Layne Varney, General Manager
It has been extremely hot and humid, threatening SunBird with dust storms, lightning and thunder, and rain almost daily. It seems as though the rain just barely misses SunBird each night, as these storms just pass by this area. Several native cacti and plants continue to struggle with the heat and have just fallen over. SunBird has experienced a few unusual mini microbursts that have targeted some homes within the community in a very strange pattern, blowing three large pergola shade structures out of the backyard and relocating them elsewhere. The roofing of one home was partially blown off and a dozen or so large trees knocked over. The weather reports continue to increase this time of year with projections of heavy wind and rainstorms on their way.
Last month a vehicle inside of the Springfield Community, west of SunBird, crashed through the block wall heading eastbound at the end of a cul-de-sac road hitting two homes within SunBird on Pebble Beach Drive backing up to this wall. This accident caused fairly severe damage to the homes and demolished the block wall. No skid or brake marks were found on the road. Some of the heavy blocks landed 50 feet from the initial impact. The residents of both of these homes were inside their homes at the time of the accident. Thankfully, they were not in the rooms closest to the rooms that were directly hit. Police and first responders were dispatched, arriving quickly to the scene. It appeared that the driver may have had a medical blackout, losing control of the vehicle. It was also estimated that due to the distance the concrete blocks were projected from the area of impact, the vehicle was moving approximately 50 to 60 mph. The driver did not have any serious injuries and was transported to the hospital. Information has been exchanged, and both SunBird homeowners have the information necessary from the vehicle driver to move forward with repairs.
Summer improvement and maintenance projects continue to be completed and checked off the list or are in progress. Ballroom wood flooring has been stripped, treated, and rewaxed with a smooth, shiny finish. Billiards Room pool tables have been recovered with a new blue color Simonis cloth, and each table was re-leveled. The chairs in the Billiards Room are currently being recovered with the updated colors to complete the look of the room. Hopi Room poker tables have been recovered with new colors. The SunBird Post Office interior has been updated with a fresh coat of paint and new flooring. Landscape around the post office and recreation building will have landscape lighting installed at the front of the building. Emergency battery-operated exit signs at the clubhouse have all been replaced with updated lighting and displays meeting current code. Lights at the Cooper Road and Kerby Farms Road/Waterview Drive areas have new SunBird signs and lighting installed. Sport courts overhead pole lights have all been updated with new LED light fixtures for efficiency and savings. Common landscape areas have all been treated with a pre-emergent weed application with a blue/green-like color dye.
This year, road maintenance is planned for most of the asphalt streets in SunBird. We have been working with the City of Chandler for updated road maintenance material and work specifications. Most roads will have a crack sealer coated over asphalt cracks 1/4-inch wide or greater in size. This work does not necessarily level the crack. The purpose is to seal the crack from allowing water or other debris to penetrate through the crack. Most roads will have a seal coating applied curb to curb, adding polymers and other additives of adhesion and flexibility back into the road, which dissipates naturally due to age and weather. Some other sections of roads will have a slurry seal applied consisting of approximately 1/4-inch thickness coating of asphalt emulsion, small aggregate minerals, and other additives. Slurry seal work will have small aggregate of black sand-like pieces that will become loose and collect in the curb lines for up to six months after the work is complete. This is normal and anticipated. Once the schedule of specific road work is finalized, notice will be sent by SunBird eblast and posted on the website and at the clubhouse. This work is anticipated to be scheduled mid-September through October. Roadwork will cause some inconvenience, delays, and detours; however, it is necessary to maintain the asphalt to prolong the life of the streets. If roads are being worked on and/or are closed, please do not move the barricades or cones and drive across the newly paved roads. When the new asphalt surface is ready for traffic, the barricades will be removed by the contractor. Please join us in being extra-patient with the contractors, employees, and our neighbors during this time of construction.
It’s hard to believe that summer is nearing the end, which brings the hope of cooler weather. With the more tolerable weather, we can start expecting residents to return back to SunBird. This upcoming season, many fun activities and large events have been planned for the community. We look forward to having SunBird back to full capacity with all of our friends and neighbors. SunBird is a great place to live!