Docks are a very important aspect of living (or owning property) in a lake community such as this one. I have written quite a few columns in this paper about docks, but there still seems to be some misunderstanding about the relationship between the Association and the membership regarding them. The Deed of Restrictions allows the membership to “have license, personally and for his own family and guests, to the use and privileges of the lake, to-wit: boating, bathing, fishing, ice skating, ice boating, the parkway surrounding said lake, and the privilege of mooring boats on said parkway, all subject, however, to the supervision and rules as same may be promulgated by the Grantor (Association) herein.” Interestingly, the word “dock” is not mentioned, however for all practical purposes, “the privilege of mooring boats on the parkway” has come to include docks. There once was a time when docks were regulated by the city, the development company and the Association. Today the Association has the sole responsibility of granting dock licenses and privileges to the members. As there are no “community” docks owned by the Association, members keep docks on the lake under a dock license renewed annually. When you bought your house, typically the ownership of the docks will transfer as personal property from seller to buyer. We transfer the license for the remainder of the year to the new owner. At the beginning of each year we send out dock registration agreements with the dues statements which ensures that license for another year. It is the member’s responsibility to be sure that the information on the dock registration form is correct and that there is a current dock plate and the member’s lot and block number on the front (lakeside) of the dock. It is also the member’s responsibility to maintain their docks in a safe condition (including electrical safety,) keep current on their assessments and dock license fees to keep their spots. The Association may remove a member’s docks for any of the above circumstances. Should that happen, the member has one year to correct the issue to maintain their license and reserve their spot. With over 2300 docks on the lake, the Association must rely heavily on the membership to keep their information current with us. Except for minor repairs that don’t change the footprint of a dock, any changes to docks must be approved by the Lake Improvement Board, which hears as many as 15 cases a month. For more information, please see the Rules and Regulations of the Lake Lotawana Association or call the office with any questions.
Submitted by: Jan T. Olson – Executive Director
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