Kestrel Air Park Runway Association (KAPRA) has been incredibly busy of late. As a private airport with public access, our Master Plan assigns to KAPRA the responsibility of “maintaining and preserving the airstrip.” To help fulfill this responsibility KAPRA revamped the dues and fee structure early last year to obtain f inancia l sus ta inabi l i ty and acquired signage to enhance pilot safety further. Then, as of last fa l l ’s membersh ip meet ing , KAPRA formed a plethora of committees, one to recommend solutions to deter vehicular i n c u r s i o n s o n t h e a i r s t r i p (especially coming from Flightline Drive), with another addressing damage to the taxiways from the

heavy rains, and yet a third to re-write the Bylaws.

Being proactive, Kestrel pilots also want to anticipate the increasing use of helicopters and drones. Since maintenance of the a i r s t r i p i s unde r KAPRA’s authority, rules and regulations for operating aircraft at Kestrel, as outlined by Kestrel’s Master Plan (and governed by existing laws & FAA regulations) are KAPRA’s responsibility. But there are no such existing KAPRA written guidelines for flight operations, no matter what kind of aircraft. With the obvious need for such an initiative, KAPRA held a special membership meeting on this topic at the BSB Library in early December.

Another committee has been formed to develop Kestrel Airpark Standard Operating Procedures for membership approval. This will give all present, future and potential aircraft owners and pilots a written manual on expectations and procedures here at Kestrel’s airstrip.

Kestrel Landing Strip

Spring 2016 Volume 5, Issue 1

Reporter: Emily Sutter Design: Joyce Allen

Inside this issue:KAPRA Gears-up for New Initiatives 1-2

Screening Out the Build 3-4

Calendar of Events 4

Resident Spotlight 5-6

Neighborhood News 7

Association News 8

Have suggestions or items for the newsletter?

Contact Emily Sutter

Page 1

KAPRA Gears-up for New Initiatives

Chuck Luther with new sign

The drone issue is something else. The proliferation and irresponsible use of drones has threatened commercial airlines to the extent that the FAA has issued regulations to protect air traffic. But the sign posted at the north end of our runway on neighbor’s property off Stealth brings the problem home. KAPRA is aware of this issue, has been monitoring the situation, and the FAA is in communication with our neighbor about the use and safety of drone flights as they affect Kestrel. The FAA already has in place rules prohibiting the use of drones within miles of airport property without prior approval and KAPRA has given no such approval to anyone.

KAPRA has about 30 members, mostly those with lots along the airfield. This small group must shoulder not only the financial obligation of maintaining and preserving Kestrel’s airfield but the responsibility of doing so in a way that protects the property values and living standards of our larger Kestrel residential neighborhood and avoids any backlash from incoming Singing Hills and neighboring property owners. Issues of noise , nuisance, damage to faci l i t ies , communication and common courtesy must be considered. This is no small task! Volunteers to serve as board members and officers are always needed and their service very much appreciated.

Thank you KAPRA members and board representatives for all you do!

KAPRA Gears-up for New Initiatives… (cont.)

Robinson R44

Neighbor’s Drone Sign

Page 2

Want some privacy around your Kestrel lot – especially if you live on Navigator Drive? Privacy has become a big issue, particularly with the coming of the 2-story high-density houses in Singing Hills. What resources might be employed to protect lot privacy? Kestrel’s Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&Rs) are restrictive about erecting fences. But plants are an awesome provider of privacy all around the property. It’s just a question of which ones.

To be an effective privacy plant in Kestrel, several conditions must be met. The plant must be evergreen, drought tolerant, deer resistant, heat and freeze tolerant, and low maintenance (i.e. disease and pest free, little or no pruning). Few plants meet all these criteria. And to provide privacy from the housing development behind Navigator Drive, those plants must be over 10 feet tall. Five winners are featured here that meet the above criteria. Additional information about each plant and planting conditions can be found on Google. Other plants make fine screens, but these were selected as the best at meeting ALL criteria.

*Arizona Cypress Arizona Cypress has a beautiful silver

color and grows 30’ high and 15 to 20’ wide.

A row of these was recently planted along the back of Navigator where Navigator Crossing intersects. Good drainage is required for this tree.

* Monterey Oak (White Oak). This tree is not susceptible to oak wilt disease. The leathery leaves shed for about a month but otherwise provide a dense green screen. Like all trees, the trunk must be fenced against deer rubbing their antlers. Monterey Oak grows 50’ tall and 40’ wide. The pictured oaks are at the back left of 907 Flightline. They are easily 30 feet tall and only about 10 years old.

* Junipers (Mountain Cedar). Consider only the female junipers, please. The males produce the cedar pollen that afflicts allergy sufferers. Females can be identified most easily by the berries that cluster along the stems. These berries turn from green to blue purple as they ripen. The male pollen cones are about rice grain size, turning orange and blowing from the tree during allergy season in January. Junipers’ size (about 35’ X 20’) and density provide an excellent screen. An example is between 772 and 816 Flightline Drive. The blue point juniper (a female variety), often sold as a Xmas tree, is fast growing and reaches 15 to 20’ high and 10’ wide.

Screening Out the Build

Page 3

Blue Ice Arizona Cypress

Monterey Oak

* Texas Mountain Laurel. Trimmed as either a bush or a tree, this Texas standard grows slowly, normally to about 15’. In March the mountain laurel produces purple flowers that smell like grape bubble gum. It’s all over Kestrel, in sun or shade, and deer ignore it.

* Wax Myrtle. These beauties grow quickly, even 5’ a year. They can reach 20 feet high. Width is some 10 to 20 feet, but wax myrtles can be pruned back or shaped into trees. The females produce berries for the birds.

While this article focuses on the tall privacy plants, many Kestrel residents are interested in shorter privacy plants that provide color, especially along the sides of lots or to hide utility boxes. Such plants will be covered in the summer newsletter. Stay tuned!

Screening Out the Build…(cont.)

Texas Mountain Laurel

Page 4

Sun. Jan 31, 3:00 PM Unit 1/KAPRA BOD BSB Library Fri. Feb. 26, 5:00 PM Unit 1 POA Dues Due Barbara’s Bookkeeping Sun. Mar. 13, 2:00 AM Daylight Savings begins – “spring forward” Mon. Mar. 14-Fri. Mar 18 Spring Break Comal ISD Sat. Mar. 20 Probable last freeze 78070 Sat. April 9, 10:30 AM Unit 1 POA Meeting BSB Library

Calendar of EventsDate/Time Description Location

Resident Spotlight

Page 5

The new house at the intersection of Flightline and Navigator is now home to Scott Moller, Teresa Gates and a houseful of their delightful children. Scott is a commercial airline pilot, while Teresa is a stay-at-home mom, finishing her Master’s Degree. Teresa’s two girls, Tori (age 17, in Smithson Valley High School) and Tara (age 12, in Spring Branch Middle School) live with them, while son, Taylor, a cyber-security major at UTSA, has his own apartment at school. Scott’s two girls are Mia (age 11, at Smithson Valley Middle School) and Kylah (age 8, at Bill Brown School).

Defending this large household is Fiona, a darling and well behaved 11-year-old gray Mini-Schnauzer. While Fiona is her proper name, the family calls her Fifi, or more often “The Feefs.”

Scott and Teresa designed and self contracted their home. One or the other has been there every day since the build started. With regard to the dumpster in front of the house, Teresa wants us to know she is, ”so sorry for the long drawn-out mess.” As a DIY, the house has been a long time in finishing. But it’s gorgeous. We welcome Scott, Teresa, the girls, and The Feefs.

Scott Moller Family

The Scott Moller Household

Our local Bulverde/Spring Branch Library held a special book-signing event in December in honor of Barbara Luther’s new novel Stone Lion. A hefty 600+ page epic, this is Barbara’s first book. It involved several years in the making and is indeed a page-turner. Set in the west Texas mountain towns of Alpine and Ft. Davis, the thriller involves attempts by the FBI, Border Patrol and a local ranch family to decipher and stop plans of a group of terrorists infiltrating across the border with biological weapons. It’s not just a mystery. There is romance, humor, abnormal and paranormal psychology involved as well. Creative and engaging, it has already received a 5-star rating from reviewers on Amazon.com.

The west Texas setting is not new to Barbara. She and husband, Chuck, own property in the area. The setting is brought vividly to life in the pages of her novel and very accurately reflects Texas culture and characters. This is not surprising as Barbara has been a Texan for many years. A portion of the novel was written during the latter part of the 22 years she worked for an aerospace company located on the north side of San Antonio’s airport. When she began doing administrative program management work there on government contracts, the company was named Fairchild Corporation. She subsequently served as a Corporate Officer for several years under the Fairchild brands to include building and maintaining Merlin, Metro and C-26 aircraft and modifying Beech aircraft. The company changed names and ownership many times while Barbara worked there. She retired in April 2009 as the Senior Executive Assistant to the President & CEO. Barbara’s co-workers describe her as dedicated, dependable, competent, a tireless leader, worker and good friend. “You never had to check on Barbara. You knew she would do it right the first time.” The couple’s two children never doubted their mother’s talent. They recall Barbara was always an avid reader, of every imaginable type of book. Although her beautiful paintings hang throughout the house in Kestrel (and she designed the house itself), the book is only the latest testament to the creative talent and tireless work for which she is known. There’s more to look forward to as a sequel, Canyon Spirits, is in the making. Kestrel is proud to boast its very own author!

Page 6

Resident Spotlight…(cont.)

Barbara Luther

Kestrel Author Featured

Page 7

Neighborhood News

Halloween Party. The party was actually on Halloween this year! Held at the Pennington’s on Navigator Drive, it was co-hosted by Coy Armstrong and Dana Rine. As usual, the “hay wagons” transported our youngsters on their “trick or treat” rounds and a “bounce house” purchased by the POA provided plenty of fun for the little ones. The highlight of the night was the Pennington’s haunted house. Several Kestrel residents assisted in crowd control as ghosts, chain saw noise, dismembered bodies, spiders and screams streamed from every room.

At the fall, 2015 POA meeting, Unit 1 residents voted donations for TAMER ($1,000) and to the two local food banks ($500 each). TAMER (Texans Against Monopolies Excessive Rates) is a volunteer, non-profit dedicated to fighting water/sewer service providers whose owners charge excessive rates. The local food banks make food available for needy families and several Kestrel residents volunteer their services to these facilities. In the picture, Barbara McFarlane presents our check for $500.00 to the executive director and treasurer of Provisions food pantry located at 2295-1 Bulverde Rd.

Donations

Barbara McFarlane Delivers Donation

Halloween Party

Page 8

Association News

Property owners held their semi-annual meeting in late October at the BSB Library. Despite a steady downpour, some two dozen residents appeared with enough proxies to meet the quorum. Treasurer, Cliff McFarlane, presented and obtained approval of next year’s budget. He reported that our finances are in good shape despite the market downturn. The pending deal on DJL’s lot at Kestrel’s front entrance was (and still is) pending. Terms of the agreement to move the lot from Kestrel to Singing Hills has remained with the DJL lawyers since last fall. Discussion about putting lights under the mailbox canopy remain in a “wait and see if needed” limbo. Two board positions will open in April and solicitation for potential nominees has been emailed.

CC&R Enforcement

At recent Unit 1 meetings, residents raised the importance of enforcing the Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&Rs) listed in the Master Plan. A suggestion was made to hire a management company for such enforcement, but past research estimated that would cost at least $10,000/year. A significant dues increase would be necessary to pay for this and several members cited experiences in previous neighborhoods with heavy-handed management. Now that the revised Master Plan has clarified the enforcement process, it’s up to each board to develop an enforcement/fee structure. The Master Plan specifies that alleged CC&R violators will first receive an inquiry about the apparent violation from the appropriate board. If there is no satisfactory answer, a notification of violation is sent with timeline for correction. If still in violation, a third notification sets the date to impose penalties if not corrected. To fulfill its enforcement charge, the board must enact and publish a schedule of fines. The boards have always had the ability to place a

lien against any non-compliant property owner. However, a lien must have a monetary value assessed for filing. Board member Connie White asked for and received volunteers to serve on a committee to develop an enforcement/fee structure to assist with compliance of the CC&Rs. That schedule is what this committee is currently developing and will present for membership approval.

Unit 1 POA Business.

Unit 1 POA Meeting

Connie White addressing the membership