History – Did you know that our lake was formed in 1927 when the Lake Lotawana Development Company was formed, and the original plans and plat were created in 1928. The dam was finished in 1929, allowing water from Sni Creek to begin filling the lake.
After the initial development and subsequent dredge benefit districts we have a lake footprint of 497 acres with 14.2 miles of shoreline. As you’ll learn in future articles our dredging efforts have fallen behind, so the total volume of the lake has shrunk over the decades.
Surrounding the lake today are 1,157 properties with a much different look than the original plans for small properties, fishing cabins, golf course and swimming beach. While some of the original homes still exist, many have been torn down to make room for larger homes. If you like history at all I suggest you read Lake Lotawana, The Promised Land to learn about the famous families (many still here) and events that shaped the lake we know as Lotawana.
Real Estate and Financing of the Association – Did you know our dues are calculated based on the original platted parcels. If an owner combines lots to build a home, for the City of Lake Lotawana and Jackson County the properties are merged. However, the LLA still recognizes multiple properties for the purpose of calculating dues, fees and assessments. Also, some homes reside on Tracts (mainly 2nd and 3rd Tier properties), which are larger than the original parcels and have a higher weighted value for calculating dues and fees. These different ways to measure real estate at the lake can be confusing. Another fact we can track is the mix of full-time residents vs. part-time. The current ratio is 56% full-time and 44% with primary residences elsewhere. The percentage shift has been relatively stable for the past several years as some members move off the lake and others become full time.
Here are some fun real estate facts for you to ponder:
- 2020 & 2021 had the largest real estate transactions at 125 & 100 respectively; the assumption is COVID had an impact.
- The years between 2017-2023 real estate activity averaged 86 transactions per year with the average property value increasing 123% over the same period.
- The median (removes the outlier sales) property sales in 2023 were $545,000 versus $243,000 in 2017. We have also seen our highest property value sale at $4 million.
- 2,040 residential properties
- 1,178 Houses
- 780 vacant lots (mostly 2nd and 3rd tier)
- 82 lots with garages
- 1,147 owners (many own multiple properties)
Along with homes, our members have a large investment in water toys of all kinds. 3,735 water vessels were registered so far in 2024 with additional permitting that has been done for new docking structures and building permits.
- 394 PWCs registered
- 1,663 Power Boats registered
- 1,678 Non-power Boats registered (167 sailboats)
- 550 Storage Lot agreements for 2024
Suffice it to say we all have a vested interest in the success of the Association in managing our common assets like the lake and the common area, so please try to remember that when we hassle you for information!
Rules – Did you know our Rules Committee follows a procedure for making changes to our Rules and Regulations (R&R). Change requests can start from a variety of scenarios. Many times, during a BoD meeting, a topic will generate a request for an update, i.e., our recent change to Boat Limitations driven by manufacturing changes for modern boats. Also, our office and operations staff which enforce our rules through policy and procedure will request a rule modification or an entirely new rule to help clarify or make operations more efficient. The office staff field most questions on R&R and provide a lot of feedback to the Rules Committee. Also, our Lake Improvement and Water Enforcement Boards will request changes based on the cases they review monthly.
Once a request is received by the Rules Committee, they discuss it as a committee and make a recommendation to the board. Like many of our standing committees (volunteers), they are there to do all the leg work for the Board of Directors (BoD) and recommend how to proceed. Like any rule they must be enforceable and written to give some flexibility while addressing the rule goals. Not all rule requests make it out of the Committee review, however, for those that do they come to the Executive Board to discuss and add to the next Board of Director (BoD) meeting agenda for the first reading.
The first reading at a Board of Directors meeting requires a motion to create, delete or change a rule. Once the motion is seconded, there is discussion, which many times will trigger motions to amend. After the discussion on the motion and proposed amendments, the BoD votes to approve the 1st reading.
If the rule change motion passes, the office will then publish via the Lotawana News and email and invite comment from the members.
At the 2nd reading, typically the next BoD meeting, additional amendments can be heard based on feedback from members. The final language from the 2nd reading motion, amendments and discussion if approved becomes a rule. The rule change will be published in the Rules and Regulations with a date note of the change adoption. In some cases, if considerable changes during the 2nd reading from what was first published, the office will elect to publish the final form of the rule in the Lotawana Newspaper.
This is a lengthy process intended to give adequate time and thought process to adding or changing our governing rules. Over the decades our R&R has adapted to the changing strategy for the lake, however, the majority are about protecting the lake’s quality and safe operation. It is key that members refresh themselves annually on the R&R. Please do not go off memory or if you have questions about the R&R ask the office for an explanation.
Courtesy Reminders – August is when we start to see the lake activity slow with kids going back to school. The Association will focus on projects that must be completed before the start of the school year. We will be reducing the Water Patrol staff as many go back to school, so please when captaining a water toy keep your mind on safety.
Sincerely,
Jeff Clemow
President