Landscaping & GROUNDS

Rare flooding affects some areas of First Colony after a severe storm.   See pictures from July 30 2025 storm.  This  prompted the Grounds Committee to see/share the FEMA flood map of First Colony and the surrounding area.   See FEMA map obtained from the FEMA Flood Map Service Center.   We sought further clarification from FEMA.

The map designates First Colony and the surrounding area to be in Zone X (Moderate Risk).   FEMA staff were unable to clarify why the map does not make the distinction between Zone X Shaded (moderate risk between 100 and 500 flood plain) and Zone X Unshaded (low risk areas outside of 500 year flood plain) in accordance with their standard flood zone rankings.  Our takeaway ... not a lot of added value ... it seems FEMA flood maps focus on coastal areas and areas adjacent to rivers and creeks.  

Many owners have asked for information regarding our landscaping contract. Our current contract is with Universal Lawn, a small private company in Bristol.   Below is a summary of the services for which we've contracted them in 2025.  

• Mowing is done weekly, and includes edging and blowing grass clippings off roads and walkways
• Bushes/shrubs are trimmed twice a year (spring and fall)
• Mulching around homes is done once a year in the spring (3.400 bags of mulch were used in spring 2025)
• Periodically weeds are removed from mulched beds. Grass growing from cracks in road is sprayed with herbicide as needed
• Fallen branches are removed from areas mowed throughout the year
• The landscaper is paid 12 equal payments across the year
• Snow removal and salting of roads is done as needed in the winter. Cost is additional.  

Our contract calls for trimming to be done twice a year, once in the spring and again in the fall.  When this is done is driven by generally-recognized rules to preserve the health of shrubs/trees..  

The spring trimming will be done after the threat of severe cold has passed but before new growth begins (late March/early April).   The fall trimming will begin after the first hard frost (defined by a temperature of 28°F or lower for a sustained period).  In TN this typically occurs between late October and early November.

The Ground Committee remains committed to conducting a quality control check of each property's shrub/plant beds in-turn after the landscaping company completes each trimming cycle.  

Some owners have requested that specific shrubs/trees around their home not be trimmed by the landscaping company or wish to be present when the trimming is done.   If you have such a request, send a message to us on the 'Contact HOA Leaders" page, and we'll facilitate you meeting with the trimmers as they trim the shrubs/trees around your home. 

There was overwhelming support among owners at the recent annual meeting to establish a new Grounds Committee.  The committee would identify and monitor improvements needed for all things "grounds" including lawn maintenance,  landscaping, tree maintenance, drainage, etc..  Toward those goals, the committee would facilitate communication between owners, the Board, and contractors.  Rob Williford (109 W. Hampton Ct.) and Lindsay Lonsbury-Fleenor (101 Hampton Ct.) have volunteered to form this committee. Marilyn Wolfe (125 W. Hampton Dr.)  has offered to support the effort until a replacement can be found.     

The Board and the Grounds Committee also recognize the need to revisit/revise the owner landscaping guidelines currently documented in the First Colony Rules/Regulations (last updated in 2003).  These revisions are forthcoming.