Frequently Asked Questions
Click to Jump to: Homeowners Association, Dues Assessment, Traffic Safety, Board of Directors, Properties, Architectural Control Committee, CC & Rs, Meetings, and Pets.
Click to Jump to: Homeowners Association, Dues Assessment, Traffic Safety, Board of Directors, Properties, Architectural Control Committee, CC & Rs, Meetings, and Pets.
Q: What is the HOA?
A: The Homeowner’s Association (HOA) is a legal structure, established by the developers of this subdivision, to implement the Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&R’s) filed when the developer began construction of the homes of Spring Meadow. The CC&R’s are a legally binding contract between each individual homeowner and all of the other owners of properties in the subdivision.
Q: What are the CC&R’s?
A: Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&R’s) which govern the houses within the Spring Meadow Subdivision. This document establishes standards relating to external improvements that a homeowner may implement. They apply to painting choices, boat parking, car ports, and many other items. The intent of the CC&R’s is to maintain the livability and attractiveness of our subdivision.
Q: What is the purpose and mission of Spring Meadow HOA?
A: The HOA is responsible for administering the CC&R’s. It does so by electing a Board of Director’s to consider a homeowner’s request to change the appearance of anything on his/her property that can be seen by others.
Q: How much are the Spring Meadow HOA dues?
A: The annual dues assessment is currently $100 per year. Dues are billed at the beginning of each calendar year (January).
Q: What are the annual dues used for?
A: Dues are used for maintenance of the common areas and white vinyl fence along the bend of 53rd St and Chinook Dr. They are also used to pay for management, bookkeeping services, and where necessary, legal fees to enforce the CC&R’s or collect fees charged for the late payment of dues and/or fines for non-compliance with the CC&R’s. A large amount is placed in reserve to pay for replacement of the vinyl fence along 53rd Street, to repair sidewalks that are the HOA’s responsibility, and replace trees within the common areas.
Q: There are a lot of speeding cars on my street and people running stop signs. Why isn’t the HOA doing anything about it?
A: These things are covered by the Oregon Vehicle Code and enforced by the Albany Police Department (APD). The HOA Board has, in the past, asked APD to monitor our streets and punish the offenders. We encourage all homeowners to participate with these efforts by calling (541) 917-7680 when they witness unsafe driving.
Q: Who serves on the Board of Directors?
A: The Board of Directors consists of up to eleven (11) property owners from the Spring Meadow subdivision.
Q: How long do Directors serve on the Board?
A: Directors are elected to serve 2 year terms and may be re-elected for an unlimited number of terms.
Q: How are Directors compensated?
A: Directors are volunteer positions and are not paid. In addition, Directors pay the same annual assessment that the rest of the Members.
Q: How can I become a Director of the Board?
A: Four to five seats are open for election each year at the Annual Member Meeting. These seats will be filled by a vote of all members present at the meeting. There are also occasional vacancies on the Board. Vacant seats are filled by appointment of the remaining Directors. Appointed Directors serve for the remaining term of the person that they replace. Members interested in serving on the Board or on any of the HOA committees should contact a member of the Board or Willamette Community Management via e-mail, telephone, or postal mail.
Q: How many properties are in the Spring Meadow HOA?
A: 457
Q: The property behind mine is not part of Spring Meadow HOA. The property or owners are in violation of the Spring Meadow CC&Rs? What can the Spring Meadow Board do about it?
A: Spring Meadow CC&Rs are not binding on properties that are not part of the Spring Meadow HOA.
The HOA does not have any authority over these other property owners. However, if you see a non-member homeowner conducting activities that threaten the health and safety of the neighborhood or constitute a nuisance you should contact your representatives on the City Council. Of course, the Board is more than willing to assist you should you bring the matter to the Board’s attention.
Q: Are all of the properties off the North side of 53rd Ave part of Spring Meadow?
A: No. There is another HOA that manages the Brookfield subdivision and there are a number of properties in between that do not appear to belong to any HOA. The streets of Antelope Cir/Ct, Elk Cir, Deer Run, Otter Ct, Black Bear Ct, or Beaver Ct and additionally the part of Elk Run North of 53rd and South of Cougar are not part of Spring Meadow.
Q: What is the Architectural Control Committee (ACC)?
A: The ACC was established to comply with the requirements of the Bylaws and implement the CC&Rs. The ACC consists of five (5) Association members that are appointed by the Board of Directors. The 2 ACC’s role is to ensure that the neighborhood is maintained in a manner in which structures, landscaping, and property are in harmony with one another.
Q: I want to build a structure in my back yard. Do I really need ACC approval?
A: Yes. The Board has published rules providing pre-approval for many types of smaller structures. These rules are available on the Spring Meadow website. A Homeowner planning to build a structure not covered by the pre-approval rules must obtain written approval from the ACC by submitting a Modification Request form that requests detailed design information such as a plot plan (with dimensions) showing placement on the property.
Q: How long does the ACC have to respond to my request to build a structure on my property?
A: Thirty (30) days from the date of the postmark on a mailed request and thirty (30) from receipt via email.
Q: I want to repaint my house. Do I need ACC approval?
A: Yes, only if you are changing the color(s).
Q: How long does the ACC have to respond to my request to change the color of my house?
A: Fifteen (15) days from receipt of a Modification Request with proposed color samples.
Q: I just purchased a new boat or RV. Where am I allowed to park it?
A: The CC&Rs clearly state that “All boats, trailers, recreational vehicles, equipment, campers and the like must be parked off the streets … in a garage or on a concrete pad (singular) beside a garage built specifically for that purpose.
Q: There are violations of the CC&Rs on my street, what is the Board doing to fix this?
A: The Board will notify the property owner of the violation and ask that the homeowner comply with the requirements. Most complaints are resolved quickly and easily. In rare instances where a homeowner is uncooperative, the Board may undertake legal action to ensure compliance.
Q: What are the most frequent complaints that the Board receives?
A: Inappropriately parked boats, trailers, RVs; visible trash and yard debris cans, basketball hoops in the public rights-of-way (streets and sidewalks); poorly maintained landscaping; dogs and cats running loose and defecating on lawns and in gardens of members who are not their owners.
Q: My neighbor says that he doesn’t want to follow the CC&Rs and that the Board can’t make him! Can the Board make him follow the CC&Rs?
A: As permitted by ORS 94.630, ORS 94.709, and the CC&Rs for Spring Meadow, failure to comply with the rules may subject a member to a fine previously established in the Spring Meadow HOA Fine Schedule, legal fees and other charges. Where this becomes necessary, a lien may be placed on the property in the amount of the assessed charges until such time as compliance is obtained. However, the Board does not take those actions lightly and makes all reasonable attempts to resolve the issue in a non-threatening manner.
Q: Over 30 days ago, I complained about a CC&R violation that my neighbor had. Why is the violation still present?
A: Since the Board wishes to conduct CC&R compliance activities the Board provides members with the opportunity to voluntarily resolve violation notices. For a number of reasons this may take some time: new homeowners may not have received a copy of the CC&R’s from the title company handling their purchase; a homeowner may have become injured and needs extra time; or ownership of the property may have been assumed by a financial company (foreclosure) and the Board has difficulty identifying an individual to which to address a violation letter.
Q: Are there faster ways of eliminating a violation?
A: Possibly. If the CC&R violation is also a violation of the Albany Municipal and Land Development Codes contacting the City Code Enforcement team might yield faster results. However, if legal action is necessary to enforce the provisions of the City Codes, it may take longer.
Q: I cannot make it to the Board meetings. Are the meeting minutes available?
A: All meeting minutes are posted on the HOA website as soon as they are available. Paper copies may also be obtained from the Board Secretary for a small fee.
Q: I’d like to attend the Board meetings but I never receive enough notice when the sign goes up. How else can I find the schedule of the Board meetings?
A: Once they are established, meeting dates are posted on the HOA. In addition, a sign announcing the date, time and location of the meeting is placed in the landscape median on 53rd Street, near the first street in the subdivision. Meetings are typically held once a month.
Q: Are members allowed to participate in the Board meetings?
A: Board meetings are held to discuss and make decision about current issues before the Board. An agenda is followed. The Board has set aside a period of time near the beginning of each Board meeting to hear member concerns or comments. Concerns raised can then be added to the current agenda or scheduled for consideration at the next month’s meeting.
Q: Are pets allowed to run loose in the neighborhood?
A: The CC&Rs specifically prohibit allowing pets to run loose. “No animal of any kind, including dogs and cats, shall be allowed to interfere with the quiet enjoyment of the other residents in … or permitted untended upon the streets or upon premises of other occupants ….”
Q: Other people’s dogs and cats defecate in my yard. Is this really allowed?
A: The CC&Rs specifically prohibit allowing pets to defecate on the lawns of members. “No animal of any kind, including dogs and cats, shall be allowed to interfere with the quiet enjoyment of the other residents in … or permitted untended upon the streets or upon premises of other occupants ….”
Q: My neighbor’s dog barks in the middle of the night for minutes/hours at a time. Is this allowable?
A: The CC&Rs specifically prohibit allowing pets to disturb the neighborhood. “No animal of any kind, including dogs and cats, shall be allowed to interfere with the quiet enjoyment of the other residents … or permitted untended upon the streets or upon premises of other occupants of ….”
Q: The CC&Rs prohibit animals from disturbing the neighborhood and from defecating in my yard. What can realistically be done about it?
A: With satisfactory evidence of whose animal is causing the issue the Board can take action as set out earlier in this document. However, since HOA enforcement can take a number of months to achieve results an alternative is for you to contact the City of Albany Code enforcement team. For barking dogs, a call to the Albany Police Department on their non-emergency line.