The Sun Valley Elkhorn Association's proposed upgrade to its facilities, including the Harker Center, has caused a stir among some Elkhorn homeowners.
In its annual meeting held Dec. 30, 2006, association President Nyle Barnes and architect Michael Morgan presented a concept, developed by the board, to homeowners in attendance.
According to a press release provided by the association board of directors, key elements of the proposed plan include "a new tennis check-in facility, incorporating changing and restroom facilities, enhancing the park and recreation area adjacent to the pool, enlarging the parking area, providing two small workforce housing units, improving the childrens' pool and installing an outdoor spa, redesigning the interior of the existing Harker Center ... and developing a workout facility."
Costs for the project are not yet available. However, the board expects to have an accurate figure available for residents by the end of January.
"We are only presenting a concept for owner approval. It is not a done deal," said Karen Vance, the board's operations manager. "We want to dispel any rumors that this is already finalized."
The board requires 51 percent of Elkhorn owners' approval to move forward with the proposed project.
"Seventy percent of Elkhorn owners are not residents," Vance said, but the board will work hard to ensure everyone is informed. "We will be sending out a number of newsletters and e-mails, and we have information posted on our Web site, as well."
The annual meeting hosted 74 homeowners, or about 5 percent of the more than 1,500 total homeowners. The board encourages all owners to participate in the discussion, and will hold three town hall meetings to provide information and to answer questions.
The meetings will be Thursday, Feb. 15, at 9 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 20, at 5:30 p.m., and on Wednesday, Feb. 28, at 1:30 p.m. All three meetings will be held at the Harker Center.
As it stands, the project will be funded through the association's capital reserves and by levying an assessment to all property owners.
One Elkhorn homeowner, Larry Gullickson, submitted a letter on behalf of "many Elkhorn property owners" to the Idaho Mountain Express that ran Jan. 5, voicing concern over the appropriation of the assessment.
"A person who bought a small condo for $75,000 years ago ... would pay the same assessment as a neighbor who owns a $10 million home," Gullickson wrote.
Vance explained.
"The Master Declaration that was adopted in 1972 states that any assessments will be paid evenly by all homeowners," she said. "So far, this has not been changed."
Gullickson also wrote that "the board just passes by proxy an amendment stating that Bylaws can be amended with a two-thirds vote of the board with NO (sic) vote or input by the owners."
Vance clarified that this amendment is only proposed and has not passed.
"SVEA attorney, Ed Lawson, presented suggestions for revising the Association's Bylaws, which haven't been modified since the Master Plan Declaration for Elkhorn was filed over 35 years ago," the press release states. "In the past only the owners have the ability to change Bylaws. This is an expensive process when needed changes are necessary."
"We want to be clear. This is all still in the proposal process," Vance said. "We need owner approval to move forward, and we want every homeowner to participate."
To learn more visit the Sun Valley Elkhorn Association's Web site at elkhorn-assoc.org.
Proposed changes to the Sun Valley Elkhorn Association and the Harker Center in Elkhorn have come under fire from some homeowners. Photo by David N. Seelig
