FAQ

Below is a list of questions that the Board has been asked by homeowners. If you have any questions or would like clarification on any answers, please Contact Us.

I have noticed Campers, Boats and Trailers that are parked in the neighborhood for an extended period. Are they violating the CCR guidelines?

It depends on how long it has been parked. According to section 10.4 in the CCR guidelines: No recreational vehicle, boat, travel trailer or utility trailer, shall be parked or stored on any Lot for a period in excess of five (5) consecutive days or more than a total of thirty (30) days during any given year, unless the same is in an enclosure or garage and completely out of view.

I am planning an improvement project or a project is in progress. Do I need to submit the Property Improvement Form?

You are only required to submit an improvement application for any “structures”, but the Board highly recommends submitting an improvement application for any modifications that you have made/are planning to make to your property. This provides the HOA with a record of your changes, ensures you are in compliance with the guidelines of the CCRs and if it were to be questioned by any future board or future neighbor, there is a record of the approved modification. We designed the form to safeguard the homeowners.

• Planting trees, bushes or flowers do not require an improvement form. Please keep in mind that landscaping must allow for proper drainage and conservation easements per Section 8.2 of the CCR's.

• The Board recommends submitting an improvement form for landscape lighting and sprinklers.

I would like to attend the HOA Board Meetings, when are they held and how do I attend?

Any homeowner can attend the HOA Board Meetings, we post a Zoom link/location for all meetings on the calendar. The Board asks that you provide us with notice that you plan to attend so that we can schedule accordingly in order to respect the privacy of our residents.

The ditch in my front yard isn't draining properly or I have to continually work to keep it draining. I would really like to install a drainage pipe and level out my yard, would this violate the CCR guidelines?

Several neighbors have asked this question due to some lots not draining correctly or the ditches accumulating silt. We have spoken with Warren County and Turtlecreek Township. According to our CCR guidelines The Estates of Keever Creek is designated as a ditched development. These ditches will always contain some moisture because they have water from sump pumps, downspouts and/or other natural drainage diverted into them. Section 8.2 of the CCR guidelines require the ditches to remain in their natural state and homeowners are responsible for maintaining positive drainage. Homeowners can seed/sod their ditch so long as it does not obstruct the flow of water. However, as a homeowner who is responsible for maintaining positive drainage, you may need to involve Warren County to seek approval for piping your ditch (assuming the property is under control of the County).

Most homeowners may not realize this, but the front ditches are part of an easement and are actually controlled by the developer/Warren County, even though the homeowner is responsible for the maintenance. As with any new neighborhood, ours was designed by a developer and completed in phases. Once each phase has been completed, it is inspected by Warren County. If the County Engineers Office determines that there are drainage issues, they will contact the developer and hold them responsible for correcting the issues. Once all issues have been addressed, the bond is released and responsibility is transferred from the developer to Warren County. At that time, all drainage issues should be deferred to the Warren County Engineers Office.

• Phase 1 of the development includes all homes from the front entrance to the model home on Keever Pass and all homes on Oxon Pass. This phase was turned over to Warren County in 2019.

• Phase 2 of the development includes all homes from the model to the cul-de-sac on Keever Pass. This phase was turned over to Warren County in late 2020.

• Phase 3 of the development includes all homes on Elis Pass and Noah's Run. Phase 3 is still being discussed between the developer and JII, the ETA is mid-2022 .

The Board has spoken to the developer who informed us that they will not approve of any changes to the front ditches. The developer designed the neighborhood to have positive drainage prior to any homes being built, they hold the builder and now homeowners responsible for maintaining positive drainage. We have contacted the developer on behalf of our residents to seek approval to make modifications to the ditches and we were told that they would not approve any changes, allow their engineering firm to conduct any assessments or forward any assessments on to Warren County for approval. The homeowners in Phase 3 will need to wait until the property is turned over to Warren County to make any changes.

There are some neighbors that have their ditches piped after having the County Engineer do an assessment of their property. Only homes in Phases 1 and 2 have the ability to contact Warren County to seek approval to pipe their ditches. The homeowner is responsible for paying for the assessment as well as the work to pipe the ditch. Once Warren County performs the assessment and approves, it is recommended that it be submitted to the HOA board so there is a record of the modification.

OK, but some neighbors have filled in their ditches so they are level with the street or have them lined with pipe and gravel...how is that allowed?

As stated above, each homeowner is responsible for maintaining positive drainage of the ditch in front of their yard. The open ditches allow for the water to be absorbed back into the ground with a minimal amount of slope required. The ditches are located within the public right-of-way and is out of the purview of the HOA, it is an issue for Warren County and the developer. The public right-of-way is 30ft from the center of the street in either direction and is maintained by Turtlecreek Township. Warren County has to sign off on all improvements to the ditches and any other zoning related items because Turtlecreek Township does not have their own zoning department. The Board has been informed that Warren County has only released the bond on Sections 1 and 2 of the neighborhood (the front entrance, Oxon Pass and Keever Pass). They have not yet released the bond on Section 3 (Eli's Pass/Noah's Run) of the neighborhood. If a homeowner in Sections 1 or 2 wants to make changes to their ditches, they must pay for an engineering assessment and receive approval from Warren County. If a homeowner in Section 3 wants to make changes to their ditches, they have to wait until after it is turned over to Warren County. Those homeowners that have already made modifications will likely be forced by either the developer or Warren County Engineers Office to have an assessment performed. The results of the assessment may force them to alter or even remove the modifications that they have made. One of the representatives that we spoke with stated that if there is anything in the ditch other than dirt/grass, it would likely need to be removed and that process would delay the entire process of releasing the bond and having Warren County assume control of the ditches. Again, this issue is outside of the HOA purview, but we have had several residents ask questions so we took the liberty of getting them answered. Also, each residents property is different; so paying for an engineering assessment is necessary to determine if there is enough slope to accommodate the piping of the ditch.

I have noticed that some neighbors have Trash and Recycle cans in their driveway. Are they violating the CCR guidelines?

Unless it is between Sunday evening and Monday evening, yes they are in violation. According to section 10.11 in the CCR guidelines: Trash and garbage shall be placed in sanitary containers and shall not be permitted to remain in the public view except on days of trash collection. Accordingly, trash containers shall only be set out the night before the scheduled trash collection day and shall be removed by the evening of the trash collection day.

There has been some talk about raising small animals (chickens or other small livestock) in the neighborhood. Even though Warren County allows this, would this violate the CCR guidelines?

Yes, this would violate the CCR guidelines, section 10.6 states that: No animals, livestock or poultry of any kind shall be raised, bred or kept on any lot, except that dogs, cats or other household pets may be kept, provided that they are not kept, bred or maintained for any commercial purpose.

I have a basketball goal in my driveway, is that in violation of the CCR guidelines?

Basketball goals are permitted however according to section 10.7 in the CCR guidelines: Permanent basketball goals shall not be provided in the front yard and rollaway goals shall be stored indoors when not in use. Approval is required for any permanent goal.

I have piles of brush that I would like to dispose of and this is perfect weather for a backyard fire. Is this against the CCR guidelines?

This is allowed if the brush is being burned inside of a fire pit or screened enclosure. Section 10.12 addresses this in more detail: Open burning is not permitted on the Property, except that outdoor fireplaces, grills and chimneys may be used if equipped with fire screens to prevent the discharge of fibers or ashes.

Where can I find the Property Improvement Form?

You can find the Property Improvement Form under Governing Documents. If a resident is unable to access this website, a homeowner may contact the board to have a property improvement form mailed or emailed to them.

If I am not in compliance with the CCR guidelines, what happens?

The Board would like for each homeowner to review the CCR guidelines and come to us with questions. If the Board receives a report of a violation, we will investigate and try to have a conversation with the homeowner. If a conversation cannot be had, a letter or email will be sent to the homeowner notifying them of the items that they are out of compliance with. Although the Board does have the option to levy fines for violations of CCR guidelines according to section 3.3.12, we consider this a last resort and would like to resolve the situation amicably.

I am making improvements to my property that generates dust and mud. This couldn’t possibly be against CCR guidelines, could it?

Section 9.8 of the CCR guidelines require that lot owners be responsible for the cleaning and removal of mud or debris on the streets.

Was the HOA provided a list of homeowners and items that were not in compliance prior to being handed over?

No

What is considered a hedge? Is this only in regards to the front yard?

A hedge is a group of closely arranged plants that act as a barrier fence. Japanese holly, English holly, Barberry shrubs, and Boxwoods are among the most popular plants for hedges. The use of a hedge as a fence may not be used in the front or rear yard of a home.