Summary
Regular Board meeting held May 7, 2026. Four of five directors present (Neel Sharma absent). Key business included a street paving update (ongoing and well-received), landscaping gap corrections, and two significant policy decisions: (1) the Board formally decided that no Declaration amendment is needed for fence rule updates — the R&Rs will be updated and redistributed to homeowners; and (2) API was directed to begin sending fines for garbage can violations. The reserve study’s scope was questioned, and a proposed Illinois law mandating minimum reserve contributions was flagged.
Note: The minutes document itself contains the date “May 6, 2026.” Per board confirmation, the correct meeting date is May 7, 2026. This wiki uses the correct date throughout.
Key Provisions
- No fence Declaration amendment: Board decided the fence rules can be updated via R&R revision and homeowner distribution only — no formal Declaration amendment required
- Aluminum fence height: Board agreed ornamental aluminum fences may be 4 or 5 feet in height (consistent with the 5-foot cedar maximum); to be incorporated into the updated R&Rs
- Garbage can fines: API directed to send fines to homeowners for garbage can violations (approved by motion)
- Street paving: Ongoing in neighborhood; Menards Frontage Road excluded (Menards-owned/maintained); Heritage Woods/Route 59 entrance completed last year
- Reserve study scope concern: Board raised concern that Reserve Advisors may have incorrectly attributed homeowner fence responsibility to the HOA; estimates came in higher than expected
- Proposed IL law: New legislation proposed that would mandate associations put 15% of assessments toward reserve fund if no reserve study has been completed
- Landscaping gaps: EB flagged missed areas — Heritage Woods front median (do not mow flowers), White Oak easement on east side between two homes, cul-de-sac islands; API to provide feedback to landscapers
- Annual meeting: July 2026; will include election and newsletter notice
- Newsletter: MKH drafting article on property maintenance standards (grass, fences, mailbox, siding); Jen Nissen (API) and George from WEGO (ordinance enforcement) to be listed as contacts
Topics Covered
fence-regulations, fence-specifications, violations-and-fines, community-areas, assessment-structure, reserve-study-findings, hoa-newsletter
Notable Details
- Home on Hemlock Drive reported to have water drainage issues and trees encroaching from behind fence. EB to investigate.
- Homeowners raised concern that reports to API about neighborhood maintenance violations are not resulting in action.
- Future garage sale dates to be coordinated with Willow Creek subdivision.
- Social event at Hawthorne’s being explored (~20–30 people); NS to look into sandwich boards for HOA announcements.
- ACC (A&A) requests approved by motion at this meeting (no specifics recorded in minutes).
- Executive session held; no details recorded in minutes.