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DECLARATION OF COVENANTS,
CONDITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS
FOR
FLORA ON SPRING MILL
This DECLARATION OF COVENANTS, CONDITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS FOR
FLORA ON SPRING MILL(the “Declaration”) is made this _____ day of _______________,
2023, by OE FLORA, LLC, an Indiana limited liability company (the “Declarant”).
RECITALS:
A. Declarant, whose principal office and place of business is located at 1828 Central
Avenue, Suite 100, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, is the sole owner of the fee simple title to certain
real estate located in Hamilton County, Indiana and more particularly described in Exhibit A
attached hereto and by reference made a part hereof (the “Real Estate”), by virtue of General
Warranty Deeds dated May 24, 2023, and recorded on __________ ____, 2023, as Instrument
No.______________, , and a Quitclaim Deed dated April 21, 2022, and recorded on April 28,
2022, as Instrument No. 2022021432, recorded in the Office of the Recorder of Hamilton County,
Indiana.
B. A general site plan depicting the Development (as hereinafter defined) is set forth
in Exhibit B attached hereto and by reference made a part hereof (the “Site Plan”).
C. The buildings, improvements and appurtenances on the Real Estate as shown and
depicted on the Site Plan shall be known as Flora on Spring Mill (the “Development”).
D. The buildings to be constructed in the Development shall each contain one (1) or
more living units with attached garages, as depicted on the Site Plan (each a “Unit”). The area
upon which each Unit is located, including all sidewalks, stoops, yards (if any), decks, gardens,
and garages located thereon, shall be known as a “Lot”, and each Lot is established by that certain
plat of [Flora on Spring Mill Secondary Plat] recorded in the Office of the Recorder of Hamilton
County, Indiana as Instrument No. __________________ (the “Plat”).
E. Declarant, by execution of this Declaration, does hereby create, submit, declare,
and subject the Real Estate, the Development and the Lots to certain easements, restrictions,
covenants, conditions and charges as hereinafter set forth.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the covenants herein contained,
Declarant declares that the Real Estate and the Lots in the Development shall be held, transferred,
sold, conveyed, leased and occupied subject to the covenants, conditions, restrictions, easements,
charges and liens set forth in this Declaration, as follows:
1. Definitions. The following terms, as used in this Declaration, unless the context
clearly requires otherwise, shall mean the following:
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(a) “Act” means the Homeowners’ Association Law of the State of Indiana,
Indiana Code §32-25.5-1 et. seq., as such Act may be amended. The Act is incorporated
herein by reference.
(b) “Applicable Date” means the date determined pursuant to Section 4.02 of
the Bylaws.
(c) “Articles” or “Articles of Incorporation” means the Articles of
Incorporation of the Association, as hereinafter defined. The Articles of Incorporation are
incorporated herein by reference.
(d) “Association” means the “Flora on Spring Mill Homeowners Association,
Inc.,” an Indiana not-for-profit corporation more particularly described in Paragraph 5 of
this Declaration.
(e) “Board” or “Board of Directors” means the governing body of the
Association, being the Initial Board of Directors referred to in the Bylaws or subsequent
Board of Directors elected by the Owners in accordance with the Bylaws. The terms
“Board” and “Board of Directors”, as used in this Declaration and in the Bylaws, shall be
synonymous with the term “board of directors” as used in the Act.
(f) “Building” or “Buildings” means the structure(s) which the Declarant may
construct upon the Real Estate which contain two (2) or more connected Units or two or
more connected garages. The Buildings which may be constructed are more particularly
identified on the Site Plan attached at Exhibit B of this Declaration.
(g) “Bylaws” means the Bylaws of the Association providing for the
administration and management of the Property as required by and in conformity with the
provisions of the Act. A true and accurate copy of the Bylaws is attached to this
Declaration as Exhibit C and incorporated herein by this reference.
(h) “Common Areas” shall have the meaning set forth in Paragraph 3 of this
Declaration.
(i) “Common Expenses” means all sums and expenses of administration of the
Association and expenses for the upkeep, operation, maintenance, repair and replacement
of the Common Areas and all sums lawfully assessed against the Owners by the
Association or as declared by the Act, this Declaration, or the Bylaws. Unless otherwise
provided herein or otherwise determined by Declarant or the Association (as applicable) in
accordance with this Declaration, Common Expenses shall be paid by Owners as a part of
the General Maintenance Assessment.
(j) “Declarant” shall mean and refer to OE Flora, LLC, an Indiana limited
liability company, and any successors and assigns whom such limited liability company
designates in one or more written recorded instruments to have the rights of Declarant
under this Declaration, including, but not limited to, any mortgagee acquiring title to all or
any portion of the Property pursuant to the exercise of rights under, or foreclosure of, a
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mortgage executed by Declarant. A mortgagee acquiring title by virtue of foreclosure
against the Declarant does not assume the prior obligations or liabilities of the Declarant.
(k) “Declaration” shall mean this Townhome Declaration of Covenants,
Conditions and Restrictions for Flora on Spring Mill.
(l) “Development” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
(m) “Exterior Maintenance Obligations” shall mean those obligations of the
Association specified in Paragraph 6(c).
(n) “General Maintenance Assessment” shall have the meaning set forth in the
Bylaws.
(o) “Insurance Trustee” means any bank, with trust powers, authorized to do
business in Hamilton County, Indiana which may be designated by the Board of Directors
for the custody and disposition, as herein or in the Bylaws provided, of insurance proceeds
and condemnation awards.
(p) “Lot Maintenance Obligations” shall mean those obligations of the
Association specified in Paragraph 6(b).
(q) “Lot” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
(r) “Majority of Mortgagees” means those Mortgagees with first mortgages on
at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the total Lots.
(s) “Majority of Owners” means the Owners entitled to cast as least fifty-one
percent (51%) of the total votes of all Owners, with each Owner entitled to cast one vote
per Lot.
(t) “Managing Agent” means a property management agent employed by the
Association or Declarant pursuant to Section 3.06 of the Bylaws.
(u) “Member” means a member of the Association.
(v) “Mortgaged Lot” means a Lot that is subject to the lien of a mortgage held,
insured or guaranteed by a Mortgagee.
(w) “Mortgagee” means the holder of a first mortgage lien on a Lot.
(x) “Owner” means a person, firm, corporation, partnership, association, trust,
or other legal entity or any combination thereof who owns the fee simple title to a Lot.
(y) “Owners” means the owners of all the Lots.
(z) “Party Wall” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9(a).
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(aa) “Person” means an individual, firm, corporation, partnership, associate,
trust, limited liability company, or other legal entity, or any combination thereof.
(bb) “Plans” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9(d).
(cc) “Plat” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
(dd) “Property” means the Real Estate and the appurtenant easements, along
with the Units, the Buildings, garages, improvements, appurtenances, and property of every
kind and nature whatsoever, real, personal, and mixed, located upon the Real Estate and
used in connection with the operation, use, and enjoyment of Flora on Spring Mill, but
expressly does not include the personal property of the Owners or their tenants.
(ee) “Real Estate” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
(ff) “Single Family Home(s)” means any unattached structure for single family
occupancy, consisting of a single Unit, constructed on the Real Estate, together with the
individual Lot conveyed therewith and upon which the Unit is located.
(gg) “Single Family Lot” means any Lot upon which a Unit that is a Single
Family Home is located.
(hh) “Site Plan” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
(ii) “Special Maintenance Assessment” shall have the meaning set forth in the
Bylaws.
(jj) “Supplemental Declaration” means any supplement or amendment to this
Declaration that may be recorded by Declarant and that extends the provisions of this
Declaration to any part of the Real Estate and contains such complementary or
supplementary provisions for such part of the Property as are required or permitted by the
Act or this Declaration, as amended or supplemented.
(kk) “Townhome” means any structure of two or more stories for single family
occupancy, connected to one or more similar structures, all constructed on the Real Estate,
together with the individual Lot conveyed therewith and upon which located.
(ll) “Unit” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals and shall include
each Townhome and Single Family Home.
2. Townhomes
(a) Description of Buildings and Lots. There will be _________ (___)
Buildings of _______ (___) stories in height, and _________ (___) Single Family Homes,
containing a total of ____________ (____) Units on the Real Estate, and as shown on
Exhibit B. Declarant shall be permitted to construct and sell Lots on a continuing basis
without any requirement to construct any future Building or Buildings except as
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determined in Declarant’s sole and absolute discretion. Each Unit is identified by an
individual address.
(b) Real Estate Taxes. Real estate taxes are to be separately assessed and taxed
to each Unit. In the event that for any year real estate taxes are not separately assessed and
taxed to each Unit, but are assessed and taxed on the Property as a whole, then each Owner
shall pay the Owner’s proportionate share of such taxes to the extent attributable to the
Property as a part of the General Maintenance Assessment.
(c) Utilities. Each Owner shall pay for the Owner’s own utilities which are
separately metered. Utilities which are not separately metered shall be treated as and paid
as part of the Common Expenses, unless otherwise agreed by a Majority of Owners.
3. Common Areas and Facilities. “Common Areas” shall include but are not to be
limited to the following areas of that are subject to this Declaration from time to time:
(a) The Property (excluding the Lots and any land where current Buildings exist
or future Buildings may be constructed);
(b) All landscaping islands, sidewalks and parking areas, except to the extent
the same are otherwise classified and defined herein as part of the Lots;
(c) All facilities providing central electricity, gas, water supply systems, and
sanitary sewer or septic systems and mains serving the Buildings;
(d) Pipes, ducts, electrical wiring and conduits and public utilities lines which
serve more than one Unit;
(e) All streets, interior access drives and other areas designated as Common
Area on the Plat;
(f) All facilities and appurtenances located outside of the boundary lines of the
Lots, except those areas and facilities expressly classified and defined herein as part of the
Lot;
(g) All real and personal property now or hereafter owned or leased by the
Association pursuant to its authority under this Declaration and the Bylaws; and
(h) Any other portions of the Property necessary or convenient to its existence,
maintenance and safety or normally in common use, except to the extent specifically
included within the boundaries of the Lots.
Each Owner of a Lot may use the Common Areas in accordance with the Bylaws, Rules
and Regulations and for the purpose for which they were intended without hindering or
encroaching upon the lawful rights of the other Lot Owners. In the event the Common Areas are
damaged or destroyed by an Owner or any Owner’s guests, tenants, licensees, agents, or family
members, such Owner authorizes the Association to repair said damaged area and the Association
shall repair said damaged area in a good workmanlike manner in conformance with the original
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plans and specifications of the area involved, or as the area may have been modified or altered
subsequently by the Association in the discretion of the Association. An amount equal to the costs
incurred to effect such repairs shall be assessed against such Owner and shall constitute a lien upon
the Lot of said Owner.
4. Ownership of Common Areas; Inspection of Common Areas.
(a) Declarant may, but is not obligated to, retain the legal title to the Common Areas
until the Applicable Date; provided, however, that the Declarant hereby covenants that it shall
convey the Common Areas to the Association prior to or on the Applicable Date by quitclaim
deed. Unless expressly stated in a recorded instrument, the Common Areas shall remain private.
Neither Declarant’s execution or recording of an instrument portraying the Common Areas, nor
the doing of any other act by Declarant is, or is intended to be, or shall be construed as, a dedication
to the public of the Common Area. Declarant or the Association may, however, dedicate or
transfer all or any part of the Common Areas to the City of Indianapolis for use as public rights -
of-way or to a public utility for public utility purposes.
(b) Prior to the Applicable Date, Declarant shall arrange for an inspection (the
“Common Improvement Inspection”) of all Common Areas and improvements not located on an
individual Lot and subject to maintenance by the Declarant and/or Association pursuant to Section
6 hereof, including but not limited to street trees. The Common Improvement Inspection shall be
conducted and a report delivered to the Carmel Department of Community Services (or such other
department as the City of Carmel may designate), in accordance with Section 7.20D of the City of
Carmel Unified Development Ordinance.
5. Townhome Owners’ Association. Subject to the rights of the Declarant reserved in
the Declaration and Bylaws and the obligations of the Owners, the Association shall be established
for the purpose of: (i) assessing, collecting and expending General Maintenance Assessments and
Special Maintenance Assessments; (ii) fulfilling the Lot Maintenance Obligations and the Exterior
Maintenance Obligation; and (iii) performing such other management and administrative tasks as
may be required in connection with the Common Areas and the Development. Each Owner of a
Lot shall, automatically upon becoming an Owner of a Lot, be and become a Member of the
Association and shall remain a Member until such time as his ownership ceases, but membership
shall terminate when such person ceases to be an Owner and will automatically be transferred to
the new Owner.
The Association shall elect a Board of Directors annually (except for the Initial Board of
Directors described in the Bylaws) in accordance with and as prescribed by the Bylaws. Each
Owner shall be entitled to cast one (1) vote for the election of the Board of Directors, except for
such Initial Board of Directors who shall serve for the period provided in the Bylaws. Each person
serving on the Initial Board of Directors, whether as an original member thereof or as a member
thereof appointed by Declarant to fill a vacancy, shall be deemed a Member of the Association and
an Owner solely for the purpose of qualifying to act as a member of the Board of Directors and for
no other purpose. No such person serving on the Initial Board of Directors shall be deemed or
considered a Member of the Association nor an Owner of a Lot for any other purpose (unless he
is actually an Owner of a Lot and thereby a Member of the Association).
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Notwithstanding anything herein or in the Bylaws to the contrary, prior to the Applicable
Date, the Declarant shall not enter into any contractual obligation on behalf of the Association that
extends more than one (1) year after the Applicable Date.
6. Maintenance, Repairs and Replacement.
(a) Maintenance by Owners. Subject to the Association’s Lot Maintenance
Obligations and Exterior Maintenance Obligations under Paragraphs 6(b) and 6(c),
respectively, each Owner shall at its own expense, be responsible for the maintenance,
repair, landscaping, decoration and replacement of its own Lot and all equipment serving
the same, except as may otherwise be provided herein. Each Owner shall promptly perform
such maintenance, repair and replacement within the Lot which, if neglected, might
adversely affect the Property.
In the event that the maintenance, repair or replacement of any Lot or Unit is
reasonably necessary, in the discretion of the Association, to protect the Common Areas,
or to preserve the appearance or value of the Property, or is otherwise in the interest of the
general welfare of the Owners, the Board shall have the power to undertake such
maintenance, repair or replacement, but no such maintenance, repair or replacement shall
be undertaken without a resolution by the Board and reasonable written notice to the Owner
of the affected Lot. The cost of any such maintenance, repair or replacement shall be
assessed against the Lot on which such maintenance, repair or replacement is made and
when so assessed a statement for the amount thereof shall be rendered promptly to the then
Owner of the Lot at which time the assessment shall become due and payable and a
continuing lien and obligation of said Owner in all respects as provided in Article VIII of
the Bylaws.
(b) Lot Maintenance Obligations. Subject to the receipt of General
Maintenance Assessments, the Association shall provide, subject to reasonableness, and
shall pay for, the following landscape maintenance and other services with respect to a Lot,
but only after a Unit has been substantially completed thereon and the Lot has been fully
landscaped:
(1) Periodically, mow and trim grass (if any) located on the Lot;
(2) Generally remove (in the fall, at its reasonable discretion after most,
if not all, have fallen) leaves from the Lot;
(3) Generally remove, within a reasonable period of time taking into
account weather conditions, snow which accumulates in excess of two inches (2”)
from the public sidewalk adjacent to a Lot, from the driveway, and from the
walkways that extend from the public sidewalk or alley to the front or rear porch or
deck of each Unit on a Lot (including each Single Family Lot);
(4) Once each year: (i) mulch and edge the planting beds located on the
Lot; and, (ii) trim and edge along streets, sidewalks, and driveways; and
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(5) For all Townhome Units, but specifically excluding all Single
Family Homes, provide for: (i) simple startup and shutdown of any irrigation
system located on each Lot in the spring and fall of the year, the repair and
replacement of which shall otherwise be the responsibility of the Unit Owners of
connected Units in the same Building; provided, however, any irrigation system
located on a Single Family Lot shall be maintained by Owner and the Association
shall have no responsibilities or obligations related thereto; (ii) pruning of shrubs
as needed, but no more than two (2) times each year; (iii) weeding of plant mulch
beds as reasonably required; and, (iv) lawn fertilization three (3) times each year
and lawn weed control as reasonably required. For avoidance of doubt, any
irrigation system located on a Single Family Lot shall be the sole responsibility,
cost, and expense of each Single Family Home and Single Family Lot Owner. The
limited Lot Maintenance Obligations of the Association applicable to Single Family
Homes as provided in this Section 6(b) are hereinafter sometimes referred to as
“Limited Lot Maintenance Obligations”.
(c) Exterior Maintenance Obligations. Subject to the receipt of General
Maintenance Assessments, the Association shall provide, subject to reasonableness, and
shall pay for, the following exterior maintenance with respect to, and only with respect to,
a Townhome constructed on a Lot, and only following substantial completion of
construction and of related improvements thereon:
(1) Periodic painting and power washing of exterior doors and siding,
exterior trim, decks, railings, gates and fences comprising original improvements
constructed upon a Lot (or approved replacements);
(2) Minor, non-structural repairs to exterior trim boards, exterior siding,
facades, railings, gates, decks and fences comprising a part of original
improvements constructed upon a Lot (or approved replacements);
(3) Maintenance of (including bulb replacement) exterior free-standing
lighting fixtures and exterior lighting fixtures (including flood lights) which are
building mounted as a part of original construction (or approved replacements); and
(4) Any roof repairs or replacement for a Building
Exterior Maintenance Obligations shall in no event include: (i) touch-up of painted
surfaces between periodic repainting; (ii) door or window locks; (iii) windows or window
sashes (including glass cleaning or replacement); (iv) replacement or cleaning of glass in
doors; (v) any structural repairs or replacements not expressly set forth as an obligation of
the Association herein, which shall be the collective responsibility of the Unit Owners of
connected Units in the same Building; or (vi) any repairs or replacements covered by
insurance, or by Paragraph 9 of this Declaration. Repairs or maintenance necessitated by
a Lot Owner's own negligence, misuse or neglect may be assessed by the Association
against the offending Lot Owner. When so assessed, a statement for the amount thereof
shall be rendered promptly to the then Owner of the Lot at which time the Assessment shall
become due and payable and a continuing lien and obligation of said Owner in all respects
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as provided in Article VIII of the Bylaws. For avoidance of doubt, in no event shall the
Association be responsible for any exterior maintenance of any Single Family Home. All
exterior and structural repair and maintenance for Single Family Homes shall be managed
by the Owner at such Owner’s sole cost and expense.
(d) Common Areas. Except as otherwise provided herein, all maintenance,
repairs and replacements to the Common Areas (except as otherwise provided in this
Declaration, a Supplemental Declaration, or the Bylaws) shall be furnished by the
Association as part of the Common Expenses. Each Owner shall at its own expense, be
responsible for the maintenance, repair and replacement of the Common Areas where such
repair is the result of willful or negligent misuse by the Owner of its Lot or the Common
Areas; at the option of the Board, the Association shall be entitled to control and coordinate
such maintenance, repairs and replacement or to undertake the same on the Owner’s behalf.
In the discretion of the Board, to protect the Common Areas, or to preserve the appearance
or value of the Property, or as otherwise may be in the interest of the general welfare of the
Owners, the Board shall have the power to undertake such maintenance or repair and the
cost of any such maintenance or repair together with a reasonable service charge shall be
assessed against the Lot which is the cause of the need for repairs and, when so assessed,
a statement for the amount thereof shall be rendered promptly to the then Owner of the Lot
at which time the Assessment shall become due and payable and a continuing lien and
obligation of said Owner in all respects as provided in Article VIII of the Bylaws in the
event: (i) the Board elects to undertake such maintenance, repairs or replacements on behalf
of such Owner; (ii) such maintenance, repairs or replacements are carried out by Owner as
the result of willful or negligent misuse by the Owner but such repairs are not carried out
to a good and workmanlike standard to the reasonable satisfaction of the Association, or
(iii) Owner fails in such circumstances to carry out repairs for which Owner is responsible.
The Board of Directors may adopt rules and regulations concerning maintenance, repairs,
use and enjoyment of the Common Areas.
(e) Owner Cooperation Required. Each Lot Owner shall cooperate with the
Association as and when needed so that the Lot Maintenance Obligations and Exterior
Maintenance Obligations can be discharged safely and without any obstructions or
interference which causes delays and/or increased costs. As a part of the foregoing (and
without limiting the generality thereof) a Lot Owner shall not permit pets, children or
activities of any kind in areas where Lot Maintenance Obligations and/or Exterior
Maintenance Obligations are scheduled and/or underway, and shall not place lawn
furniture, statuary ornaments or other obstructions which inhibit lawn mowing or leaf
collection through the use of mechanized equipment. If obstructions or interference exist,
the Association shall have the right, at its sole option, to either: (i) suspend performance of
any further Lot Maintenance Obligations or Exterior Maintenance Obligations until
removed and without relieving a Lot Owner from the continuing obligation to pay General
Maintenance and other assessments as and when due; or (ii) proceed and assess the increase
in cost for payment, and when so assessed a statement for the amount thereof shall be
rendered promptly to the then Owner of the Lot at which time the Assessment shall become
due and payable and a continuing lien and obligation of said Owner in all respects as
provided in Article VIII of the Bylaws.
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(f) Right of Access and Entry. Declarant hereby reserves in favor of the
Association and the Managing Agent a permanent, non-exclusive easement over, across,
upon, along, in and through the Property (inclusive of all Lots) for purposes of performing
the maintenance, repair and replacement contemplated by this Paragraph 6. Such
maintenance and repair shall be performed at reasonable times and upon reasonable prior
notice to the affected Owners (except in cases of emergency in which event no notice shall
be required).
7. Alterations, Additions and Improvements. Except as may be otherwise provided in
this Declaration or the Bylaws, no Owner shall without the prior written approval of the Board of
Directors make any material alterations or additions (a) to any Common Areas; (b) to the exterior
of Owner’s respective Unit or garage; or (c) to the interior of the Owner’s Unit, if such interior
alteration would affect the safety or structural integrity of the Building in which the Unit is located.
In addition to the foregoing, each Owner of a Single Family Home and Single Family Lot shall be
required to obtain written approval from the Board of Directors in connection with the installation
of any fence located on a Single Family Lot (except a fence installed by Declarant or Decla rant’s
contractors in connection with initial construction of the Single Family Home). If approved, all
fences shall be constructed of black wrought iron and shall have a gate for mower access to permit
the Association to maintain the Lot as described in Section 6 above.
8. Assessments
(a) General Maintenance Assessment. In order to provide money to fund the
Lot Maintenance Obligations and Exterior Maintenance Obligations, establish a reserve
fund, and provide for the operation of the Association, each Owner of a Unit shall also be
assessed and shall pay General Maintenance Assessments in accordance with Article VIII
of the Bylaws. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the General Maintenance Assessment
allocable to each Single Family Home shall include only the portion of costs and expenses
related to the Limited Lot Maintenance Obligations (rather than all Lot Maintenance
Obligations) and shall exclude costs and expenses related to Exterior Maintenance
Obligations.
(b) Special Assessments. In addition to the General Maintenance Assessment
authorized above, the Board may levy a Special Assessment against Lots in any calendar
year applicable to that year only, for the purpose of defraying, in whole or in part, the cost
of any construction, reconstruction, repair or replacement of any capital improvement
which the Association is required to maintain, or to recover any operating deficits which
the Association may from time to time incur, provided that any such assessment shall
comply with and have the approval of Owners as provided in Article VIII of the Bylaws.
(c) Creation of the Lien. Declarant for each Lot and each Unit located thereon,
hereby covenants, and each owner of any Lot by acceptance of a deed thereto, whether or
not it shall be so expressed in such deed, is deemed to covenant and agree to pay to the
Association: (i) General Maintenance Assessments; (ii) Special Assessments; and (iii)
other amounts assessable as provided for herein and in the Bylaws; such assessments to be
established and collected as provided in the Bylaws. All such assessments, together with
interest, costs, and reasonable attorney’s fees, shall be a charge on the Lot and shall be a
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continuing lien upon each Lot. Each such assessment, together with interest, costs, and
reasonable attorney’s fees, shall also be the personal obligation of the person who was the
Owner of a Townhome at the time when the assessment fell due. The personal obligation
for delinquent assessments shall not pass to his successors in title unless expressly assumed
by them.
9. Party Walls
(a) Generally. Each wall which is built as a part of the original construction of
a grouping of connected Units in a Building and placed on the dividing line between
individual Lots into which subdivided shall constitute a party wall (“Party Wall”), and, to
the extent not inconsistent with the provisions of this Paragraph, the general rules of
Indiana law regarding party walls and liability for property damage due to negligence or
willful acts or omissions shall apply thereto.
(b) Sharing of Repair and Maintenance. The cost of routine repair and
maintenance of a Party Wall shall be shared equally by the Owners who make use of the
Party Wall. If any such Party Wall is damaged or destroyed by fire or other casualty or by
some cause other than the act of one of the adjoining Owners, its agents, family, household
or guests (including ordinary wear and tear and deterioration from lapse of time), then in
such event both such adjoining Owners shall proceed to rebuild or repair the structu ral
components of such Party Wall, sharing equally the cost thereof, and each individual
Owner shall proceed to rebuild or repair the non-structural components of such Party Wall
in proportion of their respective uses of the Party Wall. Any and all such reconstruction
and/or repairs shall be completed immediately to the extent that the failure to commence
and/or complete such reconstruction and/or repairs would result in an immediate risk to
human health and/or safety. All other reconstruction and/or repairs shall commence and
proceed to completion as soon as practical, and in any event within ninety (90) days
following the casualty or other event that damaged or destroyed such Party Wall, unless a
longer period of time is approved by the Board. If the damage is of such a nature that it
has resulted, or will (if left uncorrected) result in damage or destruction of a Party Wall,
the reconstruction and/or repairs shall commence and proceed to completion as soon as
practical, and in any event within one hundred eighty (180) days following initial
discovery. Any and all such reconstruction and/or repair shall be made in compliance with
all requirements of local governing authorities and otherwise in compliance with all
applicable laws to the same or better condition as existed prior to such damage or
destruction.
(c) Damage Caused by One Owner. If a Party Wall is damaged or destroyed
through the act of one or more adjoining Owners, or their respective agents, families,
household members or guests (collectively the “Offending Parties”), whether or not such
act is intentional, inadvertent, negligent or otherwise, so as to deprive another adjoining
Owner of the full use and enjoyment of a Party Wall, then the Owner(s) of the
Townhome(s) associated with the Offending Parties, shall forthwith proceed to rebuild and
restore the same in the manner and within the time otherwise required under Paragraph
9(c) above, without cost to any adjoining Owner who is not an Offending Party .
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(d) Other Changes. In addition to meeting the other requirements imposed by
this Paragraph 9 and of any building code or similar regulation or ordinance, any Owner
proposing to modify, make additions to or rebuild a Unit in any manner which requires the
extension of or any other alteration to a Party Wall shall, before proceeding with any work
in connection therewith: (i) submit detailed plans of the modifications or additions
proposed (the “Plans”) to, and obtain the written approval of, the Association pursuant to
the process set forth in the Bylaws; and, (ii) upon receipt of approval from the Association,
also obtain the written approval of all adjoining Owners, whose approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld. If an adjoining Owner has not responded in writing to a request
for approval within thirty (30) days following receipt of a written request (together with
the required Plans as approved by the Association), given by registered or certified mail,
return receipt requested, the approval thereof shall be deemed given as otherwise required
herein.
(e) Right to Contribution Runs with Land. The right of any Owner to
contribution from any other Owner under this Paragraph 9 shall be appurtenant to the real
estate comprising each Lot and shall pass to such Owner's successors in title.
(f) Disputes. In the event of a dispute between Owners with respect to the
repair or rebuilding of a Party Wall or with respect to the sharing of the cost thereof, then,
upon the written request of one or more of such Owners addressed to the Association, the
matter shall be submitted to the Board, who shall decide the dispute after notice to all
affected Owners, and the opportunity to be heard pursuant to rules adopted and published
by the Board.
10. Insurance. The Owners, through the Association, shall purchase a master casualty
insurance policy affording fire and extended coverage insurance insuring the Property in an
amount consonant with the full replacement value of the improvements which, in whole or in part,
comprise the Common Areas. If the Board of Directors can obtain such coverage for reasonable
amounts, they shall also obtain “all risk” coverage. The Board of Directors shall be responsible
for reviewing at least annually the amount and type of such insurance and shall purchase such
additional insurance as is necessary to provide the type of insurance required above. If deemed
advisable by the Board of Directors, the Board of Directors may cause such full replacement value
to be determined by a qualified appraiser. The cost of any such appraisal shall be a Common
Expense. Such insurance coverage shall be for the benefit of each Owner and, if applicable, the
Mortgagee of each Owner upon such terms and conditions as may be established by th e Board of
Directors. The proceeds of such policies shall be used or disbursed by the Association or Board
of Directors, as appropriate, only in accordance with the provisions of this Declaration. The
premiums for all such insurance described above shall be paid by the Association as part of the
Common Expenses.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Declaration, each and every
Owner shall maintain a casualty insurance policy affording fire and extended coverage insurance
insuring the Unit and Lot in an amount equal to the full replacement value of the improvements
which, in whole or in part, comprise the Unit and Lot, including, without limitation, any Party
Wall. Such insurance shall provide for payment of the losses thereunder by the insured to the
Association or its nominees, insurance trustee for the benefit of each owner, the holder of each
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first mortgage of record thereon, and the Association as their interests appear. Proceeds received
by the insurance trustee shall be used to repair, reconstruct or rebuild the Units damaged or
destroyed by fire or other casualty unless the Unit Owners agr ee not to repair, reconstruct, or
rebuild pursuant to Section 11 below. Each Owner of each Lot and/or Unit will furnish to the
Association, at or prior to the closing of said Owner’s acquisition of such Lot or Unit, a certificate
of insurance, in form and content acceptable to the Association, evidencing the insurance coverage
described herein. Each such Owner shall, prior to the expiration of the term of any such insurance
policy, procure and deliver to the Association a renewal or replacement policy in form and content
acceptable to the Association. If any Owner fails to provide evidence of such coverage satisfactory
to the Association, the Association will have the right, but not the obligation, to procure such
coverage at the expense of the applicable Owner, and the cost of procuring such insurance will be
assessed to that Owner as a Special Assessment and shall be immediately due and payable upon
demand.
11. Casualty and Restoration.
(a) Obligation to Restore. Except as hereinafter provided, damage to or
destruction of any Building due to fire or other casualty or disaster shall be promptly
repaired and reconstructed by the Association and the proceeds of insurance, including
those received for Unit policies as insurance trustee, if any, shall be applied for that
purpose; provided, however, that repair and reconstruction shall not be compulsory in the
event of “complete destruction of all of the Buildings” (hereinafter defined) and shall only
be done in accordance with the provisions hereinafter set forth. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, Owners of Single Family Homes, not the Association, shall be responsible for
any repair or reconstruction of a Single Family Home.
(b) Complete Destruction. The term “complete destruction of all of the
Buildings” means a determination made by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of all Owners at a
special meeting of the Association called for the purpose of making such determination,
that complete destruction of all of the Buildings has occurred. A special meeting of the
Association shall be called and held within ninety (90) days after any fire or any other
casualty or disaster damaging or destroying any of the Buildings for the purpose of making
the determination of whether or not there has been a complete destruction of the Building.
If such a special meeting is not called and held within such ninety (90) day period, or if
such determination by the Owners has not been made within such ninety (90) day period,
then it shall be conclusively presumed that the Owners determined that there was not a
complete destruction of all of the Buildings, and the Association shall proceed with repair
and construction as herein provided.
(c) Substantial Damage or Destruction. In the event of substantial damage or
destruction of any Unit or any part of the Common Areas, the affected Mortgagee or
Mortgagees shall be given timely written notice of such damage or destruction.
(d) Insufficient Insurance Proceeds. If the insurance proceeds, if any, received
by the Association (whether directly or as insurance trustee) as a result of any such fire or
any other casualty or disaster are not adequate to cover the cost of repair and reconstruction,
or in the event there are no insurance proceeds, and if the Property is not removed from the
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Act, the cost for restoring the damage and repairing and reconstructing the Building (or the
costs in excess of insurance proceeds received, if any) shall be paid by all of the Owners
of the affected Units equally. Any such amounts payable by the Owners shall be assessed
as part of the Common Expenses, and shall constitute a lien from time of assessment as
provided herein and in the Act.
(e) Repair and Reconstruction. For purposes of subparagraphs (a), (b), and (d)
above, repair, reconstruction and restoration shall mean construction or rebuilding of the
Units to as near as possible the same condition as they existed immediately prior to the
damage or destruction and with the same type of architecture.
(f) Determination to Repair. If, under subparagraph (b) above, it is determined
by the Owners at the special meeting of the Association that there has been a complete
destruction of the Building, the Owners shall, at the same special meeting, vote to
determine whether or not such complete destruction of the Building shall be repaired and
reconstructed. The Building shall not be reconstructed or repaired unless the Owners at
said special meeting by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of all of the Owners determine to repair
and reconstruct the Building. If two-thirds (2/3) of all of the Owners decide that the
Building is to be rebuilt, reconstructed, and repaired, the insurance proceeds, if any,
received by the Association shall be applied and any excess of constructio n costs over
insurance proceeds, if any, received by the Association shall be contributed and paid as
provided in subparagraphs (a) and (b) above. The action of the Owners or the Board of
Directors in proceeding to repair or reconstruct damage shall not constitute a waiver of any
rights against any Owner for committing willful or malicious damage.
(g) Cost Estimates for Repair. Immediately after a fire or other casualty causing
damage to any property for which the Board of Directors or the Association has the
responsibility of maintenance and repair, the Board of Directors shall obtain reliable and
detailed estimates of the cost to place the damaged property in condition as good as that
before the casualty. Such costs may include professional fees and premiums for such bonds
as the Board of Directors desire.
(h) Construction Fund. The proceeds of insurance collected on account of any
such casualty, and the sums received by the Board of Directors from collections of
assessments against Owners on account of such casualty, shall constitute a construction
fund which shall be disbursed, if the Building is to be reconstructed and repaired, in
payment of the costs of reconstruction and repair in the following manner:
(i) If the amount of the estimated cost of reconstruction and repair is
less than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), then the construction fund shall be
disbursed in payment of such costs upon order of the Board of Directors; provided,
however, that upon request of a Mortgagee which is a beneficiary of an insurance
policy, the proceeds of which are included in the construction fund, such fund shall
be disbursed in the manner provided in the following paragraph (ii).
(ii) If the estimated cost of reconstruction and repair of any Building, or
other improvements, is more than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), then the
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construction fund shall be disbursed in progress payments of such costs upon
approval of an architect qualified to practice in Indiana and employed by the Board
of Directors to supervise such work, as the work progresses. The architect shall be
required to furnish a certificate giving a brief description of the services and
materials furnished by various contractors, sub-contractors, materialmen, the
architect, or other persons who have rendered services or furnished materials in
connection with the work, (1) that the sums requested by them in payment are justly
due and owing and that said sums do not exceed the value of the services and
materials furnished; (2) that there is no other outstanding indebtedness known for
the services and materials described; and (3) that the costs as estimated by said
architect for the work remaining to be done subsequent to the date of such
certificate, does not exceed the amount of construction fund remaining after
payment of the sum requested.
(iii) In the event that there is any surplus of monies in the construction
fund after the reconstruction or repair of the damage has been fully completed and
all costs paid, such sums may be retained by the Board of Directors as a reserve or
may be used in the maintenance and operation of the Common Areas, or, in the
discretion of the Board of Directors, it may be distributed to the Owners in the
buildings affected and their Mortgagees who are the beneficial owners of the fund.
12. Covenants and Restrictions. The covenants and restrictions applicable to the use
and enjoyment of the Lots are set forth in the Bylaws. These covenants and restrictions are for the
mutual benefit and protection of the present and future Owners and shall run with the Real Estate
and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by any Owner, the Owners or by the Association.
Present or future Owners shall be Members of the Association and shall be entitled to injunctive
relief against any violation of these provisions and shall be entitled to damages for any injuries
resulting from any violations of the Bylaws, but there shall be no right of reservation or forfeiture
of title resulting from such violation.
13. Amendment. Except as otherwise provided in this Declaration, amendments to the
Declaration shall be proposed and adopted in the following manner:
(a) Notice. Notice of the subject matter of the proposed amendment shall be
included in the notice of any meeting at which the proposed amendment is considered.
(b) Resolution. A resolution to adopt a proposed amendment may be proposed
by the Board of Directors or by a Majority of Owners.
(c) Meeting. The resolution concerning a proposed amendment must be
adopted by the designated vote at a meeting duly called and held in accordance with, the
provisions of the Bylaws.
(d) Adoption. Subject to the provisions of the Bylaws and the rights of
Declarant described therein, any proposed amendment to this Declaration must be
approved by a vote of not less than seventy-five percent (75%) in the aggregate of the vote
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of the Owners, with each Owner entitled to one (1) vote. In the event any Lot is subject to
a first mortgage, the Mortgagee shall be notified of the meeting and the proposed
amendment in the same manner as an Owner if the Mortgagee has given prior notice of its
mortgage interest to the Board of Directors in accordance with the provision of the Bylaws.
(e) Special Amendments. Subject to the rights reserved to Declarant in this
Declaration, no amendment to this Declaration shall be adopted which changes (i) the
voting interest of any Owner or the applicable share of any Owner’s liability for Common
Expenses without the approval of one hundred percent (100%) of the Owners and all
Mortgagees whose mortgage interests have been made known to the Board of Directors in
accordance with the provisions of the Bylaws; or (ii) the provisions of Paragraph 11 of this
Declaration with respect to reconstruction or repair in the event of fire or any other casualty
or disaster, without the approval of all Mortgagees whose mortgage interest have been
made known to the Board of Directors in accordance with the provisions of the Bylaws.
(f) Recording. Each amendment to the Declaration shall be executed by either
the duly authorized representative of the Declarant or (if applicable) the President and
Secretary of the Association, and recorded in the Office of the Recorder of Hamilton
County, Indiana, and such amendment shall not become effective until so recorded.
(g) Amendments by Declarant Only. Notwithstanding the foregoing or
anything elsewhere contained herein, the Declarant shall have the right acting alone and
without the consent or approval of the Owners, the Association, the Board of Directors,
any Mortgagees or any other person at any time prior to the Applicable Date to unilaterally
amend and revise (i) the standards, covenants and restrictions contained in this Declaration
and (ii) any and all exhibits attached to this Declaration, unless the amendment of a
particular provision of this Declaration is explicitly prohibited by this Declaration. Such
amendments shall be in writing, executed by Declarant, and recorded with the Recorder of
Hamilton County, Indiana. If Declarant, acting in good faith and in the exercise of its
reasonable judgment, determines that the basis for the General Maintenance Assessment
set forth in this Declaration does not equitably, and reasonably, distribute the costs of
improving, maintaining, repairing, replacing or operating the Common Area, Declarant in
its discretion may unilaterally modify such basis for the General Maintenance Assessment
to provide for an equitable and reasonable distribution of such costs.
(h) Approvals by Declarant. Notwithstanding any other provisions hereof,
prior to the Applicable Date, the following actions shall require the prior approval of
Declarant: the addition of real estate to the Property; dedication or transfer of General
Common Area; mortgaging of the Common Area; amendment of this Declaration; and
changes in the basis for assessment pursuant to this Declaration or the amount, use and
time of payment of assessments.
14. Acceptance and Ratification. All present and future Owners, Mortgagees, tenants,
and occupants of the Lots shall be subject to and shall comply with the provisions of this
Declaration, the Act, the Bylaws, and the Rules and Regulations as adopted by the Board of
Directors as each may be amended or supplemented from time to time. The acceptance of a
contract to purchase, deed of conveyance or act of occupancy of any Lot shall constitute an
17
agreement that the provisions of this Declaration, the Act, the Bylaws, and Rules and Regulations
and as each may be amended or supplemented from time to time are accepted and ratified by such
purchaser, Owner, tenant, or occupant, and all such provisions shall be covenants running with the
land and shall bind any person having at any time any interest or estate in a Lot or the Property as
though such provisions were recited and stipulated at length in each and every deed, conveyance,
mortgage, or lease. All persons, corporations, partnerships, trust, associations, or other legal
entitles who may occupy, use, enjoy, or control a Lot or Lots or any part of the Property in any
manner shall be subject to the applicable Declaration, the Act, the Bylaws, and the Rules and
Regulations as each may be amended or supplemented from time to time. If any Owner, tenant,
occupant or partnership or entity who may occupy, use, enjoy or control a Lot or Lots or any part
of the Property in any manner, are comprised of more than one individual, the liability and
obligations of each such Owner, tenant, occupant, partnership or entity shall be joint and several.
15. Granting of Easements. Declarant is granted the authority to grant easements to
utility companies upon such terms and conditions and for such consideration as it deems
appropriate.
16. Reservation of Rights to the Use of the Common Areas. Declarant shall have, and
hereby reserves, an easement over, across, upon, along, in through an under the Common Areas
for the purposes of installing, maintaining, repairing, replacing, relocating and otherwise servicing
utility equipment facilities and installations to serve the Property, to provide access to and ingress
and egress to and from the Property, to make improvements to and within the Property, and to
provide for the rendering of public and quasi-public services to the Property.
17. Easements for Utilities and Public and Quasi-Public Vehicles. All public and quasi-
public vehicles, including but not limited to police, fire and other emergency vehicles, trash and
garbage collection, post office vehicles, and privately owned delivery and maintenance vehicles,
shall have the right to enter upon the streets, Lots, and Common Areas in the performance of their
duties and services. An easement is also granted to all utilities and their agents for ingress, egress,
installation, replacement, repairing, maintaining of such utilities, including but not limited to
water, sewer, gas telephones, cable television and communications, and electricity on the Property;
provided, however, nothing in this Declaration shall permit the installation of sewers, electric lines,
water lines, telephone lines, cable television lines, or other utilities, except as subsequently may
be approved by Declarant (prior to the Applicable Date) or by the Board of Directors (following
the Applicable Date). By virtue of this easement, the electric and telephone utilities are expressly
permitted to erect and maintain the necessary equipment on the property and to affix and maintain
electric and telephone wires, circuits, and conduits on, above, across, and under the roofs and
exterior walls of the Buildings.
18. Initial Management. As set forth in the Bylaws, the Initial Board of Directors
consists and will consist of persons selected by the Declarant. Such Board of Directors may enter
into a management agreement with Declarant (or a corporation or other entity affiliated with
Declarant) or a third party under which the management company will provide supervision, fiscal
and general management and maintenance of the Common Areas, and in general, perform all of
the duties and obligations of the Association. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
herein, prior to the Applicable Date, Declarant shall have, and Declarant hereby reserves to itself
18
(either through a management company or otherwise), the exclusive right to manage the Property
and to perform all the functions of the Corporation.
19. Costs and Attorneys’ Fees. In any proceeding arising because of failure of an
Owner to make any payments, take any action, or refrain from taking any action required by this
Declaration, the Bylaws, or the Rules and Regulations adopted pursuant to the Bylaws, as each
may be amended from time to time, the Association shall be entitled to recover its costs and
reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with such default or failure.
20. Severability. The invalidity of any covenant, restriction, condition, limitation or
other provisions of this Declaration or the Bylaws shall not impair or affect in any manner the
validity, enforceability, or effect of the rest of this Declaration or the Bylaws.
21. Enforcement. The provisions of this Declaration, the Bylaws, the Articles of
Incorporation, or the Act may be enforced by the Association or by any aggrieved Owner through
court proceedings for injunctive relief, for damages or for both.
22. Construction. Any reference to the masculine, feminine, or neuter gender shall,
unless the context clearly requires the contrary, be deemed to refer to and include the masculine,
feminine, and neuter genders. Words in the singular shall include and refer to the plural, and vice
versa, as appropriate.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned Declarant has caused this Declaration to be
executed as of the day and year first above written.
DECLARANT
OE FLORA, LLC,
an Indiana limited liability company
By: ____________________________
Printed: ____________________________
Title: _____________________________
STATE OF INDIANA )
) SS:
COUNTY OF HAMILTON )
Before me, a Notary Public in and for such County and State, personally appeared
_______________________, _____________________ of OE Flora, LLC, who, after having
been duly sworn, acknowledged the execution of the foregoing Declaration for and on behalf of
such limited liability company.
WITNESS, my hand and Notarial Seal this ______ day of _____________, 2023.
__________________________________________
( ) Notary Public
Commission Expires:_________________ County of Residence: _________________
This instrument prepared by Samantha R. Hargitt, Dinsmore & Shohl LLP, One Indiana Square,
Suite 1800, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204.
I affirm, under the penalties for perjury, that I have taken reasonable care to redact each Social
Security Number in this document, unless required by law. [Samantha R. Hargitt]
EXHIBIT A
Real Estate
EXHIBIT B
Depiction of Property
EXHIBIT C
Code of Bylaws
[See attached.]