About Our Community
Walden Woods Valdosta - Phases I and II
Walden Woods, located in Valdosta, GA near Moody Air Force Base was built by Lloyd H. Johnson Construction Company starting in 2005/06. Our community was developed in two phases (Phase I and Phase II) with 91 lots on 50+ acres. Four builders contributed to our subdivision. Roughly nine acres was set aside as a common area that runs along a fishpond.
Prior to beginning construction, the original builders had Walden Woods approved by the Valdosta City Council and Lowndes County Commissioners as a restrictive covenant community. Under these protective covenants a Homeowner's Association was developed to enforce the rules of the community and to maintain the look of the subdivision. What does this mean? The definition of restrictive covenants as defined by Merriam-Webster dictionary means a covenant acknowledged in a deed or lease that restricts the free use or occupancy of property (as by forbidding commercial use or types of structures). This means the HOA Board and Leadership (i.e. HOA Team) will refer to the Restrictive Covenants when addressing community member concerns and issues. Every home owner/renter in the community has the opportunity to become a member of the HOA body by paying bi-annual dues and attending scheduled HOA community meetings. Members can also run for office if they are in good standing with the community and have paid all outstanding fees due.
The covenants include guidelines on everything from home size (minimum of 1,700 square feet), to paint colors and outdoor shed types. Please take a moment and read the community covenants to familiarize yourself with community expectations. Note that the common area referenced in the paragraph above was deeded to the full body of the Homeowner's Association. Your HOA fees support the maintenance of the pond area, as well as the front entrance and community signage. Our HOA Team is so proud of our neighbors for keeping the spirit of our community, and therefore the value of our property as a priority.
For more information about our community or for other information, please email waldenwoodsvaldosta@gmail.com.
Click below for copies of
Restrictive Covenants
A message from your Architectural Control Committee
Why does the HOA have all these rules, you may ask? The answer is simple: (1) safety for our residents of Walden Woods and (2) the beautification of our subdivision only increases the values of our homes for years to come. With that, here are a few things we would like to highlight:
First, according to the Amendment to Restrictive Covenants, Walden Woods Subdivision, dated 13 Nov 14, para 5, please note the detailed instructions on submitting architectural changes to the Walden Woods Architectural Control Committee, via email at waldenwoodsvaldosta@gmail.com or by mail. See your copy of the Covenants for what’s needed and the mailing address, if you choose to send anything there. There have been a couple of instances lately where these rules are not being followed, resulting in unnecessary costs to homeowners as a result of direct violations of such rules and then removal of whatever was constructed without seeking proper channels, permits, etc.
Second, para 32 refers to portable basketball goals. It states “Portable Basketball goals shall be allowed, so long as such is placed in the driveway, close to the owner’s house and garage, and away from the sidewalk and street.” We have walked around the neighborhood in recent weeks and seen portable basketball goals in violation of this rule. Please make sure to move them to locations that are away from the street/sidewalks due to these being safety issues for drivers and your children.
Third, according to the Restrictive Covenants, dated 5 Jan 11, para 10, maintaining your yard is a must. We have noticed several yards exceeding the 4” in height rule. We know it is rainy season and lawns are growing out of control. However, please make every effort to cut your lawn, trim the bushes and remove those weeds whenever possible.
Finally, we want to clarify any confusion when it comes to parking your vehicles in a housing subdivision. A recent handout, which we included in the mailer we placed in your boxes for your review, was published by the City of Valdosta. We ask you review it in its entirety, especially taking note of: no person shall park any motor vehicle in the front yard; and no vehicle shall be parked in a manner that prohibits or interferes with pedestrian traffic (i.e. the sidewalk). You will immediately note this contradicts Para 6 of Amendment to Restrictive Covenants, Walden Woods Subdivision, dated 13 Nov 14. The HOA committee is working to re-write the document to match current times and city rules. What is still current is that “No commercial vehicle shall be parked or kept upon any street or lot EXCEPT while being loaded and unloaded or while engaged in work upon such lot.” This includes any vehicles anyone drives for their work purposes.
These covenants take all of us as homeowners working together for the betterment of our Walden Woods subdivision. As always, your HOA Team is available to address any questions or concerns. Please do not hesitate to contact us at waldenwoodsvaldosta@gmail.com or contact Timmy Westerlund, Architectural Committee, at (229) 573-4810.
Thank you so much for your continued help on these matters!