Amendment to
The Declaration of Covenants
Spring 2009 |
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| The Board will be asking the owners to again vote upon
changes to the Declaration of Covenants. Included in the annual
packets is the latest proposed Declaration of Covenants. |
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| Last year two of the most difficult issues for owners were
language regarding billing for electrical consumption and the
authority of the Association to enter onto lots. The
Declarations put forth this spring does not include separate
language for electric charges. The operating assessment will
include electricity as has been the past practice. |
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| This proposal also includes a modification to the language
governing inspection of lots by the Association under Section
3.5 “Access to Lots” and new language under Section
7.6 “Animals”. These modifications were based upon
feedback from a significant number of owners last season. |
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| Mark Duren is to be commended for doing an exceptional job
distilling owners’ concerns and developing language that
responds to those concerns. |
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| Each property owner has been mailed a ballot. You may
return your vote to the Office or turn it in at the Annual
Meeting. All votes must be cast by July 3, 2009 to be
considered. |
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| Some owners expressed concern about signing their own name
to the ballot. The signature requirement ensures that only
authorized owners are voting. The Association has no interest in
knowing how each individual property owner votes and will not
record that information. |
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| Owners also asked why each individual amendment could not
be subject to a separate vote. The current Declaration of
Covenants contains terminology and practices that are simply
obsolete. To allow a document that contained obsolete language
alongside new language would create interpretation problems. |
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| It is critical that all property owners vote. As you may
recall, last spring we fell well short of the required number of
votes to pass the measure. Passage requires a yes vote by 51% of
voters in the Association. |
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| As the President of the Association, I support the changes
to the Declaration of Covenants. The efficient and smooth
operation of your Association depends upon a Declaration of
Covenants that is up to date and clearly written. This document
provides both. |
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| Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
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|
Craig Anglin
President
SFOA |
