FAQ

Ledford Downs Road Maintenance Association

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of organization is the LDRMA?

LDRMA is a 501(c)4 non-profit corporation recognized by the NC Secretary of State.  We have also been granted tax exemption by the IRS.

Are donations to LDRMA tax deductible?

Unfortunately, no.  With very few exceptions, donations to a 501(c)4 are not deductible as they would be for a 501(c)3.  

Do I have to be part of LDRMA if I live in Ledford Downs?

No.  Membership in the Association is entirely voluntary.  This is not an HOA and there is no way to “force” people to contribute.  However, we believe that everyone realizes the value that good roads will bring to our homes, and we encourage all residents and owners to join.  

How did our roads get like this?

When Ledford Downs was developed, the roads were made private instead of public, meaning the NCDOT is not responsible for maintenance.  Additionally, the roads were not built to DOT standards.  Unfortunately, this scenario is quite common in subdivision development, leaving the road maintenance to be overseen by an HOA or the homeowners, and making it nearly impossible to get the DOT to agree to take over maintenance.

Why won’t the state maintain our roads?

The DOT requires the roads to be up to their standard before they agree to maintain them. This was first pursued in 2006, but the requirements were too extensive to be completed.  In 2020, we requested a new punch list from the DOT of items we would have to fix for the roads to be up to their standards.  The 2020 list was perhaps even more extensive than the original, the key point being that before the state would even consider it, we would have to repair and repave them in their entirety.  If you would like to see the 2020 punch list from the state, it can be viewed here.  

The bottom line is that if we want to petition for state takeover of the roads, repairing and repaving is the first step anyway.  If, after years of our contributions and improvements, the state will agree to maintain our roads, we will happily dissolve the LDRMA.

Why don’t we have an HOA instead?

In 2018, several neighbors made a valiant attempt to combine the multiple versions of HOA covenants created during the phases of development into one HOA covenant for our entire neighborhood.  The intent was that an HOA Board would enforce collection of dues and use those dues for road maintenance.  However, the effort was met with resistance from both ends of the spectrum: some people did not want an HOA at all, and some people wanted additional requirements from homeowners included, not only road maintenance.  Ultimately, the attempt was dropped.  Overall, we believe the idea of an HOA was too divisive to the neighborhood and that a repeated effort would not obtain the level of support needed to be successful.

How did the Board arrive at the $120 figure for yearly dues?

The Board engaged in much discussion about this, perhaps more than any other topic.  Ultimately, though, there were a few main factors:

1. We did not want money to be a barrier to anyone being able to join/be engaged in this neighborhood effort, and we felt that $120 ($10 per month) reflects that.

2. We know that regardless of the amount of the membership dues, we will need families to give over and above that amount whenever possible for the next several years, if we are to get our roads adequately repaired.  $120 per year per household is not enough to make significant progress.  However, neither is $300, or even $500.  No matter the required amount, we will still be relying on additional donations for the foreseeable future.  

3. After we do achieve our goals of repaving all needed areas, if all households participate, $10 per month per household should be enough to sustain our roads for the long term.

Can I be a member of LDRMA if I rent instead of own my home in Ledford Downs?

Yes, anyone who lives in or owns a home in Ledford Downs can be a member of the LDRMA.  However, it is important to note that each physical address in Ledford Downs receives only ONE vote on any Association matters. 

How much does it really cost to pave?

While there are many approaches with various costs, the option we have chosen for our neighborhood is a leveling course and 2” topcoat, which costs right at $2/sq.ft.  To extrapolate, the cost to pave one side of the road in front of a given lot would run between $2000 and $3000 (depending on lot location and layout).

Why are we a 501(c)4 instead of a 501(c)3?

Through consultation with an attorney and an accountant, as well as our own research, the Board determined that our type of organization better fits a 501(c)4.  Most social organizations and HOAs are 501(c)4s.  Additionally, it is more difficult to qualify as a 501(c)3 with the IRS and there are more tax/auditing requirements that would take time and money to manage.