This is an independent website assembled by members of the Wood's Edge Homeowner's Association in Lancaster, PA. We are not affiliated with the WEHOA Board of Directors.
One homeowner has published, at his own expense, a letter to homeowners to make them aware of some important issues in our HOA of which they may not be aware. It is called WAYPOINTS, because a compass and waypoint help us orient directions and important places to go toward. This website is meant to be a sharing forum to achieve the stated purposes and objectives of our community, as found in our By-Law #2.
This website is a collection of searchable materials, information, and commentary for your reference. We have downloaded or scanned public documents, including the Declaration, Bylaws, Rules, and Annual Meeting Minutes so that you can easy see what has been written or said in the past. We have tried to research additional information to shed light on some of the thorny issues we feel have not been thoroughly explained to homeowners.
A Homeowners Association should be transparent: all decisions should be public. The Board of Directors of a HOA should welcome scrutiny, as they are elected to represent the homeowners and should be able to show that they do just that.
This site is under construction. We will continue to add documents and commentary as time allows.
According to our WEHOA secretary, our HOA consists of 290 town homes surrounded by ponds, wetlands, and wildlife. Some of these town homes are owned by the builder and rented out. Others have been been assessed "double dues" and get two votes since they pay twice. There are, therefore, 307 votes representing the Wood's Edge Homeowners Association at this time. (There are also single family homes in the development which are not part of the homeowners association, and pay no dues.)
The Wood's Edge Declaration was amended in 2016 on the basis of "206/259 votes." The original Declaration, as well as Amendment 1-3 stipulate approval of 90% of Owners for an Amendment. The Third Amendment, however, adds in Section 5.2 that the Declaration can be amended by 75% approval as specified in the Uniform Planned Community Act.
The Fourth Amendment references that over 75% of Owners approved. A careful spreadsheet accounting of the votes shown on the Fourth Amendment (including "double votes") shows 206 approved the Fourth Amendment. Therefore 206 / 307 (the number of actual voting Owners) is 67%. This is below the required 75%.
Your WEHOA dues pay for
your mowing and snow removal
Esquire Management Company (prior to 2017, an administrative secretary's salary)
the association attorney's fees
printing and mailing costs
maintenance of common areas
and more.
The Board of Directors number only three, and they have set up a proxy voting system and an attorney who represents the Board (not the homeowners) to practically guarantee that no one else can get on the Board of Directors. The attorney interprets the By-Laws to not allow more than three board members, although the By-Laws clearly reference adding additional board members in twos.
This should be of grave concern to members.
The Board of Directors has the ability to write whatever rules and regulations they wish without approval from the members. (See Declaration, 4th Amendment, Section 4.3: Rules and Regulations.)
The Board of Directors has the ability to fine homeowners for breaking the rules they set. (See Rules and Regulations)
The Board of Directors changed a policy in 2014 whereby a "reserve deposit" equal to a year's dues is no longer refunded when a home sells. Thus, persons buying town homes in the Wood's Edge now have a non-refundable deposit. There is no explanation provided as to what the "reserves" are expected to be used for.
How the HOA can Negatively Affect Your Property Value
Homeowners should be aware: the inability to get on the Board of Directors, exorbitant and unexplained non-refundable deposits, and restrictive rules with excessive fines may deter future buyers and bring down property values.