Design Approvals  Any owner who wants to change the exterior of a unit or the surrounding landscape must apply for and receive written design approval from the Board prior to starting work. Examples include window replacement, front and back doors, tree planting, patio or shed installation, and exterior lighting. Owners can find the design approval form, the architectural design guidelines and approval process details on the management website or here: Winter Hill Architectural Guidelines (form). 

Backyards  The backyards of our units are “limited common elements” for our exclusive use, but are not our private property. We are responsible for their maintenance, but they are subject to inspection by Management and Board members.

• Cut back overhanging trees to avoid impeding a neighbor’s property and common areas.

• Ensure decorations and ornamental lighting do not show above the fence line.

• Remove debris.

• Install cables and wires properly.

• Composting is not authorized.

• The Board must approve modifications of backyard windows, doors, and lights. 

Board Meeting Dates The Winter Hill Board of Directors meets online the second Tuesday of each month (except for in August and December) at 7 pm. All unit owners are welcome. Board meeting invites are emailed by KPA Management with a Zoom link. Please provide your email address to Julie McGlothlin, our manager, at jmcglothlin@kpamgmt.com The annual budget is discussed at the October meeting, then voted on at the November meeting.

Meeting Format  During the board meeting, board members conduct condo business on our behalf as elected leaders, in an open work session, according to a pre-planned agenda and rules of order. Attending unit owners may engage with the Board following this work session during the Owner Forum. Finally, in  a session closed to the community, the Board discusses issues which could bring litigation against the council, if in open session: units in violation of bylaws, potential litigation, personnel issues, overdue Condominium fees. There is no voting  during closed sessions of the board.

Annual Homeowners’ Meeting is held on the second Tuesday of May at 7 pm. At least 50 percent of owners must be present in person or by proxy to elect new members to the Board and do other condominium business. The meeting provides :

• Highlights of the year

• Financial report

• Board election results

The Annual Meeting Package, broadcast and mailed by Management, shows how to vote in board elections before the deadline of the meeting and how to sign in. Please sign in to reach A 51% quorum. For a paper ballot or proxy, please contact Julie McGlothlin.

Budget  After consulting with Management, each year the Board of Directors projects a budget for the next fiscal year. The Board sends a summary of the proposed budget for the next calendar year to each resident and solicits feedback at the October budget board meeting, before approving the annual budget in November. Following Board approval, owners are notified of the next year’s monthly assessment for their units.  

As a Winter Hill resident, you are also part of an active Falls Church City community, Here are some places of interest to explore: 

Falls Church City News: Go online to fallschurchva.gov to find an information-packed site or to subscribe to the FCC e-newsletter, www.fallschurchva.gov/1341/Focus-on-Falls-Church-Newsletter  Also look into the Falls Church News-Press, fcnp.com, and Falls Church Patch, patch.com/virginia/fallschurch.

Farmers' Market: Located in the City Hall parking lot, the farmers market is open year-round and hosts up to 40 local farmers in peak season. Times: January through March from 9 a.m. to noon; April through December from 8 a.m. to noon. 

Mary Riley Styles Public Library: Check out the library’s many programs, including children’s story time, reading programs, book discussions, adult education, and so much more. 120 N. Virginia Ave. https://www.mrspl.org/

W & OD Trail: The popular 45-mile Washington & Old Dominion biking and walking trail runs through the heart of Falls Church City. Visit https://wodfriends.org/ 

State Theater: Originally opened as a movie house in 1936, the Art Deco venue is now home to live music, comedy acts, and festivals. Visit thestatetheatre.com

Creative Cauldron Stage:  provides affordable, enriching, and diverse experiences in the performing and visual arts. Visit https://www.creativecauldron.org/  

Cherry Hill Farmhouse: Visit the historic farm to get a glimpse of life in 1840 and learn about its important role in the Civil War. 312 Park Ave. cherryhillfallschurch.org

Winter Hill Social Committee The purpose of the committee is to develop a social program to build a cohesive community. The committee provides opportunities for homeowners to get acquainted and share common interests and community goals in a cordial and hospitable setting. Members are volunteers, appointed by the Winter Hill Board. All Winter Hill residents are welcome to regular  Social Committee meetings which are announced in the community newsletter and by management broadcast. If interested, please contact Julie McGlothlin at jmcglothlin@kpamgmt.com 

The Social Committee organizes community events, publishes the Broadside, and welcomes newcomers.

You can sign up for email messages from Winter Hill’s Board and management company (KPA) by supplying your email address to Julie McGlothlin, jmcglothlin@kpamgmt.com. 

Winter Hill also publishes The Broadside, the community newsletter delivered door to door and broadcast by management.

There is an unofficial social media page on Facebook, "Winter Hill Neighbors" for information exchange and announcements.

Coverage  Our monthly condo fee covers the cost of maintenance, repair, and replacement of many items a SFH owner must cover on their own, such as water, snow removal, and landscaping, as well as reserves for on-going maintenance that includes roofs and outdoor painting. 

• Roof repairs and replacement

• Painting of exterior doors and trim

• Exterior brick, sidewalks, steps, porches, handrails, fences, gutters, down spouts, house numbers, mailboxes, front porch lights

• Parking lot maintenance

• Grounds maintenance

• Snow removal from sidewalks and lots (individual spaces are owner’s responsibility)

• Water and sewer service and maintenance of common element pipes

• Exterminator service (Alexandria Pest Services)

• Pool and bathhouse

• Insurance, property and liability for the outside of the unit only

Payment  The assessment is due each month. For those who pay by coupon, payment coupons are sent to owners in December Automatic payments may be made through the homeowner portal by opening a homeowner account. Residents are advised to sign up for the automatic deduction of the monthly assessment from a personal bank account. There is a late fee for each monthly assessment received after the due date. Assessments that are delinquent enter legal proceedings.

Crawlspace Periodically, maintenance will take note of the conditions under our units. In the past it has been noted various contractors leave their trash and displace the vapor barrier among other issues. The Board is considering placing locks on the crawl spaces and requiring appointments for contractors to gain access. Please ask your contractors to be respectful so that locks don’t become necessary.

Entry Doors  Homeowners in Winter Hill are responsible for the replacement of their own entry and storm doors, but maintenance will refresh the entry door and window exteriors with a new coat of paint on rotation. If your doors need a touch up now, use Sherwin Williams Antique White. There are several types of entry door weatherstripping sets which can be bought at big box stores or ordered online. Some fit into the “kerf”, or channel in the trim, which must be measured. A door sweep is very useful both for insulation and pest exclusion.

Storm Doors  Our rough door openings are not standard. Therefore, either a carpenter must alter the door opening with trim work to install a stock storm door; or, the homeowner must order a custom storm door. Custom Anderson doors in almond in several models can easily be ordered from Home Depot. Look for regular sales and begin by requesting board approval to make sure that your selection conforms to Winter Hill Architectural Guidelines (form). The Anderson 3000 series Storm Door in Almond with shiny brass fixtures is approved by the board as a replacement and does not require a request for board approval. Any other storm door replacement would require board approval first. Storm door replacement can sometimes be avoided by sprucing up a storm door with fresh paint and a new storm door closer easily available online or in a big box store, as they are standard. 

Analyze door handing according to the vendor’s charts when ordering and communicate carefully. The storm and entry door handles should be aligned on the same side! Each vendor’s chart will use slightly different terms to describe door handing. Generally the entry door swings in, and the storm door swings out. 

Drains and Toilet Disposal  What you flush down a toilet can negatively affect your drains and sewer system. Ideally, you should flush human waste and toilet paper only. Sending the wrong items down your drain may get rid of waste, but come back to haunt you later as clogs, sewer backups, and overflows. The best way to handle drain clogs is to prevent them.

Toilets  Do not flush FOG (Fats, Oil, and Grease) or any of these items down the toilet:

Baby Wipes • Hair from a brush • Cosmetics • Bandages • Food • Paints • Cotton balls • Fabric Softener Sheets • Caulking • Cigarette butts • Diapers • Cloth Floor Mops • Kitty litter • Paper Towels • FOG !

No FOG: Fats, Oil, Grease  Fats and Grease solidify at room temperature causing slow or clogged drains. Dispose of these and all fats and grease in your trash when solid:

FATS: dairy and meat fat, butter, shortening, peanut butter

OILS coat your drain and build up over time, creating slow or clogged drains. Oils are liquid, even at room temperature. Dispose by pouring into a lidded, leak-proof container and throwing into the trash.

GREASE: gravies, fat from cooking meats and poultry

Costly Sewer Back-ups in WH  We have had sewer back-ups due to disposed paint, caulking, and wet mop cloths. Please ask contractors not to clean brushes and pans in the sink or tub but to clean them outside. These plumbing repairs are costly and damage our homes.

Dryer vent cleaning is strongly recommended by KPA management for its safety and efficiency. When lint and debris are removed, the fire hazard is eliminated, drying times shortened, and energy saved. You are at a higher risk of having a clothes dryer fire, if you do not clean your lint filter and dryer vents, according to the USFA. Dryer vent cleaning is the homeowner's responsibility.

Air duct cleaning is not given a blanket recommendation by the EPA. “Duct cleaning has never been shown to actually prevent health problems. Neither do studies conclusively demonstrate that particle (e.g., dust) levels in homes increase because of dirty air ducts. Much of the dirt in air ducts adheres to duct surfaces and does not necessarily enter the living space.”

https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/should-you-have-air-ducts-your-home-cleaned

To access Falls Church City Information regarding permits, taxes, trash, vehicles, voting, etc. visit https://www.fallschurchva.gov/9/How-Do-I

• Front porches must be neatly maintained and clear of bicycles, toys or other objects or debris. Chairs, tables and other furniture items are not permitted on front porches. Nor may Co-Owners keep such items behind bushes or shrubs in the front area. Architectural Guidelines: 3.31 Porches and Front Entry Areas

• Condo resolutions also dictate that front and rear doorbell cameras are permitted only if installed 48” from the ground and on the doorknob side of the door. 

• The US and official Virginia flags only are permitted with size and placement restrictions. 

• Residents may not plant bushes or trees in the front common area. 

• You may consult Winter Hill Bylaws on your Homeowner Account in the condo document library.

We can protect our units from burst pipes, one of the most common and costly winter emergencies, as temperatures drop below freezing,

 How to Prevent Frozen Pipes

• Maintain a steady indoor temperature of at least 65°F, even when away.

• Open cabinet doors below the kitchen sink. Let warm air circulate around pipes.

• Let kitchen faucets drip with a small, steady trickle to keep water moving and stop freezing.

If You Suspect a Frozen Pipe

• Shut off the main water valve at once, which is behind the low panel in the kitchen corner, by turning it all the way.

• Gently warm the pipe using a hair dryer or space heater.

• Common area water lines: contact Management at 703-532-5005 or after hours at 703-644-7211. Inside your unit: contact your plumber.

Why Pipes Burst

When water in a pipe freezes, it expands, putting pressure on the pipe walls and joints. The pipe can crack, especially near exterior walls, crawl 

spaces, or under sinks. A small crack can release many gallons of water once the ice thaws.

• Winter Hill is governed by a Board of Directors elected by the community. The responsibility of the board is to set budgets, care for common areas, and enforce governing documents. Monthly board meetings, on 2nd Tuesdays, are open to all owners (no meetings in August and December). Annual elections are held at the May board meeting following an April call for candidates. Voting is electronic through email or by paper ballot.

• The Board partners with a Property Management Company, KPA, selected by the condominium, that oversees hiring and payment of contractors needed for maintaining the common areas in Winter Hill, based on competitive bidding.  

• The purpose of the Social Committee is to develop a social program to build a cohesive community. The committee provides opportunities for homeowners to get acquainted and share common interests and goals for our community in a cordial and hospitable setting. Pool-related planning and events are part of the overall scope of activities. Member volunteers, appointed by the Winter Hill board, plan events, publish a community newsletter and welcome newcomers. 

• See our Contact Us page on this site to reach any of the above parties.

• Governing Documents may be found online  in the Homeowner Account (Bylaws, Resolutions). 

Winter Hill has a master insurance policy that covers the exterior features of our condos. To be fully protected, contact your own insurance agency about total coverage. 

• Winter Hill Management and Board share community updates and official business by email broadcast. To be added to this list please email Julie McGlothlin at jmcglothlin@kpamgmt.com

• Winter Hill Neighbors FB is the unofficial social media page that neighbors can share any neighborly communication including yard sales, request for help, contractor references, or upcoming events.

While our own backyards here at Winter Hill are under each individual homeowner's care, several expert teams oversee our common grounds in order to:

• plant our trees and bushes while advising on type and location. Diversity in color and season of interest guide the choice of all trees, shrubs, and flowers. 

• maintain our grounds with scheduled pruning, edging, mowing, mulching, and leaf removal. 

• evaluate the condition of trees on our common grounds for their health and our safety. Is the tree thriving, declining, or ready for trim or removal? Each tree removed from our common grounds must be replaced. 

We all enjoy a shared, well-treed, green space which enhances our well-being, improves air quality, regulates temperatures, absorbs noise, and increases property values. 

Access your Homeowner Account  for important information and to make condo fee payments at https://kpa.cincwebaxis.com  You will need a personal ID number to create your login and password. Contact Julie McGlothlin at KPA Management if you need a PID.

• View your account history for association dues or change your method of payment.

• Get access to Winter Hill’s policies, procedures, and governing documents, including the annual budget.

• View newsletters, meeting minutes, and emails.

Maintenance Needs Contact Management to report maintenance needs for common elements of the Winter Hill community. Examples include brick, concrete, crawl spaces, fences and gates, gutters and downspouts, house numbers and mailboxes, parking lots, storage rooms, or landscaping. 

Share the Space  In our Winter Hill community, street parking is an art. Please park evenly and avoid taking up two spots unnecessarily by parking an appropriate distance from other cars. Because of tight street parking, we do not stripe street spots in order to maximize the use of available space. In the lots, please make sure to park centered in your spot. 

Towing  Despite the tow-away signage, guests and contractors working on a neighbor's home sometimes violate the rules by parking in a reserved space in the private lots. You may have their vehicle towed by calling the tow company's number, posted on the parking lot signage, or instead, leave a windshield note that it is a reserved spot. 

Visitor parking in our private lots is reserved for visitors, not owners and tenants, as signage indicates. 

City Parking Rules  For 9 PM to 6 AM parking in the Winter Hill street parking zone, a city parking zone permit decal is required, available to residents with city registered vehicles. Thirty free 3-day visitor passes come with it. For reserved spaces in the private condo parking lots, a city vehicle registration decal suffices. See also the Flex Pass. 

Leash  “All dogs shall be kept secured by a leash or lead, and under the immediate control of the owner or other responsible person, or shall be kept within the real property limits that are subject to the control of the dog’s owner or the person having responsibility of the dog…” Falls Church City Ordinance § 4‑40(a)

Pet Waste All pet owners are reminded to pick up after their pets and dispose of waste properly.

The pool is open weekdays from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm and weekends from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. Swim time ends at 7:30 pm. Generally, it is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Applications for pool passes for owners and their tenants are mailed around mid-May. To receive passes prior to Labor Day weekend, owners must have sent the pass application to Management by early May (exact date TBD each year).

3.35 Signs-Other Than Real Estate Signs

Signs of any sort, other than real estate signs for the sale or rental of the Co-Owner’s unit, are prohibited. This includes political, home security, and decorative signs. Home security stickers are permitted on the front window and front or rear doors.

3.36 Real Estate Signs

Real estate signs are permitted in keeping with the following criteria:

* One “For Sale” or “For Rent” sign only is allowed.

* No “Sold” signs are permitted.

* Units facing a court may have one additional sign placed on the street at the entrance to the court.

* Two “Open” signs are allowed during periods when the unit is open for inspection.

* All signs must be of standard real estate sign size, approximately 2’ X 3’. No oversized signs or signs utilizing oversized posts may be used.

Bylaws, Article X Section 4 (f); Architectural Guidelines, 3.35-36

Winter Hill has contracted with a snow removal service to plow, sand and salt the streets and sidewalks, which begins after two inches of snow accumulation. During periods of heavy snowfall, this may result in significant accumulation. Please be patient! It is the individual's responsibility to "dig out" their parked car.  

Residents should ensure that any snow piling up around heat pumps is cleared away to allow proper airflow. Failure to do so may result in damage to the motor. Please keep your unit’s temperature set to a minimum of 65 degrees to help prevent frozen pipes, and leave kitchen and bathroom cabinets that house plumbing open to allow warm air to circulate around the pipes.

The condominium has limited storage space for the use of residents, available on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact KPA to learn if there is space available or to be placed on a waiting list. Storage bins are not transferable by another owner or tenant. Storage room hours are from 8 am to 9 pm.

Do not store flammables and hazardous materials or mattresses, upholstered furniture or appliances (to avoid attracting rodents). Items stored outside of the storage bins will be disposed of. Please verify that your storage bin is visibly labeled with your name and address. Effective October 1, 2025 storage bins that are not labeled with current resident name and address will be considered abandoned and their contents discarded. 

A patio storage cabinet or shed can be used to store seasonal decorations, gardening tools, snow shovel, beach paraphenalia, space heater, humidifier. Anything that can be stored safely outside! Keep the height at or below the fence line. 

Trash Day Place City issued rolling cart at the curb by 7 a.m. on Wednesday (or after 5 p.m. Tuesday evening). Containers must be returned to your backyard by Wednesday evening. If not, the City will place 2 warning notices on the bins, and on the third violation, write a fee per City Code, Chapter 34 www.fallschurchva.gov\citycode. To learn more about bins, materials collected, and recycling, visit the City’s website under Solid Waste. Let’s respect one another as neighbors and adhere to City trash regulations for effective rodent and roach control.

Special Collections Any large item can be removed by special collection for a fee by calling the City at 703-248-5160 before noon Tuesday to schedule a pickup for Wednesday. Please note that our pool dumpster is reserved for use by our maintenance and pool staff. It is not a community dumpster. Residents should not dispose of personal property at the pool dumpster.  The condominium pays the extra cost of removal of personal items abandoned at the pool. Please do not pass your special removal fee on to your neighbors.

Winter Hill Bylaw: Article X Section 4 (h) Trash and garbage containers shall not be permitted to remain in public view. 

The Board has a duty to maintain our common grounds for the benefit of all homeowners. Violation letters sent by Winter Hill are reminders of such housekeeping issues and other by-law violations. For example, tree trunks and overhanging branches can cause damage to roofs and fences. We must manage overgrown vegetation, garbage, compost, pet food, and the like for effective pest control in the community. The purpose of a backyard inspection is to remedy issues contributing to urban pest pressure, especially rodents. 

If a violation is rectified, the matter is resolved. Please address any questions you may have to our KPA management at (703) 532-5005 and jmcglothlin@kpamgmt.com

Common Violations 

                                                      Winter Hill Condominium Bylaws, Architectural Guidelines (“A. G.”) and Resolutions

A violation notice is meant to be a reminder of the Bylaws that enhance our property values and create a harmonious environment. Residents must correct the violation within 14 days from the receipt of a notice to avoid additional corrective action. If the violation is corrected, the notice may be ignored.

1. Landscaping & Yard  

• Yards must be kept free of open garbage, trash and rubbish, pet feces, and excessive overgrowth of weeds and brush. Architectural Guidelines (hereinafter, “A.G.”), 3.4 

• The following items are prohibited to be…placed in the … front or backyard of your home: 1. Birdseed; 2.Pet Food bowls; 3.Compost piles; 4. Trash not stored properly; 5. Uneaten pet treats; 6. Pet feces…; 7. All bushes, shrubs, and plants must be properly maintained…;8. Backyards must be free of weeds and mowed as needed. Regulation for Reducing/Eliminating the Rodent Population, 2013-01.

2. Exterior Storage & Appearance

• Front porches must be neatly maintained and clear of bicycles, toys or other objects or debris. Chairs, tables and other furniture items are not permitted on front porches. Nor may Co-Owners keep such items behind bushes or shrubs in the front area. A.G., 3.31

• Place City issued rolling cart at the curb by 7 a.m. on Wednesday (or after 5 p.m. Tuesday evening). Containers must be returned to the side or rear of the residence by Wednesday evening. Falls Church City Code, Ch. 34, Section 34-3; See A.G., 3.40.

3. Signage & Decorations

• Signs of any sort, other than real estate signs for the sale or rental of the Co-Owner’s unit, are prohibited. This includes political, home security, and decorative signs.  A.G., 3.35

• Banners, pennants, windsocks and flags other than the American flag are not permitted. A.G., 3.18. Unit owners are permitted to fly the official flag of the United States and the official flag of the Commonwealth of Virginia and no other flags. Policy Resolution 2015-01.

• Decorative objects are not permitted in front yard areas or on porches…A.G., 3.13; Well-tended pots and planters and hanging baskets are permitted on the front porches. A.G., 3.31.

• Holiday Decorations: Decorations must be removed within a period of two weeks following the holiday. A.G., 3.22

• Realtor signage not compliant with size or placement rules : One “For Sale” or “For Rent” sign only is allowed. No “Sold” signs are permitted. Units facing a court may have one additional sign placed on the street at the entrance to the court.Two “Open” signs are allowed during periods when the unit is open for inspection. All signs must be of standard real estate sign size, approximately 2’ X 2’. No oversized signs or signs utilizing oversized posts may be used. A.G., 3.36

4. Unapproved Modifications “Any change, alteration or addition to exterior building and landscape elements requires written approval by the Board.” A.G., 2.1

• Structure added without condo approval (See A.G., 3.14, 3.19, 3.28, 3.29, 3.34, 3.44 for examples of shed, deck, fence, doors, or windows, etc.)

• Interim painting by Co-Owners for any exterior element must have Board approval and must match existing colors. A.G., 3.26

• Co-owners are permitted to plant seasonal flowers within established Common Element planting beds without Board approval.. However, Co-owners may not remove any trees, shrubs or plants from the Common Elements without Board approval. A.G., 3-41.

• Front and rear doorbell cameras are permitted if installed 48” from the ground and on the doorknob side of the door. Exterior Video Camera Resolution, 2022-01.

Our condo association includes a Board of Directors as well as volunteer committees, including a Social Committee which organizes community events, publishes a newsletter, and welcomes newcomers. Contact Julie McGlothin at jcmcglothlin@kpamgmt.com for more information. 

Owners pay for water use within the monthly condo fee. It is a generalized rate; households are not metered individually. The cost of water is increasing. Reducing water consumption will keep our condo fees at an affordable level. Fix leaks: 10% of household water use results from leaks: pipes, taps, and toilets. Major leaks can waste almost a 100 gallons everyday.

Water shut-off valve: The main valve for each unit is behind a low panel in the kitchen corner.. Pry open the panel, then turn the handle clockwise all the way to stop the water flow. There are two valves: yours and your neighbor’s!