frequently asked questions
Where do I send my monthly dues?
Member assessments of $40/month are due on the first of each month, payable to Stone Crest Condo Assoc. and should be mailed to: Gerow Management Co., 4060 Cedar Commercial Dr., Cedar Springs, MI 49319. Home owners will be provided with stickers for their mailing envelopes. Late fees may be applied if dues are delinquent and further action may be taken as allowed per the Bylaws.
In order to avoid late fees, we strongly encourage the use of the auto-pay feature. This form can be found here: ACH Form.
If you have any questions about your monthly dues, please contact office@gerowmanagement.com or call 616-433-9090.
What do association dues cover?
Association dues ($40/month) pay expenses of the Association. The following is an approximate summary of how the dues are spent:
Green space maintenance (approx. 8 acres) mowing, mulch, fertilizer, sprinklers and electricity for the well pump and barn lights = $12/mo
Weekly resident trash pick up = $10.00/mo
Property Manager fees = $10.00/mo
Operating costs (insurance, website, tax prep, social events, etc.) = $3.00/mo
Common element repairs and maintenance (barn, play ground, green space) = $2.00/m
May I lease my home?
A home owner within Stone Crest may lease their house if the following conditions are met per the Bylaws:
A copy of the lease is provided to the Board for their review and approval at least 10 days prior to the start of the lease
The lease must be a minimum of 12 months
Home owner dues must be current
Future dues must be noted on the lease and state who will be responsible for payment (tenant or home owner). If dues become delinquent, the Board may assess the tenant for the arrears. The tenant may then deduct the dues from their rental payment to the home owner as outlined in the Bylaws without breach of their lease.
Tenants must be provided with a copy of the Bylaws and follow the same restrictions as members
Tenants may not be given access to the community storage barn
Tenants may not vote on any Stone Crest ballot issue
Tenant contact information (phone/email) must be provided to the Board
How do I get a community barn key?
Barn keys are issued only to members who own a property in Stone Crest. A form is to be completed and submitted with the Stone Crest Board stating materials to be stored. All items must be owned by the resident – no items owned by others (i.e. tenants, friends, family, etc.) are allowed in the barn. Contact the board via email for access.
What types of home or lot improvements require prior Board review and approval?
Per the Bylaws, the following should be brought to the Board's approval for architectural review and compliance prior to start of the project. Drawings or plans should be attached.
All exterior modifications or additions to a home or garage including additions, painting, new fascia, structural changes, driveway changes, roofing, etc.
Fencing
Retaining walls
Decks
Sheds or any out building
Landscaping and trees (beyond normal flowers and shrubs)
Pools and hot tubs
Solar panels
Dog runs
Changes to grade or slope
If work is started without prior approval, the home owner risks being cited for a violation and may be required to alter or remove the changes at the owner's cost. Per the Bylaws, this review is required to ensure compliance with the Bylaws, protect our scenic environment, maintain the value of our homes, ensure uniformity of neighborhood appearance, and to review lot setbacks, existing easements and drainage issues.
I want to put an addition on my house – what do I need to do?
You must provide plans to the Stone Crest Board for approval prior to submitting to Courtland Township for a building permit. The plans must include a site plan indicating the size and elevation of the addition and the distance from the property set-back lines. The addition must match the existing siding and roofing.
Are above ground pools allowed?
No, above ground pools are not allowed per the Stone Crest Bylaws.
Are kiddie pools allowed?
The Stone Crest Board defers to the Courtland Township Ordinance: Kiddie Pools must be less than 24 inches deep and less than 250 square feet (surface area). They cannot have a pump, filter or any structural materials attached.
Can we have an association swimming pool?
Unfortunately, a community pool is not a feasible project we can take on financially. Attached is research done in 2017 with the estimated cost and work involved. Swimming Pool Information.
What are the Stone Crest Bylaws restrictions?
Below is a brief summary from the Bylaws. The Bylaws should be referred to for further details.
Homes are for single-family and residential use only; sites shall be maintained in a safe, clean and sanitary condition.
Home occupations - permitted if the business is conducted entirely within the residence by the immediate resident; no signage; no outer storage; no employees; no mechanical/electrical equipment.
Garage sales - require preapproval by the Board. An annual community garage sale typically occurs in the spring.
Signage in yards - not allowed other than "For Sale".
Flags - are allowed not greater than 3 ft x 5 ft.
Exterior changes - require prior Board review and approval.
Sheds and outbuildings - may only be constructed at the rear or side of the yard, maximum size of 150 sft, 12 ft max at peak, and 8 ft max at side wall; must match the existing color and texture of the home; prior review and approval is required by the Board.
Animals - limited to dogs, cats and pet birds; no commercial breeding; no offensive odors or unsanitary conditions allowed; the Board has the authority to remove dogs which bark consistently or any animal it considers a danger or may violate the Bylaws.
Garage doors - should be kept closed for security and aesthetic reasons.
ORVs/Dirtbikes/Quads/4-wheelers - it is a violation of Michigan state law to operative ORVs on any public or private property not posted open for such activity. ORVs may not be driven on any common area or private property within Stone Crest.
Trailers/Boats/Snowmobiles or other vehicles in driveways, yards or common areas - may not be parked or stored on any site or adjoining area. Snowmobiles may not be used on any common area within the Association or public streets within the development they are not posted for such activity.
Campers in driveways, yards or common areas - may not be parked on any site or adjoining area. However, the Board does allow a grace period for a camper in your own driveway for 1 week before a trip and 1 week after a trip to air out/clean/load/unload.
Inoperable vehicles - non-running vehicles of any type may not be stored upon any site either temporarily or permanently except within the home owner garage with the garage door closed.
Commercial vehicles and trucks (including those with a company name or advertising) - may not be parked on any site unless for making deliveries or moving. No trucks of 3/4 ton or commercial type vehicles of any nature may be parked overnight on any site except in an enclosed garage without prior written approval of the Board. However, the Board does allow personal vehicles (less than 3/4 ton) which may contain advertising and used for employment to be parking in driveways, but additional company vehicles or employee vehicles with advertising are not allowed to be parked overnight.
Parking in common areas - no vehicles may be parked temporarily or permanent in any of the common area or green space. If you or your guests need to park some place other than your driveway, please use the public streets.
Nuisance and rubbish - sites must be kept clean and tidy; no activity allowed that will emit foul odors or excessive noise; no unsightly storage of materials; weeds must be kept down and no refuse piles are allowed.
Garbage and refuse - must be kept in sanitary containers inside garages or otherwise within fully enclosed areas at all times. However, a grace period is given for trash cans to be out one day before and one day after trash pickup day (Sunday thru Tuesday only, pickup day Monday).
Lawn clippings - the Board requests that lawn clippings not be swept or blown into the street as they clog the street drainage system. If your property abuts a wooded green space which is not typically used by residents, you may dispose there if the clippings are spread out to decompose; no unsightly mounds may be dumped in common areas that are used including near the ponds or central common area.
Driveways - must be a minimum 10 ft. wide and may not be closer than 10 ft. from site boundaries.
Landscaping - clear cutting of trees is not allowed except for preapproved site improvements; setback requirements apply of 43 ft. from the centerline of the road adjacent to the site; hedges requirements are noted in the Bylaws.
Architectural style and square footage - No more than two stories allowed; additions or changes must be harmonious with the development and be preapproved; quality of the construction shall be first class; licensed builder or architectural plans are required; grade alternations and drainage must be reviewed as well as setback allowances. Details in the Bylaws should be reviewed for architectural review.
Fences and walls - require preapproval of the Board; setbacks apply.
Community barn and playground - shall be maintained by the Board; fees (if any) may be determined by the Board; barn may not be used by non-members.
Water and sewer - it is the responsibility of the members to maintain their private utilities and the Association will have no responsibility with respect to same.
Pools - above ground pools are not allowed, kiddie pools must meet Township requirements; setbacks apply; in-ground pools require preapproval by the Board.
The Bylaws are enforceable by the Board and the Property Manager. Allowable actions that may be taken are outlined in the Bylaws which are governed by the Michigan Condominium Act.
Who do I call if I have a concern or complaint about the neighborhood?
Please contact the Property Manager, Gerow at office@gerowmanagement.com. You may also call them at 616-433-9090. Their office closes at 4:30. You may also send a message to the Board at stonecrestboard@gmail.com.
When is trash pickup, and what can be taken?
Trash pickup is early Monday mornings, adjusted for holidays. Please see details on this link. Household waste will be picked up. No construction waste, hazardous waste, or yard waste should be included with regular trash.
Recycling of plastic containers, grocery bags, glass, metal, mixed paper are free. Details are here.
Pick up of yard waste is available through Herrington's for an additional fee that the home owner is responsible for. Contact the Board or Property Manager if you would like yard waste pick up.
Who maintains the streets in Stone Crest?
The streets are public and under the jurisdiction of the Kent County Road Commission. They are responsible for snow plowing in the winter and repairing/repaving as needed. Their number is 616-242-6900.
Who do I call regarding speeding traffic, illegal parking, abandoned or unlicensed cars?
Call the Kent County Sheriff's Department at 616-632-6100.
Who do I call regarding dogs/cats running loose, barking dogs or dog bites?
Call Kent County Animal Control at 616-336-3210.
Who do I call if the storm sewer drain is plugged?
Call the Kent County Drain Commission at 616-336-3688.