We have repeatedly cautioned in newsletters and on the web site that cats and dogs must be leashed if they are outside the owner's unit. This is a condo rule, and a matter of law in both Munroe Falls and Summit County.

Several unit owners continue to ignore the warnings, and their animals have been indentified.

If your cat or dog is roaming the neighborhood unleashed, we will contact the county and ask that the animal warden remove them.

Per day fines of $25 may also be imposed until the time the warden can schedule a pickup.

There seems to be no end to the confusion generated by the terms Common Area and Limited Common Area.

Limited Common Areas are most often:

• the space bounded by the privacy walls at the rear of a unit.
• an enclosed, gated courtyard at the front of a unit (on select units only).
• the areas immediately adjacent to the stairs on units with entry stoops.

Common Area = Everything else. This area is maintained by the Association. Residents may not make unauthorized changes in the green areas of the map, but may make changes in Limited Common Areas as long as those changes conform to limits defined in our governing documents.

We have prepared a map that shows the exact boudaries of typical areas, using the lower end of Lake Terrace as an example. This is the original site map, color coded to make each area stand out.

These areas were defined and mapped in the late 1980s; the official maps are stamped and stored at the courthouse in downtown Akron.

Please visit the Get Help page for additional map information. We have placed two maps there for reference.

Dear Residents,

Residents continue making changes to their unit exteriors and to the Common and Limited Common areas without Board approval. This is a clear violation of our governing documents.

Any alterations, modifications, additions or other changes to the grounds or to the exterior walls or roof of any unit must receive prior written approval of the Board. Alterations that violate these rules will be removed at the owners’ expense. - Rules and Regulations - pg. 6 A.

Alterations requiring prior approval include those to exterior doors, exterior windows, garage doors, gutters, downspouts and related drainage, Florida rooms, screened porches, decks, and landscaping.

Changes to Common and Limited Common area (everything outside the units) also require prior Board approval. “In limited common elements adjacent to each unit, the resident may plant flowers, rose bushes, evergreens and other decorative greenery. The maintenance of these planted items is the responsibility of the unit owner/resident. Trees (including fruit trees) and vegetables are prohibited.” Rules and Regulations - pg. 6 B.

The governing document of the Silver Valley Condominium Association states:

(g) Common Area means all of the Condominium property except the Units.

(p) Limited Common Area means those parts of the Common Areas reserved for the use of a certain Unit or Units to the exclusion of all other Units. A written Request for Change form must be completed and submitted to the management company for Board approval before you make changes. If you have already made changes without approval, you may be subject to Board action requiring you to remove or revise those changes, at your expense.

Several cases are currently under review.

Download a Request for Change form from our website or call Associated Property Management at 330.722.3000, and ask them to mail you a copy.

The Board

If you have a dog or cat, it must be on a leash when outside your unit. It is also your responsibility to clean up after your pet. (Hard to believe we need to keep repeating this message.)

We are getting complaints about roaming pets, and will start assessing fines to offenders or ask the county pet control agent to assist us.

We have also received reports of an increase in wild animals, many of which may be carrying diseases, including rabies. Please do not feed wild animals, and place your garbage in a critter-proof container.

Are you eligible for the Homestead Tax Exemption?

From the Summit County Fiscal Office Web Site:

The Homestead Exemption is available to homeowners who are 65 years or older, or totally disabled under the age of 65. Under the exemption, property is taxed at $25,000 less than its appraised value. To qualify, you must be the owner of the home or manufactured home and it must be your primary residence on January 1 for the tax year you apply. Applicants may apply for Homestead Exemption in the year they turn 65 as long as they own and occupy the house as of January 1 of the year they file.

NOTE! Due to the recent passage of Ohio House Bill 59, beginning January 1, 2014 new applicants will be subject to a means test. Eligible applicants must not have a total income over $30,500 per year, which includes the Ohio adjusted gross income of the owner and the owner's spouse. This will not affect homeowners currently enrolled in the Homestead Exemption or eligible applicants for 2013 who submit their application before Monday, June 2, 2014.”