We’re In This Together
By Scott Wingfield
Within each of our neighbor-hoods exists a special environment that is shaped each day by the actions of ourselves, our neighbors, and our guests. As you are aware, one of your master associations’ primary responsibilities is routinely working with the membership to preserve and enhance the quality of life in each of our neighborhoods through the implementation of your Community Use Restrictions.
The Community Use Restrictions were founded on the basic premise that if everyone moves in with common goals and a general understanding of community rules and their purpose, then safe, harmonious, and quiet enjoyment of one’s property is more easily accomplished. While this might sound easy, it remains our membership’s greatest challenge.
Complying with your Community Use Restrictions begins with education and cooperation. Each member receives Community Use Restriction documentation (CC&Rs, Rules and Regulations, Design Criteria, etc.) when they purchase their home. Additionally, using occasional mailers, Summerlines and summerlink.com, your master associations routinely provide updates and reminders to keep such information fresh in our minds.
To enforce and reinforce, each neighborhood has a community service representative who is responsible for regularly visiting your area to identify potential concerns. In most cases the community service representative can assist the member in compliance with a simple “friendly reminder” letter regarding the violation. It is important to note that your community service representative is always in a well-marked Howard Hughes Corporation vehicle, and they are often taking photos. Not only are such photos helpful to properly identify the potential compliance issue, but these photos are also required to be included in compliance communication pursuant to Nevada law.
As you may be aware, in some cases members choose to ignore or disagree with the master association’s request for compliance. For such instances, each master association has an adopted policy of due process that step-by-step both educates and fairly protects each member’s rights while pursuing compliance. This process includes formal warning letters, opportunities for response and explanation, and ultimately may result in a hearing to further explain respective positions and fine considerations before the master association Compliance Committee. These hearings take place monthly and involve any number of issues including such topical matters as parking, design review, property maintenance and pets.
The Compliance Committee works hard in their attempts to address and balance the living issues between neighbors. They fully understand that it is a much happier community when solutions respond reasonably to valid individual concerns. Make no mistake however, when a fine is deemed to be warranted it is imposed. It is through this due process and the compliance hearings that committee members and residents continually revisit the issue and gain valuable insight into current membership desires, interpretations, and explanations.
As a dedicated member of your community, your continued commitment to comply with Community Use Restrictions and your sensitivity to neighboring viewpoints are key factors in the shaping of a pleasant and enjoyable neighborhood. It is important to remember that we are all on the same team and thank you for your continued efforts and cooperation.
