The Issue of Children Playing in Our Neighborhood

We have received several complaints about the children playing in our neighborhood. Most of these children are residents here. We want them to play and enjoy themselves. However, this cannot be at the expense of the other residents.

I spoke with Deputy Gillespie of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. She is the Community Region 7 Deputy. Her phone number is 803-977-9866 if you have any questions. She offered the following guidance.

1. The streets are public property. Children can utilize them just like anyone else. However, they should not obstruct traffic or leave debris of any kind in the roadway.

2. Resident’s yards are private property. Children should not enter other resident’s yards without permission.

3. If you feel the children are trespassing or are causing a hazard, rather than confronting the children or their parents, call 911 and ask for assistance. That’s correct, 911. I asked about the non-emergency number and the Deputy said there is one. But she said the same operators answer both numbers, that there is a shortage of dispatchers, and the best thing to do is call 911. The dispatchers will prioritize the calls.

The HOA does not have the authority to adjudicate or intercede in this matter. We cannot instruct the children to not play in the street or stay out of other residents yard. That is the responsibility of law enforcement. The Deputy was very clear in that if you have a complaint or issue, call law enforcement. They will intercede and resolve any complaints.

Hopefully this post has clarified the issue and will help resolve any problems going forward.

 

Springhurst Pets Running Loose

There have been dogs running loose in the neighborhood and defecating on other homeowners property. It is a violation of our bylaws for a dog to be off of a homeowners lot unaccompanied by the owner. It is also a violation of the Richland County ordinance. Dogs must be accompanied by their owners at all times if they are off of the homeowners property.

If you are walking your dog in the neighborhood, please respect others property and pick up their droppings.

Thank you

HOA 2025 Projects

Currently there are several projects in the works. New plantings and mulch at the front entrance. New mulch on the traffic circles. Grass seeding of the entrance area.

Once these are complete we will have the county street sweeper come through subdivision.

Springhurst HOA Noise Complaints

Several individuals have approached me about excessive noise from some of their neighbors. Noxious or offensive acts are prohibited by our restrictive covenants and noise is included in that category. Noise is also specifically covered by the Richland County, SC ordinances. Here is the applicable ordinance;

Sec. 18-3. Noise.
   (a)   Definition. As used below, plainly audible means any sound that can be detected by a person using his or her unaided hearing facilities.
   (b)   Noise-Amplified sound from vehicles. It shall be unlawful for any person to play, operate, or cause to be played or operated, any radio or other vehicular music or sound amplification or reproduction equipment in such a manner as to be plainly audible at a distance of 50 feet in any direction from the vehicle or plainly audible within the residential dwelling of another. The detection of the rhythmic bass component of the music or sound is sufficient to constitute a plainly audible sound. Prohibitions contained in this section shall not be applicable to emergency or public safety vehicles for sound emitted during job-related operation.
   (c)   Noise.
      (1)   It shall be unlawful for any person to make, continue, or cause to be continued, any loud, excessive, unnecessary, or disturbing noise, or any noise which either annoys, disturbs, injures, or endangers the comfort, repose, health, peace or safety of others, within the limits of the unincorporated area of the county, except where the activity generating the noise is permitted by lawful authority (e.g., a permitted event).
      (2)   A loud, excessive, unnecessary, or disturbing noise is defined as any sound regulated by paragraph (1) above, which is plainly audible at a distance of 50 feet from its source.
         i.   The following noises shall be exempt from the prohibitions of paragraph (1);
         ii.   Noise from domestic power equipment including, but not limited to, chain saws, sanders, grinders, lawn and garden tools or similar devices operated after 6:00 a.m. and no later than 10:00 p.m.;
         iii.   Noise generated by any construction, demolition equipment, or mineral extraction (including crushing, screening, or segregating) or industrial or manufacturing noise;
         iv.   Emergency maintenance, construction or repair work;
         v.   Noises resulting from any authorized emergency vehicles;
         vi.   Noise from school bells, church bells or chimes;
         vii.   Any noise resulting from activities sponsored or co-sponsored by the county;
         viii.   Noise created by any government-sponsored events or privately organized sports, recreation, or athletic events;
         ix.   Noise generated by licensed hunting on property where it is allowed;
         x.   Noise generated by agricultural or farming activities.
      (3)   The complaints of three or more persons, or of one or more persons when combined with the complaint of the county sheriff or any lawful officer serving under him, is facie evidence that a sound regulated by paragraph (a) annoys, disturbs, injures, or endangers the comfort, repose, health, peace and safety of others, in violation of this section.
      (4)   Noises audible in public streets or public places which violate the standards of this section are hereby declared to be public nuisances, which may be abated by any law enforcement officer authorized to enforce the law within Richland County or any Richland County code enforcement officer commissioned pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. Section 4-9-145.
   (d)   This section shall be enforced by the Richland County Sheriffs Department and by any Richland County code enforcement officer commissioned pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. Section 4-9-145. Violations of this section shall be punishable by a fine of up to $500.00. Each violation shall constitute a separate offense.
(Ord. No. 1947-90, § I, 1-16-90; Ord. No. 2083-91, § I, 4-16-91; Ord. No. 2280-92HR, §§ I, II, 12-15-92; Ord. 004- 19HR, § I, 2-19-19)