Frequently asked questions.

  • Any time a resident has a concern or notices a problem that needs addressing in the neighborhood, they should send a written notice (preferably via email) to the neighborhood representative at Mainstreet Management. After receipt, the notice will be recorded and then distributed to the HOA Board of Directors to determine the appropriate course of action.

  • Our current representative at Mainstreet Management is Jansen Lines (email).

  • Mainstreet Management is a professional property management company who has a division which assists HOA communities with the operational and administrative duties of the Association.

    Examples of these duties include:

    • Conduct Board Meetings, Annual Meetings or Community meetings.

    • Perform comprehensive inspections

    • Maintain all records of contracts, banking and violation data.

    • Manage relationships with trade partners and other professional service providers such as legal, accounting etc.

    Mainstreet Management is contracted by, and reports to, the Board of Directors – a group of neighborhood volunteers who are elected by the neighborhood to manage and operate the Association, including the enforcement of the CCRs.

  • Currently, there are 103 homes in Vonterra, though up to three (3) additional custom homesites may be added in the future. A map of the neighborhood can be found on the Useful Links page.

  • Yes, we love furry friends. Domesticated pets are permitted within Vonterra, but are subject to the restrictions and conditions explicitly dictated within the CCRs. No pets are permitted off-leash in Vonterra, unless on private property and contained within an enclosed, fenced area as permitted within the CCRs (including electronic/invisible fences provided they are functional and effective).

    The pet owner must pick up all solid pet waste immediately and appropriately dispose of it on their own property. No animals of any kind may be kept outdoors overnight, and outdoor animal kennels are prohibited.

    Dog owners must ensure that their dog’s behavior does not become a nuisance, the definition of which is at the sole discretion of the HOA. Examples of inappropriate behavior include excessive barking or barking during the night, aggressive behavior of any kind, and the inability to remain contained on the homeowner’s property.

    IMPORTANT:

    If the homeowner is unwilling or unable to prevent the frequent recurrence of these behaviors, after having been made aware of them by the HOA, the HOA has the expressed right to permanently remove the offending animal from the property (see Article VII Section 7.10). This is an extreme remedy that we hope never to have to enforce, and we will make every reasonable effort to work with the homeowner prior to resorting to this measure.

  • The Board of Directors (also commonly referred to as “the Board”) is a group of volunteer homeowners in Vonterra who are elected by the members of the Vonterra Home Owners Association (Association or HOA) to manage the day-to-day operations of the neighborhood, including:

    • Establishing and administering an annual budget,

    • Collecting annual dues

    • Coordinating the maintenance of the common areas,

    • Enforcing the homeowner requirements set forth in the CCR’s

    • Communicating with the Town of Zionsville on neighborhood-related issues.

  • The Declaration of Conditions, Covenants, and Restrictions (CCRs) is a document that governs the responsibilities of every homeowner in Vonterra, establishes the basis for the annual assessment (dues), and dictates what each homeowner can – and cannot – do with and on their property.

    In addition, the CCR’s provide a structure for how they are to be enforced by the Board, including both legal and financial remedies to address members who violate them.

    The purpose of the CCRs is to protect and preserve the quality, integrity, and security of the neighborhood as a whole, thus protecting the values of all properties within it.

    Each homeowner was legally required to be provided with, and subsequently acknowledge the receipt of, a copy of the CCRs prior to completing the purchase of their home, regardless of whether it was new-construction or resale. Changing any portion of the CCRs requires approval by 75% of all members of the Association.

    IMPORTANT:

    In short, if you have a question about what you can or can’t do and what could happen if you did; please check the CCRs first before reaching out to the Board or the ACC.

  • The Bylaws are the adopted rules and procedures that govern how the Board operates and conducts its business. The Bylaws do not govern what you can or cannot do to or on your property (that’s the role of the CCRs, remember?). You can find a copy of the Vonterra HOA Bylaws on the “Important Documents” page.

  • The Architectural Control Committee (ACC) is a Board-appointed committee tasked with overseeing the ongoing implementation of the standards and requirements set forth by the Vonterra CCRs. The ACC reports to the Board and has the sole discretion to approve or deny any request to improve or modify any portion of a lot, common area, or the structure(s) contained or proposed on either.

    Many improvements or changes you might want to make on your home or property will first require you to obtain an approved ACC Request Form BEFORE beginning any work (see Exterior Improvements and Modifications FAQ).

    The specific powers and authorities of the ACC are governed exclusively by the CCRs, and can be found within Article VI, Section 6.2.

General Information

  • The Vonterra Declaration of Conditions, Covenants, and Restrictions (CCR) document governs what you can and cannot to do both your home and your property. In addition, the CCRs identify the approval and review processes which must be followed for certain, permissible improvements. This document can be viewed by clicking here.

    Each homeowner was legally required to be provided with, and subsequently acknowledge the receipt of, a copy of the CCRs prior to completing the purchase of their home, regardless of whether it was new-construction or resale. The CCR’s also apply to anyone you sell your house to in the future.

  • The purpose of the CCRs is to protect and preserve the quality, integrity, and security of the neighborhood as a whole, thus protecting the values of all properties within it. As such, certain types of structures and items are prohibited, all of which are identified explicitly within the CCRs.

    Examples of “common” items and activities which are PROHIBITED in Vonterra include:

    • Portable basketball goals and basketball goals mounted to the house

    • Above-ground trampolines (unless they are stored out of sight any time they are not actively being used by someone)

    • Above-ground swimming pools

    • Clotheslines

    • Aluminum or metal play equipment greater than 18 inches in height

    • Freestanding plastic or metal playhouses

    • Window-mounted air conditioning units (internal or external)

    • Solar panels

    • Reflective window screens/coverings

    • Signs (with the exception of real estate signs subject to the restrictions articulated within the CCRs, and signs expressly permitted by local laws)

    • Farm animals, fowls (chickens, ducks, etc.), or domestic animals used for a commercial purpose (such as breeding dogs)

    • Hunting

    • Open burning of trash/debris

    • Open, visible storage of trash or debris, including those contained within trash bins

    • Exterior antennas and satellite dishes larger than 36 inches in diameter

    • Storage tanks (with the exception residential-grade propane tanks for gas grills/fire pits)

    • Sheds or other storage structures

  • The ACC Request Form (also known as the “ACC form”) is a short form that is required to be completed by the homeowner and approved by the Architectural Control Committee (ACC) PRIOR to the homeowner undertaking certain types of work on or making certain changes to their property. The CCR’s dictate what types of improvements or changes would require an approved ACC form

  • The form can be found in the Important Documents section of the Homeowner Resources page of this website. This form can be updated at the discretion of the ACC, so please ensure that you download a new copy each time you need to submit a request to ensure that you are submitting the most accurate form.

    A completed ACC form, along with any of the required documentation, should be submitted via email to Jansen Lines at Mainstreet Management. Once received and filed, the request will then be distributed to the ACC for review and consideration. The ACC must provide a response within thirty (30) days, however, typically does so within just a few days unless other documentation and/or revisions are requested.

  • Any work which necessitates the completion of an ACC form must wait for that form to be formally approved, in writing, by the ACC BEFORE commencing.

    IMPORTANT:

    Failure to follow this procedure may result in the ACC requiring that all work be stopped immediately and/or work already completed without approval be returned to the original condition (or an approved condition as determined by the ACC) at the sole expense of the Owner. If the Owner refuses to remove or remediate any unapproved work that is in clear violation of the CCRs (as determined/interpreted by the ACC), the HOA has the power to do so on the Owner’s behalf, regardless of consent. The Owner will be responsible for reimbursing the HOA for any and all costs incurred by the HOA to remove or remediate any unapproved work.

    Failure of the Owner to reimburse the HOA will result in a lien for the amount owed being placed on the Owner’s property. The HOA has the legal right to foreclose its lien in order to recover incurred expenses (see Article VIII Section 8.2 of the CCR document).

  • As a general rule, any color or material change to the house itself, any new construction of either hardscape or structures, and the installation of any landscape material greater than 18” in height at maturity will require an approved ACC form prior to construction/ installation.

    Article VI, Section 6.3 spells out what types of improvements/ modifications would require an ACC submittal (beyond those listed above), and the submittal process itself. If you are considering an improvement to your home or landscape and are unsure, please feel free to contact the Board for clarification.

  • Current best practices from a design/aesthetic and a sustainability standpoint suggest that you should use high-efficiency LED lighting with a “warm” color temperature, ideally, somewhere between 2,700K and 3,000K (which will be stated on the packaging).

    Anything that is cooler (or more “white” than yellow), is harsh on the eyes in the context of exterior lighting. Light bulbs which are described on the packaging as having a “daylight” or “cool white” light color are likely over 3,000K.

  • Those yellow plastic posts are marker posts which indicate a buried “regional” utility; typically a gas (natural or petroleum) line. Despite their undesirable aesthetic and/or locations, the modification and/or removal of these markers is prohibited by, and subsequently punishable under, federal and/or state law.

  • That’s ok, but you (or your lawn care provider) are required to maintain your property to an acceptable level of maintenance. Article VII Section 7.6 of the CCRs for Vonterra require that each homeowner:

    • Prevent any improvements on the lot from becoming unsightly.

    • Mow the lot as required so that the turfgrass does not exceed 6 inches in height,

    • Remove all trash, debris, rubbish from the lot,

    • Regularly maintain the lot’s landscaping and immediately replace any dead tree or shrub that is part of the minimum landscape requirements.

    • Cut down and remove any dead trees from the lot.

    These requirements are intentionally broad, and therefore subject to the Board’s interpretation. For a neighborhood of our caliber, in addition to the above requirements, each homeowner should:

    • Ensure that their lawn and any landscape beds are not overtaken by weeds or other invasive plants (mulching regularly will reduce weed growth in landscape beds)

    • Re-sod or re-seed any dead grass or bare areas (RTF seed/sod preferred, as it will be lower maintenance and is self-repairing).

    • Ensure that the sidewalks on their property are regularly edged to prevent the overgrowth of turf onto the concrete,

    • Appropriately maintain the street trees present on their property and immediately replace any that are dead, per the neighborhood standards.

    • Promptly replace any light bulbs on the exterior house lights.

Exterior Improvements, Modifications, and Maintenance

  • Street trees are the deciduous shade trees located in the “tree lawn,” which is the narrow turf strip between the sidewalk and the back of the curb of the street. Street trees are extremely important to the overall neighborhood.

    Numerous studies have validated that a healthy, mature tree canopy can result in increased property values, reduce the urban heat island effect, and increase public safety. For more info on the importance of street trees, click here.

  • If there is a street tree planted on your property, then it is your responsibility to appropriately care for it.

    The soil in Vonterra is very sub-standard for most plants, and therefore, our trees will require a little more care until they are fully established. Common best practices for street tree maintenance include:

    • Ideally, and depending on the species, all street trees should be fertilized at least once per year.

    • New growth from the root ball at the base of the tree (called “suckers”) should be cut back as it occurs.

    • Avoid the classic “mulch volcano” (example here), which WILL suffocate the tree in a only a few short years. The root flare (where the trunk of the tree flares out to become roots) should be visible at the top of the mulch. This is one of the most common causes of early tree death in a residential setting. Click here to see how to safely mulch around your trees.

    • Trees should also be inspected for pests and diseases, which if present, should be treated by a professional.

    • Your street trees will continue to need some additional watering for the first three years or so, at a minimum, especially during the hot summer months.

    Any street trees located in front of a Common Area on HOA-owned property are the responsibility of the HOA.

  • Yes, the homeowner is responsible for immediately removing and replacing any street trees that die on their property.

    The homeowner must have an approved ACC Form PRIOR to replacing a street tree. If multiple trees are being replaced at the same time, only one form is necessary.

    Please include the following on your ACC form:

    • The location of the tree(s) being replaced, as shown on a copy of your plat map

    • The size (inches of trunk diameter at breast height) of the replacement tree(s)

    • Replacement tree(s) species.

    • Who will be installing the tree(s)

  • Any new street trees planted by the homeowner must be installed at a minimum size of 2.5” DBH (2.5” trunk diameter at breast height), as required by Section 194.109 of the Zionsville Zoning Code. This is the commonly accepted minimum size for new street tree plantings.

    Quality trees of this size – which are more likely to survive in the hostile environment of the tree lawn and our poor soil - are typically only available from landscape nurseries and are not found at big box stores like Home Depot. You should expect to budget about $250 for each tree, not including installation or delivery.

    The replacement street tree must be planted in the same location as the dead one which it is replacing. If the homeowner wishes to install the new tree in a different location, Board/ACC approval must be obtained.

    In additional, all replacement street trees must follow standard best practices for planting/installation (more info here), meet all applicable Zionsville codes/regulations (see here), and be a species from Zionsville’s approved shade/street trees list (found here).

    IMPORTANT:

    The HOA reserves the right to require the homeowner to remove and replace any street trees which are planted incorrectly, are smaller than the minimum recommended size, or are an unapproved species.

  • Yes, trees are great! You do need to obtain an approved ACC form BEFORE installing the trees, however.

    There is no minimum size requirement for trees which are IN ADDITION of the required minimum, and which are not street trees.

    If multiple trees are being installed at the same time, only one form is necessary, provided it provides the appropriate information for each tree. Please include the following on your ACC form:

    • The location of the tree(s) being replaced, as shown on a copy of your plat map

    • The size (inches of trunk diameter at breast height) of the replacement tree(s)

    • Replacement tree(s) species.

    • Who will be installing the tree(s)

  • Yes, there are…they are called “invasive species.” According to Purdue University, an “invasive” plant is a non-native plant that infests natural areas and causes environmental or economic harm, or harm to human health. Of the roughly 2,900 plant species growing outside of cultivation in Indiana, approximately 33% are non-native but only a small fraction of those non-native species are invasive. Invasive plants degrade and destroy thousands of acres of our natural plant communities in Indiana. Each year millions of dollars are spent to control them.

    Click here for more information and a list of PROHIBITED plant species that will not be approved by the ACC if submitted as part of a landscape improvement application.

Trees

  • Common areas are specific parcels of land within Vonterra that are owned and maintained by the HOA and are accessible and available to residents, guests of residents (if resident is also present), and tenants, for enjoyment and leisure purposes. See the “Common Areas” section below for more information on common area usage.

    Easements are different from common areas in that easements can occur on both HOA-owned land and private property. Typically, easements are established to ensure that the HOA, the Town of Zionsville, and utility providers/operators can appropriately access, maintain, and protect key infrastructural utilities which support the entire neighborhood. Typically, at least in the case of Vonterra, these utilities are underground. Examples of utilities which may be located within an easement include electrical, water, wastewater (sewer), gas, fiber, and stormwater/drainage.

    Additional information on the different types of easements, their purposes, and any associated restrictions about what you can and cannot do within an easement (even if it is on your property) can be found within the Vonterra Declaration of Conditions, Covenants, and Restrictions (CCR) document.

  • With few exceptions, the answer is no, at least not without your expressed, written permission. If there is an easement on your property (as identified on your plat map), that is still your private property, however, it is subject to additional access and usage rights specifically dictated within the CCRs.

    The only entities allowed to access/modify easements that occur on private property without your expressed consent are the entities expressly tasked with maintaining/ operating the infrastructure and utility systems for which those easements were created who are doing so for a purpose specifically allowed/ prescribed within the CCRs. These entities include the HOA (in some limited cases), the Town of Zionsville, and each of the major utility providers and their contractors.

  • Each of the different types of easements have different restrictions associated with what can – and cannot – be constructed within them.

    Additional information on the different types of easements, their purposes, and any associated restrictions about what you can and cannot do within an easement (even if it is on your property) can be found within Article III of the Vonterra Declaration of Conditions, Covenants, and Restrictions (CCR) document.

    IMPORTANT:

    It is important to note that ANY improvements done within an easement on your property, even if approved by the Board and/or permitted by the CCR’s, are done so at your own risk. Should those improvements be destroyed, damaged, or otherwise compromised as part of any permissible maintenance, repair, and/or improvement activities related to the infrastructure contained within the easement, the subsequently required repair or reconstruction of those improvements, and the costs thereof, are the sole responsibility of the homeowner and not the HOA or the utility contractor.

  • If there is an easement on your property, as identified on your plat map, then you (the homeowner) are responsible for the appropriate and regular maintenance of that easement.

Easements

  • Common areas are specific parcels of land within Vonterra that are owned and maintained by the HOA and are accessible and available to residents, guests of residents (if resident is also present), and tenants, for enjoyment and leisure purposes.

    IMPORTANT:

    The usage of any common area should be done at your own risk.

  • Article VII, Section 7.32 of the CCRs provides specific guidance on what can – and cannot – be done within a common area in Vonterra. Each of the common areas in Vonterra is different, and therefore can support different activities specific to the opportunities and constraints of that particular common area.

    Some common areas are flexible turf greenspaces, which are appropriate for a variety of passive activities, such as informal small gatherings and recreational play, while others are naturalized lands composed primarily of dry detention areas and native prairies. In the case of the latter, only walking along dedicated paths and trails is considered permissible

  • Homeowners who are in good standing with the HOA, or such an Owner’s occupant, tenants, guests or invitees may use the common areas as prescribed within the CCRs.

  • Any improvements or maintenance activities undertaken by a homeowner within a common area must first be approved IN ADVANCE by the Board.

    No maintenance activities, construction, or modifications to the common areas can take place without this approval, including the mowing of additional land and the planting/removal of trees and vegetation.

  • There are portions of the common areas that are designed as native prairies and are therefore designated as “no-mow.” These areas should not be mowed by anyone other than the HOA at recommended/required time.

  • A significant portion of the common areas within Vonterra are designed as green infrastructure systems that handle the stormwater runoff generated by the developed portions of the neighborhood. These areas, referred to in the CCR’s as “BMPs” or “dry detention ponds,” are designed to capture and temporarily hold stormwater runoff.

    During a heavy rain event these vertically depressed areas will partially fill up with stormwater. This water then infiltrates back into the groundwater system slowly, over a period of hours or days, thus recharging the aquifer. Each dry detention pond has an overflow drain which is designed to prevent any of the ponds from ever overflowing, even in an extreme rain event.

    IMPORTANT:

    No person (or pet) should enter one of these basins, especially during or immediately after a storm event, as the standing and/or moving water presents numerous dangers.

  • No, unless you have the expressed permission of the property owner. Any such usage of private property without permission is considered trespassing.

    All common areas in Vonterra are accessible from public right of ways.

Common Areas

  • All streets, paved trails, and sidewalks within Vonterra are owned and maintained by the Town of Zionsville’s Public Works Department.

    Click here to email Lance Lantz; the current Director of the Zionsville Public Works Department with any concerns related to streets, paved trails, or sidewalks.

  • Yes. The Town does not clear snow from pathways or sidewalks as this responsibility legally falls to the abutting property owners.

    By Title V, Chapter 53, §53.16 of the Town code, abutting property owners are required to remove snow, ice and debris from any sidewalk or pathway that passes along their property (front/side/rear) to a minimum width of four feet by noon of the second day after a snowfall. This minimum width was included so those living along wider pathways are not burdened more than those living along a narrower sidewalk. The Town is simply not staffed or equipped to routinely clear snow from all the pathways and sidewalks.

  • The streetlights in our neighborhood are maintained by Duke Energy. If you see a streetlight is out or damaged, please visit their website or call 1-800-521-2232.

  • Yes, but only temporarily and irregularly. Residents should regularly park in their garage or driveway, and only on the street for short periods of time. Article VII Section 7.9.(a) of the CCR’s governs on-street parking in Vonterra, and states that no vehicle may be parked on any street, except on a temporary and non-recurring basis.

    IMPORTANT:

    Vehicles may be parked on the street for no more than 48 consecutive hours, and such an occurrence shall not occur more than one (1) during any thirty (30) day period.

  • No. You are not permitted to store a trailer, boat, or any other type of vehicle on the street for any duration longer than you are allowed to park your car on the street (see above).

    In addition, no boats, trailers, or recreational vehicles can be stored in residential driveways. See Article VII Section 7.9.(b) of the CCR’s for additional, prohibited types of vehicles.

Streets, Sidewalks, and Trails

  • You can pay your dues by returning a check with your annual dues notice, or via the online payment system managed by Mainstreet Management. A link to that system can be found here. Please pay your dues promptly to avoid any additional fees.

  • HOA dues are used to maintain the common, shared elements of the neighborhood for the benefit of all who live in the neighborhood. Examples of common HOA-related expenses include, but are not limited to:

    • Mowing, mulching, and fertilizing of the common areas

    • Maintenance of the neighborhood entrance, including costs associated with annual plantings, irrigation, and lighting

    • The removal and disposal (if required) of dead trees within the common areas

    • Fees associated with additional service providers, such as Mainstreet Management

    • Cost to remove invasive, poisonous plant species (Hemlock) from the common areas.

    • Any legal fees associated with the enforcement of the CCR’s

    A portion of the revenues from the dues are set aside each year to build a reserve fund that can be used for unforeseen expenses that the HOA will incur over time as the neighborhood ages, and/or additional improvements desired by the HOA members.

  • Article V Section 5.7 of the CCR’s covers how the annual assessment (dues) is calculated. The Board will create an annual budget prior to the beginning of each fiscal year (which will be in October, beginning in 2023), that establishes estimated costs to be incurred by the HOA for the coming year, along with a reasonable allowance for contingencies and reserves of the Association.

    Once the final budget (which will be shared with the neighborhood at the annual meeting), is approved, that total amount is then divided by the total number of homes (currently 103) in the neighborhood.

    The exact amount of the annual assessment will vary year to year depending on the expenses anticipated to be incurred, however, the amount cannot be increased by more than 20% from one fiscal year to the next without the approval of a majority (51%) of the HOA members.

  • Each Board member serves a three (3) year term, after which they can run for re-election or step down from the Board and offer the seat to someone else.

  • Each year at the annual meeting (in October, beginning in 2023), the Board will seek to fill any vacancies, including those for expiring terms. If you would like to run for a Board position, please volunteer at that time. If a Board member must resign in the middle of their term, the Board may hold a special election to fill that vacancy.

  • The current Board members – including a brief bio and the date their term expires - can be found here.

Homeowners Association (HOA)