Frequently Asked Questions

Why do we need a Neighborhood Association?

• They promote fellowship in the neighborhood with activities such as meetings and picnics so everyone has a chance to meet their neighbors
• Mowing of the easement on Sheridan - the City no longer mows, leaving the responsibility up to the Neighborhood Association. It is important to maintain the appearance of the neighborhood.
• Provide an interface for the City of Tulsa to communicate important developments that affect the neighborhood.
• Provide an organization that represents all of the members to resolve problems in the neighborhood.

I have heard Neighborhood Associations can be overpowering, forcing changes on the homeowners they don't want.

We've all probably heard of them, but if you are involved in the meetings where changes are made, even if it's just to lend support to someone else that voices an opinion you feel strongly about, it is less likely to happen here. At one of the more "lively" recent meetings (May 31, 2007 - when changes were made to the covenants), a provision for specifying the types of mailboxes that can be used in the neighborhood inadvertantly was added to the proposed covenants. It was never meant to be included, and the debate that followed resulted in it's removal. If you read the meeting minutes, you'll find that all changes are made with plenty of discussion, not in a closed meeting by a few. And in the process you might just get to know a neighbor you haven't met. You might think these meetings could become tense and confrontational, but the neighborhood picnic following that meeting was the best attended ever. So don't rely on what you have heard, come out to the next meeting and see for yourself.

Is the Neighborhood Association responsible for replacing the fences along Sheridan?

No, it is not. Fence replacement is the responsibility of the homeowner of the property the fence is on. It would be good if the fencing could be replaced at the same time and of the same type material in order to give the neighborhood fencing a uniform look. With a voluntary dues structure it is difficult to raise the amount of funds required for the Association to take care of fencing. A few years ago a proposal was presented to homeowners along Sheridan providing labor by residents of Sheridan Valley to install the fence if the homeowner would provide the materials and none were interested. This would be a good topic to discuss at an upcoming meeting to find a possible solution that would be equitable to all.

Why should I care about the neighborhood covenants?

The neighborhood covenants are the rules concerning the maintenance and upkeep of property in the neighborhood, and apply to your property, whether or not a Neighborhood Association exists, or if you are a member. They are in place to ensure the neighborhood is maintained in a way that enhances property values. They have been reviewed and discussed at several meetings before they are changed in order to ensure the majority want the change. Whether or not you are a member of the Neighborhood Association it's important for you to be involved in any changes to the covenants.

It's not fair to force covenant changes and mandatory dues on me; I bought my house years ago based on the existing covenants and no homeowners association.

The proposed changes would be mandatory for those buying homes after the changes are in place. The idea is to create a workable set of covenants that could be presented to potential homeowners by their Realtor so they know up front what the requirements are.

Why do we need to change the neighborhood covenants?

The current covenants are outdated and do not address the needs of the neighborhood. One example is the prohibition of sheds that are not a part of (attached to) the house. Many (probably a majority) of the homes in the neighborhood do not comply. The existing covenants were drafted by the developer, and now we have a chance to make changes that we can all work with going forward.

Who determines what changes are made to the neighborhood covenants?

An initial document was drafted by the officers of the Association, then discussed (and discussed, and discussed...) at neighborhood meetings. If you look at the minutes, you will get some idea how changes are made. Reading the minutes is one way to keep up with what happens in the meetings, but it's no substitute for being there. It's important for everyone to attend the meetings and let their voice be heard.

When is someone going to do something about (insert neighborhood eyesore here)?

If something about a neighbor's property is creating an eyesore, there are a few options to remedy it:

1. You can contact the homeowner to see if they are agreeable to cleaning it up
2. You can call the City of Tulsa's Code Enforcement department if there is a city code being violated, or if all else fails,
3. If a neighborhood covenant is being violated, any homeowner or the Neighborhood Association can take legal action to resolve the problem (drastic and not recommended)

Why not just let the City of Tulsa's Code Enforcement department handle problems in the neighborhood?

The City will only handle problems that violate City code, not upkeep to maintain the neighborhood in a way that enhances property values.

Someone knocked on my door today and told me something I'm doing is against the Sheridan Valley rules, is this the way you advise of violations?

No. Any notification by the Neighborhood Association would be provided in writing.

I don't think I or anyone else should be telling others in the neighborhood what color to paint their house.

With an active Neighborhood Association, a few won't be able to do that. In many of the meetings to date, it has become clear that the majority of your neighbors want the same things, and are tolerant.

What does the appearance of the neighborhood have to do with the value of my property?

Everyone in the neighborhood has a vested interest in raising the value of our property, not reducing it. Prospective home buyers see the neighborhood when they drive by to view a home for sale, and anything that reduces the attractiveness of the neighborhood makes them think twice about investing in a home in a neighborhood that could drag down the value of that home. Homes that take longer to sell cause the seller to reduce the price of their home in order to sell it quicker. Comparable sales figures in a neighborhood set the price of homes around them, whether those homes are for sale or appraised for a refinance or equity loan. The more attractive the homes and neighborhood, the faster they will sell, and demand a higher price.