CooperatorNews New Jersey Spring 2022
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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


































































































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