A response to the message from the Board of Directors, BBHOA, March 4, 2025
The defense from the Board neglected to address the central issue that VA Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation is currently investigating the Board’s violations of transparency requirements under the VA Property Owners Association Act.
The investigation focuses on two violations: VA POAA 55.1-1816C and 55.1-1807. The Board repeatedly discussed issues in executive sessions which are not allowed for transparency purposes and conducted a board meeting with M&S without proper advance notice to the residents. The laws are to protect the rights of the residents such that all matters must be conducted in open meetings.
The fact is that the land parcels were offered to the Board of BBHOA in a Board meeting without proper notice, and if not for a member’s objection, the Board would have voted to accept them without informing the residents beforehand.
Now, the Board is calling the meeting with M&S a special meeting and not a secret meeting. The fact remains that a special meeting also requires proper notice to the residents. Another Board member had objected to the flagrant violations to the President, Julius Williams, to deaf ears.
The timelines demonstrated clearly that the Board was forced to reveal the land offering and published it in a hasty survey only after being notified the official complaint had been filed with the VA Ombudsman.
After being contacted by the Ombudsman, Mr. Williams should be fully aware now of the transparency requirements. Assuming the past violations were unintentional mistakes, they should be acknowledged rather than being covered up.
The active engagement and sharing of all information with the residents in the future will be a great improvement towards observing the transparency requirements as stipulated by law, especially concerning the rezoning request by M&S at this juncture.
Sincerely,
KP Lau
Resident of BBHOA in good standing and served previously as President of the Board
Belmont Bay HOA Message from the BBHOA Board of Directors — March 4, 2025
A MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dear Association Members,
We feel it is imperative to address the recent rumors and misinformation circulating among our community and local media regarding the Board’s handling of the three parcels offered by Miller & Smith. We want to provide clarity and dispel any speculation about our intentions.
Let us be unequivocal: there have been no secret meetings, undisclosed deals, or decisions made regarding these parcels or any pending matters before the Board.
On December 5, 2024, at the request of Miller & Smith, the Board of Directors convened a special meeting to discuss several important matters in Executive Session, including the three parcels in question. Due to a confidentiality clause in the Settlement Agreement (signed and executed by the previous Board in September 2023), we could not immediately release the meeting minutes. This delay, while necessary, has been addressed, and the approved minutes have now been posted on the BBHOA website for all members to review.
It’s essential to emphasize that no decisions or deals were made during this meeting; it was strictly an informational session. With no regularly scheduled Board Meeting in December 2024, further discussion did not occur until our next Board Meeting on January 22, 2025. During that meeting and in open session, the Board thoroughly reviewed the three parcels, considered Committee recommendations, and shared detailed maps with our Association Members. Following this productive discussion, a survey was initiated to collect your valuable feedback.
We want to assure you that we are diligently gathering all necessary information and insights related to these properties. Once we have a comprehensive understanding, we will conduct a Town Hall Meeting to directly address your questions and concerns. This meeting will include key representatives from Miller & Smith and other relevant community stakeholders. Additionally, we will incorporate a feedback session to discuss Miller & Smith’s rezoning proffer and supplemental amendments submitted to the Prince William County Planning Office on February 28, 2025.
