Summary
The HOA is responsible for maintaining all community areas, including trees, shrubs, grass, landscaping, and utilities maintained by a public body. Homeowners may not obstruct, damage, or interfere with community areas, or store anything there without prior Board consent. Nothing in violation of any law may be done or kept in community areas. No vehicular traffic or parking is permitted in community areas except as allowed by the Board.
Applicable Rules
| Rule | Source | Section |
|---|---|---|
| HOA responsible for maintenance, repair, and replacement of all community area landscaping | R&Rs 2013/2021 | 5 |
| HOA responsible for maintenance of utilities maintained by a public body | R&Rs 2013/2021 | 5 |
| Homeowners may not obstruct, damage, or unreasonably interfere with community areas | R&Rs 2013/2021 | 5 |
| Nothing may be stored in community areas without prior Board consent | R&Rs 2013/2021 | 5 |
| No activity in violation of any law permitted in community areas | R&Rs 2013/2021 | 5 |
| No vehicular traffic or parking in community areas except as Board permits | R&Rs 2013/2021 | 4, 5 |
| Contractor damage to community areas must be restored by homeowner at their cost | R&Rs 2013/2021 | 3.1 |
Declaration Note
The Declaration’s Exhibit B (Community Area description) states “None at this time” — meaning no community areas were designated at the time the Declaration was recorded in April 2004. Any community areas maintained by the HOA were established after recording, either through a Declaration amendment or through operational Board decisions. This means the R&Rs’ community area maintenance rules govern areas the Board has designated operationally, not areas identified in the Declaration itself.
History
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2022-01-20 | Traffic light escrow investigation ongoing — Board looking into developer bond for Rt 59 / Heritage Woods signal. Source: minutes-2022-01-20 |
| 2022-11-21 | QuikTrip development — earliest mention. Board asked why the HOA was not notified about plans for the QuikTrip development on the adjacent property across Rt. 59. Management directed to contact the City of West Chicago to inquire. HOA owns property adjacent to the proposed development. Source: minutes-2022-11-21, board-packet-2023-01-19 |
| 2023-10-26 | Traffic light bond expired — matter resolved. Developer’s bond for wetland maintenance on East side of Rt 59 has expired. HOA never owned the East parcel; developer left no cash escrow. No stop light will be installed until a business occupies the East side of Rt 59. Source: minutes-2023-10-26 |
| 2023-10-26 | Kwik Trip PUD dead. Kwik Trip failed to complete its Planned Unit Development and would need to restart the entire approval process — described as “not likely to happen.” Source: minutes-2023-10-26 |
| 2023-10-26 | Street repaving by City of West Chicago confirmed for 2025–2026. Heritage Woods eastbound lane repair scheduled before winter 2023. Source: minutes-2023-10-26 |
| 2024-07-11 | 322 Hemlock Lane fallen tree. Work order #22217 opened 6/14/2024: fallen/drooping tree at 322 Hemlock Lane. City of West Chicago confirmed the tree belongs to the Association. Assigned to Fisher Burton; open as of 7/2/2024. Board directed to advise whether to remove it. Source: board-packet-2024-07-11 |
| 2024-10-24 | Entrance monument vehicle damage — tree replacement approved. In July 2024, a vehicle struck the entrance sign at Heritage Woods, damaging the fence and two flowering crab trees in the common area behind 1441 White Oak Drive. Fisher Burton price memo (August 1, 2024, revised September 3, 2024) approved: remove 2 damaged crab trees ($1,100) + plant 2 Prairie fire flowering crab trees at 2” caliper single-stem ($1,190) = $2,290 total. Insurance claim paid $4,000 (covers fence repair + tree replacement). Source: board-packet-2024-10-24 |
| 2025-04-24 | Board discussed simplifying pond/wetland maintenance: stop chemical treatment and aeration, maintain only surrounding vegetation. May eliminate Tigris contract. ComEd to shut off pump electricity. Source: minutes-2025-04-24 |
| 2025-04-24 | Board discussed HOA’s vacant lots: MC proposed sending letter of intent to build to SE corner property owner to test for objections. If no objection, HOA could potentially sell or develop vacant lots. Source: minutes-2025-04-24 |
| 2025-07-17 | City of West Chicago looking into whether HOA can build on its vacant lot on White Oak Drive. City will also resurface Prestonfield neighborhood streets in 2026. Source: minutes-2025-07-17 |
| 2026-05-07 | Street paving update: Neighborhood street resurfacing is underway and going well. Workers are receiving positive feedback and are being respectful of property. Menards Frontage Road is excluded — it is owned and maintained by Menards. Heritage Woods entrance from Route 59 was completed last year. Source: minutes-2026-05-07 |
| 2026-05-07 | Landscaping gaps: EB reported landscapers are missing several areas. API directed to provide corrective feedback. Areas missed: Heritage Woods front median (do not mow the flowers), White Oak easement between two homes on the east side, and some islands in cul-de-sacs. Source: minutes-2026-05-07 |
Open Questions
- It is unknown when HOA-maintained community areas were first established, since Exhibit B was initially empty. Meeting minutes from 2004–2011 may document when specific areas were designated.
- HOA appears to own vacant lots — the number, location, and legal status of these lots is not documented in any ingested source. April 2025 minutes reference a SE corner property and potential development/sale.