow the water to flow. It takes a cooperative effort to ensure lots don't get flooded.

Q. Why are the side fences on some yards about 10 feet apart, while other yards have a common shared fence on the property line?

A. There is a history of misunderstanding about fences in Stonehurst. When Ryan Homes sold the lots, they did not explain that Easley Combined Utilities (ECU) and the City of Easley expected that all stormwater and sewage easements would remain clear of fences and sheds, and that there were numerous easements on everyone's lot, including 5 foot stormwater easements along all interior lot lines. It is not clear if there is a legal basis for the expectations by ECU and the City, except for the 30 foot wide force (pumped) main sewer line easement, which is noted on all the affected lot surveys. The City passed Ordinance 2020-19 on 6/29/2020 that requires that all fences receive a City review prior to construction, but did not publicize it initially. Some homeowners got a City review and were told to keep the fence off the stormwater easement which extends 5 feet in from the interior lot lines (where the swale is that is supposed to carry away stormwater). Other homeowners put up fences prior to 6/29/2020 in agreement with their neighbors that were located directly on the lot line. So far, no enforcement actions have been taken except for the force main sewer line easement, where fences have been moved. It is likely that since there have been no problems with water draining along the swales between the lots, that there will be no enforcement or that waivers could be granted. For further historical details, see Email On Easements and Fences in Stonehurst

Q. What do I need to know about descaling my tankless water heater?

A. The manual for the Noritz tankless water heater has advice about descaling (removing mineral deposits). The manual says that for people who live in a hard water area, periodical flushing (descaling) is necessary. Fortunately for us, our water is very soft (low in minerals). Easley Combined Utilities has annual water quality reports on its website which state that the water supply in Easley has a hardness of about 4 milligrams per liter (mg/L). Anything less than 17 mg/L is considered to be soft water. The manual says that if heavy scale develops, the unit will have an error code in the display window, which is located in the bottom right corner of the upper metal cover. The display window is usually blank. The scaling error code will be Cxy, where x and y will be a number or letter as explained in the manual, for example C24. If the code is CFy, it means the heater is locked out due to the heavy scale. A homeowner who did descaling after living in the house for 3 years (with no error code present) reports that there was little evidence of any scale, and that the inlet water filter was also relatively clean. So it would appear that you can go several years or more (or until an error code related to scaling appears) before descaling. The homeowner used Noritz information to write this descaling procedure Descaling Procedure

Q. What is the purpose of the low-voltage panel in the back of my closet?

A. The Ryan Homes plan was to run all the low voltage wires (e.g. coaxial cable, ethernet cable) into the low voltage panel. If you have low voltage wires hanging out the side of your house, they are run to the low voltage panel. Most houses have 2 ethernet cables and 2 coaxial cables run this way. Your internet service provider or cable tv provider would hook up there. The homeowner could contract with Guardian Co. as part of construction to have ethernet or coax wiring run from the low voltage panel to other rooms. For example, you could have wired ethernet in every room. As of May 2022, AT&T offers fiber-optic internet service and Spectrum (also known as Charter) offers coaxial internet service in Stonehurst. The fiber-optic service must be terminated in a powered AT&T box, where the signal is converted to ethernet.

Q. What are some things I could do to winterize my house?

A. 1) There is an isolation valve in the garage for the outside hose faucets. Close that valve, disconnect any hoses, and open the faucets to drain any water. You may wish to leave those faucets slightly open to drain water in case the isolation valve has any leakage, or you may wish to install an insulating cover over the hose faucets.
1a) to prevent freeze blockage in your water pipes when temperatures are below freezing for long periods, an effective method is to leave a drip running in the sinks from several faucets, including hot water faucets.
2) If you have a lawn sprinkler system, experience has shown that the piping typically does not freeze in our climate. It is a good practice to close the upstream isolation valve on the check valve to the sprinkler system (located in the underground pit with the check valve). This will allow the underground pipes to drain somewhat, and will prevent a leak if the pipes do crack.
3) If you live in a one-story house, during the winter listen to check if the gas furnace condensate pump is running continuously (the two-story houses have the HVAC in the attic, with gravity drain of condensate, not a condensate pump, but could have a similar problem if their condensate drain freezes up). This typically only happens in very cold temperatures, and indicates that the discharge tube is blocked by ice. When the pump reservoir fills up, a safety switch shuts down the furnace. One solution is to shut down the pump (unplug the power cord from the wall socket, or if the power cord goes inside the furnace, shut down and deenergize the furnace). Then remove the clear vinyl tube from the pump discharge (undo the hose clamp if present, pull off the tube (heat it a little with a hair dryer if it is too tight), and attach another piece of tube (available at Home Depot, ID of 3/8 inch, OD of 1/2 inch) which goes into a bucket. Then reenergize the pump and the water will go into the bucket (about 2 to 6 gallons per day, depending on how long the furnace runs). If water spilled into the metal collection pan under the furnace, the furnace may be prevented from running by the water detection sensor attached to the metal pan. Lift the sensor out of the pan and place it vertical on the floor so that the float switch in the sensor will allow current to flow through the switch. Since the water is somewhat acidic, consider wearing rubber gloves when doing this or wash hands soon after getting wet to avoid a skin rash. When temperatures warm up, if you want to check if the tube is open again for flow, hook up the original discharge tube to the pump and pour water into the condensate pump collection box (one method is removing the upper cap on the a/c coil drain pipe, it should just rotate off, it is not normally glued on) and pouring water in.
4) If your cold water flows but none of your hot water faucets have any flow, the most likely problem is an ice clog in the tankless hot water heater on the outside of the house. This typically only happens in very cold temperatures. One way to prevent it is to maintain a small water drip from a hot water faucet during the night if very cold weather is expected. If it happens, one possible solution is to remove the lower metal cover plate from the hot water heater, turn off the gas supply until the ice is removed, and heat the water pipes (the ones on the left side, typically covered with black foam insulation) with a hair dryer, while keeping a hot water faucet open in the house to see when the ice melts.
5) If you have flow at a hot water faucet but the water never gets hot, the most likely problem is freezing of the pvc condensate drain pipe on the water heater. There are 2 pvc drain pipes coming out the bottom. The one on the left is from the pressure relief valve and should never have water in it, since the relief valve should not open. The one on the right is the condensate drain pipe. Water condenses in the water heater when the hot gas cools (just like in the furnace), and drains down this pipe to the ground. Typically you will see icicles at the discharge when temperatures are below freezing. Remove the lower metal cover plate and use a hair dryer to heat the entire condensate drain pipe, but especially the part outside the enclosure. In the lower right corner of the upper panel is a small viewing port to see any error codes on the system. Error code 29 means that the condensate drain is not draining, which will stop gas flow to the burners. Error code 29 should go away when the drain starts working.

Q. What are the City of Easley rules about security alarms?

A. If it is possible that anyone will contact the police department because of your security alarm, you need to fill out the City's form every year and submit it with the $10 fee by July 1st. For the details, see Easley Chapter 98 Burgler and Fire Alarms

Q. What are the Easley Combined Utilities rules about underground lawn sprinkler system backflow preventer valves?

A. If you have an underground lawn sprinkler system, be advised that Easley Combined Utilities (ECU) has requirements for backflow prevention to protect the Easley water system. It is required to have 2 check valves in series (double check valve) in the water supply to the sprinkler system. It is also required to test the check valves annually and submit the report to ECU. The second page of the listed document has a list of people qualified to test the valves. There are notes on those that live in Easley. For the details, see ECU Lawn Sprinkler Backflow Valve Testing