A notice was sent out to all Walden Lake residents informing them of the renewal.
At the final Walden Lake Community Association meeting of 2015 on Tuesday, Dec. 15, the WLCA board voted to preserve the community’s existing master declaration, which keeps the community’s covenants and restrictions intact. Web Melton, an attorney from Bush Ross, presided over the declaration renewal.
Prior to the vote by the board, a legal packet explaining the need for the vote was sent out to every resident in Walden Lake. Informing all community residents of the upcoming renewal is required by law. The legal documentation detailed that Walden Lake’s declaration will remain the same, without any new additions or amendments.
Once formed, a homeowner’s association declaration expires after 30 years. Like Walden Lake, many other homeowner’s associations are set to expire in the 2000s due to the number of them created in the 1970s and 1980s. At the time of renewal, Walden Lake’s declaration was set to expire in six weeks.
“What you have to do as an HOA is something called a preservation,” Melton said.
The WLCA board needed a two thirds majority vote to automatically preserve the declaration for another 30 years. The renewal was approved unanimously following a motion by Dan Orrico, and was recorded with two WLCA board signatures and two witnesses. The renewal was notarized at the board meeting, and was filed with the state of Florida by the end of the week.
Because no amendment was made to the original declaration, a vote of approval was not needed from the Walden Lake community. The last amendment was made in 2007.
“I can’t think of a single good reason (to not do this),” Melton said.
The only possible reason to not renew the declaration, Melton said, was in the case of a community wishing to dissolve an HOA. Such a decision may make sense in a community that is made up of a few homes or streets, but does not make sense for Walden Lake.
“We encourage subdivisions to look at when theirs expires,” Bob Hunter, WLCA President, said. “Some are coming up fairly soon.”
Walden Lake subdivisions who are unsure of the expiration of their HOA declaration are encouraged to call the Walden Lake Community Association office.
IN OTHER NEWS
– Starting in January, permits will be issued to Walden Lake residents who have children that walk to Walden Lake Elementary School. For years, residents have noticed excessive traffic in certain parts of Walden Lake during the school’s drop off and pick up hours. The permits were created so that only Walden Lake residents will be able to use the area as a permitted drop off and pick up zone. Those who live outside of Walden Lake are not permitted to use the community as a drop off or pickup location.
– The WLCA board also approved insurance policies for 2016 at the December meeting. Individual subdivisions within the community are covered until April 21. Subdivisions must then find their own carrier.
“This type of insurance is no longer carried by any insurance company,” Hunter said.
If a subdivision has already made a deposit to the WLCA for 2016 insurance, they will have their check returned in April.
– Walden Lake’s annual competition for best Christmas light display was held earlier this month. Judges who live outside of the community were brought in by Walden Lake resident Mary Jane Wagoner. Subdivisions were judged in three categories: illumination, whimsical and traditional. Sutton Woods took first place in the traditional category, Silver Lake took first place in the whimsical category and Laurel Lake took first place in the illumination category. The grand prize winner was Emerald Forest.
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.
