Concerns over a lack of transparency in HOA decisions have surfaced in Belmont Bay. A former board president alleges that the current HOA held a closed-door meeting without properly notifying residents. The issue involves a land deal connected to a rezoning plan for a former golf course.
Lack of Transparency in HOA Sparks Debate Over Rezoning
On December 5, the Belmont Bay HOA board met privately with developer Miller & Smith. The meeting discussed turning 60 acres into townhomes and transferring 100 acres to Prince William County. During that meeting, the developer offered three smaller land parcels to the HOA. The community claims they were not informed beforehand.
One parcel includes land near the neighborhood’s entrance. Another sits between tennis courts and nearby railroad tracks. The third stretches from Marina Overlook to Belmont Elementary School. These parcels were not fully explained to residents until an email was sent weeks later on January 17.
KP Lau, a former HOA president and leader of a local citizens group, filed a complaint with the Virginia Office of the Common Interest Community Ombudsman. He said the board broke rules by discussing non-confidential topics in a closed session and by failing to give homeowners proper notice.
HOA Says No Secret Deals Were Made
The HOA denied wrongdoing in a March 4 email to residents. They blamed a confidentiality clause for the delay in releasing meeting details. The HOA said the meeting minutes have now been posted online. The board insisted no deals were made and that the parcels had not been accepted.
Julius Williams, the HOA board president, said the meeting was short and covered only the status of the developer’s rezoning application. He said no requests or exchanges were made by the developer during the discussion.
Lau countered that he waited more than six weeks for a response to his concerns. He believes the association violated the Virginia Property Owners’ Association Act by not announcing the meeting via email and by improperly using executive session rules.
The HOA argued that the meeting notice was posted online on November 29. Williams also said Lau failed to use the proper form that would have required a faster reply.
Legal Interpretation Remains in Dispute
Lau said state law requires email notices for HOA meetings and limits what boards can discuss in executive session. He believes these requirements were not followed. The HOA maintains that no laws were violated and that discussions with Miller & Smith are still early and non-binding.
According to Lau, the three smaller land parcels will be included in revised rezoning plans reviewed by the county’s planning department.
