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| Frequently Asked Questions |
Question:
How deep are the waterways and is it safe to swim in the waterways?
Answer:
Our waterways are man made and approximately 140 feet wide and 15 to 20
feet deep with a muddy clay bottom. Our waterways are effected by normal tidal
action with no known rip tides, undertows or other unusually hazardous
conditions. Our waterways are relatively free of pollution and safe for
swimming; however, it is advisable not to go swimming for several days after a
heavy rain. Alligators have been sighted occasionally in some waterways near
highway 11. It is assumed that the alligators wandered in from the wild life
management area on the other side of highway 11. Unfortunately, over the last
20 years, people have drowned in our waterways and you should always use
caution.
Question:
How long can I keep my boat in the water before it gets barnacles?
Answer:
If your boat is not protected by antifouling paint barnacle growth may appear
within one to two weeks, depending on the time of the year.
Question:
How can I stop the soil erosion behind my bulkhead?
Answer:
Wait for a very low tide (normally in January or February) and fill the seams
between the concrete panels and the handling holes with a sealant. Many
neighbors have used expandable insulation foam that comes in an aerosol can
called "Great Stuff"
Question:
How do I stop cars from speeding
down my street?
Answer:
Speeding has always been a problem, not only in our subdivision but also
throughout the parish. Over the years many things have been tried in an effort
to slow down traffic. Some of the things that have been tried in an attempt to
slowdown traffic are, speed limit signs, children at play signs, stop signs and
a transportable electronic sign that flashes how fast cars are traveling. An
effort to install speed bumps on Eden Isles Drive was also attempted, but failed
to get Parish approval.
Over the years we have concluded that the placement of signs has proven to be ineffective. We feel that the only effective way to stop speeding is for the Sheriff to issue tickets. This is not a very popular solution because the majority of the speeders are our neighbors and the Sheriff is reluctant to send officers on speed patrols.
The Sheriff's electronic sign that flashes how fast cars are traveling may have a short-term effect, but the speeding quickly resumes once the electronic sign is removed. Speed limit signs and children at play signs may make you feel better, but they have no effect on speeders, and requesting stop signs for speed control is not the answer! Government studies have proven that the use of stop signs for speed control is ineffective and breads contempt that reduces their effectiveness in locations where they are needed for traffic control. Federal guidelines expressly forbid the use of stop signs for speed control.
If you have a problem with cars speeding past your home, call the Sheriff's office and insist that they send an officer to your location and enforce the speed limit! You can help the Sheriff by giving him a time when most of the speeding takes place and if there is a particular car that is constantly speeding be sure to give its description to the Sheriff.
Question:
What can be done about boat trailers,
campers & cars parked on the street?
Answer:
Parish Ordinance 90-1299, section
13-002.01, states, "It shall be unlawful for any person or entity to park
or abandon boats with trailers, trailers of any kind, motor homes, and/or
vehicles in excess of six (6') feet in width for a period of over 24
hours."
If you have this problem please call the Sheriff and insist that he enforce this ordinance.
Question:
Who is responsible for cutting the
vacant lots?
Answer:
The lot owners are responsible for maintaining their property. The Parish is
responsible for enforcing the Parish Nuisances Ordinance that prohibits "(a)
Noxious weeds and other rank vegetation. (c) Any condition which provides
harborage for rats, mice, snakes and other vermin.".
The Parish has the authority to cut lots if the owners refuse to do so and to
place liens on their property to recoup the cost of the cutting.
The Eden Isles Homeowners' Association has no responsibility for, or authority over, this issue. However, because the Parish has been negligent in enforcing their Ordinance, The Eden Isles Homeowners' Association has provided a grass cutting service to lot owners that has benefited all concerned. The Eden Isles Homeowners' Association will contract out lot cuttings for a cost of $100 per year. This arrangement has provided lot owners an easy and inexpensive way to comply with the Parish Ordnance. It helps the Parish by relieving it of a lot of the administrative issues, and it improves the quality of life for homeowners of Eden Isles.
If you have a problem with an overgrown vacant lot, you may call the Eden Isles Hot Line @ 781-0091 and identify the problem location. The Eden Isles Homeowners' Association will contact the owner and offer the $100 per year cutting service. It the owner refuses, they will be turned over the Parish for enforcement.
Question:
How do I report a covenant violation?
Answer:
It depends on the violation. If it is a minor violation such as parking
their boat trailer on the street, etc. we recommend that you discuss the issue
directly with your neighbor, in a friendly non-confrontational manner (see
"Steps In Solving A Problem With Your Neighbor" under
"Miscellaneous" on this web sight).
If your are unable to resolve the issue or if the issue is a major violation, then you can call the Eden Isles Homeowners' Association hot line and report the violation. A member of the Eden Isles Covenant Committee will investigate and determine what actions should be taken.
If you are still not satisfied with the results, you have the right to file suite against the violator to force compliance.
Question:
What Happened To the Private
Security Guards?
Answer:
The original developer provided guard service at Highway 11 (the only entrance
to Eden Isles, at that time) at no charge to the property owners, but, as a
result of their bankruptcy, the ownership was assumed by Eden Isles, Inc. and
this free amenity ended. In 1981, with approval from the new developer, some
interested residents formed a "Security Committee" independent of the
Homeowners Association, in order to bring guard service back. Participation in
funding the private security service was strictly voluntary and was never
supported by all of the residents.
Several attempts were made to make participation in the security service mandatory; first, by attempting to incorporate the subdivision, install various in-house officials and levy mandatory charges on lot owners, this initiative was defeated by a citizen petition drive; second, in 1988 a community services district was formed to tax homeowners for guards and other amenities, but when this initiative was put on the ballot, it was defeated; third, in 1996, the building restrictions were amended to make payment for guard service mandatory, but the Louisiana Supreme Court ruled that subdivision covenants could not be made more restrictive without 100% of the residents agreeing to the change.
In 1998, after the Louisiana Supreme Court ruled the covenant change illegal, the security committee decided that they would no longer maintain guard service based on voluntary contributions and the service stopped. The security committee then asked our State Representatives to pass a law that would allow subdivision covenants to be made more restrictive. The result of their efforts was House Bill # 62, which allows subdivisions to amend their covenants. However, the House Bill also provides for exemptions for property owners that do not want to be covered by the new covenants, thus making participation voluntary.
Question:
What is a Poker Run and how does it
work?
Answer:
A Poker Run is a fund raising event used by the Eden Isles Homeowners'
Association and several other organizations. The concept is simple; you pay an
entrance fee for the chance to win a pot of money. Each participant is given a
list of locations to visit (the locations are usually lounges and/or
restaurants). At each location you get to draw a card and socialize with the
other participants. After you have visited each location and have drawn all of
your cards a winning hand is determined and they get the pot of money.
The Eden Isles poker run tries to select locations that are accessible by both cars and boats which makes the even a lot more enjoyable for our waterfront community. It is also an excellent way for neighbors to get together socially for some fun while providing financial help to our community with the added incentive that you may be the lucky winner of the pot of money!