


DECLARATION OF COVENANTS,
CONDITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS
THE UNDERSIGNED, BEAR HOLLOW
PROPERTIES, LLC, (herein "Developer") of 3110 Parkwood Lane, Bigfork,
Montana 59911, hereby encumbers and restricts the herein-described real property
with the Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions set forth below. The real
property affected by these Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions is located in
Flathead County, Montana, and is more particularly described as follows:
See Exhibit A attached hereto and by this reference incorporated herein
Said property is herein sometimes
referred to as the "Bear Hollow."
From and after the date this document is
recorded with the Flathead County Clerk and Recorder's office, such property
shall not be used, nor shall any activities be conducted on such property, where
such is in violation of these Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions.
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PURPOSE, USE AND ACTIVITIES:
The purpose of these Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions is to ensure
that Bear Hollow is developed for single-family residences and to further
ensure that each property owner in the Subdivision can quietly and
peacefully enjoy and use their property and to ensure that all homes and
improvements constructed on the property meet certain minimum size and
construction standards, all as further set forth below.
- No lot shall be used except for one
single-family residence and no building shall be erected, altered,
placed or permitted to remain except for residential purposes, except
with the prior approval of the Architectural Control Committee.
Outbuildings shall conform in appearance with the single-family
residence and must be approved by the Architectural Control Committee,
which shall have the right, in its discretion, to not allow any
outbuildings which, in the opinion of the Architectural Control
Committee impede an adjoining property owner's use or enjoyment of
his/her property (including the view from such property), do not fit
with the character of the surrounding residences, or are otherwise
unsightly.
- No lot shall be further subdivided.
- No structure or other improvement may
be constructed on any lot until such has been approved by the
Architectural Control Committee, all as further provided for herein. No
temporary building, house trailer, mobile home, or other temporary
structure shall be erected or placed upon this property during
construction. All construction shall be completed within one (1) year
from the date construction begins. All homes must be of new construction
with permanent foundations and shall contain no less than 1,500 square
feet of above-ground living space. For purposes hereof, the above-ground
living space shall not include attached garages, decks or porches, nor
shall any basement space be included as part of the required 1,500
square feet. All bi-level structures shall contain no less than 1,000
square feet of living space on the main floor, exclusive of attached
garages, basements, decks, porches, and the floor space above the main
floor. A residence with a daylight basement shall have at least one
outside access, and the ground level immediately outside of the basement
access shall be at least six inches (6") below the floor level of the
walkout basement, and there shall be proper drainage away from the
residence. No structure on any lot shall have a roof or exterior siding
which is silver or metallic colored, reflective, or shiny. Only Class A
and Class B fire resistant roofing materials are required on all
structures within Bear Hollow.
- All areas of lots disturbed during
construction shall be landscaped or returned to natural vegetation after
construction. If construction activity on any lot should cause damage to
the roads or improvements, the cost or repair shall be solely borne by
the owner of said lot.
No owner may change the alignment and grade of the drainage swale next
to the road which would redirect or inhibit the flow of runoff.
- Outside storage is limited to one (1)
operational car or truck and one (1) motor home or other recreational
vehicle, or one (1) boat or other recreational vehicle. No other such
vehicles shall be allowed to remain upon any of the said lots unless
placed in a garage. However, variances may be granted by the
Architectural Control Committee so long as outside storage is in an
inconspicuous location on the lot and does not obstruct the view of the
neighboring lots or cause a nuisance to the neighborhood.
- No signs, advertising billboards,
banners or advertising structures or devices of any kind shall be
erected, used or maintained on the property except for the following
purposes: advertising the property for sale or for rent (signs not to
exceed five (5) square feet), or contractor's signs placed on the
property during construction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Developer
shall be allowed to place any signage on the property desired by it
until all lots comprising the property are sold.
- A minimum two-car garage shall be
required for each lot. No on-street parking shall be allowed in front of
any lot.
- All driveways shall be paved with
asphalt or concrete surfacing from the street pavement to the garage;
each driveway with a potential to impede flows of surface water shall
have a culvert (12-inch minimum corrugated galvanized steel with flared
end pieces or equal) at the drainage point next to the road.
- No profession, business, manufacture,
trade or commercial activity may be conducted on the premises except
home occupations as defined by county ordinances, which do not
significantly increase traffic within Bear Hollow.
- No building on any lot shall be
located closer than twenty (20) feet to any lot line. However, variances
from the foregoing may be granted by the Architectural Control Committee
in appropriate cases where it is demonstrated that the adjoining
property owner(s) is(are) not adversely affected by said variance. No
structure shall be located within twenty-five feet (25') of the
highwater mark of the pond located in Bear Hollow as such highwater mark
is depicted on the final subdivision plat of Bear Hollow. Defensible
space standards shall be incorporated around all primary structures as
described in Appendix G of the Flathead County Subdivision Regulations.
- No fuel tanks above or below ground
are allowed.
- For elimination of traffic hazards and
to promote traffic safety, no hedge or shrub planting which obstructs
sight lines at elevations between three (3) and six (6) feet above the
roadway shall be placed or be permitted to remain on any corner lot
within the triangular area formed by the street property lines and a
line connecting them at points twenty-five (25) feet from the
intersection of the street lines, or in case of a round property corner,
from the intersection of the street property lines extended. The same
sight line limitations shall apply on any lot within ten (10) feet from
the intersection of a street property line with the edge of a driveway.
No trees shall be permitted to remain within such distances of such
intersections unless the foliage line is maintained at sufficient height
to prevent obstruction of such sight items.
- An Architectural Control Committee is
hereby formed and shall initially consist of three (3) members, all of
whom shall be designated by the Developer until such time as the Bear
Hollow Homeowners Association ("Association") is formed and operating.
At such time as the Association is formed, the Architectural Control
Committee shall consist of three (3) or more persons as determined by
said Association, and the members of such Committee elected by the
members of the Association. All owners intending to construct a dwelling
or build any type of structure whatsoever upon any lot shall first
submit their plans and specifications in writing to the Architectural
Control Committee. Plans must include proposed exterior colors and
materials and landscaping plans, and such other information and detail
required or requested by the Committee. Any proposed plan and other
related or required information shall be submitted with the applicable
fee, if any, that is required by the Architectural Control Committee.
- No dwelling house or other structure
or fence shall be erected, placed or altered on any lot until the
construction plans and specifications, along with the proposed site
therefor, have been approved in writing by the Architectural Control
Committee as to the quality of workmanship and materials, harmony of
external design with existing structures, and location of the structure
with respect to topography and finish grade elevation. Approval or
disapproval by the Architectural Control Committee must be in writing.
In the event the Architectural Control Committee fails to act within
forty-five (45) days after the complete plans and specifications of any
structure, together with any required fee, have been submitted in
writing, or in any event, if no suit to enjoin the construction has
commenced prior to the completion of an entire dwelling, no specific
approval shall be required for such structure and the pertinent
provisions of this Declaration shall be deemed to have been fully
complied with.
- Every structure once constructed on a
lot shall be kept in the same condition as at the time of its initial
construction, excepting normal wear and tear. All structures shall be
preserved and of pleasant appearance by maintaining paint, stain or
sealer as needed. If any structure is damaged in any way, the owner
shall, with due diligence, rebuild, repair and restore the structure to
its appearance and condition prior to the casualty. Reconstruction or
repair of any structure (including any landscaping) shall be completed
within nine (9) months of any casualty that damaged or destroyed any
improvements or landscaping.
- The appearance, height, location and
construction materials of all fences must be approved by the
Architectural Control Committee prior to construction.
- All utilities shall be underground. No
antennae, poles, cellular telephone towers, communication towers, or
other structures shall be erected unless approved by the Architectural
Control Committee. Exterior lighting shall not exceed 100-watt bulbs. No
halogen lighting is allowed for exterior lighting purposes.
- One of the purposes of these
Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions is to impose upon each lot a
proportionate share of the taxes on the Subdivision's common properties.
The share of each lot shall be determined by dividing the common area
taxes and assessments by the number of lots in the final plat for the
Subdivision. The amount so determined shall be payable by each lot
within the Subdivision as its share of common area taxes and
assessments. Another purpose of these Covenants, Conditions and
Restrictions is to provide for the creation of a homeowners association
which has the power to assess and collect dues and assessments, all as
further set forth in Article IV hereof. Notwithstanding anything
contained herein to the contrary, no homeowners association dues,
assessments or other charges shall be asserted against or collected from
Developer, nor shall any lots owned by Developer be assessed, liened or
otherwise encumbered for any homeowners association dues, assessments or
other charges while such lots are owned by Developer.
- All addresses shall be visible from
the roadway, and at the driveway entrance or on the residence. The
property owners' association shall be responsible for the maintenance of
the private roadways within Bear Hollow.
All roads shall be maintained,
including necessary repairs and snow removal, to insurance safe
all-weather travel for two-way traffic.
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ANIMALS, BIRDS, AND PETS:
- No poultry, birds (except inside pet
birds which must be kept inside a home), hogs or other livestock or
animals shall be kept or raised. Notwithstanding the foregoing, cats,
dogs or other small household pets may be kept by each lot owner.
- All pets are to be leashed, fenced or
otherwise confined to the premises and not allowed loose at any time
outside the property owner's own premises. If a breach occurs, the owner
of the pet is responsible for any liability and must clean up after the
pet.
- No property owner shall have or keep
any dog which barks or whines on a regular or continuous basis, or which
otherwise creates an ongoing disturbance for any adjoining or
neighboring property owner.
- Feeding of deer or bear and the use of
attractants is prohibited.
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REMOVAL OF WASTE, PROPERTY
APPEARANCE AND UPKEEP:
- No noxious or offensive activity shall
be carried on upon any lot, nor shall anything be done thereon which is
or which may become an annoyance or nuisance to the neighborhood or any
adjoining property owner.
- All structures and improvements placed
upon the property shall be kept in good repair and appearance, including
all fencing and outbuildings.
- All yards and landscaping shall be
maintained and shall not be allowed to become unsightly. Lawns and
native grasses shall be mowed on a regular basis. All weeds, including
any noxious weeds, shall be eradicated or controlled and all lot owners
are bound by the Soil Disturbance and Weed Management Plan to which the
Developer of Bear Hollow and the Flathead Weed & Parks Department agreed
upon.
- No part of this Subdivision shall be
used or maintained as a dump site or storage ground for rubbish, trash,
garbage, old automobiles, or other waste. All garbage and other waste
shall be removed as reasonably necessary, but in any event not less
frequently than twice each month. Equipment used for the disposal of
such material shall be garaged (except for pickups) and must be removed
from the street by 6:00 p.m. on the day of pickup. Undeveloped lots
shall be mowed at least twice each year and may not be used for a
dumping ground for trimmings or grass clippings.
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HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION:
- Each property owner covenants and
agrees that he/she will become and remain a member of the Bear Hollow
Homeowners Association ("Association"), so long as the property owner
retains any interest in any property located within this Subdivision. By
accepting the conveyance of the property, the owner binds himself to
abide by the bylaws and reasonable rules and regulations of the
Association which may be adopted by the Board of Directors from time to
time.
- The property owner agrees to pay to
the Association such annual dues and assessments as the Board of
Directors shall fix and determine, and said dues and assessments shall
be paid at such time as the Board of Directors shall determine. Such
dues and assessments may include amounts for operation of the
Association, payment of taxes and insurance on common areas, common area
utilities, road maintenance, repairs/reconstruction and snow removal, a
fund for acquisition or replacement of capital improvements, legal and
accounting fees, and any and all other matters determined to be
appropriate by the Association and approved or assessed in accordance
with the applicable rules and procedures of the Association. The
Association dues and assessments shall be the same for each lot of the
Subdivision.
- The Association shall be formed at a
time to be designated by the Developer but in any event no later than
within sixty (60) days of the entire development being sold. The
Association shall consist of the owners of each lot of the Subdivision
and such other units as may be developed on adjacent property now owned
by Developer, including adjacent property on which Developer currently
holds an option to purchase. The owner(s) of each lot shall be entitled
to a single vote in the Association for each lot owned. When more than
one person holds an interest in any lot, all such persons shall be
members of the Association. The vote for such lot shall be exercised as
they determine, but in no event shall more than one (1) vote be cast
with respect to any lot. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is hereby
declared, understood and agreed that at all times hereafter during which
Developer owns one or more lots in the Subdivision, Developer shall be
entitled to three (3) votes for each lot that it owns within the
Subdivision until such time as Developer has transferred to third
parties all property within the Subdivision in which Developer currently
owns an interest. Voting may occur on matters such as election of a
Board of Directors for the Association, assessment of the Association
dues and assessments (if such is not determined by the Board of
Directors of the Association pursuant to the applicable rules and
procedures set forth within the Association's organizational documents)
amendment of these Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions, and such
other matters which require a vote or an election by owners of lots
within the Subdivision. In all such elections or votes, Developer shall
be entitled to three (3) votes for each lot that it owns as of the date
of any such vote or election.
- The Association shall be responsible
for the care and maintenance of the common properties and each lot
owner's use of the common properties shall be governed by such rules as
adopted by the Association. Common properties as used herein shall
include parks, pathways, entryways into the Subdivision, and all
non-county roads which are for the benefit of the Subdivision, whether
located within or without the Subdivision. For the purpose of
maintaining and caring for these common properties, and in connection
with operation of the Association, the Board of Directors may make
reasonable annual assessments to the lot owners and such assessment may
be collected in a suit subject to the provisions stated below for
enforcement of covenants, and may become a lien upon a lot by filing by
the Board of Directors of a lien which shall describe the lot, state the
amount of the unpaid assessment and the date of such assessment. A lot
owner whose lot is subject to such lien must pay the assessment,
interest at fifteen percent (15%) per annum until paid, costs for
preparation of the lien and lien release, and all recording fees before
the lien is released. The Association is empowered to initiate any legal
action to enforce payment of any past-due assessments or dues, including
an action to foreclose any lien on a Subdivision lot. This lien may also
be foreclosed in the manner of foreclosure for mortgages. In the event
of litigation, the prevailing party shall be entitled to attorney's fees
and costs.
- Lot owners are encouraged to remain
active members of the Association. Each owner is a member of the
Association by virtue of his/her acquisition of the lot. Upon sale, such
membership shall be deemed automatically transferred from the former lot
owner to the purchaser of such lot.
- Association dues and assessments shall
be determined from time to time by the Association. Notwithstanding
anything contained herein to the contrary, no amount shall be assessed
or otherwise charged to Developer with respect to any lots owned by
Developer, nor shall Developer's lots be encumbered, liened or otherwise
charged for any such dues or assessments. The foregoing shall include
Association dues and assessments, and any other amounts charged, levied
or assessed any Subdivision lot owner with respect to ownership of
property within the Subdivision, with the exception of real property
taxes and assessments on Subdivision common properties. Real property
taxes and assessments shall be allocated among the lots, including
Developer's lots, in accordance with Paragraph R of Article I hereof.
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GENERAL PROVISIONS:
- These Covenants, Conditions and
Restrictions are to run with the land and shall be binding on all
parties, and all persons claiming under them, for a period of thirty
(30) years from the date these Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions
are recorded, after which time said Covenants, Conditions and
Restrictions shall be automatically extended for successive periods of
ten (10) years unless an instrument signed by seventy percent (70%) of
the owners of the lots within the Subdivision has been recorded agreeing
to change said Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions in whole or in
part. Any such amendment to these Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions
shall be executed by the officers of the Association and recorded on the
public records with the office of the Flathead County Clerk and
Recorder. Any such amendment shall include a statement under oath that
the required percentage of lot owners approved such amendment
- Each property owner and every person
hereinafter holding any right, title or interest in any lot of the
Subdivision shall have the right to prevent or stop violation of any of
the said restrictions by injunction or other lawful procedure, in law or
in equity, against the person(s) violating or threatening to violate
these Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions. Additionally, the
Association or Developer shall have the right to bring legal or
equitable action to enforce these Covenants, Conditions and
Restrictions. Any person who shall prosecute an action successfully may
recover any damages resulting from such violation, and it is expressly
understood by any person purchasing any property within the Subdivision
that if an action is successfully brought against such individual for a
violation of these Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions, reasonable
attorney's fees and costs shall be recoverable by the prevailing party,
and if the party seeking to enforce these Covenants, Conditions and
Restrictions is successful, such party shall also be entitled to recover
any damages he/she/it incurred as a result of the violation which
resulted in such litigation.
- Invalidation of any one of these
Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions by judgment or court order shall
in no way affect any of the other provisions, which shall remain in full
force and effect.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF these
Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions were executed this _______ day of
October, 2005.



BEAR HOLLOW PROPERTIES, LLC
By______________________________________
James R. Pierce, Member
STATE OF MONTANA )
) ss.
County of Flathead )
This instrument was acknowledged before
me on the _____ day of October, 2005, by James R. Pierce, as a Member of
Bear Hollow Properties, LLC.
________________________________________
______________________________(printed name)
Notary Public for the State of Montana
Residing at _______________________________
My Commission expires ____________________
