Waterbrook Falls includes single-family homes ranging from 1,200 to over 4,000 sq. ft. Construction started in 2004 and Waterbrook Falls reached capacity in 2010. The three sections of Waterbrook Falls are accessible from Garden Street via Lancashire Drive, Quail Trace Lane and Timber Falls Lane.
The new Waterbrook Falls website is now active. Official notices and documents will be posted as required by Florida Statutes.
Contact Community Manager Vina Delcomyn.... Awakenings AMI at 904-291-9598
Of course, you can avoid the service charge by sending your check or money order via postal mail to Waterbrook Falls HOA c/o Awakenings AMI; 4213 County Road 218 Suite 1; Middleburg FL 32068
A ten-foot "fire lane" is recommended. Width of most vehicles is 6 to 7 feet. Streets are 18 to 20 feet wide. So two vehicles parked opposite each other leave little room for street traffic. Also increased probability of "fender benders" and "hit & runs."
Sec. 804.1004 of Jacksonville's ordinance code states
Parking not to obstruct traffic
(a) No person shall park a vehicle upon a street in such a manner or under such conditions as to leave available less than ten feet of the width of the roadway for free movement of vehicular traffic or in any portion of a traffic lane.
(b) Where streets are not completely paved or curbs provided, the parking of a car shall not usurp more than 12 inches of the paved portion of the street.
(c) Violation of this Section shall constitute a class A offense.
Street blockages should be reported using JSO's non-emergency phone number 630-0500.
If emergency vehicle access is potentially blocked, cite "dangerous illegal parking." Photos may be helpful.
To report illegal parking, phone Jax Sheriffs Office at 630-0500.
Scroll down to the NUISANCE REPORTS section of this page for more on reporting ordinance violations.
A series of small dams and other devices help maintain minimum levels in lakes, so none run dry.
After heavy rains, most standing water on streets and lots should be gone within 12 to 18 hours. Keeping storm drains on streets clear helps get rid of excess water quicker.
Stormwater lakes are found in all three sections: Quail Trace, Central Lancashire Area and Timber Falls. General water movement in Waterbrook Falls is from NW to SE. The Quail Trace output goes toward town along an easement that starts near Iowa St. and Garden St.
Our system does not receive outside funding. Maintenance is paid by Waterbrook Falls HOA (and residents). We employ certified technicians to ensure that our stormwater management system is kept up to standards mandated in agreements with the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) and Army Corps Of Engineers (ACOE).
References
Waterbrook Falls Covenants & Restrictions, Section 10.26 & 10.27
Also Article XI for Conservation Easement Areas
SJRWMD File Number 4-031-85330-2
ACOE # 2002059000 (IP-W)
In the 1990s, Florida's Legislature incentivized creation of HOAs so much that it is nearly impossible to own a home in any subdivision built since then without being subject to an HOA and assessments.
HOA participation is an encumbrance on each lot owners's deed. By taking possession, a new owner agrees to pay assessments and abide by restrictions. For rental properties, the owner is responsible for ensuring compliance.
Only those willing to live in older homes or build on outparcels not included in Planned Unit Developments (zoning language for subdivisions) can escape being part of an HOA along with the assessments and restrictions that accompany them.
Before construction starts, PUDs require approval of a site plan by local state and federal government. Also a means to perpetually satisfy legal obligations such as complying with growth management rules, conservation easements and water management edicts. Agencies demanding compliance include the St. Johns Water Management District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville planning and code enforcement authorities.
For the most part, government does not pay for installation or maintenance of drainage, associated retention ponds and water control devices. As years pass, erosion and decay take a toll. With our infrastructure nearing the 20-year mark, this is a growing concern. Over the years, your Board has created an adequate reserve fund. Otherwise, owners might pay extra assessments when failures occur.
Legislators love HOAs because they shift responsibility for infrastructure and maintenance over to subdivision lot owners who pay property tax and also annual assessments. Some developments go even further when developers establish Community Development Districts (CDDs). Residents pay an extra line on their annual property tax bills. Fortunately, Waterbrook Falls is not a CDD though there are some in Duval and Nassau counties where residents pay HOA assessments, CDD tax plus regular property taxes.
Government planners and agencies required Waterbrook Falls developer, Kendale, to satisfy many stipulations before granting approval to begin construction here in the early 2000s. The developer used loans to fund upfront costs of roads, drainage, sidewalks and other infrastructure. The developer apportioned these costs into the selling price of each lot.
Lenders required Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions to protect their collateral. When the developer left here in 2010, a resident-controlled Waterbrook Falls HOA assumed responsibility for the developer's commitments.
Today, agencies still expect drainage and conservation areas to be maintained to specific standards. Code enforcement gets upset with lack of landscape maintenance. If inspectors find violations, all residents are subject to fines and special assessments. If an HOA becomes inactive, a "receiver" may take over. Assessments go up and residents lose control.
The MAIN purpose of Waterbrook Falls HOA is to keep these agencies satisfied. Your current volunteer directors--Randy Williams, Dexter Smith and Billy Williams--have served many terms. They are happy to provide their time and service to benefit owners and residents. Along with Community Manager Vina Delcomyn, our job is to "keep the doors open" by satisfying our obligations to SJRWMD, ACOE, Jax Code Enforcement, etc. We also keep common areas insured, entrances looking presentable, non-private property mowed, electric and irrigation bills paid, etc. Fortunately, the city does maintain roads. If we had gates, lot owners would be responsible for road maintenance too.
As residents and owners volunteer their time and talents, activities can be added. If you have an idea for a new project or activity, develop a plan, recruit volunteers to assist and present it to the board.
(1) Protecting structural and aesthetic elements of a residential community.
(2) Maintaining streets, easements, water & sewer systems, drainage, utilities, conservation & open areas, recreational amenities and common areas.
Mandatory home owner association membership for all Waterbrook Falls property owners was a condition attached by the developer to the deed of each land parcel in Waterbrook Falls. Most subdivisions built since the 1990s include similar requirements.
The Waterbrook Falls Home Owners Assn. is chartered by the state and the IRS as a tax-exempt, non-profit corporation. Until 2010, it was controlled by the developer. It is now governed by directors who are residents. Each lot owner has one vote to elect directors at annual meetings. Owners who cannot attend may file proxies to cast their vote.
All owners participate in providing funds. Liens may be placed on properties if owners are delinquent in paying annual assessments. Liens prevent title transfer until satisfied. Eventual foreclosure is permitted under Florida law to satisfy overdue assessments. Liens also may prevent refinancing.
HOA funds may not be used for improvements on privately-owned lots within Waterbrook Falls.
**Retention pond maintenance, algae control
**Park, common area and right-of-way landscaping & maintenance
**Entrance signage, Garden St. fencing and post maintenance
**Liability insurance
**Common area electricity, lighting, irrigation and water costs
**Management expenses
**Corporate registration fees, accountant & bank charges
**Costs to collect amounts owed and enforce covenants
Having adequate reserve funds prevents special assessments for each owner when infrastructure components fail.
A high priority over the past several years has been to build up our reserve funds.
**To pay directors. Waterbrook Falls HOA is governed by volunteer directors who reside here.
Prior approval is required for:
Significant landscape alterations/improvements.
Replacement of grass areas in yards with other material.
Fences
Patios
Structures including sheds, screens, enclosures, walls, etc.
Drainage components
Driveways
Large yard objects and devices
Home exterior color changes
Roof color or material changes (metal, etc.)
Other major external improvements
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At present, architectural review is NOT required for:
Temporary portable items that are removed in a timely manner
Shrub and flower beds
Small gardens
Normal landscaping procedures and minor improvements.
Doghouses, tables, chairs, childrens play items and other small backyard accessories
Repainting exterior with same color.
Roof replacement with same color & material.
Applying for architectural review is free and simple. Request a form from Community Manager Vina Delcomyn (see contact details below). Describe your proposed changes, attach a hand-drawn sketch or survey plat of your lot showing where a proposed fence, building, etc. will be located. For structures, indicate the color and materials to be used.
**Please note that many properties include easements for utilities, access, etc. Fences and structures cannot block these easements.
**There are setback requirements, especially in front yards.
**No improvements may be made to areas designated as conservation, buffers, etc., even on private lots. Your deed survey should indicate these areas (often shaded on survey plats). There are heavy fines imposed by state and federal regulators for disturbing these areas under conservation easement.
**Most major improvements require application for and receipt of a building permit from Jacksonville building and zoning. These requirements often change and when asked, B&Z representatives have given conflicting answers and opinions in the past. Be sure to get answers and opinions in writing--or at least record the official's name along with time and date for future reference.
**The City of Jacksonville Ordinance Code is online via www.coj.net and can be used for reference.
**We will approve applications prior to a city building permit being applied for or issued. But be sure to get one if required.
With Google Earth and other internet resources now available to regulators, you may get unfriendly visits from government officials if you make "undocumented" improvements.
***Zoning & Code Violations, Commercial Vehicle Parking Violations: Jacksonville Municipal Code Enforcement
https://www.coj.net/departments/neighborhoods/municipal-code-compliance%EF%BB%BF
http://www.coj.net/departments/neighborhoods/municipal-code-compliance/what-we-enforce---
***Disabled/Abandoned vehicles, unsatisfactory/unsafe conditions on streets & other city-owned property, garbage problems, etc:
http://630city.coj.net or phone 904-630-CITY (630-2489).
***Streetlights, JEA matters 904-665-6000 or jea.com and look for View Current Outages Or Report An Issue
Yard waste pickup is Weds. Limbs must be under 5ft long.
Regular garbage collection day is Thursday. Residents provide their own cans.
Recycle pickup is every other Tuesday using carts provided.
OK for Recycle:
**Paper (mail, newspapers, magazines, paperback books, phone books, Brown paper bags, cardboard 2' x 3' or smaller, catalogs)
**Metal (aluminum cans & baking pans, steel food containers)
**Plastics (numbered 1,2,3,5,7; detergent bottles; cleaning solution bottles; food & beverage containers)
**Cartons (milk, juice boxes, soup)
**Glass (green, brown, clear bottles and jars.) No lids
Do Not Recycle:
Batteries, Styrofoam, Needles, Aerosol Cans, Propane Tanks, Plastic Bags
For TVs and other large electronic items, appliances, tires....call 630-2489 to request pickup.
An email to n4uf@jaxradio.net will get you a copy in reply, if link doesn't work.
Waterbrook Falls covenants and restrictions are posted on the Duval County Clerk website duvalclerk.com
Choose Online Records in the upper left part of the main page. Then choose "Acclaim Official Records"
Then choose "Name" under "Official Records Search"
Put "Waterbrook Falls LLC" in the Name box. The document type is Restrictions (RST).
Waterbrook Falls LLC is the developer's corporation. The basic documents are dated 2/4/2004. The developer made subsequent modifications that can be viewed using an advanced search but the thrust is spelled out in the 2/4/2004 filings.
The developer filed plats of the entire Waterbrook Falls subdivision.
Unit One, filed in January 2004, includes the central area along Lancashire Dr. and adjacent streets. Unit Two (June 2005) includes most of the remainder of the large central part of Waterbrook Falls.
Unit Three (July 2006) includes the Timber Falls and Quail Trace areas along with the westernmost part of the central part.
To view plats, access Waterbrook Falls LLC (as shown above). Choose PLAT as document type.
Several versions of purported Waterbrook Falls CCRs have been circulated. The only version with legal standing is posted on Duval County Clerk of Courts website.