Governance

The lake lot and the 291 residential lots in the subdivision are subject to recorded Covenants running with the land. The Covenants authorized the creation of the West Shores Homeowners Association, Inc. ("HOA"), a non-profit Nebraska corporation, the members of which are the owners of the 242 residential lots numbered 1-242 that surround the lake lot and the 49 residential villas lots numbered 246-294 that are off-lake and overlook the outlot that includes the wetlands. The HOA is governed by a seven member board of directors, who are elected to staggered seats with three year terms at the annual lot owners meeting each January. The 2025 board members are Carl Bortol, President; Ray Fehringer; Janet Pol, Treasurer; Don Hansen, Secretary; Jana Wheatley-Renault; Chris Tow and Karoly Mirnics. The board can be contacted at hoaboard@westshoreslake.com. The 49 villas lots are additionally subject to the recorded Villas Covenants. The Villas Covenants authorize the creation of the Villas at West Shores Homeowners Association, Inc. ("Villas Association"), a non-profit Nebraska corporation. As of December 2021, the Villas Association has not filed articles of incorporation with the State of Nebraska or otherwise commenced operations, though the Villas Covenants are still binding on the owners of the villas lots. The marina lot and the 99-acre wetlands are owned by the HOA. The several commercial lots that surround the marina and the outlots on Chicago Street are owned by the original developer, Century Development Company, LLC, and are not part of the HOA. The streets, traffic islands and the perimeter land, including the park, are owned by the Sanitary Improvement District ("SID") #453 and are not part of either HOA or subject to either HOA's covenants. COVENANTS: Covenants govern construction and other matters on the 291 residential lots numbered 1-242 and 246-294 and the certain rights and obligations of the members with regard to the lake. The HOA collects annual dues, which for 2026 are $800 per lot, covering expenses such as lake patrol, lake maintenance, fish stocking, community events, gas pump repairs, insurance and Independence Day fireworks. LAKE RULES: The Covenants authorize the creation of Lake Rules regarding use of the lake, which include boat length and motor size limits, distance requirements for wake surfing and a prohibition on jet skis. The Lake Rules were amended and restated on January 21, 2013, and were the subject of a First Amendment to the Lake Rules passed on May 15, 2020. RESIDENTIAL RENTALS: The Fifth Amendment expressly limits residential rental. Short-term rentals are not allowed. Properties may be rented only for a continuous term of at least 6 months. Renters must abide by all Covenant and Lake Rules and are not allowed to use any motorized watercraft on the lake. Violation of this covenant will result in an owner fine up to $5,000/month per each occurrence. VOTING & AMENDMENTS: Voting for HOA director elections, covenant amendments and Lake Rules amendments is conducted by electronic voting. Covenant amendments require approval by 75% (219) of the 291 residential lots. Lake Rules amendments require approval by 50% (146) of the 291 residential lots. Each lot has one vote. SID #453: The streets, traffic islands and the perimeter land, including the park, are owned by SID #453. The SID is funded through each lot owner's regular annual property tax assessments paid to Douglas County. The SID operations and its board are separate from the HOA. Trustees are elected for two year terms in two classes, with 3 seats in the residential only class and 2 seats in the all property owners class. Gary Demmel, Bob Edick Warren Hanson, Vince Kirby and Dean List serve on the SID #453 board. PLANNING AN IMPROVEMENT TO YOUR PROPERTY: Construction is strictly regulated on our lake. An owner desiring to erect an improvement to any lot shall deliver two sets of construction plans, landscaping plans and site plans with grade elevations showing drainage to the ORB with a $250.00 nonrefundable review fee and a $2,500.00 construction impact deposit made payable to the West Shores Homeowners Association.