Dove Run Homeowners Newsletter

Update from the Homeowner's Association

Dear Homeowner,
We hope this letter finds you enjoying the summer weather and keeping cool. We want to take this opportunity to provide an update on the progress of the Homeowners Association (HOA). The Landscaping, Website and Architectural Review Committees have all been working very hard to expedite the start-up of the HOA and address the issues most important to all of our homeowners.

The Landscaping Committee presented three landscaping bids (for the main entranceway) to homeowners on the 21st, 23rd and 24th of May. The homeowners who attended chose the William Radford Landscaping plan by an overwhelming margin. The entire cost of the plan is $38,804, which is above our budgeted amount of $30,000. To date, only 75% of the annual assessments have been received. Therefore, only $22,500 will be allocated to this project this year, and necessitates the project be completed in “phases”. Additional information about this project will be posted on the website soon. We are hopeful Radford will be able to begin the redesign in the very near future.

The Website Committee has completed the website redesign and will continue to add content to help keep you informed and provide an easier forum for communication with the Board. Please check the website frequently for updates, since there is so much going on with the HOA!

The Architectural Review Board has been reviewing the deed restrictions. As you are aware, we are a Deed Restricted community. Page 8, Section 21 of our Deed Restrictions states, in general, that all additions to our homes must be reviewed and approved by the Architectural Review Board. This includes, but is not limited to: pools, fences, additions, exterior facades, color changes, changes in drainage, outbuildings/sheds, etc. A copy of our Deed Restrictions can be reviewed at www.doverunhomeowners.com. A printable permit application can be viewed on the left-side navigation options. A copy of your original plans/paperwork must be submitted along with your application. Every effort will be made to satisfy all requests in a timely manner. Please allow up to 7-10 business days for approval letters.

After obtaining approval from the HOA, you must also comply with Middletown Code and be approved by The Town of Middletown. The Town of Middletown building is located at 19 W. Green Street, Middletown, DE 19709. The phone number for Building Permits and Licensing is (302) 378-1171. Middletown will not approve any plans not already approved and signed off on by the HOA.

The Architectural Review Committee is also in the process of documenting all of the Deed Restriction violations in the neighborhood. Within the upcoming weeks, the committee expects to meet with the HOA’s attorney to address the violations. For this reason, the HOA would like to encourage all homeowners to review the Deed Restrictions to ensure that each home is in compliance. Another HOA meeting is already being planned for the near future, with the main objective of discussing this issue. You will be notified by mail when this meeting has been scheduled.

We look forward to working with you to make this community a beautiful part of Middletown. Please feel free to contact us at the address above or by email at our website.

Sincerely,
The Estates at Dove Run HOA
Board of Directors

Annual HOA Assessment

Please remember your Annual Assessment of $155.47 was due on April 21, 2008. An extention has been given until May 15th, 2008. If paid by this date, you will avoid the late fee of $25, along with any applicable legal fees. Please also remember that since this is the first year of operations, it is necessary that we receive a large majority of assessments in order to hire a landscape contractor to improve the front entranceway. Otherwise, this project will need to be drastically reduced or postponed

We would like to thank these homes for promptly submitting their payments.

Deed Restriction Reminders

Please note that the Architectural Review Committee will soon begin to address deed restriction violations in the neighborhood. Please also remember that these deed restrictions were created by the builders and each homeowner was required to agree, by signature, to these restrictions prior to the purchase of their home (new construction or re-sale). Enforcement of these restrictions will improve and maintain our home values and promote well-being in the neighborhood with everyone following the same rules. Each month we will post a couple helpful reminders from the deed restriction contract. You can also view the entire deed restrictions document. Many helpful hints:

• Review of Plans (for outbuildings):
  • Article VI, Section 21 of the Deed Restrictions states:
    • Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, no outbuildings, buildings, structures of a temporary or permanent nature, swimming pools, fences or other construction or improvements shall be constructed, erected, or placed upon any lot, nor shall any exterior addition to or change or alteration thereof, including but not limited to exterior facade, color change and/or change in grade or drainage be made until the plans and specifications, with illustrations, showing the nature, kind, shape, color, height, materials and proposed location of same, shall have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Declarants. The Declarants, their successors or assigns, including the Corporation upon assignment of the rights herein by Declarants, in connection with the review of said plans, specifications and illustrations, shall have the right to approve or disapprove any such matters which in its opinion are not suitable or desirable to the community, etc.

      Please contact us if you would like to submit plans for approval. Please click on "Architectural Review Questions/Comments" on the drop-down menu.

• Prohibited Vehicles:
  • Article VI, Section 7 of the Deed Restrictions states:
    • No unusual vehicle, including trucks (except non-commercial pick-up trucks), buses, travel trailers, boat trailers, boats, utility trailers, commercial vans, tractors, campers, aircraft, mobile homes or vehicles immobilized for any reason, shall be kept or maintained on any Lot, driveway, street or Open Space. All motor vehicles owned and operated by residents of the Subdivision must be parked overnight in their respective garage or driveway. No such vehicle may be parked elsewhere on any Lot or street except for temporary parking. For purposes of this paragraph, "temporary parking" shall mean the parking of such motor vehicle on an intermittent and non-recurring basis during the period between dawn and the following midnight". Please make other arrangements for unauthorized vehicles.

• General Reminders
  • Don't forget to care for your lawn this season. The strip of grass between the sidewalk and the street is also the responsibility of each respective homeowner. Please care for this strip as you do for the rest of your lawn. Doing so will improve the overall impression of our neighborhood! The Town of Middletown will pick up your grass clippings each week, if placed unbagged at curbside. The Street Department will not pick up sod, stumps, dirt, animal waste or any other material considered trash. Chippable material such as tree limbs, branches, small bushes and sticks will also be picked up at curbside. Keep all chippable material separate from other yard waste so collection machinery does not become damaged. If you would like to see a schedule of pick-up dates, visit the Middletown website and click on "Public Notices" in the left hand column.