Hydroseeding to Begin This Week

The HOA submitted erosion control plans <pdf> that include hydroseeding that is expected to begin this week. The HOA has not disclosed this information, nor the cost, to the homeowners. Virtually all of the recent and planned landscape revegetation has been mandated by the City. Some of the areas by the sidewalks were recently planted or ground cover was applied at the strong “suggestion” of the City.

New Home Construction

Construction has started for a new home on Ruocco Drive, immediately north of the main Sky Ranch development. An 870 square-foot accessory dwelling unit (granny flat) was also approved. The review permit states that, “The accessory dwelling unit or the main residence will, as required by Deed Restriction, be owner-occupied as long as the accessory dwelling unit exists.” Obviously, there are a number of other requirements.

The accessory unit is single story and on the western side of the lot, which is good news for neighbors.

Cox Communications Makes Offers…Too Late

I’ve been a Cox customer for over 20 years.  I had an old data plan with 150 Mbs which was adequate.  When I canceled the TV service last week they raised my fee for data from $70 to $134.  They said that I lost some “internal” bundle discount which wasn’t on my bill.  Today, I canceled the service, but out of morbid curiosity and a chance to get information for others I listened as they made offers.  I left the modem connected, but off my network so they could see that I still have Cox service (they checked).  This took quite a while and they didn’t get to the 2nd offer until I rejected the first offer and they proposed setting a date for cancelation, but I told them to cancel it today.

1st offer:  Gigabit internet data $90 for two years, then $120, plus two years of Complete Care.

2nd offer:  Keep current data plan for $54 for two years

He said my price had been higher because I had an unlimited data plan.  I said that wasn’t true because my bill says my data cap is 1.25 TB.  He seemed to feign confusion.  I said that these tactics were part of the reason I was leaving.  I said they should be more up front if I ever come back shopping for a plan.  

Cox Communications

Cox

TV $119 (no premium channels)

Internet $69.99 (150 Mbps)

Total with fees: $196.94

I called Cox to cancel the TV service. The representative told me that I’d lose my bundle discount. I said I don’t have a bundle discount because Cox dropped it when I canceled the telephone service. She said that I do have a discount. I said there is no longer a discount on my billing statement. She said it is “internal.” Huh? She said that the price of my internet service price will be $133.98. If my new service installation goes well, I’ll cancel Cox entirely next week. As I suspected, the discounts, fees, surcharges etc, are simply phony terms that they use to control the debate with customers. I mention it in case it helps anyone who negotiates with them.

Cox bill.JPG

New House Construction and Landscape

Another home is being built downslope north of Sky Ranch homes on Mirador street. The future homeowners said that they are building a single story home. The lot has been marked with orange sheeting. In the foreground is Sky Ranch HOA “landscape,” the condition of which is being litigated.

Map of the lot.

I understand that the home will be built close to the road. This map includes the Fuel Modification Zone (defensible space) overlay, which limits construction. It appears that the future houses will have to be built close to the road as well.