In May 2021 a majority of homeowners voted to approve the updated Covenants and Restrictions for Okehocking Hills. More information is available on the Covenants and Restrictions page.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Covenants Renewal Process (Archived May 2021)
Where can I download the 2021 revision of the Covenants?
The updated Covenants are available for download here: Proposed 2021 Covenants and Restrictions [PDF]. After the Covenants have been filed with the Delaware County Recorder the official document will be available on the By-Laws and Covenants page.
What has changed in the 2021 revision of the Covenants?
The Board of Directors has unanimously agreed to offer the following revisions and/or technical corrections to the expiring 1981 version of the Covenants. These changes have been incorporated into the new 2021 Covenants that are up for vote:
- Replaced applicable references to “Developer” with “Association” throughout the document.
- Updated Exhibit “A” with the addresses and Parcel IDs for all properties subject to the Covenants.
- Removed references to requirements that applied only before conveyance of properties from Developer to Association.
- Added clarifications to ambiguous or undefined requirements in Article V, Sections 3, 4a, 4c, 4d, 6, 7 and 11.
- Revised Article 6, Section 1 to reflect the new 10 year renewal period in lieu of the original 40 year applicability.
- Added Article 6, Section 3 to specify that the revised 2021 Covenants supersede all prior Covenants and Restrictions for Okehocking Hills.
A side-by-side comparison of the old and new Article V. language is available for download here: Revisions & Corrections Comparison [PDF]
What are the Covenants and Restrictions?
The Covenants and Restrictions for Okehocking Hills were created in 1981 when our neighborhood was being planned by the developer. This document describes how our neighborhood common space is preserved, maintained, and made available for the enjoyment of all residents. It also lays out how and why annual dues are assessed and defines membership and voting rights for homeowners.
Notably, the Covenants includes a list of rules that all homeowners in Okehocking Hills must follow. Examples of these restrictions include prohibitions on raising chickens, storing RVs, removing topsoil, and installing a fence without permission from adjacent property owners.
Why are we voting on the Covenants now?
The Covenants will expire on May 28, 2021 unless a majority of homeowners vote to renew and extend for an additional 10 year period.
What has been the process to get to this point?
The updated Covenants document is the result of a multi-year effort that began in June 2019 with a call for input from all Okehocking Hills homeowners. A committee of interested neighbors was formed and met several times to review the current document and discuss changes.
In 2020 the Board of Directors retained legal counsel to assist with the task of renewal. Counsel recommended first renewing the document with clarifications to ambiguous language, then later proceeding with amendments to substantially change or add new restrictions after the document has been renewed. This is because the process of renewal is much easier (requires only a simple majority approval) than the more challenging task of having homeowners agree upon imposing new restrictions.
What happens if the Covenants expire?
The Board of Directors feel that it is in the best interest of all residents to renew the Covenants. Because the Covenants define how our open space is titled, preserved and maintained, allowing this document to expire would create a complicated and expensive legal dilemma. Furthermore, the restrictions that are in place help keep our neighborhood attractive which contributes to everyone’s daily enjoyment and improves property values.
What if I want a specific restriction to be removed, changed, or added?
If enough neighbors wish to eliminate or substantially change a specific restriction OR add an entirely new restriction, this can be done as part of a formal amendment process at a later date. The immediate priority is to renew the updated Covenants prior to expiration in May 2021.
Where can I find a copy of the original 1981 Covenants and Restrictions?
A PDF of the expiring Covenants document may be downloaded here: 1981 Covenants and Restrictions [PDF].
Okehocking Hills 