Newsletter March 2026 – Portrait Hill HOA

Hello Neighbors! 👋

We’re excited to share the latest updates, reminders, and upcoming events happening in our community.

Here’s what’s going on in Portrait Hill

Clubhouse/Pool School pickup

For Portrait Hill Parents that pick up their kids after school and park at the clubhouse parking lot, please see Board Members Mike Kalec & Fabiola Batiz, at the clubhouse on Monday, March 9th and Tuesday, March 10th between 6:00-7:00 pm to register for their “Parking Permit “ tags to hang on your rear view mirror to identify you as a Portrait Hill resident. We will be starting this process now and will continue into the next school year.

Please bring your drivers license to show proof of residence in Portrait Hill.

Website & Communication Updates

The Portrait Hill website is up and running, if you want to stay up to date with News and Announcements, please sign up to receive our emails. https://portraithillsc.com

Reminders:

Lawn Care & Maintenance

Homeowners are responsible for maintaining their lots to prevent unsightly, unhealthy, or unkempt conditions. Lawns should be free of debris, excessive weeds (including flower beds), and mowed frequently.

Tree Trimming Reminder for Residents

As we head into the growing season, we kindly ask all residents to check the trees around their property and trim any branches that may be hanging over sidewalks or streets.

For safety and accessibility, please ensure the following clearances are maintained:

Sidewalks: Tree branches should be trimmed to allow at least 6 feet of clearance so pedestrians, strollers, and children can walk safely.
Streets: Branches extending over the road should maintain at least 8 feet of clearance for vehicles and service trucks.

Regular tree trimming helps:

✅ Prevent HOA violations
✅ Keep sidewalks clear and safe for walkers, kids, and strollers
✅ Keep streets free of low-hanging limbs for cars, delivery trucks, and emergency vehicles
✅ Maintain a clean, well-kept look throughout the neighborhood

We appreciate everyone taking the time to check their property and make any necessary trims. Thank you for helping keep our community safe and beautiful!

Saluda Landscaping is offering tree trimming services for just $30 per tree for our neighborhood.

If you’re interested in taking advantage of this offer, please fill the form attached and Saluda Landscaping will contact you to schedule. https://forms.gle/DASD9FHV5wT3JYSSA

Grass Maintenance

This is the time of the year to give some love to your grass. Here’s a quick checklist to make sure you’re taking the right steps to have healthy grass:

Spring Season (March- May)

Goal: Wake the lawn up safely

o Early March – Light cleanup (leaves, sticks, debris)

o Early-Mid March – Apply pre-emergent for crabgrass (soil temps ~55°F)

• Spot-treat visible weeds (use centipede-safe products)

• Late April-Early May – First mow once grass is fully green

• Set mower height to 1.5-2 inches

• Late May – Apply ONE light fertilizer (low nitrogen: 15-0-15 or similar)

• Optional soil test (ideal pH: 5.0-6.0)

We understand that lawn maintenance can be time-consuming. If you need help or resources, reach out to board@portraithillsc.com. Community volunteers are available to assist residents in bringing their yards into compliance, and the Board is willing to work with residents to allow reasonable time for upkeep.

Pool Opens on May 1st!!!!

We’re excited for pool season to be here soon and have some exciting news, we will have new Furniture for the pool and Cabana. More details to come closer to opening day.

Architectural Requests

As a reminder, any exterior modification requires residents to submit an application for approval by the architectural review board. Exceptions include refreshing what is already in place (e.g., replacing mulch with the same color, replacing dead plants/shrubs with the same type, repainting siding with the same color, etc.). Applications should be submitted to architectural@mjsmgt.com.

Parking Reminders

If you plan to park at the clubhouse when there is no scheduled event, please email board@portraithillsc.com with the vehicle details and duration to avoid towing.
Overnight street parking is not permitted.
Parking in Green areas around the neighborhood is not permitted.
RVs/Campers may not be parked on driveways for extended periods. For stays longer than 72 hours, email board@portraithillsc.com for approval.
For more details, refer to the community CC&Rs under the Documents & Forms tab on the website.
🚫 No Parking in Green Spaces – Vehicles parked in green spaces will be towed at the expense of the responsible resident.

Inoperative and Unlicensed Vehicles:

No inoperative or unlicensed vehicles may be parked on a lot except in a garage. The Association may tow or otherwise remove any vehicle or passenger vehicle parked in violation of this Regulation after notice to the Lot Owner of the violation, immediately in cases of a hazard or an emergency or upon the continued violation by that Lot Owner or the Lot Owner’s guest, after the initial notice is provided to that Lot Owner.

Golf Carts, go-carts & ATV’s:

Highlights for golf carts in SC; Before you or someone you know takes a golf cart for a drive, be sure to follow the checklist below:

· The golf cart must be insured, permitted, and registered with SCDMV using the following link, http://scdmvonline.com/Vehicle-Owners/Types-Of-Vehicles/Golf-Cart.

· The golf cart must remain within 4 miles of your home, where it is legal to drive.

· The golf cart may be operated on roads with posted speeds of 35 mph or less.

· The golf cart may be operated during daylight hours only.

· The driver must be at least 16 years old with a valid driver’s license.

What is against the law when it comes to a go-cart or ATV?

It is against the law to remove the age restriction warning label attached to the ATV or go-cart by the manufacturer.

You cannot drive a go-cart or ATV:

· More than 30 minutes after sunset or more than 30 minutes before sunrise unless headlights are on

· Under the influence of alcohol or drugs

· In a reckless manner

· On public maintained roadways or private roadways managed by home owners associations or private landowners that prohibit the use of go- carts and ATVs.

Parents or guardians cannot allow:

· Anyone less than six to drive a go-cart or ATV

· Anyone 16 or younger to drive a go- cart or ATV unless with an adult

· Anyone less than 16 drive a go-cart or ATV with a passenger who is not an adult

· Anyone less than 16 to drive a go-cart or ATV in violation of the warning label on the vehicle

· Anyone 15 or younger to:

o Drive an ATV without successfully completing a “hands-on” ATV safety course approved by the All-Terrain Vehicle Safety Institute (AVSI)

o Drive or ride an ATV in South Carolina without a helmet and eye protection

SC Code Sections 56-19-1010, -1020, -1030, 50-26.

Friendly Neighborhood Courtesy

🐾 Clean up after your pets to help keep our community beautiful.
🚗 Observe the speed limit for the safety of children, pets, and pedestrians.
🗑️ Bring in trash and recycling bins promptly after pickup on Tuesdays. If your trash can is not big enough for your trash, please contact the county so can get a second

Upcoming Events

Events for the year have been posted in the Facebook group, check the events section on the Portrait Hill group,

Mar – 21- Pub Crawl (2pm) Check Facebook event for more details
Mar – 28 – Easter Egg Hunt (11am) Check Facebook event for more details
Apr – 18 – Yard Sale (8am-12pm)
May – 16 – Block Party (12p-2pm)/Corn hole tournament (2pm)
June – 13 – Fireflies Family Outing
July – 4th of July Parade (10:30am)
Sept – 17 – Ladies Night (7-9pm)
Sept – 26 – Fall Fest (2pm)
Oct – 3 – Yard Sale (8a-11am)
Nov – 8 – Holiday Market (1-4pm) – If you own a business and want to participate, make sure to fill the form on the FB event.
Dec – 5- Santa’s Visit (10:30am-12pm)

Have a Question or Concern?

Please email us at board@portraithillsc.com or reach out directly to each member:

Fabiola Batiz – Vice President: vp@portraithillsc.com
JT Mezick – Treasurer: treasurer@portraithillsc.com
Mike Kalec – Secretary: secretary@portraithillsc.com
Lisa Blackmon – Member At Large: director@portraithillsc.com

For official complaints, clubhouse reservations, architectural requests, budget reviews, meeting notes, assessment payments, and other administrative needs, contact MJS at 803-743-0600.

We appreciate your help in keeping our community safe, friendly, and welcoming!

— The Portrait Hill BOD