Road Repairs on Highway 131 above Happy Camp
ODOT sent out this bulletin in early February:
OCEANSIDE – OR 131 will be closed for repair work between Oceanside and Netarts from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. starting soon. [Note from Jenny: It was originally supposed to start Wednesday, February 12th, but the Capes Meares Loop road was closed due to freezing conditions and the potential for ice on the steep grade. Monitor TripCheck for the current conditions and road closures before you drive!] This work will continue Mondays through Saturdays for up to three weeks, weather permitting.
Expect a detour during the daytime and plan ahead if traveling between Oceanside and Tillamook.
Detour and traffic management:
- A detour will be in place during construction hours, but it may close due to weather. If that happens, we will keep one lane of OR 131 open and reschedule the day’s work.
- Outside construction hours, one lane of OR 131 will remain open with an automated flagging machine, which has been in place since early January.
We are repairing highway shoulder erosion caused by heavy rains in December. Our goal is to fully reopen the highway by the end of February.
From the ARC: New Lighting Guidelines (Effective January 2025)
At their last meeting on January 18, 2025, the board voted to approve the ARC’s updates to the guidelines on exterior and outdoor lighting. As a result, the ARC Design Requirements and Review Procedures document has been updated accordingly. (Please discard any previous versions you may have!) If the direct link doesn’t work, you can find the updated document in the Quick Links section of our website (thecapeshoa.org) as well as in the Architecture folder of the Owner Portal Library. The updated section on Lighting begins on page 10.
In a nutshell:
Please ensure your exterior lights are:
- Dim
- 450 lumens or less for light fixtures attached to the home
- 220 lumens or less for outdoor lights such as driveway or landscape lighting
- Warm (2700-3000K)
- Downward-facing (preferred) or Shielded/Frosted to ensure the bulb or light source is not visible
Q: What if my current lights don’t comply?
We kindly ask that you replace any non-compliant bulbs as soon as possible. Additionally, please plan to replace your light fixtures with compliant ones when they “age out.” All new construction and fixture updates on existing homes must comply with these guidelines. We encourage all homeowners to replace non-compliant bulbs by June 1, 2025.
Q: What if I can’t update my lights by then?
If your lights are not compliant with these new guidelines, please turn them off by 10 pm each night. Frequent power outages can throw timers off schedule, but replacing your bulbs with dim, warm ones will ensure neighbors won’t be disturbed, even if the lights come on unexpectedly at odd hours!
A Gentle Reminder on a Couple of Old (but Still Good!) Requirements from the ARC:
Yard Décor
Did you know that the first several feet of yard closest to the road is common area owned by the HOA? While you’re encouraged to landscape this area to blend with your yard, decorations such as lawn ornaments, signs, and similar items are not permitted. Since this area belongs to the HOA and all members have varying tastes, we ask that it be kept natural, using plants, shrubs, grasses, or decorative rock.
Q: If I have decor in this area, should I remove it?
Please. We ask that all homeowners comply with the requirements. If you have questions, please let the ARC know. Note: You’re welcome to install your house number near your driveway to ensure first responders can locate your home in an emergency.
Q: Can I place yard décor elsewhere?
You are free to use décor at your discretion on those portions of your lot that cannot be seen from the street or from neighboring properties, such as inside your courtyard. Décor in any other areas on your lot should be first submitted to the ARC for review and approval, in order to maintain consistency and uphold community standards.
Hide Your Tanks
Propane tanks, heat pumps, and other equipment should be screened so they are not visible from any road. Screens should:
- Be constructed with materials that match your home (cedar-shingled walls with white wood/composite trim)
- Be permanent structures with posts anchored in cement below the ground.
Recent storms have damaged some screens in the neighborhood. Please check yours to ensure it’s still in place and compliant.
Final Note from the ARC: Let’s Work Together
As a reminder, any alterations to the exterior of your home, adjoining structures, or hardscapes—such as decks, patios, and walkways—must be submitted to the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) for review and approval before the work begins. Following this process ensures that changes align with the community’s standards and preserve the overall aesthetics of The Capes.
We strongly encourage homeowners to review the ARC Design Requirements and Review Procedures document before submitting a request. This resource will help ensure your proposed alterations meet the established guidelines and streamline the approval process. Both the design requirements document and the necessary review request forms can be found in the Quick Links section of our website at thecapeshoa.org.
Thank you for your ongoing efforts to make The Capes a cohesive and beautiful community. We appreciate your cooperation and value your contributions as HOA members.