January 2024 Newsletter

If you attend Town Council or Committee meetings, you often hear the terms "island character," "neighborhood character,” and Charles Fraser’s name and vision used to gain support of what islanders don’t want in their back yards. But what exactly is neighborhood character? As new development ideas come along, and we voice our opinions, we speak out and say that we don’t want tall buildings, cleared fields, concrete, and traffic. So, does that mean that our neighborhood maintains consistency in design and architectural characteristics, attention to scale, vistas and pleasing perspective, including the maintenance of buildings, homes and yards, pleasant color combinations, limited impact of pavement, access to playgrounds, and the preservation of our beaches and forest? Yes, it does! 

As your association works to ensure that the Forest Beach neighborhood progresses in a manner that preserves what brought us here, we need to remember that just because the Land Management Ordinance (LMO) allows something, it may not be in the best interest of the neighborhood character. One of the greatest benefits you receive by supporting our Association is the representation from our Board and members who attend Town Council or Committee meetings, interact with our Town leaders, and watch over the activities of the neighborhood. Please do your part in supporting the association by being a member and paying your annual dues. And, thanks to all of you who do.Neighborhood Character What is the Character of Forest Beach? If you attend Town Council or Committee meetings, you often hear the terms "island character," "neighborhood character,” and Charles Fraser’s name and vision used to gain support of what islanders don’t want in their back yards. But what exactly is neighborhood character? As new development ideas come along, and we voice our opinions, we speak out and say that we don’t want tall buildings, cleared fields, concrete, and traffic. So, does that mean that our neighborhood maintains consistency in design and architectural characteristics, attention to scale, vistas and pleasing perspective, including the maintenance of buildings, homes and yards, pleasant color combinations, limited impact of pavement, access to playgrounds, and the preservation of our beaches and forest? Yes, it does! As your association works to ensure that the Forest Beach neighborhood progresses in a manner that preserves what brought us here, we need to remember that just because the Land Management Ordinance (LMO) allows something, it may not be in the best interest of the neighborhood character. One of the greatest benefits you receive by supporting our Association is the representation from our Board and members who attend Town Council or Committee meetings, interact with our Town leaders, and watch over the activities of the neighborhood. Please do your part in supporting the association by being a member and paying your annual dues. And, thanks to all of you who do.