NW Landing office closed for Labor Day

The Northwest Landing office will be closed Monday, September 7, for Labor Day. 

Still time to send in Northwest Landing survey

In mid-August, we emailed ROA members about an opinion survey about communication needs. Anyone who owns property in Northwest Landing is a member of either the Residential Owners Association or the Commercial Owners Association. We’ve had about 200 responses and would love to hear from you, if you haven’t yet responded. The survey is open until August 31 and only for owners. If you didn’t see the message and would like to participate in the survey, email and we will send it to you. 

Some questions answered

In addition to giving us your opinions (what you like and don’t like about living in Northwest Landing), several members also sent us questions, which we will answer in this and future bulletins. Here are a few from the past week.

Q: I would like to know why the HOA fees have gone up so much in the last few years. And also like to know where the money is being spent at each year.

A: Looking at the address this question came from, you might want to check with your condo association. There were several members who asked this question and all live in condo associations. The fees for Northwest Landing have risen about $9 a month over the past 10 years. The monthly assessment is currently $46 a month. Why has it gone up? Costs have risen in the past 10 years, mainly because the landscaping for more than 150 green spaces managed by the association are now more than 25 years old. Turf, trees, and irrigation all need updating. The ROA also maintains 75 miles of alleys, many which need new asphalt seals and, in winter, plowing. Northwest Landing produces an annual report every year. You can find it here. Complete financial records are also available to all ROA members, by signing into your account here: Member Login.

Q: I don’t like being spied upon by the HOA. Why do you think it’s okay to take pictures of a backyard, which is behind a fence?

A: Our compliance officer does not look into fenced yards, unless one of your neighbors complained about tall grass, trash or something else they can see from a second floor. We have also received reports from real estate companies that regularly photograph properties, including with drones. For example, the city doesn’t allow yards to be completely paved, unless it is with permeable material. Why? We are directly above salmon-bearing waterways, such as Puget Sound. Stormwater eventually ends up there. Farm animals, such as chickens and ducks, are not allowed in Northwest Landing. We have received reports from neighbors and real estate agents, which we have to follow up. 

Q: Why are there are no services like dry cleaning and/grocery stores here? I don’t like having to go to Lacey or Lakewood and get in the awful traffic on I-5. 

A: Good question! In the past, we have had dry cleaners, a drug store, florist, hardware store and a general store in DuPont. We’ve even had a pet store and pottery painting business. Most closed because of lack of support from the community. If you have ever entered a local business and decided that you could get groceries or other needs cheaper elsewhere, that’s likely why the business didn’t last. Did you know that grocery chains look at attendance and sales at our local farmers market to decide if a community would support a local store? We are bordered on three sides by Joint Base Lewis McChord and our community is more than half military (active-duty and retired). There are options, such as a post commissary, a short drive away. Most grocery chains won’t consider building in a community unless there is a sizable population to support it. Generally, that means we would need a population of more than 15,000. In addition to population, grocery companies look at local competitors, household income, and traffic flow. Also keep in mind that you can order groceries online from Safeway, Fred Meyer, Whole Foods, and Metropolitan Market (Tacoma). Most will deliver within 24 hours. 

About ROA green spaces

When Northwest Landing was planned, numerous green spaces – most about the size of a building lot – were included. Today, there are 152 throughout Northwest Landing. Most include a maroon red bench. Some, like those on the east side of Center Drive, are long green spaces including heritage (more than 100 years old) trees. About a third of our annual budget is for maintenance of these spaces. There were a couple of members who commented in the survey about dying plants in a city park or ROA green space. If you see something that needs attention in a green space, such as trash or damaged plants, contact us at . Most city parks have blue benches and picnic tables. To report City of DuPont property concerns, complete an electronic work order by going to See-Click-Fix.

Planning an exterior home improvement project? 

Please submit your Property Improvement Request well in advance. Applications must be received by the Friday before the next PIC meeting. The committee does not make decisions between meetings, so please allow up to two weeks for review and approval before starting your project.

Last community yard sale for this year

Saturday, September 12, is the last yard sale date for Northwest Landing in 2026. Please note that yard sales are not sponsored by either the Northwest Landing ROA or the City of DuPont. Governing documents for Northwest Landing state that yard sales may be held two times a year and are announced by the ROA. DuPont Parks & Recreation will again offer Big Bargain Bonanza at Clocktower Park, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Cost is $25 for a 20×20-foot spot.

Reminder that assessments due 1^st of the month

Monthly assessments are due on the first of every month. Although there is a grace period of a few days, if you wait until the second week of the month, you will most likely receive a late notice and potential fine. The best way to make sure your payments arrive on time is to sign up for ACH, which stands for Automated Clearing House. What ACH does is sends an automatic payment to the ROA every month from your bank or credit union account. When assessment amounts change, that is also automatic through ACH. You can sign up through the Member Login webpage. Call the office at 253-964-1289 if you need help.

 

WANTED: Responsible Pet Owners

This time of year, we often get complaints from our members about less-than-courteous pet owners who let their dogs and cats do their business on their neighbors’ lawns. When you walk your pet, make sure they are on a leash and keep them from doing their business on someone else’s lawn. Dog urine burns grass. And number two (okay, poop) too often finds its way onto shoes and, eventually, into stormwater ponds. And be sure to pick up after your pet (call it “downward dog”). There are waste bags and trash bins at all city parks and at some ROA green spaces. By the way, if you aren’t aware, all dogs and cats are required to be licensed by the city. Pets also may not be “at large” which means dogs on leashes and cats indoors (unless they are leash-trained). Keep in mind that we have a healthy coyote population here. There are frequent reports of pets going missing and never found again. Also cats are the leading killers of wild birds and small mammals, according to Cornell Ornithology. Even well-fed cats. See DuPont Pet Owners Guide for details.

 

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