HomeMy WebLinkAboutDeclaration-Covenants, Conditions, & Restrictions
DECLARATION OF
COVENANTS, CONDITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS
OF
THE LAKES AT TOWNE ROAD
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THIS DECLARATION, made on the 220d day of May, 2005, by TOWNE
ROAD PROPERTIES, LLC, an Indiana limited liability company, ("Declarant"),
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, Declarant is the owner of certain real estate, located in Hamilton
County, Indiana, which is more particularly described in Exhibit "A" (hereafter
"Property") attached hereto and by this reference made a part hereof, upon which
Declarant intends to develop a residential subdivision.
NOW, THEREFORE, Declarant hereby declares that all the Property shall be
held, occupied, sold and conveyed, subject to the following easements, restrictions,
limitations, covenants and conditions, which are for the purpose of protecting the value
and desirability of, and which shall run with the Property and be binding on all parties
having any right, title or interest in the Property, or any part thereof, their heirs,
successors, and assigns, and shall inure to the benefits of each owner thereof.
ARTICLE I
Name
The subdivision of the Property created by this Declaration shall be known and
designated as The Lakes at Towne Road (hereafter "Subdivision").
ARTICLE II
Definitions
The following terms, when used throughout this Declaration, shall have the
following meanings and definitions:
Section 2.1 "Articles" means the Articles of Incorporation of the Association (as
hereinafter defined) filed, or to be filed, with the Office of the Secretary of State of
Indiana, as the same are or hereafter may be amended from time to time.
Section 2.2 "Association" means the LAKES AT TOWNE ROAD
HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC., a non-profit corporation, its successors and
aSSIgns.
Section 2.3 "Board of Directors" means the Board of Directors of the
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Association.
Section 2.4 "Builder" means a person or entity engaged in and responsible for the
original construction of a residence on a Lot.
Section 2.5 "Common Area" means" (1) those portions of the Property, including
improvements thereto, facilities and personal property owned, to-be-owned, leased or to-
be-leased by the Association from time to time for common use, benefit and enjoyment
of the Owners (as hereinafter defined), (2) Lake Area, as defined below, and (3) items (if
any) deemed Common Area for maintenance purposes only. Unless expressly stated to
the contrary, the term Common Area as used herein (whether or not so expressed) shall
include all portions of the Property designated on the Plat (as hereafter defined) as a
"Block", "Common Area", "C.A.", "Pond", or such other areas within the Property that
are not otherwise identified on the Plat (as hereafter defined) as a lot or street. The
Common Area to be conveyed to the Association at the time of conveyance of the first
Lot to an Owner is described in the Plat (as hereinafter defined).
Section 2.6 "Common Expenses" shall mean and refer to expenses of
administration of the Association, and expenses for the upkeep, maintenance, repair and
replacement of all Common Area, and all sums lawfully assessed against the Owners by
the Association, and all sums, costs and expenses declared by this Declaration to be
Common Expenses.
Section 2.7 "Declarant" means TOWNE ROAD PROPERTIES, LLC, an
Indiana limited liability company and its successors and assigns.
Section 2.8 "Development Period" means the penod of time commencing with
Declarant's acquisition of the Property and ending when Declarant has completed the
development and sale of, and no longer owns, any Lot or any other portion of the
Property .
Section 2.9 "Dwelling Unit" means any single-family residence situated upon a
Lot (as hereinafter defined).
Section 2.10 "Lake Area(s)" means any Common Area on which a lake or pond
now exists or is later constructed by Declarant and "Lake" means a body of water which
now exists or is later constructed by Declarant in a Lake Area.
Section 2.11 "Lot or "Lots" means, as the context requires, any parcel or parcels
of land designated as such upon the Plat (as hereinafter defined) or, after construction,
that parcel of land upon which there is constructed a Dwelling Unit that is conveyed to an
Owner (as hereinafter defined) by the Declarant. Subject to any necessary approval of the
appropriate governmental authority, a "Lot" may contain portions of real estate greater or
less than its originally platted dimensions should the Declarant deem it advisable in order
to accommodate the construction of a Dwelling Unit.
Section 2.12 "Owner" means the record owner, whether one or more persons or
entities, of the fee simple title to any Lot which is a part of the Property, including
contract sellers, but otherwise excluding those having such interest merely as security for
the performance of an obligation. Unless specifically indicated to the contrary, the term
"Owner" shall include the Declarant.
Section 2.13 "Plat" means the subdivision plats of Property, which are recorded
with the Recorder of the county in which the Property is located, as the same may be
hereafter amended or supplemented pursuant to this Declaration.
ARTICLE III
Property Rie:hts. Easements. and Encroachments
Section 3.1 Owners' Easements of Enioyment of Common Area. Every Owner
shall have a nonexclusive right and easement of enjoyment, in common with all Owners,
in and to any Common Area, which nonexclusive right and easement or enjoyment shall
be appurtenant to and shall pass with title to every Lot (in the form of a right to
membership in the Association), subject to the following provisions:
(a) The right of the Association to suspend the voting rights and right to use of
any recreational facilities, if any, by any Owner (i) for any period during which any
assessment remains unpaid and (ii) for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days for any
infraction of its published rules and regulations;
(b) The right of the Association to charge reasonable admission and other fees for
the use of recreational facilities, if any, situated upon the Common Area owned by the
Association;
( c) The rights of Declarant as provided in this Declaration, as the same may be
amended from time to time;
(d) The right of the Association to promulgate reasonable rules and regulations
governing the use of the Common Area owned by the Association including, without
limitation, parking, swimming, boating, fishing, (including the denial thereof of any such
rights) and upon improvements, additions or alterations to the Lots and the Common
Area owned by the Association;
(e) The easements reserved elsewhere in this Declaration and the right of the
Association to grant further reasonable utility easements across and through the Common
Area owned by the Association for the benefit of its members;
(t) The right of the Association to mortgage any or all of the Common Area
owned by the Association, upon the approval of two-thirds (2/3) of the membership of
each class of members of the Association;
(g) If ingress or egress to any Lot is through the Common Area, any conveyance
or encumbrance of such Common Area is subject to such Lot Owner's easement for
ingress and egress;
(h) The right of the Association to dedicate or transfer all or any part of the
Common Area owned by the Association to any public agency, authority or utility for
such purposes and subject to such conditions as may be agreed to by the members or
otherwise allowed pursuant to this Declaration, as amended. No such dedication or
transfer, except as allowed pursuant to this Declaration, shall be effective unless there is
recorded an instrument agreeing to such dedication or transfer signed by two-thirds (2/3)
of the membership of each class of members of the Association;
(I) All other rights, obligations and duties as set forth in this Declaration, as the
same may be from time to time amended or supplemented; and
G) The right of the Declarant to erect any signs (I) advertising the sale of Property
or any Lot and/or (ii) identifying the Subdivision.
Section 3.2 Delegation of Use. In accordance with the By-Laws and any
reasonable and nondiscriminatory rules and regulations promulgated from time to time by
the Association, and subject to the rights of others as set forth in this Declaration, any
Owner may assign his or her right of enjoyment of the Common Area owned by the
Association, to family members, guests, tenants or contract purchasers who reside on the
Lot.
Section 3.3 Certain Obligations and Access Rights to the Common Area.
(a) Except as otherwise set forth in this Declaration, the Association, subject to
the rights of the Owners as set forth in this Declaration, shall be responsible for the
management and control, for the exclusive benefit of the Owners as provided herein, of
the Common Area owned by the Association and for the maintenance of the same in
good, clean, attractive, safe and sanitary condition, order and repair.
(b) The Association shall have and is hereby granted a general right access and
easement to all of the Common Area owned by the Association and across the Lots, at
reasonable times and at any time in case of emergency, as reasonably required by its
officers, directors, employees and their agents and independent contractors, to the full
extent necessary or appropriate to perform its obligations and duties as set forth in this
Declaration. The easements and rights specified herein also are reserved for the benefit
of Declarant so long as Declarant owns any portion of the Property and for so long as
Declarant may be liable under any builder's warranty.
Section 3.4 General Drainage. Utility. Sewer and Other Develooment Easement-
The following rights and easements reserved in this Section 3.4 shall not be exercised
with respect to a Lot, after the conveyance of such Lot, in a manner that (i) unreasonably
and adversely affects any Dwelling Unit or portion thereof located upon such Lot or the
Owner's use or enjoyments thereof, or (ii) unreasonably restricts the rights of ingress and
egress to such Lot. The following rights and easements reserved by Declarant in this
section 3.4 shall run with the land, and Declarant's right to further alter or grant
easements shall automatically terminate and pass to the Association one (1) year after
Declarant shall have conveyed the last Lot within the Property:
(a) Declarant hereby reserves unto itself, and unto any public or private utility, a
general easement ("General Drainage, Utility, and Sewer Easement") for drainage, utility
and sewer purposes in, on and over all of the Common Area and any Lot, so as to permit
Declarant to properly install and allow to be installed and maintained all electrical,
telephone, water, gas, and sanitary and storm sewer, to serve any Dwelling Unit
constructed on the Property. This General Drainage, Utility, and Sewer Easement shall
include all areas of the Property outside any Dwelling Units, with the exception of any
areas covered by chimneys, or patios. Improvements or permanent structures installed
within the Common Areas are subject to the rights (including the right to remove where
reasonably necessary without duty of replacement or reimbursement) of the Declarant
and any public or private utility to construct, maintain, repair or remove any necessary
facilities. By virtue hereof, Declarant reserves the right to install a lake(s) or pond(s)on
any Common Area. The rights hereunder and easements hereby reserved survive the
conveyance, by the Declarant to the Association, of any Common Area. This easement
shall be in addition to any easement identified or designated upon a Plat as a drainage,
sewer, utility, cable, landscape, sign, transmission, flowage or similar type easement.
(b) Declarant reserves unto itself during the Development Period, and thereafter
unto the Association, an easement ("Lake Easement") and right-of-way in and to any
Lake Area(s) or areas now or hereafter shown on the Plat as a "Block", "Common Area",
"Lake", "Pond", or any other Common Area within the Property used as a water retention
or detention area, or on which a Lake now exists or is later constructed, for the purpose of
fulfilling any maintenance obligations set forth in this Declaration and/or establishing and
maintaining proper surface water drainage throughout the Property, and an easement of
ingress and egress through so much of the remainder of the Property as is reasonably
necessary or appropriate, to perform such actions as Declarant or the Association deem
necessary or appropriate, for the purpose of establishing and maintaining proper surface
water drainage throughout the Property, which such actions shall include the
construction, repair and maintenance of retention and detention ponds or lakes in
accordance with the requirements of applicable law and of all governmental agencies
having jurisdiction (without undertaking any obligation or duty to exceed such
requirements).
(c ) Declarant reserves unto itself during the Development Period, and thereafter
unto the Association, the right and an undefined sign and facilities easement ("Sign and
Facilities Easements") to install, erect, construct and maintain an entryway sign or signs,
directional signs, advertising signs advertising the Property or the Lots therein, lighting,
walkways, pathways, fences, walls and any other landscaping, architectural and
recreational features or facilities considered necessary, appropriate, useful or convenient,
anywhere upon the Property (except upon any Lot after the first conveyance thereof).
Any such signs shall comply with any applicable zoning requirements and all such
facilities shall be maintained by the Association as a part of its Common Area
maintenance obligations.
(d) Declarant reserves unto itself during the Development Period, and thereafter
unto the Association, the full right, title and authority to:
(i) Relocate, alter or otherwise change the location of any Drainage,
Flowage, Utility, Sewer and Lake, Sign and Facilities Easement, or any facility at any
time located therein or thereon;
(ii) Grant such further easements, licenses and rights-of-way, temporary or
permanent, exclusive or non-exclusive, surface or otherwise, as Declarant may deem
necessary or appropriate, for ingress and egress, utility and similar purposes on or within
any portion of the Property, for the benefit of the Property or any portion thereof; and,
(iii) Describe more specifically or to change the description of any
Drainage, Flowage, Utility, Sewer, Lake, Sign and Facilities Easement or any other
easement, license or right-of-way now or hereafter existing on the Property, by written
instrument, amended Plat or amendment to the Plat recorded in the Office of the
Recorder of the County in which the Property is located.
(e) The title of the Association (as to the Common Area owned by the Association
during the Development Period) and of any Owner of any Lot shall be subject to the
rights and easements reserved herein.
Section 3.5 Easement for Emergency Purposes. An easement is hereby dedicated
and granted for use in the case of an emergency by emergency vehicles such as fire
trucks, police cars and ambulances and emergency personnel, public and private, over
and upon the Common Area.
Section 3.6 Fee Title to Lot. The fee title to any Lot described as bounded by any
street, lane, walkway, park, pond, lake, or any other common property which has not
been dedicated or accepted by the public and the fee title to any Lot shown on any Plat as
abutting upon any such common property shall not extend upon such common property
and the fee title to such common property is reserved to the grantor to be conveyed to the
Association for the common enjoyment of all residents in the Subdivision.
Section 3.7 Designated Drainage. Utility. and Sewer Easements. There are strips
of ground designated on the Plat as drainage easements, utility easements, sewer
easements, sanitary sewer easements and storm sewer easements, or any combination
thereof (hereafter collectively "DU&E Easements"), which are hereby reserved to the
appropriate governmental entities, public utilities, private utilities and Provider(s) for the
installation and maintenance of swales, ditches, pipes, drains, sanitary sewers, manholes,
detention and retention areas or other drainage facilities. Purchasers of Lots in this
Subdivision shall take title subject to such easements hereby created and subject at all
times to the rights of proper authorities to service and maintain such drainage facilities
and easements, and no permanent structure of any kind and no part thereof except fences
which do not retard or impede the flow of drainage water and which are approved
pursuant to Section 4.2 below, shall be built, erected or maintained on said drainage
easements, except by the Declarant or its assigns. It shall be the responsibility of the
Association and the Owners of the areas enclosed within such easements to maintain such
areas in such condition that the flow of storm drainage waters on, across and from said
areas shall not be impeded, diverted or accelerated. Such use for storm water movement
or retention or detention is hereby declared to be an easement and servitude upon said
land for the benefit of the Owners of other land included within the Plat, upstream or
downstream, affected by such use and for any proper governmental agency or department
or any private or public utility. All proper governmental agencies or departments and
public and private utilities are hereby given the right to obtain access to such areas to
perform maintenance and to perform such maintenance as may be necessary to protect
that easement and servitude rights. It shall be the responsibility of the Association and
the Owner of any Lot or parcel of land with the Plat to comply at all times with the
provisions of the drainage plan as approved for the applicable Plat by the appropriate
governmental agency or department and the requirements of all drainage permits for such
Plat issued by those agencies. Failure to so comply shall operate as a waiver and release
of the Declarant, the developer, or their engineers and agents from all liability as to
damage caused by storm waters or storm drainage.
Further, there are easements and servitudes upon the land within the Plat in favor
of surface water runoff along natural valleys and drainage channels running to Owners of
other land contained within the Plat, upstream and downstream. It shall be the
responsibility of the Association and the Owners of these natural valleys and channels to
use their land and maintain said natural valleys and channels in such manner and
condition that the flow of storm drainage waters on, across, from and to such areas shall
not be impeded, diverted or accelerated.
Section 3.8 Designated Easements for Landscaping. Mounding. Screening and Signage.
Within any strip of ground shown or designated on the Plat as a landscape
easement, landscape maintenance easement, landscape maintenance access easement, or
by any similar language indicating a landscaping purpose, Declarant hereby reserves unto
itself during the Development Period and thereafter unto the Association, the exclusive
and sole right to (i) erect signs which advertise the Property or availability of Lots, and/or
identify the Subdivision and (ii) install landscaping, mounding, walls, and screening.
Notwithstanding anything in this Declaration to the contrary, no planting shall be done,
and no hedges, walls, signs, fences or other improvements shall be erected or maintained
in the area of such easements, except by the Declarant during the Development Period
and thereafter by the Association. Furthermore, notwithstanding anything in this
Declaration to the contrary, no planting shall be done, and no hedges, walls, fences,
structures, signs, or other improvements shall be erected between (i) the area of any such
easements and (ii) any perimeter roadway, public highway or right-of-way along the
perimeter or boundary of the Property, except by the Declarant.
Section 3.9 Street Dedication All streets now or hereafter located upon the
Property are hereby dedicated to the public.
Section 3.10 Easement Work Notwithstanding any architectural approval under
Section 4.2 below, during the course of any maintenance, service, repair or work upon
any easement, the Declarant, the Association, any private utility, any public utility, and/or
any governmental entity shall have the right and the authority, without any obligation or
liability whatsoever planted, to any owner, to remove, damage, or destroy any fence or
other structure or landscaping built, erected, maintained or planted in any easement
described in Section 3.7 and Section 3.8 above.
Section 3.11 No Access. There may be strips of ground designated on the Plat as
"no access strips", "no access", "no access easement", "no access esmt", or by other
similar language. Vehicular ingress, egress and traveling and/or the construction of
improvements for such ingress, egress and/or traveling, is prohibited on, over, or across
any such strips or areas.
Section 3.12 Reservation of Right to Grant Easement. The Declarant hereby
reserves the right, in its discretion, to (I) grant easements upon, under, over and across the
Property for the benefit of land that is adjacent to the Property and/or (ii) to obtain, for
the benefit of the Property, easements upon, under, over and across the real estate that is
adjacent to the Property.
Section 3.13 Stormwater Management. The Subdivision has been designed to
include storm water quality best management practices (BMPs). These BMPs shall be
maintained in accordance with the Operations and Maintenance Manual for such BMPs
by the Declarant until such time as the control of the Association is transferred to the
individual Owners in the Subdivision, as detailed in Article V of this Declaration. Any
fees and City of Indianapolis requirements associated with these BMPs shall be the sole
responsibility of the Association.
ARTICLE IV
Use. Restrictions. and Architectural Control
Section 4.1 Lot Use and Convevance. All Lots shall be used exclusively for
single family detached residential purposes, except that Declarant, during the
Development Period, reserves (a) the rights provided in this Declaration respecting the
Property generally, and (v) the right subdivide, dedicate or otherwise conveyor
designate all or any portion of anyone or more Lots which it may own from time to time
for recreational or other common uses and benefit of all Owners and other members of
the Association. Any Lot or portion thereof so designated for common use shall become
part of the Common Area owned by the Association, and reasonable rules and regulations
shall be promulgated and enforced with respect thereto so that the use and enjoyment of
adjacent Lots by the Owners thereof shall not be unreasonably disturbed. Except as
provided in the Declaration, no Lot shall be subdivided to form units of less area. Each
Lot shall be conveyed as a separately designated and legally described freehold estate
subject to the covenants, conditions and restrictions contained herein.
Section 4.2 Architectural Control. No building, outbuilding, mailbox, fence,
satellite dish, pool, wall or other structure, except original construction of Dwelling Units
by or on behalf of the Declarant, shall be commenced, erected or maintained upon the
Property, not shall any exterior addition to or change or alteration therein, other than by
the Declarant, be made until the plans and specifications showing the nature, kind, shape,
height, materials, color and location of the same shall have been submitted to and
approved in writing as to harmony of external design of the Development Period, the
Board of Directors of the Association. After the Development Period, the Board of
Directors may appoint three (3) or more representatives to an Architectural Control
Committee. Any change in the appearance or the color of any part of the exterior of a
residence shall be deemed a change thereto and shall require the approval therefore as
above provided. In the event that written approval is not received as required hereunder
within thirty (30) days after complete plans and specifications have been submitted, then
the request for approval shall be deemed DENIED.
Every Owner, by the purchase of Lot, shall be conclusively presumed to have consented
to the exercise of discretion by the Declarant, the Board of Directors, and/or the
Architectural Control Committee. In any judicial proceeding challenging a determination
by the Declarant, Board of Directors, and/or Architectural Control Committee and in any
action initiated to enforce this Declaration in which an abuse of discretion by the
Declarant, Board of Directors, and/or Architectural Control Committee is raised as
defense, abuse of discretion may be established only if a reasonable person, weighing the
evidence and drawing all inferences in favor of the Declarant, Board of Directors, and/or
Architectural Control Committee, could only conclude that such determination
constituted an abuse of discretion.
The Declarant, during the Development Period, and thereafter the Board of Directors
and/or the Architectural Control Committee, may in its discretion inspect work being
performed without the Owner's permission to assure compliance with these restrictions
and applicable regulations. All improvements must be constructed as approved and,
therefore, must be constructed per the approved plans and in the approved location. If
construction of an improvement is not completed within thirty (30) days after approval,
then the Declarant, during the Development Period, and thereafter the Board of Directors
or the Architectural Control Committee may, in its discretion, withdraw and revoke the
approval.
Under no circumstances shall the Declarant, the Board of Directors, and/or the
Architectural Control Committee be liable in any way for costs, fees, damages, delays, or
any changes or liability whatsoever relating to the approval or disapproval of any plans
submitted to it. Under no circumstances shall the Declarant, the Board of Directors,
and/or the Architectural Control Committee be responsible in any way for any defects in
any work done according thereto. Further, the Declarant, the Board of Directors, and/or
the Architectural Control Committee make no comment, representation or warranty as (I)
to the suitability or advisability of the design, the engineering, the method of construction
involved, or the materials to be used and/or (ii) the compliance of any intended
improvements with applicable laws, statues, zoning ordinances, and/or municipal
regulations. All parties should seek professional advice, engineering, and inspections on
each lot prior to proposing construction.
Section 4.3 Animal Kennels. Animal kennels or quarters that are not connected
to a Dwelling Unit are prohibited. Animal quarters or kennels that are to be connected to
the Dwelling Unit cannot be constructed until after the Declarant approves them, during
the Development Period, and thereafter by the Board of Directors and/or the
Architectural Control Committee.
Section 4.4 Animals. No animals shall be kept or maintained on any Lot except
domestic, household pets traditionally kept in individual residences throughout the state
of Indiana. No more than two (2) dogs and two (2) cats may concurrently be kept at any
one Dwelling Unit or Lot. All such pets shall be kept reasonably confined so as not to
become a nuisance. Excessive barking of dogs or vicious animals shall constitute a
nuisance and may be ordered by the Association to be removed from the property.
Section 4.5 Development and Sale Period. Nothing contained in this Article IV
shall be construed or interpreted to restrict the activities of Declarant or a Builder in
connection with the development of the Property and sale of Lots. During the
Development Period, Declarant or a Builder shall be entitled to engage in such activities
and to construct, install, erect, and maintain such facilities, upon any portion of the
Property at any time owned or leased by Declarant or a Builder, as in the sole opinion of
Declarant or a Builder may be reasonably required, or convenient or incidental to, the
development of the Property and sale of the Lots; such facilities may include, without
limitation, storage areas, signs, parking areas, model residences, construction offices,
sales offices and business offices.
Section 4.6 Drains. No house footing drain or roof water drain shall be
discharged into the sanitary sewers.
Section 4.7 Electric Bug Killers. Electric bug killers, "zappers", and other similar
devices shall not be installed at a location or locations which will result in the operation
thereof becoming a nuisance or annoyance to other Owners, and shall be operated only
when outside activities require the use thereof and not continuously.
Section 4.8 Fences. No fencing, landscape screening, or walls may be constructed
or installed until after architectural approval is obtained from the Declarant, during the
Development Period, and thereafter the Board of Directors and/or the Architectural
Control Committee. It is the goal to keep all fencing or screening harmonious with the
architectural character of the community. No fence or screen will be approved which
obstructs necessary sight lines for vehicular traffic. Undue obstruction of views from
adjoining properties and amenity areas will be taken into consideration when reviewing
fences for approval. No front yard fencing is permitted, except on a Lot which there is
maintained a sales office or model home by Declarant or Builder. If approved by the
Declarant, during the Development Period, and thereafter by the Board of Directors
and/or the Architectural Control Committee, fences may be privately installed but must
be constructed to professional levels of quality, design, material, composition, and color
as determined by the Declarant, during the Development Period, and thereafter by the
Board of Directors and/or the Architectural Control Committee. Nonprofessionally
installed fences may be inspected by the Declarant, during the Development Period, and
thereafter by the Board of Directors and/or the Architectural Control Committee after
completion in order to ensure that the fence is of a professional quality, and final
approval of such fence shall be deemed withheld until completion of this final review.
All fences shall be kept in good repair by Owner. In general, fences shall be located on
the property line; provided, however, that no fence shall be located any closer to the front
of a Dwelling Unit than six (6) feet behind the line of the face of the Dwelling Unit
nearest the front line, not counting patios, terraces, entryways, or steps.
Fences are to be wrought iron, cedar, or treated pine. Front yard fences shall be limited
to forty two (42) inches in height and shall be a minimum of 50% open. Fences shall be
no greater than six (6) feet in height in all other yards. Stockade fences are prohibited.
No fence shall be constructed until the Declarant first approves its materials, design, and
location, during the Development Period, and thereafter by the Board of Directors and/or
Architectural Control Committee. Walls above grade must be constructed of natural
stone, masonry, wood or shadow box fencing. All approvals of landscape screening
materials, design, and location shall be on an individual basis.
The exact location, material, color and height of the fence and rendering or photograph
thereof shall be submitted to the Declarant, during the Development Period, and
thereafter to the Board of Directors and/or the Architectural Control Committee for
written approval at least thirty (30) days prior to proposed construction. If however,
approval has not been received by applicant in writing within thirty (30) days after
submitted, then said request shall be considered DENIED.
Section 4.9 Garbage and Refuse Disposal. No Lot shall be used or maintained as
a dumping ground for trash. Rubbish, garbage or other waste shall be kept in sanitary
containers out of public view. All equipment for storage or disposal of such materials
shall be kept clean and sanitary.
Section 4.10 Home Occupations. No Lot or Dwelling Unit located thereon shall
be used for any purpose other than as a single family residence, except a home
occupation which is both permitted under the applicable zoning ordinance and which also
complies with the following guidelines:
(a) Any home occupation must be conducted entirely from within the residence
and conducted solely by a member of the immediate family residing in said
Dwelling Unit;
(b) Any home occupation must be clearly incidental and secondary to the use of
the Dwelling Unit for residential purposes;
(c ) There can be no sign or display that will indicate from the exterior of the
Dwelling Unit that the Dwelling Unit is being used, in whole or in part, for
any purpose other than that of a residential dwelling;
(d) No commodity can be sold from the Lot or Dwelling Unit located thereon;
(e) No persons can be employed other than a member of the immediate family
residing in the Dwelling Unit;
(f) No manufacturer or assembly operations can be conducted; and
(g) Customers cannot enter upon the Lot or Dwelling Unit for the purpose of
conducting business.
In no event shall the following activities be conducted: child care, barber shop, styling
salon, animal hospital, kennel, any form of animal care or treatment such as dog
trimming, or any similar activities. The child care prohibition applies to any situation
where an Owner is using their Lot to watch children unrelated to that Owner for money
or other compensation.
Section 4.11 Lakes. Lake Area(s). Except as otherwise provided, no individual
using a Lake, if any, has the right to cross another Lot or trespass upon shoreline not
within a Common Area, owned by the Association, subject to rights of a Declarant, the
Association, their employees, heirs, successors and assigns as set forth in the Declaration.
No one shall do or permit any action or activity which could result in pollution of any
Lake, diversion of water, elevation of any Lake level, earth disturbance resulting in
silting or any other conduct which could result in an adverse effect upon water quality,
drainage or proper Lake management except as provided in the Declaration. No Owner
shall pump water out of the Lake. A Lake may not be used for swimming, ice skating,
boating, or for any other purpose, except for drainage of the Property, unless expressly
and specifically approved by the Board of Directors in writing and allowed by law.
Lakes and Lake Areas mayor may not exist on the Property, and the reference
throughout this Declaration to Lakes and Lake Areas is made in order to address Lakes
and Lake Areas, if any, which now exist or are later constructed upon the Property. The
installation on the Property of any Lake or Lake Area shall be within the sole discretion
of the Declarant, and under no circumstances shall the Declarant be required or obligated
to install any Lake or Lake Area. Only the Declarant and the Association shall have the
right to store items or develop recreational facilities upon any Common Area owned by
the Association adjacent to a Lake.
Section 4.12 Leasing. Any Lot may be leased by its Owner. Any lessee
occupying a Dwelling Unit shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this
Declaration as if they were the Owner of that Lot.
Section 4.13 Mailboxes. All mailboxes installed upon Lots shall be uniform and
shall be of a type, color and manufacture approved by the Declarant during the
Development Period and, thereafter, by the Board of Directors and/or the Architectural
Control Committee.
Section 4.14 Mini Barns and Outbuildings. Mini barns, outbuildings, and other
similar structures that are detached from a Dwelling Unit are prohibited.
Section 4.15 Motor Vehicle Repair. The repair of inoperative motor vehicles or
material alteration of motor vehicles shall not be permitted on any Lot unless entirely
within a garage permitted to be constructed per the terms of the Declaration. Any
inoperative motor vehicle must be kept within a garage.
Section 4.16 Nuisances. No noxious or offensive activities shall be carried on or
be permitted to exist on any Lot, nor shall anything be done thereon which may be or
become an annoyance or nuisance. Any structure or building permitted to be constructed
on any Lot by this Declaration, which may be all or in part destroyed by fire, wind, storm
or any other reason, shall be rebuilt and restored to its previous condition within a
reasonable length of time, and all debris accumulated in connection therewith shall be
removed within a reasonable time after any such occurrence.
Section 4.17 Outside Burning. No trash, leaves, or other materials shall be burned
upon a Lot if smoke there from would blow upon any other Lot and, then, only in
acceptable incinerators and in compliance with all applicable legal requirements.
Section 4.18 Outside Storage. The use of clotheslines is prohibited. All
equipment, garbage cans, service yards, woodpiles or storage piles shall be kept from
view of neighboring homes and streets. All rubbish, trash or garbage shall be regularly
removed from the premises, and shall not be allowed to accumulate thereon. Trash must
be stored in enclosed containers.
Section 4.19 Outside Use of Lots. Except in an individual patio area appurtenant
to a Dwelling Unit, no planting or gardening shall be done, and no fences, hedges, walls
or other improvements shall be erected or maintained upon the Property except such as
installed in accordance with the initial construction of the buildings located thereon or as
approved by the Declarant, during the Development Period, and thereafter by the Board
of Directors and/or the Architectural Control Committee. Above ground swimming pools
are prohibited on the Property, except for small removable kiddie pools.
Section 4.20 Permitted Uses. No use shall be made of any Lot except as
permitted by the applicable zoning and subdivision control ordinances under which this
property is developed. No construction, significant earth-moving activity or excavation
work of any nature may be conducted on any Lot without the prior express approval of
the Declarant, during the Development Period, and thereafter by the Board of Directors
and/or the Architectural Control Committee.
Section 4.21 Residential Use. Lots may be used only for residential purposes and
only for one single-family dwelling, a private garage, and other such outbuildings as are
usual and incidental to the use of a residential lot. All lots in this subdivision shall be
designated as residential Lots.
Section 4.22 Rules and Regulations. The Board of Directors from time to time
may promulgate further rules and regulations concerning the use of Lots and the
Common Area owned by the Association. A majority of those Owners voting at a
meeting called for the purpose may rescind or modify any rule or regulation adopted by
the Board of Directors. Copies of all rules and regulations shall be furnished by the
Board to all Owners, at the Owner's last known address, prior to the time when the same
shall become effective. The Association shall have current copies of the Declaration,
Articles and By-Laws, and other rules concerning the Property as well as its own books,
records and financial statements available for inspection by Dwelling Units in the
Property. These documents shall be available during normal business hours or under
other reasonable circumstances.
Section 4.23 Semi-tractor trucks. trailers. etc. No semi-tractor trucks, semi-
trucks, semi-tractor trailers, recreational vehicles, boats, campers, mobile homes, motor
homes, disabled vehicles, andlor trailers shall be permitted to park on the Property or a
Lot unless fully enclosed in a garage, or unless the same is necessary and incident to the
Declarant's, Builder's or Association's business on the Property. No motor vehicle shall
be parked or stored on any Lot except in a garage or driveway. Parked or stored motor
vehicles in Lot yards or other non-paved areas are strictly prohibited. No more than two
(2) motor vehicles may be parked in a driveway at anyone time.
Section 4.24 Septic Systems. No septic tank, absorption field, or any other on-
site sewage disposal system, other than a lateral main connected to a sanitary sewage
collection system, shall be installed or maintained on any Lot.
Section 4.25 Sign Limitations. No sign of any kind, other than those installed by
Declarant, the Association, or a Builder, may be displayed to public view on any Lot,
except that one sign with an area of not more than six (6) feet may be displayed with the
purpose of advertising the Lot for sale.
Section 4.26 Storage Tanks. All above or below ground storage tanks, with the
exception of gas storage tanks sued solely in connection with gas grills for the purpose of
grilling or cooking food, shall be, and hereby are, prohibited.
Section 4.27 Temporary Structures and Outbuildings. No structure of a
temporary character, such as a tent or shack shall be erected, placed, or altered upon any
Lot for use as a residence either temporarily or permanently, or at any time be used for
such purpose.
Section 4.28 Unsightly Growth. In order to maintain the standards ofthe
Property, no grass exceeding six (6) inches in height, weeds, underbrush or other
unsightly growths shall be permitted to grow or remain upon any Lot, and no refuse pile
or unsightly objects shall be allowed to be placed or suffered to remain anywhere
thereon. Failure to comply shall warrant the Declarant or the Association to cut
grass/weeds or clear the refuse from the Property at the expense of the Owner, and there
shall be a lien against said Lot for the expense thereof, which lien shall be due and
payable immediately. If such lien is not promptly paid, the Association or the Declarant
may file suit and recover such amount together with reasonable attorney's fees and costs
of collection.
Section 4.29 Lawn Ornaments. All lawn ornaments (e.g. gazing balls) are
prohibited unless expressly approved by the Declarant until the end of the Development
Period, and thereafter by the Board of Directors and/or Architectural Control Board.
Section 4.30 Satellite Dishes. No satellite dish may be constructed or installed
until after architectural approval is obtained from the Declarant, during the Development
Period, and thereafter the Board of Directors and/or the Architectural Control Committee.
No satellite dish shall be approved that exceeds thirty (30) inches in diameter, or that
does not meet applicable Federal Communications Commission (FCC) standards
applicable.
ARTICLE V
Association Membership. V odne: Rie:hts.
Board of Directors. and Professional Manae:ement
Section 5.1 Membership. Initially, the person(s) who serve as incorporator(s) of
the Association shall be the member(s) (the "Initial Member(s)"). The Initial Member(s)
shall remain member(s) of the Association until the Association Articles of Incorporation
are accepted by the Indiana Secretary of State, at which time the Initial Member(s) shall
cease to be member(s) unless they also qualify as Class A or Class B members. Every
Owner of a Lot, which is subject to assessment, shall be a member of the Association.
Apart from the Initial Member(s), a membership in the Association shall be appurtenant
to and may not be separated from ownership of any Lot.
Section 5.2 Classes of Membershio and V otine Rights. The Association shall
have the following two classes of voting membership:
Class A. Class A members shall be all Owners with the exception of the
Declarant. Class A members shall be entitled to one (1) vote for each Lot owned.
When more than one person holds an interest in any Lot, all such persons shall be
members. The vote for such Lot shall be exercised as the members holding an
interest in such Lot determine among them, but in no event shall more than one
vote be cast with respect to any Lot.
Class B. The Class B members shall be the Declarant. The Declarant
shall be entitled to three (3) votes for each Lot owned. For purposes of this calculation, it
shall be assumed that Declarant owns all Lots, which number shall be reduced as Lots are
conveyed by the Declarant to an Owner. The Class B Membership shall cease and be
converted to a Class A Membership on the happening of either of the following events,
whichever occurs earlier:
(I) December 31, 2010; or
(ii) When the total number of votes outstanding in the Class A Membership is
equal to the total number of votes outstanding in the Class B Membership;
provided, however, that the Class B Membership shall recommence in the
event that the Declarant subsequently records a plat or part of or all of the
Property and, by virtue thereof, total number of votes outstanding in the Class
A Membership is no longer equal to or greater than the total number of votes
outstanding in the Class B Membership; or
(iii) The date on which the Class B Member agrees in writing to the cessation and
conversion of the Class B membership.
Section 5.3 Board of Directors. The Board of Directors of the Association shall
be appointed and/or elected as prescribed by the Association's Articles and By-Laws.
The Board of Directors shall manage the affairs of the Association. Directors need not be
members of the Association.
Section 5.4 Professional Management. The Association may, in its sole and
subjective discretion, engage or employ a professional manager or management
company, possessing experience in the management of homeowners associations, to
assist the Board of Directors in the management and administration of the Association.
No contract or agreement for professional management of the Association, nor any other
contract between Declarant and the Association, shall be for a term in excess of three (3)
years. Any such agreement of contract shall provide for termination by either party with
or without cause and without payment of any termination fee upon written notice of
ninety (90) days or less.
Section 5.5 Fulfillment of Commitments. Notwithstanding the cessation of the
Class B membership and the turnover of the Association, and notwithstanding the
conveyance of any Common Area by the Declarant to the Association, the Declarant
reserves the right to enter upon any Lots and/or Common Areas for the purpose of
complying with any written or unwritten commitments extended to any municipality or
zoning jurisdiction in connection with any zoning approvals, plat approvals, variance
approvals, special use or exception approvals, and/or any other approvals granted by such
municipality or zoning jurisdiction.
ARTICLE VI
Covenant for Maintenance Assessments
Section 6.1 Creation of the Lien and Personal Obligation of Assessments. Each
Owner of any Lot in the Subdivision, except the Declarant or Builder, by acceptance of a
deed therefore, whether or not it shall be so expressed in such deed, is deemed to
covenant and agree to pay to the Association:
(a) Regular Yearly Assessments (for maintenance, repairs and ordinary operating
expenses, including Common Expenses); and
(b) Special Assessments for capital improvements and operating deficits and for
special maintenance or repairs as provided in this Declaration; and
(c) One-Time Assessment for purposes specified below
Assessments against a Lot shall commence to accrue from the date each Lot is
conveyed by the Declarant to an Owner and shall be collected as hereinafter provided.
All such assessments, together with prejudgment interest at eight percent (8%) per
annum, costs and reasonable attorneys' fees, shall be a charge on the land and shall be a
continuing lien upon the property against which each such assessment is made. Each
such assessment, together with interest, costs, and reasonable attorneys' fees, shall also
be the personable obligation of the person who was the Owner of such property at the
time when the assessment fell due. The personal obligation for delinquent assessments
shall not pass to such Owner's successors in title unless expressly assumed by them. No
charge or assessment shall ever be levied by the Association against the Declarant or
Builder.
Section 6.2 Purpose of Regular Yearlv Assessments. The Regular Yearly
Assessments levied by the Association shall be used exclusively, in the reasonable
discretion of the Board of Directors of the Association, for the promotion of the
recreation, health, safety and welfare of the residents in the Property, for the
improvement, maintenance and repair of the Common Area, for the performance of the
obligations and duties of the Association and for other purposes only as specifically
provided herein. As and if necessary, a portion of the Regular Yearly Assessments shall
be set aside or otherwise allocated in a reserve fund for the purpose of providing repair
and replacement of the Common Area, and other capital improvements which the
Association is required to maintain.
Section 6.3 Maximum Regular Yearlv Assessments.
(a) Until January 1 of the year immediately following the conveyance of the first
Lot to an Owner, the maximum Regular Yearly Assessment on any Lot shall be Three
Hundred Dollars ($300.00) per Lot per year. The Regular Yearly Assessment provided
for herein shall commence for each Lot on the date of conveyance of such Lot to an
Owner, which assessment shall be prorated according to the number of days remaining in
the calendar year of the conveyance. For every year thereafter a conveyance of a Lot, the
Owner shall pay the Regular Yearly Assessment in full.
(b) From and after January 1 of such year, the maximum Regular Yearly
Assessment may be increased each calendar year no more than twenty percent (20%)
above the maximum Regular Yearly Assessment for the previous year, without a vote of
the membership. In addition, upon the employment and engagement by the Association
of a professional manager or management company to assist the Board of Directors in the
management and administration of the Association, there shall immediately and
automatically, without a vote of membership, be added to the regular annual assessment
the cost of such professional management.
(c) From and after January I of such year, the maximum Regular Yearly
Assessment may be increased each calendar year by more than twenty percent (20%)
above the maximum Regular Yearly Assessment for the previous year, by a vote of two-
thirds (2/3) of the votes entitled to be cast by members who cast votes in person or by
proxy at a meeting duly called for this purpose.
(d) The Board of Directors from time to time may fix the Regular Yearly
Assessment, without any vote of the membership, at any amount not in excess of the
maxImum.
Section 6.4 Special Assessments for Capital Improvements and Operating
Deficits. In addition to the Regular Yearly Assessments authorized above, the
Association may levy a Special Assessment 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 have the approval of two-thirds (2/3) ofthe votes
entitled to be cast by those members who cast votes in person or by proxy at a meeting
duly called for this purpose.
Section 6.5 One-Time Assessment. Upon the closing of the initial conveyance of
each Lot by Declarant, the purchaser of Lot shall pay to the Association, in addition to
any other amounts then owed or due to the Association, as a contribution to its working
capital and start-up fund, an amount of Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00), which payment
shall be non-refundable and shall not be considered as an advance payment of any
assessment or other charge owed the Association with respect to such Lot. Such working
capital and start-up fund shall be held and used by the Association for payment of, or
reimbursement to Declarant for advances made to pay, expenses of the Association for its
early period of operation of the Association and the Property, to enable the Association to
have cash available to meet unforeseen expenditures, or to acquire additional equipment
or services deemed necessary by the Board of Directors.
Section 6.6 Quorum. Written notice of any meeting called for the purpose of
taking any action authorized under this Article shall be sent to all Members not less than
thirty (30) days or more than sixty (60) days in advance of the meeting. At the first such
meeting called, the presence of Members or of proxies entitled to cast sixty percent
(60%) ofthe total number of votes entitled to be cast (Class A and Class B votes
combined) shall constitute a quorum. If the required quorum is not present, another
meeting may be called subject to the same notice requirement, and the required quorum
at the subsequent meeting shall be one-half(~) of the required quorum at the preceding
meeting. No such subsequent meeting shall be held more than sixty (60) days following
the preceding meeting.
Section 6.7 Uniform Rate of Assessment. Regular Yearly Assessments and
Special Assessments for capital improvements and to recover operating deficits must be
fixed at a uniform rate for all Lots, except that Declarant and any individual or entity
purchasing a Lot or Lots solely for the purpose of construction of a for-sale Dwelling
Unit thereon (a "Builder") shall only pay twenty-five (25%) of the Regular Yearly
Assessments and Special Assessments so long as any Dwelling Unit constructed upon a
Lot by Declarant or Builder has not been conveyed to an Owner intending to occupy or
rent said Dwelling Unit as a residence or leased to an individual or entity for use as a
residence.
Section 6.8 Date of Commencement of Year Iv Assessments; Due Dates. The
Regular Yearly Assessment provided for herein shall commence as to each Lot within a
recorded Plat on the first day of the first month following the recording of such Plat. The
Board of Directors shall fix any increase in the amount of the yearly assessments at least
thirty (30) days in advance of the effective date of such increase. Written notice of any
increase in the Regular Yearly Assessment, and written notice of any Special Assessment
and such other assessment notices as the Board of Directors shall deem appropriate, shall
be sent to every Owner subject thereto. The due dates for all assessments, and the
assessment and collection period (I.e., annual, monthly, lump-sum or otherwise) for any
Special Assessments, shall be established by the Board of Directors. The Association
shall, upon demand, and for a reasonable charge, furnish a certificate in recordable form
signed by an Officer of the Association setting forth whether the assessments on a
specified Lot have been paid. A properly executed certificate from the Association
regarding the status of assessments for any Lot shall be binding upon the Association s of
the date of its issuance.
Section 6.9 Effect ofNonpavment of Assessments: Remedies of the Association.
If any assessment (or periodic installment of such assessment, if applicable) is not paid
on the due date established therefore pursuant to this Declaration, then the entire unpaid
assessment (together with interest thereon, costs and attorneys' fees as provided in this
Declaration) shall become delinquent and shall constitute a continuing lien on the Lot to
which such assessment relates, binding upon the then Owner, his heirs, devisees,
successors and assigns. The personal obligation of the then Owner to pay such
assessments, however, shall not pass to such Owner's successors in title unless expressly
assumed by them. If any assessment is not paid within thirty (30) days after the due date,
the assessment shall bear interest from the date of delinquency at the rate of twelve (12%)
per annum, and the Association may bring an action at law against the Owner personally
obligated to pay the same, or foreclose the lien against the property, or both. In such
event, there shall be added the amount of such assessment the costs and attorney's fees of
preparing and filing the complaint in such action; and in the vent a judgment is obtained
such judgment shall include interest on the assessment as above provided, costs of the
action and reasonable attorneys' fees to be fixed by the court. No Owner may waive or
otherwise escape liability for the assessments provided for herein by nonuse of the
Common Area owned by the Association or abandonment of his Lot.
Section 6.10 Subordination of the Lien to Mortgagees; Sale or Transfer. The lien
of the assessments provided for herein shall be subordinate to the lien of any first
mortgage. The sale or transfer of any Lot pursuant to the foreclosure of any first
mortgage on such Lot (without the necessity of joining the Association in any such
foreclosure action) or any proceedings or deed in lieu thereof shall extinguish the lien of
all assessments becoming due prior to the date of such sale or transfer. No sale or
transfer of any Lot (whether voluntary or pursuant to foreclosure or otherwise) shall
relieve such Lot from liability for any assessments thereafter becoming due or from the
lien thereof; and, except as hereinabove provided, the sale or transfer of any Lot shall not
affect the lien of assessments becoming due prior to the date of such sale or transfer
except to the extent that a purchaser may be protected against the lien for prior
assessments by a binding certificate from the Association, issued pursuant to this
Declaration, as to whether or not such assessments have been paid.
ARTICLE VII
Maintenance. Repairs and Replacements
Section 7.1 Bv Owners. Except as specifically provided in this Declaration, each
Owner shall furnish and be responsible for the Maintenance of all portions of his Lot. All
fixtures and equipment installed within or as part of the Dwelling Unit, commencing at
the points where the utility lines, pipes, wires, conduits or systems enter the Lot upon
which said Dwelling Unit is located, shall be maintained and kept in repair by the Owner
thereof. Each Owner shall promptly perform all maintenance and repair of his Lot and
Dwelling Unit which, if neglected, might adversely affect any other Lot or Dwelling Unit
or any part of the Common Area owned by the Association. Such maintenance and
repairs include, but are not limited to, all exterior surface, siding, roof, gutters, internal
water lines, plumbing, electric lines, gas lines, appliances, and all other fixtures,
equipment and accessories belonging to the Owner and a part of or appurtenant to his
Dwelling Unit or Lot.
Section 7.2 Common Properties and Lawns by the Association.
(a) The Association, as part of its duties, and as part of the Common Expenses,
shall provide for:
Lakes,
(I) Maintenance of the Common Area. Maintenance of the Common Area
shall include, but shall not be limited to, fertilizing, treating any
mowing and replanting when necessary of the grass and trees and
maintenance of any other improvement within the Common Area;
(ii) Maintenance of the entry signs, permanent subdivision identification
sign, and landscaping installed by the Declarant in any Common Area, or
any Landscape Easement, Landscape Maintenance Easement, Landscape
Maintenance Access Easement or similar easement;
(iii) The maintenance of any street lights which are installed by Declarant
and which are not located upon any Lot; and,
(iv) The maintenance of any brick surface installed by Declarant on any
internal street or entryway.
(v) Stormwater BMPs, as discussed in Section 3.13 of this Declaration.
The Board of Directors may adopt such other rules and regulations concerning
maintenance, repair, use and enjoyment of the Common Area owned by the Association
(or any items deemed Common Area for purposes of maintenance only) as it deems
necessary .
(b) Notwithstanding any obligation or duty of the Association to repair or
maintain any of the Common Area owned by the Association (or any items deemed
Common Area for purposes of maintenance only), if, due to the willful, intentional or
negligent acts or omissions of an Owner or a member of his family or of a guest, tenant,
invitee or other occupant or visitor of such Owner, damage shall be caused to the
Common Area owned by the Association (or any items deemed as such for purposes of
maintenance only), or if maintenance, repairs or replacements shall be required thereby
which would otherwise be at the Common Expense, then such Owner shall pay for such
damage and such maintenance, repairs and replacements, as may be determined by the
Association, unless such loss is covered by the Association's insurance with such policy
having a waiver of subrogation clause. If not paid by such Owner upon demand by the
Association, the cost of repairing such damage shall be added to and become a part of the
assessment to which such Owner's Lot is subject.
(c) The authorized representatives of the Association, the Board of Directors and
the Managing Agent for the Association (if any) are hereby granted an easement for
access upon and to any Lot as may be required in connection with maintenance only,
repairs or replacements of or to the Common Area owned by the Association or any items
deemed as Common Area for purposes of maintenance only, including, but not limited to,
access to any easements reserved by any Plat of any portion of the Property for such
purposes.
ARTICLE VIII
Insurance
Section 8.1 Liability Insurance. The Association shall purchase a master
comprehensive general liability insurance policy in such amount or amounts as the Board
of Directors shall deem appropriate from time to time. Such comprehensive general
liability insurance policy shall cover the Association, its Board of Directors, any
committee or organ of the Association or Board of Directors, all persons acting or who
may come to act as agents, or employees of any of the foregoing with respect to the
Association. It shall also cover all common Area owned by the Associations, public
ways and any other areas under the Association's control or supervision. The premiums
for all such liability policies shall be a Common Expense.
Section 8.2 Fidelity Bonds. The Association shall have blanket fidelity bonds for
anyone who either handles or is responsible for funds held or administered by the
Association, whether or not they receive compensation for their services. The
Association bonds shall name the Association as the oblige and the premium shall be paid
as a Common Expense by the Association. Any management agent that handles funds
for the Association shall be covered by its own fidelity bond, which must provide the
same coverage required of the Association. The Association shall be named as an
additional oblige in the management agent's bond. The fidelity bond shall cover the
maximum funds that will be in the custody of the Association or its management agent at
the time while the bond is in force. In addition, the fidelity bond coverage must at least
equal one (1) year's assessments on all Dwelling Units in the Property, plus the
Association's reserve funds. If available, the fidelity bonds must include a provision that
calls for ten (10) days' written notice to the Association or insurance trustee before the
bond can be canceled or substantially modified for any reason.
Section 8.3 Miscellaneous Insurance Provisions. The Association shall obtain any
other insurance required by law to be maintained, including but not limited to workmen's
compensation insurance, and such other insurance as the Board of Directors shall from
time to time deem necessary, advisable or appropriate. Such insurance coverage shall
also provide for and cover cross liability claims of one insured party against another
insured party. Such insurance shall inure to the benefit ofthe Association, its Board of
Directors and any managing agent acting on behalf of the Association. The premiums for
all such insurance coverage shall be a Common Expense.
Section 8.4 Casualtv and Restoration. Damage to or destruction of any Common
Area actually owned by the Association due to fire or any other casualty or disaster shall
be promptly repaired and reconstructed by the Association and the proceeds of insurance,
if any, shall be applied for that purpose. The same obligation shall apply to an Owner,
and not the Association, for damage or destruction to the Owner's Dwelling Unit. For
purposes of this Section, repair, reconstruction and restoration shall mean construction or
rebuilding of the damaged property to as near as possible the same condition as it existed
immediately prior to the damage or destruction, with the same or a similar type of
architecture.
Section 8.5 Insufficiencv ofInsurance Proceeds. If the insurance proceeds
received by the Association as a result of any such fire or any other casualty or disaster
are not adequate to cover cost of repair and reconstruction, or in the event there are no
insurance proceeds, the cost for restoring the damage and repairing, and reconstructing
the Common Area actually owned by the Association or any improvements damaged or
destroyed (or the costs thereof in excess of insurance proceeds received, if any) shall be
paid by the Association which shall then have the right to levy a Special Assessment
against all Lots for such deficiency.
Section 8.6 Surplus of Insurance Proceeds. In the event that there is any surplus
of insurance proceeds after the reconstruction or repair of the damage has been fully
completed and all costs paid, such sums may be retained by the Association as a reserve
or may be used in the maintenance and operation of the Property. The action ofthe
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.
ARTICLE IX
Morte:ae:es
Section 9.1 Mortgagee Rights. In addition to any other rights provided elsewhere
in this Declaration to mortgagees, any lender or lenders holding a first mortgage or first
mortgages upon any Lot or Lots, jointly or singly, may pay any real estate taxes or other
against any Common Area owned by the Association or any other property owned by the
Association; and may pay any overdue premiums on any hazard, casualty, liability or
other insurance policies or secure new insurance coverage on the lapse of any policies for
any such property owned by the Association or covering any property for which the
Association has an obligation to maintain insurance coverage. Any such lender or
lenders making payments in accordance with this Section shall be entitled to immediate
reimbursement therefore from the Association along with any costs incurred, including
reasonable attorneys' fees.
Section 9.2 Notice to Mortgagees. The Association, upon request, shall provide
to any lender holding a first mortgage upon any Lot, a written certificate or notice
specifying unpaid assessments and other defaults of the Owner of such Lot, if any, in the
performance of such Owner's obligations under this Declaration, the Articles of
Incorporation of the Association, its By-Laws or any other applicable documents, which
default has not been cured within sixty (60) days. A reasonable charge may be made by
the Association for the issuance of any such certificate or notice, and any such certificate
properly executed by an officer of the Association shall be binding upon the Association,
as provided in this Declaration.
Section 9.3 Condemnation and Insurance Awards. No provisions of this
Declaration, or any amendment thereto, shall give an Owner, or any other party, priority
over any rights of the first mortgagee of a Lot pursuant to its mortgage in the case of a
distribution to such Owner of insurance proceeds or condemnation awards for losses to or
a taking of Common Area property.
Section 9.4 Right of First Refusal. The Association DOES NOT have the "right
of first refusal" to purchase any Dwelling Unit. Any right of "right of first refusal"
subsequently granted to the Association through amendment of the Declaration,
Association Articles, Association By-Laws or any other document governing the
development and administration of the Properties must receive the prior written approval
of the Federal Housing Administration or Secretary of the Department of Housing and
Urban Development. Any "right of first refusal" subsequently added in the Declaration,
Association Articles, Association By-Laws or any other document governing the
development and administration of the Property must not impair the rights of a first
mortgagee to:
(a) Foreclose to take title to a Dwelling Unit, and the Lot upon which the
Dwelling Unit is situated, pursuant to the remedies in the mortgage;
(b) Accept a deed or assignment in lieu of foreclosure in the event of default by a
mortgagor; or
(c ) Sell or lease a unit acquired by the mortgagee.
Section 9.5 Unpaid Dues or Charges. Any first mortgagee who obtains title to a
Dwelling Unit, and Lot upon which the Dwelling Unit is situated, pursuant to the
remedies in the mortgage or through foreclosure, will not be liable for the Dwelling
Unit's unpaid dues or charges accrued before the acquisition of the title to the Dwelling
Unit by the mortgagee.
ARTICLE X
General Provisions
Section 10.1 Right of Enforcement. In the event of a violation, or threatened
violation, of any of the covenants, conditions and restrictions herein enumerated,
Declarant, the Association or any Owner and all parties claiming under them shall have
the right to enforce the covenants, conditions and restrictions contained herein, and
pursue any and all remedies, at law or in equity, available under applicable Indiana law,
with or without proving any actual damages, including the right to secure injunctive relief
or secure removal by due process of any structure not in compliance with the covenants,
conditions and restrictions contained herein, and shall be entitled to recover reasonable
attorneys' fees and the costs and expenses incurred as a result thereof.
Section 10.2 Severability and Waiver. The Declaration shall be enforceable to
the fullest extent permitted at law or in equity. Invalidation of anyone of the covenants,
restrictions or provisions contained in this Declaration by judgment or court order shall
not in any way affect any of the other provisions hereof, which shall remain in full force
and effect. No delay or failure by any person to enforce any of the restrictions or to
invoke any available remedy with respect to a violation or violations thereof shall under
any circumstances be deemed or held to be a waiver by that person of the right to do so
thereafter, or as estoppel of that person to assert any right available to him upon the
occurrence, recurrence or continuation of any violation or violations of the restrictions.
Section 10.3 Assignment. Declarant may at any time assign some or all of its
rights and obligations under this Declaration. Such assignment shall be effective after it
is executed and recorded by Declarant with the Recorder of the County in which the
Property is located. After such assignment is recorded with the Recorder of the County
in the which in the Property is located, Declarant shall have no further obligations or
liabilities under the Declaration with respect to the rights or obligations assigned.
Section 10.4 Amendment. This Declaration and the covenants, conditions and
restrictions set forth in this Declaration, as from time to time amended in the manner
hereafter set forth, shall run with the land and shall be binding upon the persons owning
any portion of the Property and all parties closing under them. This Declaration may be
amended or modified at any time by an instrument recorded in the Office of the Recorder
of the County in which the Property is located, approved and signed by at least seventy-
five (75%) of then Owners. Provided, however, that none of the easements, rights, or
duties of Declarant reserved or set out hereunder may be amended or changed without
Declarant's prior written approval. Except as prohibited in the paragraph immediately
below, the Declarant reserves the right and power to amend this Declaration without the
approval of the Owners: (I) to correct or clarify the legal description of the Property or
the Additional Real Estate; (ii) to correct clerical or typographical errors; (iii) to make
nominal changes in the Declaration; (iv) to the extent necessary to conform to any
requirements imposed or requested by any governmental agency, public authority or
financial institution (including the u.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,
the U.S. Veterans Administration, Federal National Mortgage Association, Federal Home
Loan Mortgage Corporation, or similar agency); or (v) to the extent necessary to enable
the Declarant to meet any other reasonable need or requirement, including those
associated with the completion of the development of the Property and to facilitate the
making or marketing of first mortgages upon any lots. Any amendment must be
recorded.
Neither the Association, the Owners or Declarant shall affect any of the following
changes without the prior written approval of two-thirds (2/3) of the Owners of Lots
(excluding Declarant or Builder):
(a) By act or omission seek to abandon, partition, subdivide, encumber, sell or
transfer the Common Area owned directly or indirectly by the Association for the benefit
of the Owners of the Dwelling Units. The granting of easements for public utilities or
other public purposes consistent with the intended use of the Common Area owned by the
Association by the Dwelling Unit Owners is not a transfer in the meaning of this clause;
(b) Fail to maintain fire and extended coverage on insurable Common Area
owned by the Association on a current replacement cost basis in an amount at least one
hundred percent (100%) of the insurable value (based on current replacement costs);
(c ) Use hazard insurance proceeds for losses to any Common Area owned by the
Association for other than the repair, replacement, or reconstruction of the Common Area
owned by the Association.
Section 10.5 HUD Amendment Approval. All other provisions of the
Declaration, Association Articles, Association By-Laws or any other document
governing the development and administration of the Property notwithstanding, so long
as there is a Class B membership, the following actions will require the prior approval of
the Federal Housing Administration or Secretary of the Department of Housing and
Urban Development:
(a) Annexation of additional properties other than the Additional Real Estate;
(b) Dedication or Mortgaging of Common Area; and
(c ) Amendment of the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions.
Section 10.6 Condemnation. Destruction or Liauidation. The Association shall
be designated to represent the Owners in any proceedings, negotiations, settlements or
agreements for the handling of any losses or proceeds from condemnation, destruction or
liquidation of all or a part of the Common Area owned by the Association, or from the
termination of the development. Each Dwelling Unit Owner, by his acceptance of a
deed, appoints the Association as his attorney-in-fact for this purpose. Proceeds from the
settlement will be payable to the Association for the benefit of the Dwelling Unit Owners
and their mortgage holders. Any distribution of funds in connection with the termination
of this development shall be made on a reasonable and an equitable basis.
Note: The wooded portion of tile common area East of Raceway Road may be dedicated or transferred to the Indianapolis Parks
Department at a later date.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, TOWNE ROAD PROPERTIES, LLC, an
Indiana limited liability company, has caused this Declaration to be executed as of the
date first written above.
TOWNE ROAD PROPERTIES, LLC
An Indiana limited liability company
By:
Ryan G. Thomas, Member
STATE OF INDIANA
) SS
COUTNY OF HAMIL TON
Before me the undersigned, a Notary Public in and for said County and State,
personally appeared Ryan G. Thomas, a Member of Towne Road Properties, LLC, an
Indiana limited liability company, and having been duly sworn, acknowledged execution
of this Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions of the Lakes At Towne
Road Subdivision.
Witness my hand and Notarial Seal this _ day of
2005
My Commission Expires:
Residing in
Notary Public
County
Printed Name