Cadillac North Shore Condominium Association 
201 North Shore Drive East
Cadillac, Michigan 49601
cnsca.secretary@mail.com

NEW CO-OWNER WELCOME—GUIDELINES HELPFUL REFERENCE FOR ORIENTATION 2023

WEBSITE: northshorecondos.org.   By-laws, rules and regulations, and forms are maintained on our website (and also in the book you received from former co-owner). It is highly recommended that co-owners keep copies of all information made available to you so that you can reference it before contacting the BOD with any questions. The co-owner is responsible to know the by-laws, rules and regulations and processes adopted by the Association, and to keep up the book that was given to you for your unit by prior co-owner.  

PROBLEM/COMPLAINT:  Problem Report and Modification forms and Modification notification forms are available in the clubhouse (problems can also be reported by email to the Secretary at cnsca.secretary@mail.com), plus copied to all current officers. 

MAINTENANCE & LOSS RESPONSIBILITY QUICK LIST:  Also, attached is the Quick List with further information regarding responsibilities of co-owners and the Association.

QUESTIONS: Any general correspondence/questions must be emailed/sent to ALL members of the Board of Directors.  Should we employ a Property Manager again in the future, this may change.  In consideration of our Board Members, we ask that you call before stopping by their condos to discuss issues.

MODIFICATIONS TO CONDO:  Any structural modification to your condo must be approved by the Board of Directors.  Modification forms are in the clubhouse and on our website.  A co-owner must complete and submit the required form(s) to the BOD for a modification and receive their approval before any work is started. See Articles V, VI and XV of Bylaws. Any non-structural modification or “like and kind” change requires a modification notification form be sent to the BOD, such as a new door or windows that do not require a change to the building structure.

MEETINGS:  Board of Director (BOD) meetings are held periodically throughout the year.  Meeting notices are emailed (from Secretary) to co-owners and posted in windows at the clubhouse.  Co-owners are invited to attend but do not vote on issues discussed.  See Article IX of Bylaws.

ANNUAL MEETING:  Our annual meeting and picnic is held between June - August of each year.  Meeting packets are mailed to all co-owners prior to the meeting.  Packets include meeting agenda; issues to be voted on; election of BOD; co-owner profile (which must be fully completed) and request for copy of declaration page of insurance - this is required information and must be submitted to the BOD by the annual meeting date. Changes to bylaws and rules are generally presented for consideration at the annual meeting, although a special meeting can be called.  A change in bylaws (and rules?) require a 2/3rds vote by co-owners. See Articles VIII and IX of Bylaws.

CLUBHOUSE KEY:  New co-owners should be given a key to the clubhouse at closing.  If you did not receive a key, contact a BOD member.

CO-OWNER KEYS:  Each co-owner is asked to give a key to the Board which is kept in a lockbox in the clubhouse (in a locked closet) in the event that the Board may need to enter your unit with a contractor or in case of an emergency in your unit (i.e. broken water pipes).  The Board requires that you make arrangements to keep an extra key with a family member or neighbor, or hidden but available to you, in case you lock yourself out or you experience a medical emergency.

SALE OF UNIT:  The BOD must be notified immediately when listing your unit for sale.

DOGS:  Dogs may be brought to the complex for short stays only (per current Rules & Regulations: 7 days). When outside, dogs shall be kept on a leash at all times.  It is the co-owner and their guests responsibility to clean up and remove animal waste and control barking as a courtesy to other co-owners. Dogs are not allowed on the beach or to walk along the waterfront. Service and Emotional support dogs are allowed (notification to the BOD required) per ADA and FHA regulations. 

BOATS AND HOISTS:  Boats must be secured to the co-owners’ hoist and not to the dock.  Slips are assigned by the Board of Directors based on availability.  Boat docks go in after May 1 and come out on Oct. 1 or after.  The boat owner is responsible for contacting the storage company to schedule in and out of their boat according to this schedule.

SIGNS:  "For Sale" signs are not allowed on the property.  It has been accepted practice to allow "Open House" signs at the entrance on the day of the open house only.  The sign must be removed as soon as the showing is over.  Political signs or signs from outside contractors are not allowed.  

HOUSEHOLD TRASH:  Trash Day is Tuesday. Co-owners can place trash at their curb on Monday evening. Trash containers should be always kept inside your garage not on driveways, decks or anywhere outside.  When a co-owner will not be here for Tuesday pick-up, please place closed trash bags in the blue containers inside the clubhouse. Do not place any unbagged food in the containers, as this attracts flies / ants.  Please make sure you close the container tightly afterwards. If you are here on Tuesday for trash pick-up, please place all garbage, recyclables, and yard waste bags at the end of your driveway.

RECYCLING:  Recyclables must be clean; boxes must be flattened; plastic water bottles must be crushed and placed neatly in recycling containers provided in clubhouse. No glass or plastic bottle returns shall be left in the clubhouse. Your bottle returns must be returned by you. The current calendar for recycling is attached and the copy is in the clubhouse.  To obtain an updated version go to msgreen@charter.net.

DECKS:  It is your responsibility to maintain your deck.  For stains, semi-transparent is recommended not paint or solid stain.  The color shall be shades of brown or gray, replacement decks should be composite or concrete. See Article VI, Section 6 Aesthetics in the Bylaws which state that furniture and equipment kept on your deck must be consistent with the normal and reasonable use of your deck area during seasons. Equipment must be stored in your garage (or clubhouse for furniture or bikes) according to the above Bylaws when out of season.

AWNINGS: Any reputable brand is approved for use and should be in shades of blue, gray or white All (see Modifications to Condo) new awning installations must be approved by the BOD prior to installation. It is wise to include a remote for ease of operation and aesthetics.

GARAGE DOORS:  Garage doors must be white in color, either a white replacement garage door or painted in white.

GUEST PARKING:  Absolutely NO PARKING on the grass - we have a sprinkler system in place and running over a sprinkler head can cause damage. If you or a guest break a sprinkler head, the cost of repair will be assessed to you. 

AIR CONDITIONERS: Co-owners are responsible for maintenance of their a/c unit, including keeping the unit looking well cared for and in good condition. Air conditioning units may be painted to match the exterior of the Condos. 

CABLE:  Spectrum is the cable company in our condo complex.  The co-owner must contact them for any cable/internet installation/repair. Satellite dishes are currently allowed but must first be approved by the BOD (see Modifications to Condo). Satellite dishes cannot be placed on any common element, such as roof, siding.  

COMMON AREA (Greenspace) USE:  When living in a condominium, it is important that everyone keeps the other co-owners in mind when doing anything to the exterior of their condo or the grounds next to their unit.  The Grounds Committee asks that co-owners do not put anything in the common areas without the approval of the Grounds Committee/Board of Directors. Any questions or requests should be brought to the Board of Directors/Grounds Committee for consideration. The Grounds Committee has summarized basic guidelines which should help everyone, especially new co-owners. PLEASE NOTE: By-Laws pertaining to Landscaping are in Article VI, Section 12.  

YARD WASTE:  There are containers marked "yard waste" at the clubhouse for co-owners use to dispose of sticks or yard and garden waste only.  Please place yard bags alongside your own trash for pick-up. Yard waste pick-up begins each spring after May 1 and ends each fall on November 1.  DO NOT place yard bags in clubhouse or around the outside of the clubhouse.

BRANCHES:  Branches can be bundled or placed in containers.  Larger branches can be placed in fenced areas east of the clubhouse for pick-up.  If branches are too large to move, please notify the BOD about removal.  Do not place larger branches in the brown waste bags unless you have cut them into smaller pieces. 

FLOWER BEDS:  Co-owners are responsible for caring for and weeding their own flower beds and miscellaneous plantings (including trimming of bushes).  Please keep the ease of lawn mowing in mind when planting.  Use dark brown mulch rather than stones which can be thrown by the mower or large wood chips which are difficult to clean up. Spring clean-up of your flower beds must be completed by Memorial Day. You are also responsible for maintenance of your personal flower beds and plantings throughout the year.  If the Association must hire someone to clean or maintain your flower beds, you will be charged the fee paid by the Association. Should you need help with the upkeep of your personal landscaping areas, you may contact and hire Jeff Townsend (231-775-8680) or someone of your choice. 

SUMMER YARD ITEMS:  Patio furniture, flowerpots and bikes should be stored inside for the winter. Grills can be left out if used year-round. The clubhouse can be used for seasonal storage of bikes and patio furniture only (no kayaks or trailers, flowerpots, grills, outdoor firepits).  Please be neat and label your items clearly with your name. We do ask that if you are gone for the winter, that you store summer yard items in your garage, to help keep the clubhouse area neater and accessible to contractors. Should you need to use the clubhouse for short term storage of other items, you must have BOD approval.  Long term storage of any household or outdoor items in the clubhouse is NOT permissible.

HOOKS FOR PLANTERS AND BIRD FEEDERS:  These items should be placed inside a flower bed or at the edge of the deck or sidewalk, so they do not cause extra lawn trimming or be in the way of the mower.  For the same reason, please do not hang things from the condo that extend into the yard or hang pots, etc., from trees. The BOD had voted previously to allow only suet bird feed as the loose seed created a problem with skunks and other critters. Previously, the Association had to pay for the removal of skunks, so please follow this guideline to help keep costs down.  NOTHING is to be placed on vinyl siding without a pre-approved method from the BOD.

TRELLISES:  Trellises shall be placed inside a flower bed and should not be attached to the building.  They should be set away from the walls to facilitate painting. They should not block the view of a neighbor or interfere with mowing or sprinklers.

TREES OR SHRUBS:  If a co-owner wishes to plant trees or shrubs in the common area, they must get permission from the Grounds Committee.  Considerations for planting in the common area are mowing ease, sprinkler location and the view of other co-owners. The Board of Directors will evaluate tree and shrub removal and trimming each spring and has the final word regarding replacement of removed trees and shrubs. 

DRIVEWAYS / SIDEWALKS:  Co-owners are responsible for keeping their own driveway / sidewalk, deck and porch swept, shoveled and weed free. This also applies to the area immediately in front of the garage door that the snowplow cannot reach. If you are not able to maintain, please hire a maintenance worker.

LAWN MOWING:  Mowing is done weekly on Wednesdays (Thursday is alternate day for mowing if weather does not permit mowing on Wednesday).  Please remove items that block mowing such as hoses, flowerpots and lawn furniture. It is also helpful if cars are not in driveways. Do not stop the lawn mowing person to talk about lawn or garden issues. Questions or concerns should be addressed to a Grounds Committee member or Board of Director.

BEACH WASTE:  Lake weeds and other debris will be raked and cleared from the beach area weekly during the summer months.  Also, a rake and wheelbarrow are provided in the beach area so that a co-owner can rake the area if needed. When cleaning the beach, make sure to place the weeds on top of the seawall so that they drain and dry out before placing them in the wheelbarrow.  Please do your part to keep our beach area neat and without litter.