Frequently asked questions.
1. What is the Acacia Creek Community Association and what does it do?
The ACHOA was established to enhance the aesthetics of the community and orchestrating Association covenants created by the developer. The organization is financially supported by all members of the Acacia Creek Community Association. The membership is both automatic and mandatory.
The Allen County and City of Fort Wayne Plan Commissions require that each community that is developed has Covenants and Restrictions that are recorded with the plat to protect the integrity of the community. These documents detail the initial rules and guidelines for architecture, landscaping, dues, and a host of other items that will concern future residents. The Covenants and Restrictions are then managed and fulfilled by the Acacia Creek Community Association.
2. Who is the management company for our subdivision, what do they do and how do I reach them?
Acacia Creek Community Association currently has a board filled by volunteers who then coordinate with a professional management company, Above and Beyond Community Management (ABC), to assist with maintaining the quality and standards of Acacia Creek.
Effective 8/1/24 ABC took over handling the day to day management of Acacia Creek which includes handling violations and addressing maintenance concerns directed by the Board.
If interested in joining the volunteer board please send us an email.
Contact information:
Acacia Creek Community Association
PO Box 10182
Fort Wayne, IN 46851
acaciacreekhoa@gmail.com
Facebook/ Meta Group: Acacia Creek Community Association Fort Wayne
3. If I am having a problem with a neighbor or a violation of the Policies or ACC Guidelines. What can I do?
If residents cannot resolve a situation between themselves, then turn to the Association. Should you have a situation that does not appear to be resolved through neighborly means please contact us by clicking here. It is recommended when involving the Association to have documentation.
4. Are board meetings open to all residents? If so, where and when are they held?
Board meetings are open only to board members. Notice of the time and place of the annual board meeting will be noted on our website in advance of the meeting, when possible. If interested in joining the board please click here.
5. What are the annual Homeowner' dues and what are they used for?
The annual dues are currently $196.00 per year, payable by all homeowners on or before March 1st of the current year. Annual dues are mandatory by all homeowners in Acacia Creek. If your dues are not paid in a timely manner, you will be provided a second notice, and or a lien will be placed or the delinquent dues will be turned over to a collection agency. Click here for the 2023 Invoice.
Dues are used for various community expenses and services including, but not exclusive to, snow plowing, pond maintenance, mowing of common area, entrance maintenance, property taxes, insurance, and utility bills. These are ongoing costs to run the Community Association to fulfill the Covenants and Restrictions of our Association.
The Association has experienced, along with the rest of the economy, the increase in the cost of good and services. This increase impacts the Association as it has increased the cost of the community expenses and services provided. To maintain these services dues may be increased up to 12% a year per the covenants. Non-payment of dues have serious consequences including judgements, liens, wage garnishments and in severe cases foreclosure.
6. Why does the covenants state “Fiddler’s Creek” and not “Acacia Creek”
When the addition was originally created it was called Fiddler’s Creek. Another addition in Florida sued the developer over the name which forced Fiddler’s Creek Developer to change the name to what now is called Acacia Creek.
7. Who is responsible for sidewalks in front / side of my house?
Homeowners are responsible for the upkeep (snow removal, salt for ice, unevenness) for the sidewalks on their property. Sidewalks not adjacent to individual homeowners such as crosswalks, ADA (Americans with Disabilities) features are considered like streets and not the homeowners responsibilities. Additional information regarding Allen County Article 8 Maintenance/Minimum Housing Code can be found here.
8. Is a homeowner allowed to perform work within the Association without Association expressed consent?
Acacia Creek Community Association Board does not condone homeowner(s) in performing work or similar actions within the Association (including common areas or individual properties) without the expressed authorization from the Association Board. Examples include but not limited to: pruning trees around the pond, burning branches around the pond, marking sidewalks.
Such unauthorized work, per the Fort Wayne Police Department, can be deemed as vandalism or criminal mischief and will be documented if not authorized.
If there is a concern or an issue, homeowners are encouraged to contact the Association Board by clicking here.
9. Can Acacia Creek Residents acquire a pool membership from Foxwood?
As of May 8th, 2020, Foxwood stopped allowing pool members for outside residents which includes Acacia Creek residents.
10. I would like to add a playset, fence, or other external structure to my home, what do I do?
Per Association Covenants there are Activity and Architectural Policies that provides details and requirements. First the homeowner will need to review the Activity and Architectural Policies to see what is allowed and not allowed per Association bylaws. Then will need to attach and submit a completed Architectural Approval Form to AcaciaCreekHOA@gmail.com. Acacia Creek’s Architectural Committee will then review documentation to ensure it meets the Covenants and Policy standards. Upon review they will communicate with the homeowner regarding if it was approved, open questions and next steps.
11. When can the covenants be updated for existing Sections?
Covenants are unable to be updated until all lots are sold and closed.
12. How do I determine what my lot is?
Lot can be determined using the land plat maps provided in Governing Documents page in which you can look for your address to determine the lot. When closing on your property a survey should have been provided by the previous homeowner or you are able to acquire one at closing. You should review documentation you received at closing to see if you have it. You may also contact your closing company to see if they have it on file. The lot # is provided on the survey documentation.
13. I have a question on the covenants, what should I do?
Please reach out to the Acacia Creek Community Association by emailing us at AcaciaCreekHoa@gmail.com or submitting a form by clicking here.
14. Does Fort Wayne retain our association’s covenants and land plats?
Yes. The City of Fort Wayne’s Recorder’s Office does retain and make accessible these documents. Visit the Allen County Recorder’s Office website for additional information.
15. What happens if I do not keep covenant standards regarding repairs, home maintenance and other similar items?
If repairs and general maintenance are not completed, the Association will contract the necessary work at the homeowner’s expense plus any attorney fees involved. Judgements and lies against properties can be obtained, but are a last resort measure by the association.
16. Does Acacia Creek Community Association have any wetlands?
We have 2 bodies of water near 469. The inner most body of water is a pond, which is treated using part of the Association dues. The other body of water, bordering the sidewalk near 469, is a wetland. Given its a wetland it had different requirements and protections under Department of Natural Resources (DNR) that must be followed or may lead to engagements with necessary authorities. Wetland was not originally there in NorthEastern’s plans, however at the time developers could develop in a wetland if they created a wetland is a different location - which is what happened here.
17. What channels does the Association Board use to communicate and update the Association?
Association manages and communicates using a Facebook Page, this website, and the message board at the main entrance. Communications are sent out through mail (newsletters, notices, etc) and email when applicable. For homeowners of the association to contact the board they should do so using our email address AcaciaCreekHoa@Gmail.com or using contact us.
Other platforms homeowners outside of the ones listed above (Reddit, NextDoor, etc) are not monitored or used by the Association.
18. Are basketball goals allowed?
In ground basketball goals are allowed once an architectural form has been submitted and approved.
Portable basketball goals are only allowed if they are not visible when not in use such as stored in the garage. This meanings when not in use you cannot leave them in your yard or on the drive way.
19. When is snow removal contracted?
Snow removal is contracted for 3 or more inches of snow. In order to completely clear the streets, its important to remove vehicles from the street prior to the snow event. Vehicles left on the street will be plowed in with snow and cause the plowers to make wider swaths around them resulting in less of the street being plowed.
If you have a storm drain in front of your house, please try to keep it clear of snow ice, and debris. The more the water is able to drain, the less wear and tear on the street.
20. When is architectural approval needed?
Architectural approval is required for any addition/changes to the property. Freestanding gazeboes, portal basketball goals, etc are not permitted per Covenants. Without prior approval homeowners accept the risk of incurring legal costs to remedy the situation along with any other applicable cost.
If you are uncertain if its needed, then check with the Association’s Architecture committee by emailing us at AcaciaCreekHoa@gmail.com or submitting a form by clicking here.
21. How do I handle bulk items for waste management?
All bulk items must be scheduled in advance for Pick up. Homeowners can schedule pickups by contacting via email (customerservice_MIOHIN@wm.com) or phone (866-797-9018)
Bulk items should NEVER be stored at the curb until the night prior to scheduled pickup.
22. How do I appropriately mark power, gas, streetlight wiring lines before scheduling any digging on my property?
You need to take 2 actions: 1.) Email the association (by emailing us at AcaciaCreekHoa@gmail.com or submitting a form by clicking here) so that streetlight wiring can be marked 2.) Contact 811 for free marking service. Without doing both items you risk the risk of bodily harm and also extra costs to compensate for damages done.
Streetlight wiring is not part of 811 location marking service. Given this the association will coordinate necessary actions to mark streetlight wiring. Wiring lines run to the property utility box would could be at he back of your property.
23. Can my vehicle get ticketed?
Homeowners can be ticketed for their driving behavior, speeding, and for blocking school buses or emergency vehicles from getting through the streets. Homeowners vehicles may also get towed for blocking emergency vehicles.
24. What are some recommended parking tips?
Ideally vehicles should be kept in the driveway / garage whenever possible. If one has to park temporarily in the street, they need to refrain from parking directly across another vehicle to help ease navigating around vehicles. In some areas of the association its extremely difficult to drive between 2 parked cares.
Temporarily parking on the street cannot block mailboxes, hydrants, or handicap ramps as its prohibited by law and will lead to law enforcement writing ticket. Tickets can also be given out for blocking emergency vehicles from navigating within the association.
During snow, if a car is left on the street, it will be snowed in and will hinder what snow can be plowed on the street for the rest of the association.
25. Why are residents being charged with fees associated with violations?
Starting, February 1, 2023 residents refusing to comply with covenants will be assessed fees (administrative and legal). Expenses may include but not limited to:
Mailing fees (stamps, certified mailings, etc)
Legal fees (letters, consultants, judgement filings, etc)
Maintenance services (lawncare, electrical, roofing, contractors, etc)
In the past these costs were not expensed to the residents failing to comply but were part of the Association’s annual expense. The Association Board does not deem it fair for the rest of the homeowners to pay for noncompliance which removes money from going to other expenses and services. Starting 2/1/23 these such expenses will be passed to the resident refusing to comply with covenants.
26. I was notified of a lien what do I do next to remediate?
If have received a judgement lien you will need to contact the HOA’s attorney to make payment.
Mailing address: P.O. Box 807, Columbia City, IN 46725
Street Address: 119 South Main Street, Columbia City, IN 46725
Phone #: 260-248-8900
Tool-free #: 800-788-8040
27. I was told I need to mow but my grass isn’t high, why?
Though you grass may not be tall doesn’t mean your weeds aren’t. Grass needs to be taken care of and if weeds are high then you need to mow even if your grass is low. If not you may receive further notifications and possibly have a mowing service sent to your house and you will be invoiced for the expense.
28. How am I required to store my trash?
Garbage cans must be stored at least 5 feet back from the front of the home of stored on the side. Only 2 cans are allowed on the side of the home, and lids must be shut with no visible trash. No trash or other items can be stored outside the cans on the side of the house.
29. How do violations work?
Homeowners will receive one notice for violations. If the violation is not addressed, ABC, will impose administrative fees starting at $50.00 with escalating fees for subsequent unresolved issues.