Frequently Asked Questions

Forest Heights HOA Phone:
503.297.9400
Forest Heights HOA Fax:
503.297.9408
Forest Heights HOA Hours:
M-F (9:00AM – 5:00 PM)

Portland Police (Non-Emergency):
503.823.3333

Patrol Service:
503.846.9607

Mail Drop Off Slot:
Vertical mail slot is located on the right side of the door.

Recommended Contractor's List:
 Recommended Contractors List

Forest Heights Forms/Information
ARC Application - Effective December 1, 2009
FHHOA Owner and Resident Information
 Mill Pond Reservation Policy

• Articles of Incorporation
• Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&R’s)
• Bylaws
• Resolutions

These documents can be accessed on our website at http://www.fhhoa.com/web/docs/governing.asp

The Association is further governed by parts of two sections of the Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS), ORS 94 (the Planned Community Act) and ORS 65 (the Non-Profit Corporation Act).

These laws can be accessed at http://www.leg.state.or.us/ors/ors_info.html

What are CC&R's?
The Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&R's) are the governing documents of the Forest Heights Homeowners Association. The Declaration was filed by the developer of Forest Heights when Forest Heights was begun. This document gives the association its power and authority and is recorded against each lot. When you purchased your Lot, you agreed to be bound by the CC&R’s and their provisions. It is the guideline that all operations of the community follow.

Among other things, the CC&R's provide for architectural control of exterior changes to your home and lot, such as landscaping, fencing, storage areas, spas, painting, etc. It's extremely important that you read your CC&R's. In order to assure the continued quality of your community, the Architectural Review Committee will process requests for changes. The form for submitting a project for Architectural Review can be downloaded from our website at www.fhhoa.com

What are Bylaws?
While the CC&R’s bestow the authority of the Homeowners Association, the Bylaws detail how that authority is to be administered. In this document are more specific guidelines regarding day-to-day operation and management of the Association, including the duties of the individual Board officers, the frequency of meetings and notification for them, how assessments must be calculated, when late fees take effect, etc.

Who sets the Budget for the Association?
The Board of Directors establishes the operating budget and reserve requirements. The Budget Committee studies the expenses for the past years, anticipated increases in costs, reserve studies, as well as planned expenditures for the coming year, and makes a recommendation to the Board based on the best information available.

How much is the Forest Heights HOA Semi-Annual Assessment?

All owners of a residential lot or a condominium/townhome (referred to as Sub-Associations) within the Forest Heights HOA property boundaries are legally required to pay the Forest Heights HOA Semi-Annual Assessment. 

The Forest Heights HOA Semi-Annual Assessment is currently $288.00 and is due on January 1^st and July 1^st each year. 

The Association offers a 30 day grace period following the due date.

A late charge of $50 is assessed to accounts 30 days or more past due. 

A finance charge of .75% per month is assessed to accounts 30 days or more past due.

Please remit payment along with your invoice to:

Forest Heights HOA

M/S 14

PO Box 4100

Portland, OR  97208

For those using an Online Bill Paying Service, please enter our office address in the payee section:

Forest Heights HOA

2033 NW Miller Road

Portland, OR  97229

Sign up for ACH and let us handle it!  Find the form at http://www.fhhoa.com/web/docs/forms.asp

What is the purpose of the Forest Heights HOA Semi-Annual Assessment?
Forest Heights is a master planned community established in 1989.  The Association was turned over from the original developer, Nauru Phosphate Royalties, to the owners in March 2003. 

The Association consists of over 600 acres of property which includes over 200 acres of common area open space.  A map of the Association can be viewed on our website at http://www.fhhoa.com/web/about/map.asp

Forest Heights HOA is responsible for the maintenance of the common area open space which includes but is not limited to the following:

·         Recreational trail system consisting of approximately six miles of graveled and paved trails.

·         Mill Pond Park including playground structures.

·         Landscape maintenance throughout the Association’s common area open space

·         Transportation service required by the City of Portland as a condition of the City’s approval of the Forest Heights Planned Unit Development.

The Forest Heights HOA Semi-Annual Assessment is determined based on the annual operating budget which includes the funding of the Common Property Reserve as specified in our reserve study.   The Association budget and reserve study is posted on our website at http://www.fhhoa.com/web/board/financialinformation.asp

 
What is a Private Street?
As part of the original development of Forest Heights, some streets were designated as private.  These streets do not meet the City of Portland requirements and are therefore the responsibility of the Association to maintain through a Private Street Assessment.  This assessment is determined based upon the Private Street reserve study and is used for the following:                          

·         Slurry Surfacing / Overlay

·         Storm Drain maintenance

·         Street Lights

Please Note:

Private streets Do Not include streets located within a condominium/townhome (sub-association) as these streets are maintained through the assessment collected for the individual condominium/townhome sub-association.

How much is the Private Street Annual Assessment?

In 2010, owners of a residence on a private street pay an Annual Assessment of $91.60 which is due January 1^st each year. 

Please Note:

This assessment is in addition to the Forest Heights HOA Semi-Annual Assessment.

Why does my townhome or condominium have a separate homeowners association?
Forest Heights Homeowners Association, which governs the common areas of Forest Heights, is called a Master Planned Community.  The overall development of Forest Heights contains single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums, apartments, and commercial buildings. Townhome and condominium developments within Forest Heights are subject to additional sets of CC&R’s that govern common areas within those developments, as well as responsibility for maintenance of such things as siding, roofing, and other items particular to that community. Owners in such communities pay two sets of assessments, one to Forest Heights for the overall common areas, and one to their particular association, for the particular maintenance responsibilities of their community. The apartments and commercial buildings also pay assessments to Forest Heights.

What is the role of the Board of Directors and how are they elected?
The Board of Directors acts on behalf of the owners in Forest Heights as outlined in the CC&R’s and Bylaws. In the performance of their duties, the officers and members of the Board exercise a fiduciary duty to use the best business judgment in their decisions and actions.

The Forest Heights Board consists of nine (9) people elected by the members (owners) of the Association. Three (3) members of the Board are elected each year at the Annual Meeting, and serve a three-year term of office.

Can I attend Board of Directors meetings?
Yes, as an owner you have a right to attend meetings of the Board. The Board provides time for a Residents Forum at each of its meetings, for owners to make comments or bring concerns to the Board. The Board then conducts the business of the Association and develops policies at the Board meetings. Residents may observe this portion of the Board meetings, but may not participate in the deliberations.

Is it important for me to attend the Annual Meeting?
Yes. The Annual Meeting is one of the most important events held by your Association each year. While the main business of the Annual Meeting is the election of new Board Members, it is also an opportunity to receive information from the Board regarding board actions of the previous year and to learn of plans for the coming year. Annual Meetings require a quorum of members, in order for the meeting to be declared an a valid meeting where the election can be held. The quorum requirement for the Annual Meeting and other meetings of residents is 20%, which means that 20% of the property owners must be present or represented by a proxy. With approximately 1940 property owners, the quorum for Forest Heights meetings is 380. Without a quorum, the meeting cannot take place, which then requires additional work and costs to conduct the election of Board members, because the election must continue until three board members are elected.

What if I cannot be present for the Annual Meeting?
The Annual Meeting notice includes a proxy form, so that you can designate someone else to be present for you, or you may designate your proxy for the purpose of forming a quorum only. A properly executed Proxy allows you to be counted as present for the meeting and toward the formation of a quorum, when you are not able to attend.

How do I report Street Light Issues?
Please report Private Street light outages and/or cycling issues (light turns on and off) to the Forest Heights HOA office by emailing contactus@fhhoa.com or calling (503) 297-9400. 

We request the following:

·         Street address of the nearest residence

·         Place a ribbon around the street light at eye level.  This ribbon will be removed when the light is fixed.

Public street light outages and/or cycling issues (light turns on and off) can also be reported to the Forest Heights HOA office by emailing contactus@fhhoa.com, calling the FHHOA office at (503) 297-9400 OR calling the City of Portland Street Light Division at (503) 823-5216.

We request the following:

·         The number on the light pole

·         Street address of the nearest residence

·         Place a ribbon around the street light at eye level.  This ribbon will be removed when the light is fixed.

What are violations?
Violations are essentially non-compliance with the governing documents. They might include architectural violations like building a shed without approval, or painting your house electric blue with magenta trim. Or, they could be violations like parking vehicles such as an RV in unapproved places. Your documents will detail what you may or may not do with regard to each of these situations, as well as many others. And in the case of any changes to your home (like the paint example), you must have prior approval before beginning any work; otherwise, the association may require that you reverse the change at your own expense.

What is ARC (Architectural Review Committee)?
The association’s governing documents (Convents, Conditions and Restrictions –
CC& R’s) empower the ARC to review and approve all external improvements erected, placed, altered, or maintained on any property. The ARC has a detailed set of guidelines and construction regulations for applying for and approval of improvements. The governing documents stipulate that the committee shall consist of a maximum of four voting members: no more than three design professionals and at least one Forest Heights homeowner (see “Administrative Resolution #38”).  The Board of Directors appointed this committee to achieve a high stand of quality, workmanship and materials for external improvements within our community.

Is the ARC decision final?
ARC has the sole authority to approve or disapprove projects on Forest Heights properties. Decisions of the ARC may be appealed to the Board of Directors.

What is an ARC application?
The governing documents for your community include design guidelines called Architectural Guidelines and Construction Regulations. ARC approval pertains to such things as landscaping, retaining or decorative walls, decks, fences, sheds, spas, and other exterior changes on your Lot. To put it simply: anything that constitutes change outside of your home (external design improvements) must have an approved plan. To do this, you are required to submit an ARC application to the Committee for review.

Why must my plans be reviewed?
The Committee reviews each set of plans for compliance with the community's design guidelines, which keep a sense of equity and a certain quality of visual livability about the community. This helps assure property values and a neighborhood standard, which each homeowner agrees to follow when purchasing a home within the community.

When must my plans be reviewed?

Prior to making plans for exterior changes to your home or lot, ARC must review and approve your changes. It is extremely important to submit your plan and receive approval before any work begins because if your changes are not compliant with the design guidelines, you may be required to make costly alterations or completely remove your changes at your own expense. The following are suggested lead times for submission of various types of projects:

• New Homes: Preliminary Review (if desired) 30 days before Final Review desired; Final Review 90 days prior to breaking ground
• Home Additions/Remodels: 60 days before start of project
• Siding Material Changes/Roof Material Changes: 30 days before start of project
• Decks/Fences/Retaining Walls: 30 days before start of project
• Landscape Plans: 30 days before installation
• Paint Color Changes: 30 days before start of project

How do I submit plans for review?
The review process is very simple. Prior to beginning any project, fill out the ARC application form and attach the required materials that are specified on the application for each project. ARC meets on an as-needed basis on Thursdays at 9:00 AM to review applications. Submit your completed application to the Association, by mail or in person, by noon on the Wednesday prior to a committee meeting. You will receive an answer within 15 working days after the committee has received your complete, written application, so allow plenty of time in your planning for this process and schedule accordingly.

Why is there a fee for Architectural Review?
The Board of Directors acknowledges the importance to have qualified consultants on the Architectural Review Committee (ARC), to maintain the high standards of Forest Heights. The ARC fee(s) help to cover the cost of having qualified professionals on the committee. Our committee includes an architect, a landscape architect, and two design consultants. Their expertise helps the committee to give honest, objective, professional feedback on projects submitted for approval. The fees are based in part on the complexity of projects submitted and the amount of involvement of the committee in rendering a decision.

Why are there solicitors in Forest Heights and what can we do to deter their presence?

Why are there so many coyotes in Forest Heights? How can residents discourage them from traveling through our neighborhoods?

The Association office has received an increasing number of calls regarding coyote sightings during the day, coyotes exhibiting bold behavior, and the loss of pets due to coyote attacks. Unfortunately our neighborhood provides an abundant source of food and shelter for the coyotes, thus attracting them to stay and raise their pups here. Unless and until that changes, we will continue to have coyotes in our neighborhood and conflicts will also continue and possibly worsen.

The coyote is one of the most adaptable animals in the U.S., learning to live and thrive in diverse habitats from deserts, to swamps, suburbs to cities. True scavenger, coyotes will eat nearly anything. This includes bird food, birds trying to eat bird food, carrion, snakes, small rodents, fruit, vegetables, garbage, pet food and unfortunately pets as well (mostly cats and small dogs).

Neither Multnomah County Animal Control nor Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife have the resources to trap and relocate coyotes. For advice on safely handling coyote encounters and discouraging coyotes from traveling through our neighborhoods, please read this article prepared by the Stanley Park Ecology Society, British Columbia. Read More >>>

What is the meaning of the “Sewage Spill” signs we occasionally see at Mill Pond or on Miller Road?
Whenever a sanitary sewer breaks or overflows in Forest Heights, the City of Portland comes out to repair the break or correct the overflow. Because the sewage eventually makes its way to a storm drain which empties into a creek which flows into Mill Pond, the City posts a warning for a few days so that people won’t come in contact with the water in the creek or pond.

 
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