Quick Hits...

Annual ARB Inspection
Finds an Appealing Neighborhood

The annual Afton Glen walk-through inspection took place May 16. A member of the Architectural Review Board and the property manager walked the entire neighborhood to check each house for compliance with standards and make note of any obvious needed corrections. The inspection considers only house and yard items evident and visible from the sidewalk.

Overall, homeowners are doing a great job keeping their homes and yard in good order and appearance.  

As in previous years, the most common items needing correction are dirty siding, neglected lawns, and overdue sidewalk edging. Homeowners will be notified if any corrections are needed.

Thanks to everyone for your cooperation and pride in keeping Afton Glen attractive!

New Guidelines
for Driveways

If you are planning to redo your driveway in the near future, be aware of a recently revised rule in the ARB Guidelines. 

The previous guidance had stated that driveways "may consist of asphalt, concrete, or pavers" and that "the driveway color must be dark gray or black." The new wording clarifies that a wider range of color options are permitted, but all changes to an existing driveway —  whether in size, material, or color — still require you to submit a request for ARB approval. 

The revised rule states:

Driveways may consist of asphalt, concrete, or pavers. Black asphalt and natural color concrete are permitted. In all other cases, the driveway color must complement the existing house exterior color scheme and preserve the overall neighborhood aesthetic character. Homeowners must maintain driveways in good repair and neat appearance, such as repairing cracks, removing unsightly stains, and removing intrusive grass and weeds.

When choosing a surface material for your driveway, consider carefully the comparative pros and cons of the options, aside from their varying appearance. There are notable differences to balance, in terms of cost of future maintenance; tire traction and walkability in inclement weather; durability and expected life of service; and ease of cleaning, stain removal, sweeping, or snow removal.  

The most recent version of the complete Guidelines (December 2023) contains this revision and can be viewed or downloaded by clicking on this link.

It Should Go Without Saying:
Clean Up After Your Dog

Judging from what can be seen around the neighborhood lately, it's time for a reminder: Please remember to be a responsible dog owner and remove your pet's droppings. It's pretty simple. If we see you out walking your dog, we should also see that you are carrying a bag for doggy-doo. 

Pet waste can carry disease-causing organisms, and you know it's ugly and messy. Caring and thoughtful pet owners will not leave an unsightly, unhealthy surprise lying around on the sidewalk or the neighbor's lawn.

County law requires pet owners to remove any droppings, subject to a $250 fine. But also, if your pet poops and you don't pick it up, you're leaving it there as an annoying hazard for the next people who come by, which can ruin their experience of the neighborhood -- not to mention your kids' shoes, or the wheels on scooters, bicycles, and baby strollers. 

Picking up after your pets will help keep Afton Glen looking clean, make life easier for your neighbors, and preserve a pleasant and inviting appearance. Thank you for your help and care!

As Always, Be Careful 
Around School Buses

Drivers, please use caution and a safe speed in the neighborhood, especially when school buses are making their morning or afternoon routes at the school bus stops. 

Children are not always mindful of cars or attentive to other hazards, especially when their attention is focused on fun and conversation with their friends. They may wander into  in the street suddenly, or unexpectedly dart in front of you when you're turning a corner or entering a driveway. 

So please watch for kids, and watch your speed. Thanks for keeping Afton Glen a safe place to live.

Use the Most Current ARB Form 
for Approval of Your Project

When submitting an ARB request, be sure to use the most current version of the form, which is now dated February 2023. This PDF form can be downloaded, filled out electronically, and either emailed or sent by postal mail to our property manager, CSH Management. 

If you have any old copies of the form, throw them out. 

You can always find the most current form online at this web site, under the tab for Procedures > ARB Guidelines, at this link.

Are You New 
to Afton Glen?

See our page for neighborhood newcomers!

Check Your Crape Myrtles 
for Bark Scale Disease 

Many of the homes in Afton Glen are adorned by crape myrtle trees, which bring welcome summer blooms and fall color. But are you aware they're under attack? 

Crape Myrtle Bark Scale disease, which was once confined to the U.S. Southwest, is now present in our area. If left untreated, this scale disease can ruin trees. The scale appears as a fuzzy white or gray insect, often near pruning sites and branch crotches. The first sign is often a black, sooty mold on the tree bark. 

If you find this on your trees, prune off and dispose of dead or affected branches in the trash. An arborist or tree service can advise you on treatments for your trees, such as applying horticultural oil in the fall or spring, as well as other chemical solutions. 

Avoid Creating Street Obstructions 

Here are just a few reminders to help minimize traffic obstacles on Afton Glen streets: 

• Mailboxes: Don't park your cars or put trash cans in front of them. If your mailbox is blocked, the Postal Service can refuse delivery to your house. 
• Fire hydrants: Keep cars and trash bins away from hydrants. Fairfax County law states that parking is prohibited within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, and no special curb marking is required for enforcement. 
• Basketball hoops: These should not be in the street. Position them up behind the curb not blocking the sidewalk, or in your driveway. Anyone may report hoops on the street to VDOT as traffic hazards and, if not moved, they can be confiscated and removed by VDOT.

Trash and Recycling:
The Basics

It's easy to remember: Our trash is collected every Monday and Thursday, and recycling every Monday. The exceptions: no pickup on Thanksgiving, and no pickup when Christmas and New Years Day fall on a Monday or Thursday. Pickup is normal on all other holidays. 

Yard waste is picked up on Wednesdays, from March through December. No plastic bags are allowed, per county rules. You must use either paper bags or a reusable container, or bundle brush. 

Some other pointers:

• Do our mail carriers a favor: Please don't put trash cans or stack up recycling containers in front of your mailbox.
  
• Please remember that our neighborhood guidelines do not permit ongoing storage of trash containers in front of your house or garage. 

See more details on our Trash page. You can schedule various special services at our trash hauler's web site, https://www.republicservices.com/.

Need a Number?

Below is a list of useful contacts for common neighborhood issues. For a printable, postcard-size PDF copy of this list, click here.

See the Afton Glen page on Facebook.