News and Announcements
What's happening?
April 2025 Board Minutes
April 15, 2025
Hello, neighbors,
Attached are the Minutes from the Board Meeting held on April 3, 2025. The Treasurer's Report from the first quarter of 2025 has also been posted.
Best Regards,
Starla Hobbs
Secretary
You can view the reports on the Board Reports page. You must be signed in as a member to view this page. If you need access, please just fill out the sign up page.
March 2025 Board Minutes
March 20, 2025
Hello, neighbors,
Attached are the Minutes from the Board Meeting held on March 6, 2025.
Best Regards,
Starla Hobbs
Secretary
You can view the reports on the Board Reports page. You must be signed in as a member to view this page. If you need access, please just fill out the sign up page.
February 2025 Board Minutes
February 16, 2025
Hello, neighbors,
Attached are the Minutes from the February 6, 2025 Board meeting. In addition, this is just a friendly reminder about the neighborhood policy concerning our dogs ... All dogs need to be on a leash when outside your home. And please bring plastic bags when you take them on their walks so you can pick up their "poop".
Thanks for your cooperation.
Best,
The CCNA Board
You can view the reports on the Board Reports page. You must be signed in as a member to view this page. If you need access, please just fill out the sign up page.
January 2025 Board Report
January 17, 2025
Hello, neighbors,
Attached are the Minutes from the January 9, 2025 Board meeting.
Best regards,
Starla Hobbs
Secretary
You can view the reports on the Board Reports page. You must be signed in as a member to view this page. If you need access, please just fill out the sign up page.
November 2024 Annual Meeting Minutes and November 2024 Member Directory
November 21, 2024
The minutes from the Annual Meeting have been posted.
You can view the minutes on the Board Reports page or the 2024 Annual Meeting page. You must be signed in as a member to view these pages. If you need access, please just fill out the sign up page.
The member directory has been updated. You can view it on the member page.
You must be signed in as a member to view this page. If you need access, please just fill out the sign up page.
October 2024 Board Report
October 26, 2024
The October 2024 Board Minute report has been posted.
You can view the reports on the Board Reports page. You must be signed in as a member to view this page. If you need access, please just fill out the sign up page.
October 2024 Update
October 11, 2024
I hope everyone is doing well in the recovery efforts after the storm. We worked together as a community and our neighborhood looks almost normal. Thank you for all your help getting this cleaned up and helping your neighbors.
We have some tree work to complete and Ralph Martin has agreed to help us in coordinating with contractors to get this done. As you can understand this will be a slow process due to the amount of work that needs to be done in the Aiken area and the lack of contractors that can do this work. We will keep you informed of the progress in the next few weeks.
Annual meeting is coming up really soon. It is scheduled for November 14th at 6PM. It will be held at the Woodside Club. You should receive all the information soon from Eddie. I will let one major item leak and that is that the board is recommending a DECREASE in dues. The new budget is proposing over a $40 a month decrease. I think we all should be excited about this news. Please come out and vote or submit your proxy.
Last.
I am officially stepping down as CCNA president at the end of the month. It has been great working with the community over the last 3 years and I will continue to support the board and community going forward. No we are not selling our house.
r,
Frank Padilla
CCNA President
September 2024 Board Report
September 26, 2024
The September 2024 Board Minute report has been posted.
You can view the reports on the Board Reports page. You must be signed in as a member to view this page. If you need access, please just fill out the sign up page.
July 2024 Board Report and Financials
July 30, 2024
The July 2024 Board Minutes and the 2024 2nd Quarter Financial report has been posted.
You can view the reports on the Board Reports page. You must be signed in as a member to view this page. If you need access, please just fill out the sign up page.
April 2024 Member Directory
April 15, 2024
Welcome to our newest members! The new member directory has been posted. You can view it here. You must be signed in as a member to view the member directory. If you need access, please just fill out the sign up page.
As a reminder, the spring fling will be held on Sunday, April 28th at 4pm at 187 Cottonwood Creek Lane (the CCL cul-de-sac). You DO NOT need to RSVP to attend, but it does help our hosts get a good headcount.
March 2024 Board Report and Member Directory Posted
March 21, 2024
The Board minutes for March 2024 have been posted.
The Member Directory for March 2024 has been posted.
You can view the reports on the Board Reports page, and the Member Directory on the Members Page. You must be signed in as a member to view both of these pages. If you need access, please just fill out the sign up page.
Notice of Annual Meeting
October 15, 2023
The Annual Meeting of the Cottonwood Creek Neighborhood Association (CCNA) will be held on Thursday, November 16th at 6:30PM at the Woodside Plantation Country Club. All members are encouraged to attend.
A copy of the meeting agenda, a copy of the Board of Director’s proposed budget, the report of the Nominating Committee, and a copy of last year’s minutes and a proxy form can be found on the Annual Meeting Page. In order to save the Association’s printing costs we ask that you print copies of all the documents and bring them to the meeting. (In the event you have trouble printing any of the documents, please contact the Secretary and we will arrange to get copies to you.) We will have a limited number of copies available at the meeting.
In the event a member cannot attend the Annual Meeting, the member may elect to appoint a Proxy using the form attached. If left blank, the Secretary, Eddie Keiser, will be appointed to vote your Proxy.
To assure a legal quorum, we urge you to complete the Proxy ASAP and mail it to:
Eddie Keiser, 196 Cottonwood Creek Lane Aiken, SC 29803
To ensure that all homeowners are notified of the meeting we are asking that you acknowledge receipt by return email.
Eddie Keiser
Secretary
June 2023 Board Minutes and Update
May 29, 2023
All sprinklers are turned on and should be working. I know of a few issues (108/110 CCL, 108 PHC) if you notice any sprinklers not working correctly let me know. They will be running three days a week as before. Thanks to Mike Stearne for helping me check out the system with Rock Creek.
We have completed most of the pine straw but are still working on the berm and behind some houses. It should be done shortly.
We have gone through and removed a lot of dead plants in the neighborhood and added some new plantings. Thank you Pam Stearne for working with Rock Creek and me on this effort.
We will continue to look at landscaping issues and prioritize them according to impact to the community and, of course, cost. We are aware of some drainage issues that have caused erosion on the woods side of CCL. I am working with Rock Creek to come up with a long term solution.
r,
Frank Padilla
CCNA President
June 2022 Update
June 10, 2022
Wow time is flying by, and I realized that I did not do a May update letter for the community. Almost half the year is over.
First of all, what a great Spring Fling get together we had in the neighborhood. The food was wonderful and abundant. Thanks to all of you that attended and for those of you that could not make it you missed a great time. We are going to try and plan another one around July 4th sometime; hopefully it won’t be too hot.
Next, I would like to wish a very warm welcome to our new neighbors. If you see them about make sure make them, feel at home.
-
Louise & John Plodinec at 110 Cottonwood Creek Lane
-
Mary Pat & John Flanigan at 194 Cottonwood Creek Lane
-
Cecilia Hallman & Steve Wade at 109 Poplar Hill Court
1. Irrigation repairs have all been completed and the system should now be fully operational. There was a magnitude of problems through the system that had to be corrected and it took some time to get all the parts needed. We have posted the irrigation schedule already but there have been some minor changes so it will be included again with this email. If you notice problems, please contact landscape committee via email or when you see me in the neighborhood let me know.
2. We have started some of the landscape improvements around the neighborhood as promised. There is a list
published on the website that shows what work was completed and pending work (depending on budget available) to complete. If you have concerns or suggestions, please contact the Landscaping Committee.
3. Rock Creek and I will be walking around the neighbor over the month of June looking at the grass (as it finally starting to grow) to determine areas that need attention. We will be looking at proper watering, top dressing, new sod required or another solution due to poor sunlight or drainage. I will keep everyone posted on how this goes.
4. The large sink hole behind 102, 104 and 106 CCL is due to a failed storm drainage pipe. The board has been working with the city and the golf course over the last year to try and find a solution to this issue. The pipe is on CCL property and runs behind the homes listed above. We met again this week with the city and are waiting to hear back from the golf course. What we have learned so far is that all the storm drains located in Phase 2 behind the homes on CCL were turned over to the city, but this one, which is part of Phase 1 has no record of being turned over to the city. We will continue to update the community as we work to fix this issue.
5. The new parking policy was published to all last month. Please make sure you read it thoroughly, and if you have any questions contact a board member. One issue that was covered was leaving cars out of the garage for extended periods and/or garage doors remaining open. Our goal is not to walk around and issue warning letters and fines, but to keep the community looking the way the majority of the community wants.
6. If you are planning work in your yard or on your home, please remember to complete the required forms to get approval. The forms can easily be downloaded from the website or contact a board member.
7. The CCNA website is a great location to visit. We store all the documents related to the community there as well as all approvals for landscaping, architectural updates, and parking waivers. Soon we will be adding the list of homes that will be getting landscape improvements and when we hope to accomplish those tasks. We will also be putting the monthly treasurer report on the site. If you have questions on how to log in, please let me know, and I will have Kat get in touch with you. You can visit our website at: cottonwoodcna.wixsite.com/ccna
8. We will be having the next CCNA Board meeting on June 27th at 3PM. If you would like to address the board at the meeting, you are welcome to attend, but please let me know in advance.
Last and one of the most important aspects to make our community thrive and continue to improve is community involvement. Please consider volunteering to be part of the solution going forward.
* We are looking for someone that is interested in serving on the board next year. We will have at least one opening that I know about right now as Michael Sims is term limited by the Bylaws. Please let me know if you are interested.
* We are also looking to establish a budget review committee to start meeting late this summer to go over the budget numbers and help prepare the new budget for next year. I am hoping to get an early start on this process in case we have to make contract changes and not wait for the last minute. Please let me know if you are interested.
r,
Frank Padilla
CCNA President
New CCNA Parking Policy
May 7, 2022
As a follow-up to our Minutes from April’s Board Meeting, the CCNA Parking Policy was revised, voted on and approved at our Board Meeting on April 26th. This third Amendment to the Policy has been notarized and filed with Aiken County on May 6, 2022. Attached, please find a copy of this Amendment.
The enforcement of the Association’s driveway parking policy went into effect on April 26, 2022. Violations of the parking policy will result in fines being levied for each observed parking occurrence.
Should you have any questions, please contact any Board Member regarding this matter.
Thank you,
Eddie Keiser
Secretary
April 2022 Update
April 10, 2022
Happy Masters week, Easter, and Spring. The weather is starting to turn a little warmer and hopefully you get out and enjoy it. Kat and I saw our first hummingbird of the season on our feeder yesterday.
1. Rock Creek will be here weekly until the end of the summer working in our neighborhood. Please remember not to bother the workers (unless, of course, you are offering them a cold drink or snack). If you have landscape concerns contact the Landscaping Committee via the website or email.
2. The retaining wall will be power washed on May 5th starting around 9 AM. We have contracted with Sunshine Pressure Washing to complete this work.
3. The final plan for landscape improvements for the first part of this year is almost completed. The plan was compiled by both the landscape committee and homeowner inputs. We are waiting on some final cost numbers to determine how much we can accomplish this year. Our priority this year is to improve the look of front yards. Once the list is completed, it will be posted on the web site for everyone to review.
4. The irrigation system checkout is ongoing and the system should be fully operational next week. (I think we have enough rain this week to keep everything very happy.)
5. The new parking policy will be voted on by the board this month. If anyone has any concerns or questions please feel free to contact me or another board member. The proposed new parking policy can be viewed on the website homepage.
6. If you are planning work in your yard or on your home, please remember to complete the required forms to get approval. The forms can easily be downloaded from the website or contact a board member.
7. The social committee is looking a planning a spring get together. There will be more information to follow via separate correspondence.
8. The CCNA website is a great location to visit. We store all the documents related to the community there as well as all approvals for landscaping, architectural updates and parking waivers. Soon we will be adding the list of homes that will be getting landscape improvements and when we hope to accomplish those tasks. We will also be putting the monthly treasurer report on the site. If you have questions on how to log in, please let me know, and I will have Kat get in touch with you. You can visit our website at: cottonwoodcna.wixsite.com/ccna
9. We will be having the next CCNA Board meeting on April 25th at 3PM. If you would like to address the board at the meeting, you are welcome to attend, but please let me know in advance.
Have a great month, and I look forward to seeing you around the community.
R,
Frank Padilla
CCNA President
March 2022 Update
March 5, 2022
WOW! How did it get to be March already? Since spring is springing up, I just wanted to take this opportunity to update everyone.
1. Deep pruning will still be going on this week and next; our hope is that everything is completed by then. If you see something we missed, please let us know.
2. Pine straw is being delivered this Thursday. There will be a large truck parked on Cottonwood Creek Lane (by the irrigation well) for a couple days while this is going on. Please bear with us, and remember to keep your speed down when driving.
3. Our plan is to start checking out the irrigation system in a couple of weeks to prepare for an April start date. We will be going through each yard to make sure everything is working correctly.
4. The Landscaping Committee is working hard on developing a plan to replace plants. As soon as the committee completes this list, it will be published on the website for all to see what the plans are.
5. A new parking policy will be coming out shortly. Please take the time to read it and make sure you understand it. You can contact me with any questions.
6. As spring is almost here, I know that many residents want to get their new flowers planted and yards spruced up. Please remember to work with the Landscaping Committee on your plans by filling out the landscape approval form. You can find the form as well as an online submission link on the website.
7. As well as sprucing up yards, many residents may also want to spruce up the exterior of their homes. Remember, any changes to the exterior such as repainting windows, shutters, or doors requires submitting an ARB form prior to painting.
8. Also, as a reminder, external lighting/solar lights, flags, decorative ornaments, hard scape, yard art objects, wind chimes etc. need to be approved by the board if they are visible in limited common/common areas. Please make sure you look at your yard for these items and submit the proper forms for review.
9. We are also suggesting that everyone look at their mailboxes and posts and if they need sprucing up, please do so. Paint for the posts is free at the main HOA office.
We have already made some substantial investments in our community this year and need your help to continue on the right path forward. As always please feel free to contact me or any of the board members with your feedback. The board will be meeting again in April and every other month after that. If you would like to attend a meeting and voice your suggestions to the board directly at one of these please let us know.
r,
Frank Padilla
CCNA President
February 2022 Update
February 7, 2022
I hope that everyone had a wonderful January; I cannot believe that February is already here. I just wanted to keep everyone updated on the status of work in the neighborhood.
-
The major landscaping project (repairing the corners of Cottonwood Creek Lane and Poplar Hill Court) has been completed. There will be before and after photos posted on the website. I personally think this project had a very positive impact on our community.
-
The major tree trimming project has been completed. C&R Tree Service spent three days working around the neighborhood and all front yards and the backs of the homes on the golf course side were completed. The scars from cutting will take a little while to heal. Our next tree project will be to work behind the homes on the woods side of the neighborhood. This work will be scheduled as the budget allows, but we are not expecting to be able to do much more this year.
-
Shrub deep pruning has begun and will continue for the next month or so.
-
Rock Creek is continuing to work on the bedding areas. All shrubs were sprayed and weed killer was applied to those areas to help control spring growth.
-
This spring, we will be looking at what shrubs need replacing after we have completed the deep pruning.
-
The road issue on the corner of Cottonwood Creek Lane and Poplar Hill Court has been reported to WPPOA and added to their list for repair.
-
The member directory has been updated on the website. The website will continue to include all correspondence and updates for the community. If you have not logged on or tried it out yet, it is a great time to go there. Here is the link again: https://cottonwoodcna.wixsite.com/ccna
If you have concerns about landscaping or issues around your home, please make sure you email cottonwoodcna@gmail.com; however, you are always free to contact me directly.
r,
Frank Padilla
CCNA President
January 2022 Update
January 13, 2022
Good evening Neighbors,
First of all, I hope that everyone had a very safe and Happy New Year. Here are the latest updates for January 2022.
1. Our new landscaper (Rock Creek) started last week in the neighborhood. They were here all day Wednesday and most of the day on Thursday. They concentrated on cleaning leaves/storm debris and spraying all the gardens and concrete areas with weed killer. As a reminder, Rock Creek will be performing routine maintenance bi-weekly during the winter months.
2. Our first major project - repairing the corners of Cottonwood Creek Lane and Poplar Hill Court - will begin this week. Today (Monday), the front area of the neighborhood was marked off by the landscaper and the utility companies will be putting up markers in the yards; please do not disturb them. With that in mind, please be careful driving and walking through the neighborhood as there will be heavy equipment and personnel working; we really don’t want anyone to get hurt.
3. Deep pruning will begin next week during Rock Creek’s regular bi-weekly maintenance. They will be doing major pruning on all the shrubs and bushes (azaleas and pampas grass will not be pruned until later in the year.) The landscaper will also be removing all the dead plants and eliminating dead areas in plants to see if they will come back. This might look a little worse at the beginning, but with pruning and fertilizers, everything should be fine in the spring. Please do not give instructions to the landscapers during this effort; I ask that you let them do their job. Once we are completely done with the pruning and seeing what plants will not survive, we will compile a list shrubs that need replacing. Replacement of shrubs will not happen until later in the year.
4. We will not be putting the new pine straw down until all pruning is completed. This will enable Rock Creek to work around the areas easier. I expect new pine straw to be laid in late March.
5. Tree trimming for the neighborhood is still slated for February 1-3.
If you have any feedback on how the landscapers are doing or the neighborhood overall, please share them with the landscape committee and board members as our goal is to make us all proud to live in this neighborhood. It will not all happen overnight or even within one month, but we want to make sure we are making progress.
Thank you for your patience in these matters.
CCNA Update
December 23, 2021
Hello Neighbors,
I hope that everyone is having a very joyful holiday season, and I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
I wanted to take this chance to update everyone on the upcoming activities for 2022.
1. Rock Creek will begin landscaping services in January. Their service dates will be on Wednesday and probably include some Thursdays. Their plan is to start on January 5, 2022. The team will arrive in the subdivision sometime between 7:30 and 8:00 AM; no major work will begin until after 8:00 AM. The main concentration for the first visits will be the rejuvenation pruning of all shrubs (deep pruning). Please allow them to do their job and if you have some concerns contact someone on the landscaping committee or the board.
2. The work to fix the areas around the main entrance and corner of Polar Hill and Cottonwood Creek will also begin in January. There will be some heavy equipment work going on to remove the dead plants and grate the area properly to lay sod.
3. Trimming of all the trees in the front areas of the homes in the subdivision is slated to begin February 1, 2022. This will be a major effort and last approximately 3 days.
We will set up times for residents to meet the new landscapers in a couple of months. This will allow them to get some of the major work accomplished immediately. It will take some time for them to get everything in the shape that we are all hoping for so please bear with them and the board.
There were also some requests to add some items to the CCNA website for recommendations for businesses or individuals to complete projects or work around our homes. If you would like to submit people that you think did a great job at your house and would recommend them to others please let Kat know (knfpad@gmail.com). Some examples: are good pet setter, carpet person, handyman, plumber. The CCNA board will not endorse these people but could post them and if you like who recommended them and why could be added.
Thanks again and looking forward to a Great New Year.
r,
Frank Padilla
Thank You, Secret Santa!
December 8, 2021
To: Our Secret Santa and the Elves,
I’m sure everyone has noticed how festive the entrance of Cottonwood Creek looks with the Christmas decorations. Thank you for taking the initiative to make Our Community gleaming with holiday pride.
A Merry Christmas to All…Happy Holidays!
The CCNA Board Members
November 22, 2021
We have received the votes for the Christmas Gathering and the majority have voted for the Open House. As a reminder, the date is Fri, Dec 10 at the Stover’s (146 Cottonwood Creek) from 5-7. Please bring your own beverage — appetizers will be provided.
2021 CCNA Annual Meeting Minutes
November 22, 2021
The 2021 Annual Meeting Minutes are posted on the Annual Meeting Page.
The Special Board Minutes After 2021 Annual Meeting can be found on the Board Report Page.
If you have any questions concerning the information in the attachments, please feel free to contact:
Frank Padilla (803) 679-7349 or Mike Sims (803) 295-6042
2021 CCNA Annual Meeting
October 17, 2021
The attachments in your emails contain all of the material that will reviewed and discussed at our 2021 Annual Meeting to be held at 6:30 PM on November 18, 2021 at The Woodside Country Club. The Board encourages all the Record Holders who can, to attend this Annual Meeting as we have a rather significant decision to make.
As I informed you in a letter early last week, we must address a number of issues and take decisive steps to improve the care, appearance and value of our neighborhood. Not doing so will result in a decline in the market value of all of our residences, a result that none would like to see happen.
You can view all of the documents on the Annual Meeting Page
If you have any questions concerning the information in the attachments, please feel free to contact:
Frank Padilla (803) 679-7349 or Mike Sims (803) 295-6042
2022 Operating Budget
October 12, 2021
The Cottonwood Creek Neighborhood Association (CCNA) Board is currently in the process of developing the 2022 Operating Budget for presentation to and approval by the Association Members. The purpose of this communication is to advise you of the major issues with which the Board is dealing and the impact of these issues, so that when the 2022 Operating Budget is presented to you in the very near future, you will not be completely blindsided.
Please see your email for the full announcement.
Developing a Short/Long Term Landscaping Plan
September 2, 2021
Mr. Frank Padilla, who is now our Board Member responsible for Landscaping, is planning to walk all the yards and properties belonging to the CCNA. The purpose of this walk-through is to identify and develop a short and long-term landscape plan for our neighborhood. During his walk-through, he would like to meet in person with Residents to hear first-hand any concerns. Our Residents’ opinions are a very important element in developing this Landscape Plan. Pictures or comments you might be willing to share ahead of time would be helpful.
Frank plans to walk the yards over the next several weeks on Tuesdays through Saturdays (beginning this weekend) although he could be available at other mutually convenient times. His telephone number is (803) 679-7349, and his email address is frmpd12@gmail.com. Your participation and support is appreciated.
CCNA Board of Directors
CCNA Board Addition
September 2, 2021
The CCNA Board is pleased to announce that Mr. Frank Padilla has been appointed as a member of the Board of Directors.
Frank and his wife Kat are recent residents of our community and reside at 106 Cottonwood Creek Lane. Both have prior hands-on experience with HOA’s - Frank served as President of an HOA much larger than ours.
Frank’s initial assignment will be to serve as the Landscaping Committee’s Representative on the Board.
Michael Sims
Vice President, CCNA
CCNA Administrative Change
August 19, 2021
Dear Neighbors,
It is with a deep sense of regret that the CCNA Board is announcing that Jerry McDonald is stepping down as President of the Association and is resigning from the Board of Directors effective August 31, 2021 due to health reasons. We all owe Jerry our utmost gratitude for his untiring efforts to maintain the appearance and value of our Community. Jerry has served us well for over eight years and his innumerable contributions will have lasting impact on our Community. Jerry, we wish you a speedy and full recovery. In accordance with the CCNA Bylaws, Michael Sims, our Vice President will oversee the affairs of the Board until a candidate for President can be appointed.