Sonoma Ranch

Sonoma Ranch

WELCOME TO THE SR HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC.

ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP
All Lot Owners (including the Declarant and Builders) are members of the SR HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC,. Any recreational facilities built or to be built will be for the exclusive use of Owners, their tenants or invited guests.

IMPORTANCE OF READING AND UNDERSTANDING THE PROJECT DOCUMENTS

The Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (DCC&R) of Sonoma Ranch establishes the rights and responsibilities of all Lot Owners. Basically, the DCC&R states that all Lot Owners automatically become members of the Association upon receipt of a deed to a lot in the subdivision. The Association is a non-profit Texas Corporation and, along with the Declaration, the Bylaws of the corporation explain the rights and responsibilities of the Members of the Association. As a Lot Owner and Member, you will be required to contribute to the common expenses through annual assessments, obey the rules and abide by the restrictions designed to maintain Sonoma Ranch as a first-rate community. In return, you will have the opportunity to become involved in the operation of your association by voting annually, serving on committees and the Board of Directors, and by participating in community functions of your choice.

IMPORTANT ARCHITECTURAL CONTROL ISSUES
Sonoma Ranch is a Deed Restricted Community. To ensure uniformity of architecture and harmony of external design throughout the subdivision, the DCCR (Article 3) establishes the Architectural Committee (AC) to oversee all construction on the individual lots and in the common areas. For everyone's protection, no improvement such as a building, patio, fence, wall or other structure may be started until the plans and specifications have been submitted to, and approved by the Architectural Control Committee. Any plans for modification of, or addition to, existing structures or certain landscaping must also be reviewed and approved before work begins. This also includes changes of color. (See Article 3.3 of the Declaration.)

The Architectural and Use Restrictions were established to protect and enhance the value, desirability and attractiveness of the property within the subdivision. For example, Article 4, Section 4.3.7 of the Declaration prohibits common cement or chain link fence of any type on any lot. Section 4.3.8 regulates athletic equipment and facilities. Potential Lot Owners should have reviewed these restrictions prior to closing. By accepting a deed to a lot in the Sonoma Ranch SUBDIVISION, you, your family, tenants or invited guests agreed to abide by these restrictions.

VOTING RIGHTS

All Lot Owners, other than the Declarant, have one (1) vote on each matter coming before the Members at any meeting (unless their voting rights have been suspended by the Board of Directors). The Declarant is entitled to four (4) votes on each matter. (Details are found in Article 2 of the Declaration.) This allows the Declarant to supervise the Association until such time as there are a sufficient number of individual owners who are experienced enough to successfully govern themselves. The Board of Directors will be elected by the Membership for three (3) year terms.

POWERS OF THE ASSOCIATION

The Declarant, the Association, through its Board of Directors, or any owner, may bring an action at law against any owner for failure to abide by the covenants, conditions and restrictions established in the Declaration, and by the Bylaws and/or any corporate resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors.

Legal action can also be taken against any owners for failure to pay assessments for which they are personally obligated, and the Association may foreclose the lien against a lot (even a homestead property) for non-payment of assessments, fees and costs. Interest will be charged on delinquent assessments, and legal fees, court costs and other costs of collection may be added to the amount of the assessment. No owner may waive or otherwise escape liability for the assessments by not using the common area or by abandoning the property. This ability to enforce the collection of assessments assures that all owners will share equally in the expenses of their Association.

ASSOCIATION OPERATION

If you have any questions regarding your Association, please contact ProComm at 545-1888 for additional information. ProComm is a professional management company contracted to handle the Association's operation for the Board of Directors.

FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERSHIP

ASSESSMENTS TO PAY COMMON EXPENSES

To ensure that the common property is adequately insured and maintained, all Lot Owners (including the Developer and Builder) are required to contribute to the expense of upkeep, administration, taxes and insurance. The maximum annual assessment rate set for the first Fiscal Year for these services has been established at $480.00 per year for a developed lot.

EXAMPLES OF COMMON EXPENSES:

Upkeep, utilities, maintenance and repair of the common areas, including landscaping within the boundaries of the Association.

Payment of utilities used on the common areas
Taxes assessed upon the common areas owned by the Association
General hazards and liability insurance on MGHOA property ; Directors and Officers insurance covering the Board, Officers, Committee members and volunteers based on their service to the Association
Costs of management, staffing and materials used in the corporate, financial, recreational and administrative affairs of the Association
Reserve Funds for eventual replacement of streets, gates and other major common element items

MEMBER ACTIVITIES

RECREATIONAL AMENITIES AND SOCIAL OPPORTUNITIES

Although the Association is primarily responsible for maintenance and upkeep of common areas, it also provides the organization to support the social and recreational needs of the residents of the Sonoma Ranch Subdivision.

COMMITTEE SERVICE - WHY ARE OWNERS NEEDED?
The Association's Committees provide a way for members to influence the quality of life in the community. Homeowners often ask why they need to be involved in the Association by serving on committees and the Board, if we have a professional manager to do the work? The answer is that home owners have the ultimate responsibility to set and maintain standards for their community. Although managers can offer professional advice and experience, they can only support community standards but they do not establish them. Only owners have that right. Serving on any committee requires a continuing commitment. The Board members’ duty is to enforce the covenants as they are written until such time as they are amended by the membership. For example, the Covenants Committee assures that the community standards as stated in the Declaration are upheld. Reminders will be sent to owners who are noted to have items that are not in compliance with the Declaration.

Call 372-0268 if you believe in maintaining this community’s standards and would like to assist in this important effort.

Email us
srhoa@sbcglobal.net

About our association

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www.SonomaRanchHOA.org