St Clair Terraces
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Parking
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Public street parking is limited. To optimize space, please park as close as possible to other parked vehicles.
Advise any outside contractors of our parking restrictions /requirements. This should be discussed at the time the work is contracted and is the responsibility of the owner to enforce to avoid towing and/or fines.
Reasons for no parking in the driveways.
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Parked vehicles would increase insurance rates
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Our bylaws prohibit it (Article IX, section 7, page 24)
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It is a city ordinance
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Allows garbage trucks access to the dumpsters
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The driveway is two ways, allowing trucks to navigate.
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Eases co owners’ entrance and exit from garages.
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Electric Vehicles
Electric vehicles may not be charged using the electricity from the garages. The association as a whole is responsible for the cost of the electricity that’s being used. If anyone continues to use the electricity for that purpose, fines will be issued.
Speed limit and large trucks
The speed limit in rear and side drives is 5 mph. Owners, children, leashed pets and guests must use these drives to access their cars and may suddenly appear from a doorway or courtyards into the drive. Please be considerate and cautious.
The side drive is considerably narrower than the rear drive and cannot accommodate large vehicles. Any vehicle larger than a small pickup/SUV will damage the lawn and plantings. Large vehicles that enter from Maumee must exit the same way. It is permissible for any vehicle to exit on Maumee.
The rear drive is two ways. The side drive is one way. Do not exit the drive at St. Clair this is an entrance only.
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Pets
All pets must be leashed and attended when outside on Condominium grounds. Owners are responsible for removal of their pet's feces. This should be collected in a suitable bag/ container and disposed in a proper and considerate manner.
Do not put feces in the dumpster without a bag. Pets be exercised or played with in front or back courtyards. Care and consideration should be taken to ensure no damage to grass or landscaping through any pet's activity or urination. The owner of the pet who damages grass or landscaping is responsible for repair or cost of repair.
Courtyard Etiquette
Games that may damage structures or landscaping are not allowed in the courtyards. No roller blading and or bicycling inside courtyards or steps. Bicycles, scooters and skateboards are to be stored in garages.
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Noise
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Loud noises and activities are not permitted ‑— i.e. shouting, loud music, firecrackers. Any noise within the courtyards is magnified at night and can disturb.
Landscaping and Garden Maintenance
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Modification form must be submitted to the board when replacing or adding new trees and shrubs
- Replacement/trimming/maintenance of all trees and shrubs will be maintained by the co-owners and responsibility acquired by subsequent owners upon sale of the unit
- All costs will be shared 75% co-owner and 25% association -
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A lawn service mows and maintains the grass during the growing season. Twice year, Spring and Fall, the garden beds are cleaned out and the hedges and foundation shrubs are cut and pruned. The remainder of the year it is the responsibility of the co-owner to maintain the non-grass area around and near their unit.
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Shrubs that have been planted to hide something, such as an air conditioning compressor, must be maintained by the owner who installed the equipment and shrubbery. The City checks to make sure AC compressors are not visible from the street. Failure to camouflage AC compressors or to maintain the camouflaging plantings will result in City fines as well as Condominium assessed costs to repair the shrubbery.
Our foundation plantings - yews - is consistent throughout the complex. Any changes to existing landscaping (bushes, shrubs, trees, ground cover) must receive Board's approval.
Planting of annual flowers may be done at the co-owner's discretion, but without removal of existing groundcover etc. Refer to the Article IX, section 11 of the Amended and Restated Master Deed and Bylaws.
Types of shrubs are limited. Preferred shrubs include Yews, small abbreviates Hollys, Hydrangeas, and Boxwood. Others may be considered
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Shrubs and bushes are limited to 4-5 feet height maximum to give a pleasing appearance to landscaping and to prevent cost of overgrown shrubs.
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AIR Conditioners Camouflage
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The board approves design, size, materials and placement. The co-owners install and maintains the camouflage. Use plantings (primarily arborvitaes) or dark brown lattice enclosures.to give uniformity to the exterior appearance​
Statuary
Placement may in in back or front the unit. Board approval is needed for design, size, materials and placement. The co-owners install and maintains statuary. Recommended materials: cement, terra cotta, marble, in a modest size and conservative design.
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Decorative Flags
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May be placed in the back of the unit with board of approval of design, size and materials. The do-owner is responsible for installation and maintenance.
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Invasive Plants
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Invasive plants such as mint, trumpet vine and ivies are prohibited. However, these plants are allowed to grow in containers. Our foundation planting are consistent throughout the time complex. Any changes to existing landscaping ((bushes, shrubs, trees, ground cover) must receive Board approval.
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Watering Lawn and Gardens
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Watering is essential to the life and maintenance of our Condo grounds.
We have a central sprinkler system that covers sections of the lawn between the building and St. Clair Ave. Care should be taken with watering courtyards. Overwatering increases our water bill. Timer should be set at 1 hour every other day for 1 hour or less, depending on rainfall.
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Sewer System
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Our sewer system has been in use since 1929. It is cleaned out at several locations around the complex at least twice a year. To extend its life and function, all co-owners must cooperate and avoid flushing such things as feminine hygiene products, disposable diapers, so-called "flushable" wipes, kitchen grease, hair etc. These items clog the sewer system, causing unhealthy, nasty backups in co owner's basements - and cause us extra maintenance expenses.
Safety and Inspections:
Our insurance carrier recommends that all boilers and furnaces have an annual inspection by a licensed heating contractor. A copy of the receipt must be submitted to the Board by the end of the each current year. Co-owners who do not comply will be fined in a manner that is consistent with fines imposed for non-compliance with our governing documents.
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Inspections of dryer and vacuum vents are recommended.
Each floor of the unit must have a smoke detector. Check their operation periodically and replace batteries as needed.
Inspect all fire extinguishers regularly for proper charge and have them recharged as needed. A small fire in your unit can become a blazing inferno for all.
If you plan to be out of town for trips or vacations, please arrange with a relative, friend or neighbor to check on your unit periodically. This is important, especially during winter to ensure that the heating system is working properly.
There may be a need to enter your unit for maintenance of shared utilities, such as water, gas and satellite television. Please, be cooperative since such activities require considerable effort in planning and scheduling with contractors.
Alterations and Modifications
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Any changes to the units, particularly those that may involve common elements, load-bearing walls or general exterior appearance, including doors, windows, light fixtures, decks, air conditioners etc. must have Board approval. There is an established standard for windows. Garage doors are altered with Board approval. Check with a Board member before seeking a contractor for these items or filling out a modification form.
Alterations and modification done without Board approval are subject to removal at the co-owner's expense. This is outlined in the Master Deed. Co-owners are responsible for the maintenance and repair of replacement windows, storm doors and outside light fixtures that service their unit.
Co-owners are responsible for the maintenance and repair of any replacement (non-original) garage door on their assigned garage stall.
Bylaws, Master Deed, Membership, Rules and Regulations
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The Association would like to meet with the new Co-owners. This would facilitate a smooth and friendly transition where the new owner can ask questions about Condominium living and specifically about St. Clair Terraces.
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It is the responsibility of the C-owner to deliver copies of the Bylaws, Master Deed and Rules and Regulations to the new owner prior to closing on the property. If it is necessary for the Board to supply these documents, the electronic version will be provided.
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Renters
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Our Bylaws allow maximum of two (2) units to be rented at a time. Anyone wishing to rent or lease their unit must get Board approval.
Trash and Recycling
All items must go inside the recycling bins and trash dumpsters. If the bins and dumpsters are full, the items need to be stored in your garage or house, to be
brought out the night before recycling and trash pickup.
The recycling bins aren’t large enough to hold all of the cardboard we have, therefore, cardboard needs to be stored inside your garage or house to be brought out the night before pickup (usually Sunday) and placed, flattened and cut up, beside the recycling bins after the bins are full. Styrofoam goes in the trash dumpster.
If the trash dumpster is too full for small furniture and household items, these can be taken to the curbs at Maumee and St. Clair at dusk the night before recycling (usually Sunday) for the city to pick up in the morning. For larger items, such as furniture, contact the city at 313-885-5800 and arrange for pickup time and location. The city will charge a fee. The items may be outside only on the day arranged for pickup.
Trash and recycling is picked up Mondays except holidays. Grosse Pointe City’s policy on trash removal is on their website at
https://www.grossepointecity.org/departments/public_services/refuse___recycling.
Contractor debris shall not be placed in the trash dumpsters. Contractors shall remove construction debris and are responsible for disposing of it. The City adds a fee to the condo’s water bill if contractor debris is in the dumpsters. The condo association will bill the responsible condo owner for the removal of the debris or for the reimbursement of the city’s charge. Lawn bags may be taken to the curb at Maumee on the night before leaf/plants pickup, usually Sunday
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Penalties for infractions of Rules and Regulations
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Fines will be assessed $100 to Co-Owners who are not in compliance with SCT HOA governing documents (By-Laws, Master Deed, and/or Rules and Regulations) . If not paid within 30 days of the initial infraction, the Co-Owner will be notified by the Board that additional fines will be assessed $100 per month, until compliance is restored.
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Water shutoff affecting Multiple units; board notification
If water is shut off in a unit and it causes or requires the water to be shut off in other unit(s), the board must be notified prior to the shutoff.
YARD ORNAMENTS
NO BOARD APPROVAL NEEDED:
1. Ornamental pots may be used without board approval in the colors of terra cotta, concrete, black, white, cream, rust, tan, brick, browns and St. Clair Brown, in front of the unit and in back courtyards, decks and patios.
2. Door wreaths anytime. Holiday lighting and window wreaths at holiday time.
3. The American flag may be flown in front, per U.S. statute.
BOARD APPROVAL NEEDED:
4. FRONT: Statuary, pots of colors other than in #1.
5. BACK: Patio furniture, patio furniture covers, ornamental flags, statuary, yard art and accents, pots of colors other than in #1. (Ornamental flags will be considered for back only. Any statuary considered for front or back must be of modest size, concrete color only for front.)
MODIFICATION REQUEST PLUS BOARD APPROVAL NEEDED:
6. Any ornamentation attached to the building, front or back. Most attached ornamentation will be denied except for holiday lights.
WHAT IS BOARD APPROVAL FOR YARD ORNAMENTS?
It’s a quick decision. The co-owner contacts a Board member who will meet with other Board members to share and get a decision on whether to approve. Board will review color, size, amount etc.
Decks
must be brown.
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If using paint, the color St. Clair Terraces Brown is on file at Benjamin Moore, 20725 Mack, 313-924-5563.
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If using stain, use a color to match the painted garage door frames. Decks attached to each other should have the same stain or paint treatment.