CooperatorNews New Jersey Spring 2022

NEW JERSEY THE CONDO & HOA RESOURCE COOPERATORNEWS Spring 2022 NJ.COOPERATORNEWS.COM 205 Lexington Avenue, NY, NY 10016 • CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED He continues, “The key to planning for a successful landscape is re- searching and matching the plant material to your growing conditions. When it comes to selecting plant material, resist the urge to visit a nurs- ery center and buy plants that may look beautiful, yet may be incorrect for your growing conditions. You will be disappointed. Choose plants that will thrive in the light, wind, and soil conditions you actually have. Pay attention to improving the soil by incorporating compost. Once Living in a dense urban or suburban multifamily setting often means living without easy access to nature. Many residents in these housing environments crave some sort of outdoor space—if not a private one like a balcony or deck adjoining their unit, then a well-landscaped common area. While the appeal of such spaces is undeniable, it’s often difficult for housing as- sociations and corporations to select, design, and maintain an area that may not be optimally suited for the purpose thanks to everything from space constraints to soil conditions to lack of sunlight. Making the most out of a challenging landscape space therefore requires creativity, flexibility, and some expertise. Plant It Right “When creating a planting plan for small spaces with limited light, high winds, or other challenges,” says Nicholas Carnovale, an Account Manager with BrightView Landscape Servic- es, with locations throughout the U.S., “picking the right plant for the area is paramount. Make sure the water in containers or beds can readily drain, as most plants will not thrive in wet soils. Also look at self-watering containers that need less care and have no holes in the container to create a mess or wetness on surrounding hard surfaces.” Creative Landscaping for Smaller Spaces Maximizing Impact & Curb Appeal BY DARCEY GERSTEIN Building Inspections Up & Down, Inside & Out BY DARCEY GERSTEIN Better Grass & Lawn Care The Right Turf for Your Territory BY DARCEY GERSTEIN Car owners know that in order to op- erate their vehicle legally, they must have it professionally inspected every year. An older car might need some relatively minor repairs or adjustments to bring it into compliance with state emissions requirements, but for most, getting that mandatory approval sticker is a simple, inexpensive, predictable process that takes maybe half an hour. Like cars, buildings—and even indi- vidual apartment units within them— must undergo periodic inspections, but residents are often less aware of these re- quirements. Even if they are, they might not know what elements need inspection and when, who is responsible for actu- ally conducting the inspections, where access is required, and how the resulting reports are filed. The first thing to know is that build- ing inspections for co-ops and condos are much more complicated than getting that annual sticker for your car. Require- ments and timelines vary by locality, by size and type of building, and in some cases, by the building’s age and mainte- nance history. There are inspections that take place outside of the building, oth- ers that cover interior common elements and specific systems or mechanisms, and still others that happen within individ- ual units. Each requires different strate- gies and levels of planning, facilitating, insuring, and communication. On top Ever since the end of World War II— and the widespread prosperity that brought about a historic baby boom, a healthy mid- dle class, and suburban sprawl—a vibrant, manicured lawn has been synonymous with the American domestic ideal. Even for the many multifamily communities built in that postwar era, whether in the heart of the city or in the commuter hinterlands, nothing says “welcome home” quite like a swathe of healthy grass (with or without a literal white picket fence). From the Rob- ert Moses ‘Towers in the Park’ concept to the abundant golf course communi- ties throughout the U.S., developers have banked on the appeal of proximity to grass to market their units. A couple of generations later, an ex- panse of green is still a major selling point for all types of housing. But the type of turf and where it is installed has changed over the years. Climate, culture, and—yes—CO- VID have changed what it means to have a ‘green’ community. Grass Roots While the options for everything from type of grass to soil composition to irriga- tion techniques will vary from one location to another (and sometimes even within the same community), one message remains constant from those in the know: involving a competent professional is key. Landscap- ers and horticulturalists can advise on the ins and outs of seeds, weeds, and feeds, as well as determine the best time, frequency, and amount of watering, and provide op- timal care throughout the seasons to keep your lawn looking its verdant best. One of those pros is Nicholas Car- novale, an account manager with Bright- View Landscape Services, which provides continued on page 19 continued on page 21 NEW JERSEY’S BIGGEST & BEST CONDO, HOA & CO-OP EXPO! MEADOWLANDS EXPOSITION CENTER — WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 10:00-4:30 FREE REGISTRATION: NJ-EXPO.COM LIVE AND IN PERSON continued on page 18