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A PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT ("PUD")
A PUD is a subdivision of 5 or more individually owned lots with one or more other parcels owned in common or
with reciprocal rights in one or more parcels. The purpose of a planned unit development is to provide common facilities to a group of homes that may not otherwise be available on an individual basis. These can be
recreational, equestrian, park pool, spa and/or greenbelts, depending on the development. There is usually a fee to maintain these facilities, and a controlling entity.
WHY A HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION?
A Homeowners Association is defined as an association of people who own homes in a given area, formed for the purpose of
improving or maintaining the quality of the area. It is also required by statue if the development is a condominium or planned unit development.
It is the duty of the Autumn Wood Homeowners Association Board of Directors to supervise the maintenance of all the common area facilities such as the greenbelt landscaping, pool and spa
areas and lighting, and to provide security for the complex. In addition they are charged with supervising the financial stability of the Association in providing ample reserves to allow for continued use. They are
charged with enforcing the Governing Documents (the By-Laws, the Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions (CC&Rs), the Restrictions, Rules, and Resolutions), and making sure that a harmonious community attitude
is maintained by creating a balance between the wishes of individuals, and what is best for the community as a whole.
ABOUT YOUR HOA DOCUMENTS
Each homeowner pays for a copy of the Association CC&R's, Rules & Regulations, Articles of Incorporation and By-laws through escrow when
they first purchase their home in Autumn Wood. Now that you own a home in the Autumn Wood development, you become a member of the Autumn Wood HOA and you will automatically be placed on a mailing list. You
will receive your HOA Assessment (billing) statements and annually, a copy of the adopted budget It is important that these documents be kept in a safe place as California law requires that these documents be
passed on to any new buyer, at the time of the sale of your property. If you do not have a copy of these documents, in the event you sell your home, it will be necessary for you (the seller) to pay a document fee of
as much as $100 so that the new buyer will have them.
WHAT ARE THE "GOVERNING DOCUMENTS"?
The Association's Governing Documents consist of the following:
For more complete information, please refer to the CC&Rs or the current Board Resolutions. If you are not sure of any rule or
regulation please contact the property management agent for clarification. The following information is provided an easy-to-read summary of items relating to our community, and should not be interpreted as official policy.
YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Currently, our CC&Rs specify seven members for the Board of Directors.
The terms of office provide for reasonable continuity within the board by staggering the election times for members. In other words, an individual can serve only two years before needing re-election. Thus, four of
the seven members are elected one year, and the other three members are elected the next. The CC&Rs do provide a process by which Directors may be voted out of office. When vacancies in the Board occur, the
remaining members will attempt to fill the vacancy and can do so by a simple vote of a majority among themselves. The newly elected member will serve until a successor is elected at the next annual meeting. If the
remaining officers cannot fill the vacancy within a certain period of time, a special election will be held. In spite of the effort your Board of Directors puts forth each month, "no director shall receive
compensation for any service he may render to the Association." The members volunteer their time because they are interested in the success of the Association. Issues relating to the annual meeting, voting,
procedures and the election of officers are detailed in Article VI of the CC&R's.
In addition to the annual meeting, the board has monthly meetings, (usually every month except December), where items of common interest to all homeowners are discussed. These are
open, and we encourage all members to attend. There are also closed sessions, at which time personnel or litigate items are discussed. Each meeting is chaired by the highest ranking officer on the board, and the
attendance of a majority of the members constitutes the necessary quorum to conduct a "duly held meeting."
The Board of Directors is expected "to do all things necessary to conduct, manage, and control the affairs and business of the Association." A number of specific requirements
and duties of the board are outlined Article VIII of the By-laws, all of which pertain to the mutual benefit of the Association. The Directors must be members of the Association in good standing.
Officers of the Board: Officers are elected by the Board after the annual meeting and hold office for one year unless resigned or removed. The Board may appoint other
officers for special projects such as Information Officer or Public Affairs Officer. Such appointees will have a clearly defined and limited role. According to the Association By-Laws, the President presides over meetings, sees that the orders and resolutions of the Board are executed, and signs or co-sign written instruments. The Vice-President fulfills the duties in the absence of the President. The Secretary co-signs instruments, assures notice of meetings, and provides oversight for meeting minutes. The Treasurer too, co-signs instruments, provides for financial records of the Association, prepares the annual budget, and generally assures the accounting management of the Association. Except in the case of a Secretary-Treasurer, no officer can hold more than one position.
In spite of all the legal-sounding phrases, it is easy to see that your Board of Directors works very hard to represent you. For more detailed information on this subject, see Articles V
through IX of the By-laws of Autumn Wood at Hunter's Field Homeowners' Association.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The Association has a variety of costs incurred in the maintenance of the pool and common areas, as well as insurance premiums,
landscaping costs, website maintenance fees, management agent fees, security fees, and a few license fees.
In November, the adopted budget for the Association is sent to each homeowner with the detailed anticipated expenses and monthly Association dues for the year. The Association is a
non-profit organization, however, we are required by state law to maintain adequate reserves for replacement and major repairs to our facilities and common area structures, which is why we carry large balances in an
interest bearing deposit account. The reserve requirements are reviewed biennially to ensure state law compliance.
In addition to monthly dues, there are other fees and fines which can be applied. Please note that there are real costs associated with things like after-the-fact architectural
approvals, recording and replacing a lost pool key card, and warning letters for non-compliance. Currently:
- Replacement pool key card: $50
- After-the-fact architectural improvement request fee: $50
- Late fee for monthly dues (after 30 days): $10 per month.
- Pre-lien assessment actions: $46
- Returned check fee: $35
Fines for non-compliance to CC&R's can be charged to your account and range from $25 to $500 depending on the situation, but you will not be assessed a fine without a hearing.
If you have questions regarding your account balance please contact the management company during regular business hours.
SECURITY
The security agent for the Association is Secural at (818) 702-9799
. In addition, the Simi Valley Police Department encourages residents to call the non-emergency phone line to report suspicious activity, late night door-to-door soliciting, problems at the pool area,
etc. In an emergency, use 911.
RENTAL or LEASE
Any owner leasing or renting their home, must furnish the association, through it's management
company, with the name(s) of their tenants and provide the tenants with a copy of the Autumn Wood Homeowners CC&R's.
The owner must also inform the Association of their off-site mailing address.
CHILDREN AND GUESTS
Please share this guide with your children. Keep in mind that you are responsible for the actions of your children and your guests.
GENERAL COMMUNITY GUIDELINES
COMMON AREAS
The Autumn Wood Common Areas include the centrally located greenbelts and pool/spa area. These areas have been designed for the use and
pleasure of Autumn Wood homeowners and their guests only.
In keeping our neighborhood enjoyable for all, loud noise which includes but is not limited to group gatherings, parties, radios and car stereos is prohibited. The use of power tools is
limited to the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Activities or games which are potentially dangerous to others or destructive to the property are not permitted in the common area. Each homeowner is responsible for
the conduct and actions of their children and guests. If you walk your pet in the common area, please keep your animal on a leash at all times. You are expected to pick up any excrement your pet may leave behind,
Failure to do so may result in a fine. We appreciate all residents keeping the common areas clean for everyone to enjoy.
In the past, the Autumn Wood common areas have been the targets of vandalism. We encourage all residents to keep a watchful eye on these properties and contact Simi Valley Police at the
first sign of suspicious activity. In doing so, you will ensure our monthly dues continue to be among the lowest in the Valley while still providing a safe and pleasurable neighborhood.
POOL AND SPA AREA
Each year the Autumn Wood Board of Directors requests the pool rules be distributed to the homeowners. Sometimes the job is done by
way of a special mailing; sometimes a flier or newsletter is the best way to advise every homeowner. The following is an explanation of the basic rules that every homeowner should follow when in the pool area:
Pool and spa are for the use of Autumn Wood residents and their accompanied guests only.
Association Members, their families and accompanied guests may use the pool and spa during normal (posted) hours. This is not a public pool.
Posted pool and spa hours: 6 am - 10 pm Sunday thru Thursday; 6 am – 11 pm Friday and Saturday. This is ample time to enjoy the
amenity. These closed hours coincide with the City's Code for quiet times (noise reduction).
No Trespassing after-hours - including homeowners. Persons found inside the pool area compound after operating hours are treated as trespassers according to Simi
Valley Police, whether or not they are homeowners.
Homeowners are responsible for the conduct of their families and guests in the pool area.
Guests and members of the homeowner must follow the posted rules and behave accordingly. Courtesy should prevail.
Children under 14 must be supervised by a responsible adult while in the pool area. This rule is a universal rule throughout Ventura County. It must be enforced
as this pool is considered a "public" pool in this respect. The County will close the pool to all users for infractions.
If you open the gate for someone, they become your responsibility. This rule limits the Association's liability and puts it on the owner of the key who allows them
in. Don't be intimidated by someone at the gate shouting about their "key not working," or "can't find our key." There is a good reason if the key doesn't work or if they don't have one; maybe they don't
belong to our Association. Let the property manager figure it out.
Homeowners must have their pool key in their possession at all times while in the pool area. Any homeowner has the right to ask to see your key and you must show it.
Anyone without a key is not permitted to stay. These three rules work together. Having the key card close by makes it easy to use the bathrooms which also use the key-card system. Showing
the key to another homeowner does not violate your rights, but offers great piece of mind to others. If a homeowners does not have the key present, then their authorized access is questionable.
Be courteous to other homeowners. Keep loud noises to a minimum. Many homeowners use the pool to relax and get away from tensions of the day. Loud noises
and radios should be kept to a minimum level.
No alcoholic beverages or drugs on the premises. Both are prohibited in the pool area because both can create unsafe conditions for pool users. Statistics show
that too many accidents occur in and around the pool—and the Association insur ance company knows that too!
No glass or breakable containers in the pool area. This rule is easy to understand.
Everyone who enjoys the pool is most likely in bare feet. Broken glass makes a very nasty cut and ruins the day, as well may cause temporary closure of the pool area.
No pets in the pool area. This rule is set by the Ventura County Environmental Health
Department. Feces, whether from animal or human, will close down the pool immediately for at least two days. Of course legally recognized Service Dogs are allowed in the pool
area, but not on the furniture and certainly not in the pool.
No riding of skates, skateboards, or bicycles in pool area. The pavers in the pool area
can't sustain such heavy traffic. However, you may park your toys near the gate inside the compound for safety; just don't play with them in the pool area.
No smoking in the pool area. Smoking, and vaping for that matter, is not allowed in the
pool area because of the irritation it may cause others. The Association will not debate the attributes of tobacco or vapor; just don't do it in the pool area.
Life saving equipment is for EMERGENCY USE ONLY. The personal flotation device (PFD) (the safety ring) is not provided for recreation; Ventura County requires the HOA to
maintain basic self-help equipment as a condition for permitting the pool. It would be a tragedy if it were not available for use to prevent a drowning.
PARKING
All applicable City of Simi Valley codes and ordinances governing private streets are enforced within the Autumn Wood community. Therefore, all vehicles parked
on the streets and driveways must be operative and moved at least every 72 hours. No recreational or commercial vehicles are permitted, unless for immediate
use in loading and unloading, nor are boats and trailers allowed to remain on the street unattached. Vehicle repairs shall not be conducted unless wholly within a
garage and in a manner which does not cause a nuisance. No car repairs are permitted in the common areas or on the streets or driveways. In addition, when
not in use, please keep all garage doors closed to discourage burglars and rodents.
PETS & ANIMALS
Household pets such as dogs and cats may be kept in each lot, subject to City rules and regulations as adopted by the Board of Directors. No animals can be
kept, bred or maintained for commercial purposes. Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets.
REFUSE
Every owner is responsible for seeing that their lot is free of all rubbish, trash, garbage, weeds and other debris. Garbage cans and other containers, clotheslines, woodpiles, storage boxes, tools, equipment, dog houses and stored goods must be kept in an area on the lot that cannot be seen from the common area.
QUIET ENJOYMENT
No owner may interfere with the rights of quiet enjoyment of the other members of the community. Examples would be unreasonable noises, nuisances, and/or immoral or illegal acts.
COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY
This is a residential community. No commercial, professional, or industrial activity may be conducted on any lot, or within the common area, except as approved by a majority of a quorum of the Association.
ASSESSMENTS & LIENS
All dues and assessments not paid within the specified timeframe of due date will be considered delinquent Delinquent dues and assessments will be subject to
late charges, established by the board in compliance with California Law, and accrue interest at 10% from due date. [Delinquency policy]
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