The Lakewood Estates Park belongs to the Lakewood Estates Association. The Association consists of all current members (property owners & renters who have purchased a current membership). Therefore, the whole of the LEA park "belongs" to All current LEA members.
The haphazard and unregulated proliferation of private boat docks in the Park has produced many problems. To address some of these issues, the LEA Board presented a dock management proposal to the membership at the October 2004 Annual Meeting. At that time, the membership decided that they wanted more time to read and consider the proposal. They voted to postpone the vote on the proposal until a special meeting to be held in April 2005.
The LEA Board encouraged all members to give them feedback on the proposal during the ensuing six-month period. The Board revised the proposal as a result of a number of comments received. This revised proposal (with an amendment specifying that the dock assessments may only be used for that which receives a two-thirds vote) passed at the special meeting held on April 16, 2005. See the approved document below.
LEA Private Boat Docks - Rules & Regulations:
Membership in LEA is mandatory for dock owners who have docks attached to LEA park property. If the owner of the dock attached to LEA park property refuses to be a member of LEA and pay yearly dock assessment the owner will be requested to remove the dock from the Park or it will be considered abandoned (2) on LEA property.
All docks will be assessed a dock license fee for the space they use in the park. The dock licensee fee will be set by the board and will be due at the beginning of each year with the membership fee unless other arrangements are made in writing with LEA by February 1. The assessment will be based on the width of the dock at the widest point adjacent to the shore and will include all attached items such a swim platforms, permanently moored boats or roof over hangs. The dock fee will start in 2006 and will be set at $12 per liner foot.
The LEA board will maintain the right to inspect any dock for changes or condition.
No one has a right to have a dock attached to the LEA park property, without the appropriate permits from any governmental agency or authority and a written license from the LEA.
The dock license is not transferable.
Dock owners will maintain appropriate liability or other insurance at all times with the insurance certificate provided to the board with the LEA listed as additional insured.
The LEA board will manage the number, size and location of the docks.
The LEA board will approve/review all major changes (1) to existing docks before any work or changes take place. If the LEA board finds a dock that has had major changes made with out approval from the board the member may face suspension of membership from LEA and/or removal of dock from LEA property.
A member who currently owns a dock in the LEA Park may not lease or sublease a slot or dock to a non-member. The member may face suspension of membership from LEA and/or removal of dock from LEA property.
If a dock is abandoned (2) by its owner and the owner can not be contacted, by registered letter, and refuses to respond, to take care of the dock the LEA board will take ownership of the dock and will determine what will be done with it.
If a member fails to maintain their dock, so it is resting on shore as the lake drops or is left a long distance from shore as the lake rises and is a hazard to boaters or other docks, the LEA will send a registered letter. If the owner has not responded to LEA about the registered letter in 30 days the LEA board will have the dock moved to a proper place and owner will be billed for the expense.
Renters can’t own a dock. If an owner, who is a member, is leasing their property they can allow their renter(s) to use their dock as long as the renter is a member of LEA.
When there is a change in ownership of a dock the new owner(s) will be required to sign a license agreement with the LEA. Both the previous owner(s) and the new owner(s) are responsible to report the change in ownership to the LEA board in a timely manner.
Dock(s) will not block the boat launch at any time.
All dock owners will maintain a proper anchor system at all times so they do not damage any other dock. (The current docks in the park are very close together and may cause damage to another dock during heavy weather, high/low water or heavy waves from passing boats). All Docks must be securely attached to the shore, taking into consideration water depth, lake level fluctuation and exposure to wind, fast moving water and wave action. Anchor cables for floating docks shall (1) not create a hazard to navigation or block ingress or egress for Watercraft, (2) be maintained in good condition and have a minimum working load of 1,000 pounds, (3) have thimbles or other chafing protection.
The LEA will not be responsible for any damage done to one dock by another and will not be responsible for any injuries.
Definitions:
- Major changes - Major changes will be defined as adding walkways, adding on to the existing structure, adding electricity, moving anchors, replacing the entire dock with a new one or anything that affects the overall size and location of a dock or its interaction with the Park land or other docks.
- Abandonment- Abandonment means the owner has not paid the current year membership and license fee by the annual meeting in the fall.
