POLICY ON MANAGEMENT OF COMMON AREAS - WLHO- Westlake Homeowners Association

WESTLAKE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
POLICY ON MANAGEMENT OF COMMON AREAS
MARCH 1, 2024

The Westlake Homeowners Association owns and manages three wooded tracts of land, commonly referred to as Tracts A, B, and C.  The HOA is committed to maintaining these tracts in their natural state to 1) preserve native plants and species, including oak groves and woodlands; 2) provide a natural buffer between homes and streets; and 3) provide a habitat for birds and wildlife. Such management practices are subject to and guided by the CCRS, as follows:

AMENDED DECLARATION OF COVENANTS AND RESTRICTIONS
Article 1c – "Common area" shall mean all real property owned by the Association for the common use and enjoyment of the unit owners.  
Article 9 - No garbage, refuse, or cuttings shall be deposited on any street, road, or common area.  

AMENDED BYLAWS
Article 4.1a - The Board of Directors shall have authority to carry out and be responsible for the care, upkeep, and supervision of the Project and the common property.
Article 7.1b –Maintenance and repairs of the common property shall be made by the HOA and charged to all members as common expense.  Any damage caused by a member to the common property shall be charged to such member as an additional assessment against such member.
Article 7.2 – The Board from time to time may adopt, amend, or modify rules and regulations governing the common property.  

POLICIES ON MANAGING COMMON AREAS
1    At a maximum 5-year interval, the Board will engage the services of a licensed arborist to evaluate and prepare a written report regarding the overall health of trees in the common areas, with emphasis on those trees on the periphery of the common areas, and will contain recommendations for tree removal and/or pruning to improve overall tree health and reduce potential damage from falling trees and branches.  The Board will then contract with a tree removal service to complete the recommended actions on a timely basis.  The Board may increase such frequency as circumstances require.
2   Fallen trees and trimmings in the common areas will be left to decompose naturally, providing habitat for birds and wildlife and adding nutrients back to the soil.  Wildfire risk may occasionally require that trees and trimmings be removed from the common areas.
3   The Board will enter intoarrangements with various organizations, including the Oswego Lake Watershed Council and the City of Lake Oswego, to remove invasive plant species and the addition of recommended native plants.
4    Damage to a homeowner’s property from afallen tree or branch from the common area is the responsibility of the homeowner and their property insurance provider.



POLICY ON MANAGEMENT OF COMMON AREAS (P2)

5   Homeowner property lines will be enforced.  Expansion into the common areas by any homeowner is prohibited, and the homeowner, under direction by the Board, will be required to restore the common areas to its pre-existing condition, at the expense of the homeowner.  
6   Homeowners shall not deposit their leaves, grass clippings, firewood, garbage, refuse, garbage and yard debris bins, or structures in the common areas.
7   Homeowners may remove invasive species such as blackberry vines and ivy from common areas close to their property lines.  
8    Water from homeowner irrigation systems should be directed away from oak trees to prevent root damage from unnatural dampness.  
9   The Board has designated all common areas to be NON-SMOKING areas.