Your Home Town Bulletin • May 2024

ROA Annual Meeting and new board members

The annual meeting for Northwest Landing Residential Owners Association was held on April 24. About 30 members attended, which is far less than needed for an annual meeting quorum. Over the years, our annual meeting has become more of a town hall for members. Nearly 300 members would constitute a quorum. Most annual meetings for homeowners’ association include voting for board members. Over the 30 years, since the first homes were completed in Northwest Landing, most members vote “by proxy” or using a printed ballot they receive in the mail with the annual meeting announcement. For the past several years, members have sent written votes to the ROA office before the annual meeting. Last year, the ROA began usingVoteHOA, which allows members to vote online. The number of votes rose to 684 this year. In prior years, the ROA has received fewer than 300 votes. ROA Director Shirley Ely and Board President Kate Lynch presented the 2023 annual report, results of the February opinion survey for members, and 

answered questions from members. You can download and read the report here: Annual Report 2023

2024 Board of Directors

Kate Lynch, President – term 2023-2024

Roy Coffey, Vice President – term 2024-2025

Phil Sheridan, Treasurer – term 2023-2024

Eric Schneider, Secretary – term 2024-2025

Larry Wilcox, Member-at-Large – term 2023-2024

To contact the board, email:

Alleys are for vehicles only

The ROA office has received reports of people driving in alleys and having trouble passing through because of everything from parked cars to remote toy cars. It is dangerous to do anything but drive slowly through our alleys. They are streets, after all, so don’t do anything in the alley that you wouldn’t do on our city streets. Stay safe when engaging in recreation, especially where vehicles are driving, including alleyways that have blind spots. If you have a concern about a particular neighbor in the community, we encourage you to knock on the door or leave a friendly note setting forth your safety concerns.

Planning additions to your home?

That really cool (and inexpensive) greenhouse or patio cover you want to install needs both a building permit from the City of DuPont and approval of your plan from the Northwest Landing Property Improvement Committee. You can find PIC project forms on the members-only intranet. After signing in, click on the “Documents” link, then “Property Improvement Committee Forms.” Be sure to allow a month in advance of your project start date. The City of DuPont requires a city permit for all accessory buildings (sheds, greenhouses), patio covers, roofing, and more. Visit the City Permits web page for details.

Community Yard Sales 2024

Saturday, June 22, and Saturday, September 14, are the two dates yard sales may be held in Northwest Landing for 2024. 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. We’re trying something new this year by offering to post addresses for people who are planning to hold a yard sale. Just addresses will be posted; no items for sale or contact information. To sign up, go to the Announcements page. 

Northwest Landing Events

 

Visit the NW Landing EVENTS page to sign up for gardening workshops and ROA Day at Maris Farms.

Board of Directors – 5:30 p.m. • Wednesday • July 24 – Association Office and via Zoom– reservations required by July 17. Call 253-964-1289.

Property Improvement Committee – meetings are generally held at 5:30 p.m. – 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month This committee must review all exterior modifications, including painting, roofing, adding central air conditioning, heat pump or solar panels, fences, sheds, patios, patio covers, decks, landscape renovations, adding or removing trees. Some projects may also require a city permit. Project forms can be downloaded from the homeowner’s portal on the website.

New! DuPont business in focus: Mince Mercantile

Many Northwest Landing members have expressed a need to support our DuPont businesses. This new feature will focus on a different DuPont business each month. This month we’re focusing on DuPont business Mince Mercantile.

What’s the best lunch spot in the South Puget Sound region? Mince Mercantile! The Olympian’s annual Best of South Sound contest named Mince the top lunch spot for 2023. This year the bakery, deli and provisions shop is also nominated for Best Breakfast, Best Salad, Best Sandwich, Best Bakery, Best Dessert, and Best Lunch Spot. Vote for Mince in your favorite category here through May 10.

Virginia and Mike Mince have lived in DuPont off and on since 2004. Mike is an Army veteran. They launched their business in 2019 and did very well because so many of us avoided going to crowded places during the COVID pandemic. Provisions at Mince got many of us in DuPont through the shutdown. Mince still stocks many basics and a lot of tasty foods. You can find fresh fruits, local milk and eggs, ready-to-bake dinners, and a wide-ranging menu for breakfast and lunch. Everything is made in-house, including sandwich breads, salads, and a variety of sweet treats. All deli meats and cheeses are sliced to order. Mince also caters events and now has Mince-branded beer and wine (including a sparkling wine).

The Minces are committed to hiring from our community and many teens have experienced their first-ever job at the shop, learning everything from stocking shelves to making smoothies and lattes. The Minces are passionate about the DuPont community but would like to see more visibility for our city, especially the downtown businesses.

The Association does not receive compensation for this message; it is not paid advertising. Any business in Northwest Landing may ask to be featured in DuPont Business in Focus. Send your request to .

 

 

Eagle Scout project helps people grieving beloved pets

Gabriel Powers was looking for a special project to take on in his bid to become an Eagle Scout. Gabriel, who lives in DuPont, is 16 and a student at Steilacoom High School. His grandfather John Appelt helped him search for a possible project online. They found a rainbow bridge that was built by someone in North Carolina. That hit home for Gabriel. He lost his beloved Cooper, a 12-year-old Labrador, in 2021. His Boy Scout Troop 71 and Scout parents helped with construction, which took about three weeks. The bridge was completed and installed on February 10 this year. Anybody can visit the bridge and place their pet’s collar on the bridge. Cooper’s, of course, was the first. Visit the bridge at the Chambers Creek Pet Memorial Park, 9212 Chambers Creek Rd. W., University Place.

According to Wikipedia, Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Scouts BSA program by the Boy Scouts of America. Since its inception in 1911, only four percent of Scouts have earned this rank after a lengthy review process. Gabriel will be named Eagle Scout at an Eagle Court of Honor on May 18. What is a rainbow bridge?

 

Dear ROA

One of my neighbors has beehives in their backyard. That sounds so cool! But I wanted to check and see if there are any restrictions in Northwest Landing. I heard that the city allows chickens too, but Northwest Landing doesn’t.

  • Buzzing in Hoffman Hill Village

Dear Buzz,

Beekeeping is not allowed in Northwest Landing, nor keeping any farm animals including chickens. The DuPont Municipal Code allows residents to keep chickens, rabbits, pigeons, and honeybees in backyards no closer than 5 feet of a property line and 15 feet of a neighboring home. Beehives must be 25 feet from any property line. They may not be kept in Northwest Landing – only in the DuPont Historic Village and El Rancho Madrona. Our rule (3A.2. in the handbook) is that raising, breeding, or keeping of animals, livestock or poultry of any kind is prohibited. A reasonable number of dogs, cats, or other usual and common household pets may be kept. Just an aside, bears love beehives. There have been bear sightings in Hoffman Hill and Palisade villages recently.

Have a question for the ROA? Send a message to

Did you say BEAR?

There have been several reports of black bears in backyards in Hoffman Hill and Palisades villages, including on the former State Farm property on Wilmington Drive. One of the things many of us love about living here is the proximity of trails and woodlands. Many of our properties are bordered by Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. What that means is that we also have lots of wildlife here – including raccoons, coyotes, black bears and, rarely, cougar.

The DuPont Police Department has asked that we call in any black bear sighting – even if it was the night before on your security camera – to 9-1-1. DPD and Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife are tracking where bears are sighted. In past years, traps have been set to relocate them when they got a little too comfy helping themselves to trash cans and other treats. Living with Wildlife (WDFW)

Gardening workshops – Dahlias, Hydrangeas, Roses, Lawns & More

Coming to a greenspace near you! Master Gardeners will present workshops on some popular garden topics in May and June. Each session will be held at a different Northwest Landing greenspace and will be led by a Pierce County master gardener. Gardening was one of the topics requested in our member survey that was conducted last August about ROA events. Details about each workshop are on the NW Landing Events page. Please register in advance. There will be plant giveaways at each workshop.

WSU’s suggested spring timeline for fertilizing lawns in western Washington is November 15–December 7, April 15, June 15, and September 1.

Gardening resources for Washington State – flower beds, fruits, lawns, pest management, and more.

If you have suggestions about plants and plant care for the bulletin, email

City of DuPont Events

DuPont Community Garden Spring Plant Sale • Saturday & Sunday • May 4-5 • 9 a.m.-1 p.m. • Powerline Road, off Center Drive near Creekside Apartments • plants, vegetable starts, hanging baskets 

Mother’s Day Market • Saturday • May 4 • 10 a.m.-3 p.m. • Clocktower Park

Historic DuPont Village Walking Tour • 10 a.m. • Saturday • May 11 • meet at DuPont Museum • 270 Barksdale Ave. • Walking on sidewalks, the tour will cover about 1.5 miles discussing historic buildings. The tour will take about 90 minutes and will be held rain or shine. So be prepared!

April Showers Bring May Flowers • Wednesday • May 15 • 2-3:15 p.m. or 3:15-4:30 p.m.  • Mince Mercantile • Middle school event at Mince! Make spring crafts and indulge in special treats. Registration required, $15. 

Senior Lunch & Movie • Wednesday • May 29 • 11 a.m. • Cost is $10 plus tax, choice of several movies at Regal Martin Village Theaters in Lacey.

Senior Lunch at the Landing • Tuesday • May 21 • Patriot’s Landing • Cost is $12, registration required.

Bicycle Maintenance Class for Kids • Thursday • 6-7:30 p.m. • May 2, 9, 16 & 23 • $25 • DuPont City Hall • Designed for youth in 4th-8th grades, they’ll learn how to change flat tires, adjust brakes and gears.

Gentle Yoga Classes • Saturdays • 7:30-8:30 a.m. • June 1-August 3 • DuPont Community Center • $150

Fairy Trails • Saturday • June 1 • 10 a.m.-noon • Sequalitchew Trailhead at DuPont City Hall • 1700 Civic Drive • $10 • ages 2-8 recommended • registration required.

SequaliShoot 24-Hour Photo Challenge • June 1-2 • ANY trail in DuPont • prizes for youth (up to age 17) and adult (18 and older) categories • The SequaliShoot Photo Challenge asks photographers to take their best shot of any of DuPont’s trails – in 24 hours – and submit up to three images for judging.

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