Community
Living in Swan Point
What is it like to live in Swan Point?
First, Swan Point is a close-knit community with neighbor helping neighbor. Many unit owners have lived here for decades and intend to live here for decades to come. All of us, new-comers and long-time residents alike, want to preserve and enhance the beauty of our lake-side setting.
Second, Swan Point is a condominium with shared resources, and shared maintenance responsibilities. The fact that it is also a townhouse community makes the division of responsibilities just a bit involved. Think of each unit in a bubble. Don't forget to include the front stoop, the front lead-in walk, the rear deck, and the area beneath it. Now everything within the bubble is yours to maintain. However, if it can be seen externally, then you need to get permission for all work even if it is just a repair without any change. The reason for this is that the community has, over the years, developed a unique character that we wish to maintain. How this is accomplished is not always clear to the newcomer. Every thing outside the bubble is handled by the association with one exception the foundation planting. You are not required to seek permission to maintain these plantings. Some very creative gardens have been installed by the unit owners.
Finally, there are three issues with high emotional content that need everyone's attention.
- Parking - With 357 parking spaces for 150 units, there are just over two parking spaces per unit. None are reserved. However there are many residence with more than two cars. So please be sensitive and not park all your cars in prime spots, have your guest park elsewhere, and don't store low-use cars on Swan Point property.
- Dog Sanitation - Howard County law requires that all dog owners clean up feces and dispose of as trash. Please be considerate of your neighbors and do so.
- Garbage/Trash/Recycling - Recycling is picked up Monday mornings, and trash is picked up Wednesday mornings. Put your garbage out in closed containers or heavy duty plastic bags no ealier than 6pm the night before pick-up, and please remove garbage cans and recycling containers no later than 6pm the night of pickup. Please do not put out garbage in light-duty kitchen garbage bags, as crows, squirrels and other animals easily tear them up and leave a mess.
An exhaustive list of dos and don'ts for our community can be found in the Guidelines.