The Nellie Gail Ranch Owners Association office will be closed Thursday and Friday, November 26th and 27th in observance of Thanksgiving Day.
The Tennis & Swim Club will be closed Thursday, November 26th, Thanksgiving Day.
The Club will be open on Friday, November 27th from 6:00 am to 9:30 pm. consistent with the California Department of Public Health Curfew in order to ensure our guests and staff are able to be out prior to 10:00 p.m.
Equestrians and hikers who know this section of the trail just beyond the Nellie Gail Road tunnel are familiar with conditions resulting from natural drainage that has been at best boggy and at worst impassable. In collaboration with the City, we have completed work this week to install culvert sections to transition water under and away from trails. This work will result in making a major link of the Nellie Gail Ranch trail system between the Equestrian Center and Moulton Parkway accessible for improved use throughout the year.
At the Board of Directors Meeting of November 17, 2020, the Board approved Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU) Architectural Guidelines.
After review of extensive and thoughtful comments submitted by homeowners during the review time period, the Board considered, and approved, changes as noted in the redline document. We are attaching both the final version for your record and the redline document for your review of revisions.
Some comments were easy to incorporate like consistently referring to them as “Guidelines” instead of “Standards”. And, seeing as how Nellie Gail Ranch has seven Committees, there was a recommendation requesting we include the full name of the “Architectural Review Committee” rather than simply referencing “Committee”. Both suggestions were implemented.
Many comments expressed concern for the adoption of guidelines allowing Accessory Dwelling Units due to concerns for increased density, more parking, and possible rental of the dwelling units. We share those concerns, however, state legislation has been imposed upon Nellie Gail Ranch Owners Association and the City of Laguna Hills requiring we allow them. In fact, the California Department of Housing and Community Development has published a handbook of guidance to “assist local governments, homeowners, architects, and the general public in encouraging the development of ADU’s.” What we can do is adopt reasonable guidelines to ensure that ADU and JADU structures harmonize with the community aesthetics and reduce the adverse impact to adjacent owners.
Due to civil code restrictions, we were unable to implement homeowner suggested guidelines related to population density, street parking, rental restrictions, and required neighbor approval. As those types of guidelines would be unenforceable, they were not implemented.
To address concerns that construction vehicles and equipment may create hazards on trails the following guideline was implemented:
n. The equestrian trails and easements may not be utilized for construction equipment access and may not be unreasonably interfered with for construction purposes.
The proposed language restricting garage use from use for storage or workshops received comments both in favor and opposed. Those in favor want to see greater use of garages in place of street or driveway parking. Those opposed felt the language was overreaching in scope to what the CC&R’s allow. After review, the Board agreed the proposed garage revision regarding the use of garages was not applicable to these guidelines that are standards for construction of conversion of garages to approvable JADU’s. The use portion of the language in the proposed draft has been struck.
A number of comments referenced the proposed five-foot setback as being too close to the property line. The guidelines have been revised to reflect; “A detached ADU must be set back a reasonable distance from the side and rear property lines or Easements.” While “reasonable distance” is not specific, it will allow the Architectural Review Committee to review the wide variety of lot configurations and implement wider setbacks as may be deemed reasonable.
The attached guidelines are in effect immediately. We thank all those who submitted comments!!
Approved 11-17-20 Accessory Dwelling Unit Guidelines
Approved 11-17-20 Redline Accessory Dwelling Unit Guidelines
The Recreation Center will be closing at 9:30 p.m. Monday through Friday consistent with the California Department of Public Health Curfew in order to ensure our guests and staff are able to be out prior to 10:00 p.m.
Our Holiday Hours for Thanksgiving week are closed on Thanksgiving Day and open Friday, 11/27 from 6:00 am – 9:30 pm. The Associations Office will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and Friday.
The Nellie Gail Ranch Emergency Preparedness Committee hosted a meeting via ZOOM to share how to prepare your emergency kit, shut off gas and water, and what to do during an emergency. The training session was hosted on November 10th at 7:30 p.m. by Dr. Kenneth S. Cheng, author of The Pony Express Emergency Preparedness articles.
Access Passcode: BDRjVv2.
(include the period . at end of passcode)
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Pumpkin Carving and Decorating Contest! The submissions were so creative and fun. Look for your prizes at your front door this weekend. Thank you to Melody and Associates for sponsoring this spooky event. Have a wonderful and safe Halloween!
Our Equestrian Center was privileged to host four horses evacuated from the Silverado Fire this week. Oakie and Booger returned home today after a three-day stay. Gracie and Crusader (Pictured) remain in our Sun Pens safe and cared for.
The evacuations were coordinated by San Juan Capistrano Large Animal Response Team (LART), an organization that provides training and resources to safely evacuate large animals during emergency situations. In addition, Doris Bryant one of our Equestrian Center boarders and a Hayden / Clarke Sporthorses trainer, volunteered with her daughter to transport other horses away from the fires during the first and most critical night of the fires. Volunteers with horse trailers made the difficult journey past checkpoints to enter the evacuation zone. They were then directed to homes that required assistance loading frightened animals in trailers and evacuating them to safety. Through the combined efforts of organizations like LART, transport volunteers, and private and commercial boarding facilities, many horses were safely evacuated from the fires and sheltered and cared for until ready to return home.
The Nellie Gail Ranch Emergency Preparedness Committee is hosting a meeting via ZOOM to share how to prepare your emergency kit, shut off gas and water, and what to do during an emergency. The training session will be hosted on November 10th at 7:30 p.m. by Dr. Kenneth S. Cheng, author of The Pony Express Emergency Preparedness articles. All homeowners and residents are welcome to attend.
Topic: Emergency Preparedness Training
Time: Nov 10, 2020 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Join Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85787471014?pwd=Vk50U3Z2OG9ZS3Jac3N0T1NIWGhrUT09
Dial in #: 669 900 6833
Meeting ID: 857 8747 1014
Passcode: 689324
With the first high winds of the season upon us please be sure to secure pool toys, lawn furniture pads, umbrellas, and anything else that may blow away. We urge timely action on behalf of equestrians who may be startled by blowing debris. We recommend staying off the trails today until the wind dies down.
Please notify us at admin@nelliegailranch.org or by text to 949-933-8546 if you see downed trees or large branches. Send a photo and a description of the location.
Regarding clean-up, after a wind like we have today, the clean-up can take two weeks. The following is our clean-up priority:
Questions? Contact Us