Springdale Homes Association and Springdale Community Association
What’s the Difference???
Know Where the Open Space Meets Your Property
Whether you’ve lived in the Springdale community for years or are a relatively new resident, the difference between the two neighborhood associations often continues to be a source of confusion.
The Springdale Homes Association (SHA) is the organization solely responsible for the care and maintenance of the over 34 acres of open space - both wooded and improved - spread throughout the community. This responsibility is the only function of the SHA. The owner of every home in the community is a member of the SHA, for which a mandatory annual maintenance fee is assessed, and possesses one of 689 votes.
The Springdale Community Association (SCA) is the group responsible for the maintenance of the community covenants and restrictions. It also prepares the Springdale Directory and conducts many varied community activities, including the annual holiday bonfire, street decorations and visit from Santa Claus as well as the Easter Egg Hunt. Membership in the SCA through payment of an annual fee is voluntary.
The primary area of confusion that may occur is when a resident requests permission from the SCA for a structure, such as a storage shed or fence, which they are planning to construct or replace on their property. If it is approved, they receive a letter from the SCA noting such. However, this permission from the SCA does not grant or imply any permission for the structure to be placed completely or in part on the community open space.
When constructing or replacing any structure, in addition to obtaining the proper permission from the SCA, residents are responsible for assuring that the structure is completely on their own property. Even with a fence, shed or other structure that is being replaced, it is important to keep in mind that a previous resident may have improperly placed it on open space.
If there is any doubt as to where your property ends and the open space begins, please feel free to contact the SHA board at our monthly meeting or by sending an email to info@springdalehoa.org. A member of the board will be glad to review the plats for your section of the community and take the appropriate measurements to determine where the open space is located. Please note that this will not be an official survey of your property, which the homeowner is welcome to obtain if there is any doubt.
It is the SHA board’s responsibility under its deed of trust and its bylaws is to maintain the community open space for the benefit of all residents and to not allow its use on a permanent basis by any individual resident. The board may act to have removed any structure which encroaches upon any open space, even if placed there inadvertently and regardless of whether or not written approval for the structure related only to the covenants and restrictions has been given by the SCA.
Therefore, please be certain that any structures are placed within your property lines. The SHA board greatly appreciates your cooperation in this matter.