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THIS
AGREEMENT entered into this 7th day of July, A.D. 1966, between
STANLEY ANTHONY CHASE and wife, HARRIET G. CHASE, 1126 Jennette, N.W.,
Grand Rapids, Michigan, hereinafter referred to as "Developer"
and PHILLIP ROBERTS and wife, MINNIE ROBERTS, 2201 Anderson Drive, S.W.,
Grand Rapids, Michigan.
WHEREAS, Developer is purchasing on land contract from
Phillip Roberts and wife, Minnie Roberts certain lands situated on Indian
Lake in Section 19, Town 12 North, Range 9 West, Winfield Township, Montcalm
County, Michigan, portions of which have been platted by the parties hereto
as "Indian Lakes" as recorded in Liber 10 of Plats on Pages
1 and 2 in the Office of the Register of Deeds for Montcalm County, Michigan;
and
WHEREAS, the partes hereto, as land contract vendors
and vendees of the real property described in Article II of this Declaration,
desire to create thereon a residential community with permanent parks,
playgrounds, open spaces and other common facilities for the benefit of
the said community; and
WHEREAS, Developer desires to provide for the preservation
of the values and amenities in said community and for the maintenance
of said parks, playgrounds, open spaces and other common facilities; and,
to this end, desires to subject the real property described in Article
II together with such additions as may hereafter be made thereto (as provided
in Article II) to the covenants, restrictions, easements, charges and
liens, hereinafter set forth, each and all of which is and are for the
benefit of said property and each owner thereof, and
WHEREAS, Developer has deemed it desirable, for the efficient
preservation of the values and amenities in said community, to create
an agency to which should be delegated and assigned the powers of maintaining
and administering the community properties and facilities and administering
and enforcing the covenants and restrictions and collection and disbursing
the assessments and charges hereinafter created; and
WHEREAS, Developer will cause to be incorporated under
the laws of the State of Michigan, as a non-profit corporation, the LAKE
SHORES ASSOCIATION, hereinafter referred to as the "ASSOCIATION,
" for the purpose of exercising the functions aforesaid;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Developer declares that the real
property described in Article II, and such additions thereto as may hereafter
be made pursuant to Article II hereof, is and shall be held, transferred,
sold, conveyed and occupied subject to the covenants, restriction, easement,
charges and liens (sometimes referred to as "covenants and restrictions")
hereinafter set forth.
LIBER 428 PAGE 164ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1. The following words when used in this Declaration
or any Supplemental Declaration (unless the context shall prohibit) shall
have the following meanings:
a. "Association" shall mean and refer to the Lake Shores Association.
b. "The Properties" shall mean and refer to all such existing
properties, and additions thereto, as are subject to this Declaration
or any Supplemental Declaration under the provisions of Article II, hereof,
c. "Common Properties" shall mean and refer to Lots 15 and 16
of the aforesaid recorded Indian Lakes Plat and those areas of land shown
on any recorded subdivision plat of The Properties and intended to be
devoted to the common use and enjoyment of the owners of The Properties.
d. "Lot" shall mean and refer to any plot of land shown upon
any original recorded subdivision map of The Properties with the exception
of Common Properties as heretofore defined.
e. "Owner" shall mean and refer to the equitable owner whether
one or more persons or entities holding any interest in any lot situated
upon The Properties whether such ownership be in fee simple title or as
land contract vendee and notwithstanding any applicable theory of mortgage,
shall not mean or refer to the mortgagee except if the mortgagee has acquired
title pursuant to foreclosure or any proceeding in lieu of foreclosure.
f. "Member" shall mean and refer to all those owners who are
members of the Association as provided in Article III, Section 1 hereof.
ARTICLE II
PROPERTY SUBJECT TO THIS DECLARATION:
ADDITIONS THERETO
Section 1. Existing Property. The real property which is, and shall be
held, transferred, sold, conveyed, and occupied subject to this Declaration
is located in Winfield Township, Montcalm County, Michigan, and is more
particularly described as follows:
Indian Lakes, Section 19, Town 12 North, Range 9 West, Winfield
Township, Montcalm County, Michigan, as recorded in Liber 10 of Plats
on Pages 1 and 2, all of which real property shall hereinafter be referred
to as "Existing Property".
Section 2. Additional Lands may become subject to this
Declaration.
a. The developer, their heirs, successors or assigns, at any time prior
to December 31, 1983, shall have the right to bring additional lands into
the scheme of this Declaration. Such proposed additions if made shall
become subject to assessment for their just share of Association expenses.
The Common Properties within all
LIBER 428 PAGE 165 such additions shall be devoted to
the common use and enjoyment of all owners of properties which are subject
to this Declaration. The Developer’s rights to bring additional
lands into the Declaration shall not be held to bind the Developer, their
heirs, successors or assigns, to make the proposed additions or to adhere
to the scheme in any subsequent development of the land described herein.
The additions authorized under this and the succeeding subsections shall
be made by filing of record a Supplementary Declaration of Covenants and
Restrictions with respect to the additional property which shall extend
the scheme of the Covenants and Restrictions of this Declaration to such
property. Such Supplementary Declarations may contain such complimentary
additions and modifications of the Covenants and Restrictions contained
in this Declaration as may be necessary to reflect the different character,
if any, of the added properties and as are not inconsistent with the scheme
of this Declaration. In no event, however, shall such Supplementary Declaration
revoke, modify or add to the Covenants established by this Declaration
within the existing property.b. Other Additions. Upon approval in writing
of the Association pursuant to a vote of its members as provided in its
By-Laws, the owner of any property who desires to add it to the scheme
of this Declaration and to subject it to the jurisdiction of the Association,
may file of record a Supplementary Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions,
as described in subsection (a) hereof.
c. Mergers. Upon a merger or consolidation of the Association with another
association as provided in its By-Laws, its properties, rights and obligations
may, by operation of law, be transferred to another surviving or consolidated
association or, alternatively, the properties, rights and obligations
of another association may, by operation of law be added to the properties,
rights and obligations of the Association as a surviving corporation pursuant
to a merger. The surviving or consolidated association may administer
the covenants and restrictions established by this Declaration within
the Existing Property together with the covenants and restrictions established
upon any other properties as one scheme. No such merger or consolidation,
however, shall effect any revocation, change or addition to the Covenants
established by this Declaration within the Existing Property except as
hereinafter provided.
ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP AND VOTING RIGHTS IN THE ASSOCIATION
Section 1. Membership
a. Every person or entity who holds an equitable interest or an undivided
equitable interest in any lot whether as land contract vendee or fee holder
being subject to these covenants and to assessment by the Association
shall be a member of the Association, provided that any such person or
entity who holds such interest merely as a security for the performance
of an obligation shall not be a member.
b. Persons not holding an interest in any Lot may become non-voting members
of the Association under terms and conditions prescribed by the Board
of Directors.
LIBER 428 PAGE 166
Section 2. Voting Rights.
The Association shall have one class of voting membership. Voting members
shall be all those members who hold the interests required for Membership
in Article III in Section 1 (a) above. When more than one person holds
such interest or interests in any lot, all such persons shall be members
and the vote for each such lot shall be exercised as they among themselves
determine.
ARTICLE IV
PROPERTY RIGHTS IN THE COMMON PROPERTIES
Section 1. Members’ Easement of Enjoyment.a. Subject
to the provisions of Article IV in Section 3, every member shall have
a right and easement of enjoyment in and to the Common Properties and
such easement shall be appurtenant to and shall pass with the title to
every lot.
Section 2. Title to Common Properties. The Developer
may retain the legal title to the Common Properties until such time as,
in the opinion of the Developer, the Association is able to maintain the
same and to meet any existing obligations which may be a lien thereon,
notwithstanding any provision herein, the Developer hereby covenants,
for themselves, their heirs, successors and assigns, that they shall convey
the Common Properties to the Association not later than January 1, 1978.
Section 3. Extent of Members’ Easements. The rights
and easements of enjoyment created hereby shall be subject to the following:a.
The right of the Developer and of the Association, in accordance with
its By-Laws, to borrow money for the purpose of improving the Common Properties
and in aid thereof to mortgage said properties. The Members’ right
and easements in the Common Properties shall be subordinate to any mortgage
given by the Developer or Association as security for funds borrowed for
said improvements. Any indebtedness which shall be created for the purpose
of making improvements to the Common Properties shall be an obligation
of the Association. In the event of a default upon any such mortgage,
the lender or mortgagee shall have all the rights afforded under the mortgage
or security agreement and under the laws of the State of Michigan, including
the right after taking possession of The Properties, to charge admission
and other fees as a condition to continued enjoyment by the members, and
if necessary to open the enjoyment of such properties to a wider public.
If the mortgage indebtedness is satisfied and possession of The Properties
returned to the Association, all rights of the members hereunder shall
be restored; andb. The right of the Association to take such steps as
are reasonably necessary to protect the above described properties against
foreclosure; and
c. The right of the Association, as provided in its By-Laws, to suspend
the enjoyment rights of any member for any period during which any assessment
remains unpaid, and for any period not to exceed thirty (30) days for
any infraction of its published rules and regulations; and
LIBER 428 PAGE 167d. The right of the Association to
charge reasonable admission and other fees for the use of Common Properties.
ARTICLE V
COVENANT FOR MAINTENANCE ASSESSMENTS
Section 1. Creation of the Lien and Personal Obligation
of Assessments.
The Developer and the other parties hereto being the owners of all The
Properties hereby covenant and each subsequent owner by acceptance of
a deed therefor, whether or not it shall be expressed in any such deed
or conveyance, be deemed to covenant and agree to pay to the Association:
(1) annual assessments or charges; (2) special assessments for capital
improvements, such assessments to be fixed, established, and collected
from time to time as hereinafter provided. The annual and special assessments,
together with such interest thereon and costs of collection thereof as
hereinafter provided, shall be a charge on the land and shall be a continuing
lien upon the property against which each assessment is made. Each such
assessment together with such interest thereon and cost of collection
thereof as hereinafter provided, shall be a charge on the land and shall
be a continuing lien upon the property against which each such assessment
is made. Each such assessment, together with such interest thereon and
cost of collection thereof as hereinafter provided, shall also be the
personal obligation of the person who was the Owner of such property at
the time when the assessment fell due.
Section 2. Purpose of Assessments. The assessments levied
by the Association shall be used exclusively for the purpose of promoting
the recreation, health, safety and welfare of the residents in The Properties
and in particular for the improvement and maintenance of properties, services,
and facilities devoted to this purpose and related to the use and enjoyment
of the Common Properties and of the homes situated upon The Properties,
including, but not limited to, the payment of taxes and insurance thereon
and repair, replacement and additions thereto, and for the cost of labor,
equipment, materials, management and supervision thereof.
Section 3. Basis and Amount of Annual Assessments. The
annual assessment shall be *$75.00 per Member per year. The Board of Directors
of the Association may, after consideration of current maintenance costs
and future needs of the Association, fix the actual assessment for year
whether before or after January 1, 1978 at a lesser amount.
Section 4. Special Assessment for Capital Improvements.
In addition to the annual assessments authorized by Section 3 hereof,
the Association may levy in any assessment year a special assessment,
applicable to that year only, for the purpose of defraying, in whole or
in part, the cost of any construction or reconstruction, unexpected repair
or replacement of a described capital improvement upon the Common Properties,
including the necessary fixtures and personal property related thereto,
provided any such assessment shall have the affirmative of two-thirds
(2/3) of the votes of all voting members who are voting in person or by
proxy at a meeting duly called for this purpose, written notice of which
shall be sent to all members at least thirty (30) days in advance and
shall set forth the purpose of the meeting.
*Basis and amount established March 6th, 1995 by affirmative vote of the
membership as provided in Section 5 herein.
LIBER 428 PAGE 168Section 5. Change in Basis and Maximum
of Annual Assessments. Subject to the limitations of Section 3 hereof,
and for the periods therein specified, the Association may change the
Maximum and basis of the assessments fixed by Section 3 hereof prospectively
for any such period provided that any such change shall have the assent
of two-thirds (2/3) of the voting members who are voting in person or
by proxy at a meeting duly called for this purpose written notice of which
shall be sent to all members at least thirty (30) days in advance and
shall set forth the purpose of the meeting, provided further that the
limitations of Section 3 hereof shall not apply to any change in the maximum
and basis of the assessments undertaken as an incident to a merger or
consolidation in which the Association is authorized to participate under
its Articles of Incorporation and under Article II, Section 2, hereof.
Section 6. Quorum for Any Action Authorized Under Sections
4 and 5. The Quorum required for any action authorized by Sections 4 and
5 hereof shall be as follows:
At the first meeting called, as provided in Section 4 and 5 hereof, the
presence at the meeting of Members or of proxies, entitled to cast sixty
(60) percent of all the votes of the membership shall constitute a quorum.
If the required quorum is not forthcoming at any meeting, another meeting
may be called, subject to the notice requirement set forth in Sections
4 and 5, and the required quorum at any such subsequent meeting shall
be one-half (1/2) of the required quorum at the preceding meeting, provided
that no such subsequent meeting shall be held more than sixty (60) days
following the preceding meeting.
Section 7. Date of Commencement of Annual Assessment:
Due Dates. The annual assessments
provided for herein shall commence on the first day of April, 1967. The
assessment for each succeeding year shall become due and payable on the
first day of April of each year. No adjustments or prorations of assessments
shall be made by the Association. For purposes of levying the assessment,
assessments shall be considered as paid in advance and shall be levied
against any property which is subject to this Declaration or Supplementary
Declarations. The due date of any special assessment under Section 4 hereof
shall be fixed in the Resolution authorizing such assessment.
Section 8. Duties of the Board of Directors. The Board
of Directors of the Association shall prepare a roster of the properties
and assessments applicable thereto at least thirty (30) days in advance
of such assessment due date. Such assessment roster shall be kept in the
office of the Association and shall be open to inspection by any owner.
Written notice of the assessment shall thereupon be sent to every owner
subject thereto.
The Association shall upon demand at any time furnish to any owner liable
for said assessment a certificate in writing signed by an officer of the
Association, setting forth whether said assessment has been paid. Such
certificate shall be conclusive evidence of payment of any assessment
therein stated to have been paid.
LIBER 428 PAGE 169
Section 9. Effect of Non-payment of Assessment: The personal
Obligation of the Owner; The Lien; Remedies of Association. If the assessments
are not paid on the date when due (being the dates specified in Section
7 hereof), then such assessment shall become delinquent and shall, together
with such interest thereon and cost of collection thereof as hereinafter
provided, thereupon becoming a continuing lien on the property which shall
bind such property in the hands of the then owner, his heirs, devisees,
personal representatives and assigns. The personal obligation of the then
owner to pay such assessment, however, shall remain his personal obligation
for the statutory period and shall not pass to his successors in title
unless expressly assumed by them.If the assessment is not paid within
thirty (30) days after the delinquency date, a penalty fee not to exceed
$2.00 shall be added thereto and from that date interest at the rate of
six (6) percent per annum may be added to the delinquent balance and penalty
and the Association may bring an action at law against the owner personally
obligated to pay the same or to foreclose the lien against the property.
There shall be added to such assessment, delinquent fee and interest and
the cost of preparing and filing Complaint in such action and in the event
that Judgement is obtained, such Judgement shall include interest on the
total amount as above provided and reasonable attorney’s fee to
be fixed by the court together with the costs of the action.
Section 10. Subordination of the Lien to Mortgages. The
lien of the assessments provided for herein shall be subordinate to the
lien of any mortgage or mortgages now or hereafter placed upon the properties
subject to assessment; provided, however; that such subordination shall
apply to the assessments which have become due and payable prior to a
sale or transfer of such property pursuant to a decree of foreclosure,
or any other proceeding in lieu of foreclosure. Such sale or transfer
shall not relieve such property from liability for any assessments thereafter
becoming due, nor from the lien of any such subsequent assessment.
Section 11. Exempt Property. The following property subject
to this Declaration shall be exempted from the assessments, charge and
lien created herein: (a) all properties to the extent of any easement
or other interest therein dedicated and accepted by the local public authority
and devoted to public use; (b) all Common Properties as defined in Article
I, Section 1 hereof; (c) all properties exempted from taxation by the
laws of the State of Michigan, upon the terms and to the extent of such
legal exemption.
Notwithstanding any provisions herein, no land or improvements devoted
to dwelling use shall be exempt from said assessments, charges or liens.
ARTICLE VI
ARCHITECTURAL CONTROL COMMITTEE
Section 1. Review by Committee. No building, fence, wall
or other structure shall be commenced, erected or maintained upon The
Properties, nor shall any exterior addition to or change or alteration
therein be made until the plans and specifications showing the nature,
LIBER 428 PAGE 170kind, shape, heights, materials, and location of the
same shall have been submitted to and approved in writing as to harmony
of external design and location in relation to surrounding structures
and topography by the Board of Directors of the Association, or by an
architectural committee composed of three (3) or more representatives
appointed by the Board. In the event said board or its designated committee
fail to approve or disapprove such design and location within thirty (30)
days after said plans and specifications have been submitted to it, or
in any event, if no suit to enjoin the addition, alteration or change
has been commenced prior to the completion thereof, approval will not
be required and this Article will be deemed to have been fully complied
with.
ARTICLE VII
BUILDING AND USE LIMITATIONS
Section 1. All land which is subject to this Declaration shall
be limited to residential use. No building shall be erected, altered,
placed or permitted to remain on any property other than a one family
dwelling and private garage or outbuildings incidental thereto. Any residence
erected on Lot No. 24 thru 52 inclusive shall have a minimum ground floor
area of 960 square feet in the case of a one story building and not less
than 960 square feet of living area in the case of a 1 1⁄2 story,
2 story, bi-level or tri-level. Any residence erected on any other lot
in this subdivision shall have a minimum ground floor area of 600 square
feet. All structures shall be completed on the exterior within six months
from start of construction. Two coats of finish shall be required on any
exterior wood surface. All structures intended for occupancy must be equipped
with inside plumbing facilities and lawns must be completed within one
year after building is completed. All water and septic tank connections
shall be approved by the architectural committee.
Section 2. Nuisances. No structure of a temporary character,
trailer, basement, tent, shack, garage, barn or other out-buildings shall
be occupied or stored on the property at any time either temporarily or
permanently. No sign or any kind of advertising device shall be displayed
to the public view on any lot except as approved by Association in writing.
No animals, livestock or poultry of any kind shall be raised or kept on
any lot except dogs, cats or other household pets provided that they shall
not be so maintained for any commercial purpose.
Trash, garbage or any other waste material shall not be kept except in
sanitary containers or incinerators. Equipment for the storage or disposal
of such materials shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition, hidden
from view.
Section 3. Building Location. No building shall be located
on any property nearer than 25 feet to the front property line or nearer
than 20 feet to any side street line. No building shall be located nearer
than 5 percent to the width of the property on which such building is
to be placed to any sideline, except that a three foot minimum side yard
shall be permitted for a garage or other permitted accessory building
which is located toward the rear of the property. For the purposes of
this Covenant, eaves, stops and open LIBER 428 PAGE 171porches
shall not be considered as a part of the building provided, however, that
this shall not be construed to permit any portion of the building to encroach
upon adjoining property.
Section 4. Easements. Easements are reserved along and
within five feet of the rear line and sidelines of all lots in the subdivision
for the construction and perpetual maintenance of conduits, poles, wires
and fixtures for electric lights, telephones and other public and quasipublic
utilities; including under-ground installation; and drainage and to trim
any trees which at any time may interfere or threaten to interfere with
the maintenance of such lines with right of ingress to and egress from
and across said premises to employees of said utilities. Said easement
to also extend along any owner’s side and rear property lines in
cases of fractional lots. The person owning more than one lot may build
on such lot line and the easement shall be inoperative as to said line
provided that such building shall be placed thereon prior to the instigation
of use of this easement for one of the foregoing purposes.It shall not
be considered a violation of the provision of easement if wires or cables
carried by such pole lines pass over some portion of said properties not
within the five foot wide easement as long as such lines do not hinder
the construction of buildings on the property.
Section 5. Owner shall obtain water from the community
water service if and when made available by the Association.
Section 6. Developer reserves the right to change roads.
Section 7. Variance. The purpose of the foregoing Building
and Use Limitations being to insure the use of the properties for attractive
residential uses, to prevent nuisances, to prevent impairment of attractiveness
of the property, to maintain the desirability of the community and thereby
secure to each owner the full benefits and enjoyments to his home with
no greater restriction upon the free and undisturbed use of his property
than are necessary to insure the same advantages to other owners. Any
reasonable change, modification or addition to the foregoing shall be
considered by the Developer and the Association and if so approved will
then be submitted in writing to the abutting property owners and if so
consented to in writing shall be recorded and when recorded shall be as
binding as the original Covenants.
The foregoing Building and Use Limitations shall not apply to the Common
Properties.
ARTICLE VIII
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 1. Developer reserves to themselves, their heirs
and assigns the right to change the lake level, either for repair of the
dam or otherwise, and each lot owner, his heirs and assigns, agree upon
the purchasing of any property in the subdivision that they thereby consent
to the Developer having full authority in all matters concerning riparian
rights. In order to control the use of LIBER 428 PAGE 172 properties,
and thereby benefit all residents of the lands around the lake, the waters
of Indian Lakes and lands normally flooded and covered by the Lake at
its highest level, shall be owned by Developer, their heirs, successors
and assigns. Lots which abut or border on the waters of the lake shall
not include any riparian rights in and to said waters, or to the lands
below said waters.
Section 2. Duration. The covenants and restrictions of
this Declaration shall run with and bind the land and shall inure to the
benefit of and be enforceable by the Association, or the owner of any
land subject to this Declaration, their respective legal representatives,
heirs, successors and assigns, for a term of twenty years from the date
this Declaration is recorded, after which time said covenants shall be
automatically extended for successive periods of ten (10) years unless
an instrument signed by the then owners of two-thirds (2/3) of the lots
has been recorded, agreeing to change said covenants and restrictions
in whole or in part. Provided, however, that no such agreement to change
shall be effective unless made and recorded three (3) years in advance
of the effective date of such change, and unless written notice of the
proposed agreement is sent to every owner at least ninety (90) days in
advance of any action taken.
Section 3. Notices. Any notice required to be sent to
any member or owner under the provisions of this Declaration shall be
deemed to have been properly sent when mailed, postpaid, to the last known
address of the person who appears as members or owner on the records of
the Association at the time of such mailing.
Section 4. Enforcement. Enforcement of the covenants
and restrictions shall be by any proceeding at law or in equity against
any person or persons violating or attempting to violate any covenant
or restriction, either to restrain violation or to recover damages, and
against the land to enforce any lien created by these covenants; and failure
by the Association or any owner to enforce any covenant or restriction
herein contained shall in no event be deemed a waiver of the right to
do so thereafter.
Section 5. Severability. Invalidation of any one of these
covenants or restrictions by judgement or court order shall in no wise
affect any other provisions which shall remain in full force and effect.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto set our hands and
seals this 7th day July, A.D.1966.
Witnessed:
Stanley Anthony Chase (L.S.)
B.H. Soper Jr. Harriet G. Chase (L.S.)
Onarene D. Soper
Witnessed: Philip Roberts (L.S.)
B.H. Soper Jr. Minnie Roberts (L.S.)
Onarene D. Soper
LIBER 428 PAGE 173STATE OF MICHIGAN ))ss. COUNTY OF KENT )
On this 7th day of July A.D. 1966, before me, a Notary
Public in and for said County, personally appeared Stanley Anthony Chase
and wife, Harriet G. Chase and Philip Roberts and wife, Minnie Roberts,
to me known to be the same persons described in and who executed the within
instrument, who each acknowledged the same to be their free act and deed.
Prepared by
John Bryant
700 Mich. Trust Bldg. Notary Public Kent County Mi
Grand Rapids Michigan B.H. Soper, Jr.
My commission expires 5-6-69
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