June 7, 2025, Special Meeting: HFCA Northern Path Walk-Around

Meeting Summary 

A special meeting was convened on-site along the Northern Path to assess concerns related to trees, encroachments, access points, drainage, and signage. The Common Areas Committee (CAC) Chair led the walk-through, and HFCA Board and CAC members discussed liability concerns, property boundaries, maintenance needs, and access control.

Key topics included:

• Dead/dying trees that may pose safety risks or liability, including on properties abutting HFCA land (City of Fairfax and Hickory Farms residents).
• Encroachments by non-residents (e.g., unauthorized footbridge, fence extensions, planted vegetation).
• The condition and use of three access points to the Northern Path.
• Stormwater management facilities and drainage obstructions.
• Invasive species and bamboo encroachment.
• The need for better signage and boundary markers.
• Potential fencing or barriers and the pros/cons of various options.

While no formal votes were taken, the group generally supported better signage, more boundary markers, arborist assessments, and notification letters to residents and neighboring property owners. A follow-up survey will be distributed by the CAC Chair to finalize positions on open issues.

Identified Action Items

1. Signage
   • Determine signage language for all three path access points (Rabbit Run, Orchard Drive, Roberts Road).
   • Install new signage, particularly at the Roberts Road entrance and vertical posts.
   • Replace or restore the deteriorated Rabbit Run path sign.
2. Tree Safety and Maintenance
   • Schedule HFCA arborist to assess potentially hazardous trees along the path.
   • Notify property owners (City of Fairfax and Hickory Farms) if trees on their land pose a danger.
   • Proceed with $2,200 tree work order with North Woods Tree Service for identified pruning/removal tasks.
3. Encroachments
   • Send letter to City of Fairfax resident about “walking bamboo” encroachment.
   • Confirm follow-up with property management company regarding dead tree on former Bernhardt property.
   • Remove fence that blocks Still Meadow easement and encroaches on HFCA property.
   • Address unauthorized footbridge and continue legal action as necessary. (UPDATE: Fairfax City resident removed it without any further action by the HFCA).
   • Document but do not escalate minor fence/shrub encroachment behind shaded area.
4. Drainage
   • Monitor the stormwater management facility near the recent bridge encroachment for obstruction risks.
5. Boundary Markers
   • Install additional numbered HFCA boundary posts along the Northern Path.
   • Affix signs to posts where appropriate to clarify property lines and limit HFCA liability.
6. Survey for Unresolved Items
   • CAC Chair to send survey to participants for input on unresolved topics, including fencing options and signage language.
7. Invasive Species
   • Advise resident whose back lot line contains invasive vegetation and barbed wire to clear the area.