How The DLPOA Works

	Dunham Lake in Michigan
How The DLPOA Works

[BACK]

T he Dunham Lake Property Owners Association was formed by the original developers with the establishment of the Livingston and Oakland county neighborhood covenants. The covenants provide for the Dunham Lake Civic Committee (DLCC), an oversight body of five members. As in most property owners associations, this body levees and collects lot assessments, oversees the management of common property, and enforces the neighborhood building codes. The first members of the DLCC were officials of the development company. As the number of new property owners increased, the original DLCC members were replaced with the new owners. Members of the DLCC appoint new members as replacements and there is no limit on the time that a member can be on the committee. Members can be removed by a simple majority vote of all members of the association.

The DLPOA Board was originally formed by the DLCC to oversee the management of the Greenbelt at a time when many of the owners were living in absentia. This act gave power to the residents to democratically manage the immediate needs of the park. At the same time, the strategic needs were the ultimate responsibility of the DLCC. The by-laws are guidelines followed by the Board to conduct its business. Members of the Board are elected by a majority of those present at the annual meeting.

Michigan law provides for adverse possession of property. This law states that if encroachment continues openly and without complaint for a period of 16 years, the encroacher can legally claim the land. This is the reason for our annual park walks. In the 1980’s the Common Area Management Policy was established in response to encroachment by property owners upon the Greenbelt. This document defines encroachment and management procedures, and insures that policy is enforced uniformly. The DLPOA also has an encroachment abatement procedure to insure that all property owners are treated fairly.

Then there are the Association Property, Park, and Lake Regulations which deal with peoples’ behavior on association property. It should be noted that the rule against motors on the lake is a Michigan DNR rule and cannot be overturned by the DLPOA.

The DLPOA has been one of the most stable and strongest neighborhood organizations in the area. This is probably the result of its unique structure and the pride of its members. The DLCC changes infrequently and its members know the association’s history. The Board is the more active body and member terms have designated limits. The limit lessens the burden on board members. However, these limits do not keep people from serving more than one terms. Currently, members of our Board are serving second and third terms. Over the years the DLCC and the Board have always had a very cooperative relationship. DLCC members have usually been past members of the Board.

This neighborhood has also been active in politics. Our members actively attend both the Hartland and Highland township meetings. Of course our founder, Murray Van Wagoner, was the Governor of Michigan. Mike Hegarty was a Livingston County judge for several years. Bill Bullard has been the Highland Township Supervisor and a state senator. In 1990, a group from our organization was very active in opposing the establishment of an Oakland County landfill. Six of the top ten sites selected by the commission was within three miles of Dunham Lake. In response, we produced “Dunham Lake: An Endangered Species”, a very moving video documenting the damage that a nearby landfill would do to our lake. It was a tough battle but the landfill was put on hold.

If you have any questions about our association, please contact a Board or a DLCC member.

DUNHAM LAKE IN MICHIGAN

One of America's Great Neighborhoods