Hunter s Creek Owner/Renter Handbook Approved by the HUNTER S CREEK BOARD OF DIRECTORS-NOVEMBER 2016 Jan Scherzinger, President janscherzinger@charter.net Don Watts, Vice-President don@wattsconstruction.com Mike Walsh,Treasurer walsh2431@gmail.com John Meninga, Secretary jmeninga@yahoo.com Charlene Nash nashrr33@hotmail.com Nancy Wachsmuth n.wachs@yahoo.com Ken Young tkynsp@gmail.com Contact Information Best Way Disposal (for recycle) 800-950-5519 Al Spitters, Property Manager email: adspitters@yahoo.com Kalamazoo Gazette 269-388-7789 Keller Pest Control (Gives special rates for owners) 269-359-7714 J & P Heating and Air Conditioning (is used by several owners) 269-345-1843 Page 1 Revised November, 2017
Introduction: Hunter s Creek is a residential condominium community located in Comstock Township, Michigan. The administration and maintenance of the condominium association is managed by an elected Board of Directors consisting of seven co-owners. All owners are welcome and encouraged to attend both the Annual Meeting, at which the directors are elected, and the monthly Board Meetings, at which the Association s business is reviewed and policy decisions are made. This handbook was written to assist both current owners and new owners in our community. This is to be considered a quick guide to common questions. It is based on the bylaws and matrix of Hunter s Creek. The final authority would be the Bylaw document itself. This handbook has been approved by the Board of Directors of Hunter s Creek. Advertising: No signs or other advertising devices are permitted which are visible from the exterior of a unit or on the common elements. This includes For Sale signs. Alterations: Residents may not make alterations, additions or structural changes to their condominium, the garages, patio, deck, or any other common area without first filling out a Request for Exterior Modification Form (on the website) and submitting it to a member of the Buildings & Grounds Committee. Work may not proceed without the written consent of the Committee. Owners may certainly paint or paper their interior walls any way they choose, or change floor covering. No doors may be added or walls removed. Animals: All animals must be restrained by their owners on a leash or similar device at all times while on the Condominium Property, including common elements and undeveloped areas. No animals shall be restrained outside of units in a permanent or temporary structure such as a kennel, fenced-in area, ground or other type of system, including but not limited to electric-type fencing. No pets shall be allowed in the clubhouse. All animals must not be obnoxious or offensive to other owners due to noise, odor or unsanitary conditions. The pet owner is responsible for immediately removing all pet waste from the common areas, including the undeveloped areas. There shall be a maximum of 2 animals, domesticated cats or dogs per unit. We have very few restrictions, but please follow the rules we do have so that owners without pets can enjoy the great open space that we have in our complex. Commercial Activity: Condominium units shall be used exclusively for residential occupancy. No unit may be used for offices, retail sales, manufacturing, day care services, rendering of services for profit, or any other commercial activity. Association Fees: HOA fees are due bi-annually on January 10th and July 10th each year. The association treasurer will send out bills in a timely manner and the payment is due to the treasurer. A late fee of $50.00 will be added to any bill that is not paid by the due date. Fees cover the following: Trash removal, snow removal of the street, driveways and sidewalks, lawn, tree and shrub care; insurance of buildings and common areas, including liability; routine maintenance of building exteriors and common areas to exclude air-conditioning units; garage doors, to exclude the remotes and motors; maintenance and replacement of the roads, and operation Page 2 Revised November, 2017
and maintenance of the Clubhouse. Refer to Association insurance policy, and the matrix, for particulars, which is located on the website. Garages & Parking: Garage doors should normally be closed. During hot weather, a 16 -inch opening is permissible for ventilation. Owners cars should be parked overnight in the garage, and may not be displaced by storage boxes, campers, etc. Guests of owners may park in the driveway. No motor homes, boats, trailers or commercial vehicles shall be parked in the complex without approval of the board. No vehicles may be parked on lawn areas. Garage Sales: No garage sales may be conducted on any part of the condominium premises. Moving or estate sales can be held with the Board s permission. Noise: Residents, their guests or invitees, shall not make or permit noise that is disturbing to other residents of the condominium project. This includes noise both from within and outside units. Occupancy: No more than two persons per bedroom shall occupy or reside in condominium units. Guidelines for Lawns, Plants, Shrubs and Gardens: No additional plants or replacement plants are to be placed by any owner/renter in the rocked landscaped areas except as pre-approved by the Exterior Building & Grounds Committee (exterior modification request form is on the website). Added garden areas must also be pre-approved and edged with metal edging. Bushes and trees planted by the Association that die are replaced by the Association as the budget permits. Mowing: Mowing is currently done on Wednesdays, weather permitting, with Thursday as a makeup day. The Association performs the necessary repairs of sprinkler systems at each condo and in the common areas. It is the responsibility of each owner to maintain a green lawn. The sprinkler controllers are set by the Association to operate on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, and are turned off in late September. The underground sprinkler system is highly vulnerable to damage, therefore, it is essential that no vehicles be driven or parked on any grassy areas. Guidelines for Outdoor Decorations: Outdoor decorations and ornaments, including door wreaths, welcome signs, garden flags, statues, and benches, shall be limited to no more than six in the front of the condo, and six in the back. No items may be placed by owners in the shared common areas. Items on the ground shall be no more than 36 inches high and may be placed on the porch in the rock areas around, or in front of the condo, or in a garden. The only item that may be placed in a grassed area is a bird feeder, and it may be positioned only on the side or in the back of the building. Bird feeders, trellises, shepherd s hooks, and potted flowers do not need to be counted as one of the six allowed items, and are exempt from the height restrictions. Objects that are no longer in use must be removed by the owner. Additional details may be found in the Exterior Building & Grounds Guidelines on the website. Flags: US flags can be securely mounted beside the garage door or on the front porch pillar without pre-approval, but must be maintained in good condition following appropriate decorum for US flags. Seasonal flags can be displayed on these same poles for a short time around the holidays. A request for an in-ground flag pole must be approved by the Committee before installation. Additional details may be found under the Exterior Building and Grounds Guidelines on the website. Page 3 Revised November, 2017
Patio Furniture, Grills, and Fire Pits: Patio furniture and grills may be stored on the back patio or deck in a neat manner during the off-season. Gas or charcoal grills may be placed on decks, patios, or in garages, but must be in open areas away from siding when used. Propane fire pits must be pre-approved from the Buildings & Grounds Committee. No wood burning fire pits are allowed. Snow & Ice Removal: The Hunter's Run Association (which includes the houses, Place & Creek) is reponsible to plow and salt all the roads in RUN, PLACE, and CREEK. A portion of your yearly dues is tranfered to them. Typically the contractor plows the roads once the accumulation reaches 2. This contractor is the same contractor Hunter's Creek Association pays to plow our driveways and blow off our sidewalks. Keep in mind plowing will occur based on accumulation and weather conditions. If you have questions or problems you should contact our snow captain (Ken Young-269-806-2499) A more complete document is on the wesite. TV Satellite Dishes: Satellite dishes and wires must be professionally installed and obscured from view as much as possible. In order to protect our roofs, it is preferred that the dishes be mounted on a bracket attached to the siding of the condo if possible. All dishes no longer in use must be removed by the owner, using the Association s approved contractor. Windows/Doors: Storm doors must be of the full-view clear glass type and owners are responsible for all maintenance and replacement. Window coverings should be a neutral color. No blankets or sheets may be used in place of curtains, shades, blinds or drapes. Trash & Recycle: Trash and recycling containers must be stored inside the garage, and be placed at the end of the driveway no sooner than the evening before pickup. All bins must be returned to the garage by the evening of the pickup day. If you know that you will be unable to bring your bin inside, please make arrangements with a neighbor. All items must fit securely inside the bins, and may not be placed on the ground. Our company is Best Way. Trash removal is on Wednesdays. Recycling is the second Wednesday of each month, and is solely the responsibility of the homeowner. Clubhouse Use & Regulations: The Hunter s Creek Association (HCA) takes pride in providing our owners with a beautiful Clubhouse in which to relax with neighbors, friends and guests. The rules are established to ensure that any owner will be able to use and enjoy the use of the Clubhouse without infringing upon the privileges of other owners and their guests. Reserved dates and hours will be entered on the Hunter s Creek website social calendar. The Great Room, Library Room and Patio are included in the reservation. A few general guidelines: (A complete set of the Rules and Guidelines can be found on the Hunter s Creek Website.) 1. The Clubhouse is open daily for general use by HCA residents from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM, unless special arrangement is made through the Clubhouse Committee. 2. The Clubhouse is not open to HCA owners and other authorized users for general use during a private reservation. 3. The Clubhouse may not be used for any activity or function directly leading to profit for HCA owners or their guests, or other unauthorized users and their guests. 4. The Clubhouse cannot be used for childrens or teenage parties. Any child under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult owner at all times. Page 4 Revised November, 2017
5. The Clubhouse cannot be reserved by any outside organization unless previously approved. 6. The Clubhouse reservation must be for the authorized user s personal use. The resident must be present at all times. 7. A code is required to enter the Clubhouse. Check with a board member for the code. To reserve the clubhouse for a private event: Contact Judi Jackson - 552-9681 to request the date. The reservation form can be found on the website, as well as a more detailed list of information and fees. Holiday Regulations: Lighting and decorations for the Christmas/Holiday Season are acceptable between November 15 and January 15. Door wreaths are permitted for the entire winter season. Other specific holiday decorations (e.g., Halloween and Easter) are allowed two weeks before and one week after the holiday. Newsletter: A quarterly newsletter is published by e mail and sent to all homeowners and renters. Barb & John Meninga co-edit at this time, and articles should be sent to them at bmeninga@yahoo.com. Each newsletter contains Board Briefs, new neighbors, articles of interest to our community and pictures of social activities and goings-on in Hunter s Creek. Caring Committee: Contacting neighbors when a death, illness, or event occurs, this committee helps with providing a meal for family and friends. Co-chairs are Diane Dekker and Greg Shanley, and there are representatives on every street in our development to assist. Activities & Social Committee: We have an active social committee that plans activities and seasonal parties, as well as bi-monthly TGIF s and monthly Saturday coffees. The chairperson is Greg Shanley, and the social committee calendar is on the website, so always check there if in doubt. Upcoming activities are also listed in the Events of the Week email that is sent to all homeowners and renters, typically on Sunday, by John Meninga, our current secretary. Our ongoing activities include: Book Club: Third Tuesday of every month (Contact Sandy Wooldridge) Bible Study: Last Wednesday of every month (Contact Nancy Hess) Golf: (seasonal, on Friday mornings contact Greg Shanley) Euchre: (Wednesday evenings; contact person to be named) Walking Club: seasonal (contact Cheryl Hatfield) Check the calendar on the website for more detailed information, as well as the times for these activities. Website: URL: http://www.hunterscreekassoc.com If you do not have the password, call or email a board member. All kinds of information: Contact sheet, Calendar, List of board members, bylaws, etc. It is highly recommended that all owners have access to e mail and internet so as to facilitate delivery of HCA information. Page 5 Revised November, 2017