HomeMy WebLinkAboutDeclaration of Condominium
THIS INSTRUMENT PREPARED BY,
or under the supervision of, AND
AFTER RECORDING, RETURN TO:
Oscar R. Rivera, Esq.
SIEGFRIED, RIVERA, lERNER,
DE LA TORRE & SOBEL, P.A.
201 Alhambra Circle - Suite 1102
Coral Gables, Florida 33134
(305) 442-3334
DECLARATION OF CONDOMINIUM
The undersigned, being the holder of title of record to the real property situate,
lying and being in Miami-Dade County, Florida, the legal description of which is
attached hereto, and made a part hereof, and labeled Exhibit "A," hereby states and
declares that the land described on Exhibit "A" is submitted to condominium ownership,
and declared to be a condominium known as 1701 MERIDIAN BUILDING
CONDOMINIUM, pursuant to Chapter 718, Florida Statutes, as amended from time to
time (hereinafter referred to as the "Act"), the provisions of which act are hereby
incorporated by reference, and included herein.
All the restrictions, reservations, covenants, conditions and easements contained
herein shall constitute covenants running with the land or equitable servitudes upon the
land, as the case may be, and shall run perpetually unless terminated or amended as
provided herein, and shall be binding upon all unit owners as hereinafter defined, and in
consideration of receiving and by acceptance of a grant, devise or mortgage, all
grantees, devisees or mortgagees, their heirs, personal representatives, successors and
assigns, and all parties claiming by, through or under such persons, agree to be bound
by the provisions hereof, as well as by the by-laws and articles of incorporation of the
association. Both the burdens imposed and the benefits provided shall run with each
unit and the interests in common property as defined herein.
The real property submitted to condominium ownership herewith is subject to
conditions, limitations, restrictions, reservations or record, real estate taxes and
applicable zoning ordinances.
ARTICLE I: DEFINITIONS
Definitions of terms used in this declaration and its Exhibits, and as they may
hereafter be amended, are as follows:
A. AAct@ means the Florida Condominium Act (Chapter 718 of the Florida
Statutes) .
B. "Articles" or AArticles of Incorporation@ mean the articles of incorporation
of the association.
C. "Assessment" means a share of the funds required for the payment of
common expenses and special assessments, which from time to time is assessed
against the unit owner.
D. "Association" means the entity responsible for the operation of the
condominium and such entity shall, for the purpose of this condominium be 1701
MERIDIAN BUILDING CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, INC., a Florida corporation,
not for profit.
E. . "Association Property" means the property, real and personal, in which
title or ownership is vested in the Association for use and benefit of its members.
F. "Board of Directors" means the board of administration or other
representative body responsible for administration of the Association.
G. "Building" means the structure(s) situated on the condominium property in
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which the units and common elements are located.
H. "By-Laws" mean the by-laws of the Association existing from time to time.
1. "Common Elements" means and includes:
1. The portions of the condominium property not included within the
individual units.
2. The property and installations required for the furnishing of utilities
and other services to more than one unit or the common elements, if any,
as well as the conduits, pipe ducts, plumbing, wiring and other facilities
themselves.
3. Easements of support in every part of each unit which contributes
to the support of the improvements.
4. The term Common Elements when used throughout this
declaration, shall also include limited common elements, as defined in the
Act.
The term Common Elements does not include conduits, pipe, ducts, plumbing,
wiring, air conditioning equipment or other facilities which service or apply to only one
unit although same may be located in the Common Elements.
J. "Common Expenses" means all expenses incurred by the Association for
the repair, replacement, maintenance, operation or protection of the condominium
property, and any other expense, whether or not included in the foregoing, designated
as a common expense by the Act, this declaration, the Articles or the By-Laws.
K. "Common Surplus" means the excess of all receipts of the Association,
including, but not limited to, Assessments, rents, profits and revenues which exceed
Common Expenses.
L. "Condominium Parcel" means a unit, together with the undivided share in
the Common Elements which is appurtenant to the unit.
M. "Condominium" or "Condominium Property" means the lands, leaseholds,
and personal property that are subjected to condominium ownership, whether or not
contiguous, and all improvements thereon and all easements and rights appurtenant
thereto intended for use in connection with the condominium.
N. "Corporation" means the Association as defined above. Corporation and
Association may be interchangeable and shall have the equivalent definition.
O. "Declaration" or "Declaration of Condominium" means the instrument(s)
by which this Condominium is created, as they may be amended from time to time.
P. "Developer" means CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, a Florida corporation, its
successors and assigns. Developer may assign all or a portion of its rights hereunder,
or all or a portion of such rights in connection with specific portions of the
Condominium. In the event of any partial assignment, the assignee shall not be
deemed the developer, but may exercise such rights of developer as are specifically
assigned to it. Any such assignment may be made on a nonexclusive basis. The rights
of developer under this Declaration are independent of the developer's rights to control
the Board of Directors of the Association, and, accordingly, shall not be deemed waived,
transferred or assigned to the unit owners, the Board of Directors or the Association
upon the transfer of control of the Association.
Q. "Institutional Mortgagee" or AMortgagee@ means a bank, savings and loan
association, insurance company or union pension fund authorized to do business in the
United States of America, an agency of the United States Government, a real estate
investment trust, or a lender generally recognized in the community as an institutional
type lender. The mortgage may be placed through a mortgage or title company.
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R. "Life Safety Systems" mean and refer to any and all emergency lighting,
emergency generator, audio and visual signals, safety systems, sprinklers and smoke
detection systems, which are now or hereafter installed in the Building, whether or not
within the Units. All such Life Safety Systems, together with all conduits, wiring,
electrical connections and systems related thereto, regardless of where located shall be
deemed Common Elements hereunder. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
when the context shall so allow, the Life Safety Systems shall also be deemed to
include all means of emergency ingress and egress, which shall include all stairways
and stair landings. Notwithstanding the breadth of the foregoing definition, nothing
herein shall be deemed to suggest or imply that the Building or the Condominium
contains all such Life Safety Systems.
S. "Limited Common Elements" means those Common Elements which are
reserved for the use of a certain unit or units, to the exclusion of other units as
specified in this Declaration. The peri metrical boundary of a limited common element
(including, but not limited to: (i) a balcony; (ii) a patio; (iii) a terrace; (iv) a porch; (v)
a stairway; or (vi) any fixture attached to the Building which serves only the Unit being
bounded), shall vary with the exterior unfinished surface of any such structure
extended in a vertical plane and, where necessary, to the horizontal boundary.
T. "Operation" or "Operation of the Condominium" includes the
administration and management of the Condominium Property.
U. ASpecial Assessments@ shall mean and refer to a charge against each unit
owner and his unit, representing a portion of the costs incurred by the Association for
specific purposes of a nonrecurring nature.
V. "Unit" or "Condominium Unit" means those parcels of the Condominium
Property designated on the Exhibits attached to the Declaration which are subject to
exclusive ownership.
W. "Unit Owner" or "Owner of a Unit" or "Owner" or "Member" means a
record owner of legal title to a Condominium Parcel.
X. "Utility Service" as used in this Declaration and the By-Laws attached
hereto may include but shall not be limited to electric power, gas, hot and cold water,
heating, refrigeration, air conditioning, garbage and sewage disposal, telephone and
cable television service.
ARTICLE II: SURVEY AND DESCRIPTION OF IMPROVEMENTS
Attached hereto and made a part hereof as Exhibit "B" is a survey and graphic
description of the land and plot plans of the improvements constituting the
Condominium, identifying the Condominium Units, the Common Elements and the
Limited Common Elements, their respective location and approximate dimensions. The
improvements on the land described will consist of eight (8) Units and the Common
Elements depicted therein.
A. Identification of Units. Each such Unit is identified by a separate numerical
designation. The designation of each Unit is set forth on Exhibit AB@ attached hereto.
Similarly, each area constituting a Limited Common Element is identified by designation
on said Exhibit "B." The specific designation assigned to each Limited Common Element
is the same designation which has been assigned to the Unit to which each such Limited
Common Element is appurtenant. Said Exhibit "B", together with this Declaration, is
sufficient in detail to identify the size and location of each Unit, the Limited Common
Element appurtenant to the Unit, and the Common Elements.
B. Unit Boundaries.
1. The Unit Owner shall not be deemed to own the undecorated and/or
unfinished surfaces of the perimeter walls, floors and ceilings surrounding the
, respective Unit, nor shall the Unit Owner be deemed to own the pipes, wires, conduits
or other public utility lines running through said respective Unit, which are utilized for or
serve more than one Unit, which items have heretofore been made a part of the
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Common Elements. Said Unit Owner, however, shall be deemed to own the walls and
partitions which are contained in said owner's respective Unit, and also shall be deemed
to own the inner decorated and/or finished surfaces of the perimeter walls, floor and
ceilings, including plaster, paint, wallpaper, mirrors, carpets, flooring, tile, cabinetry,
electrical fixtures, appliances, air conditioning and heating equipment, water heaters,
and the like.
2. Each Unit shall include that part of the Building containing the Unit
which lies within the following boundaries:
a. Upper and Lower Boundaries. The upper and lower
boundaries of each Unit shall be the following boundaries extended to their
planar intersections with the perimetrical boundaries.
i. Upper Boundary. The horizontal plane of the lower
surface of the unfinished ceiling.
ii. Lower Boundary. The horizontal plane of the upper
surface of the unfinished floor.
b. Perimetrical Boundaries. The peri metrical boundaries of the
Unit shall be the vertical plane of the unfinished interior surfaces of the walls
bounding the Unit extended to their planar intersections with each other and
with the upper and lower boundaries.
c. In connection with the floor plans and plot plans identified as
Exhibit liB," the legend and notes thereon contained are incorporated herein and
made a part hereof by reference and the said plans have been certified in the
manner required by the Act.
ARTICLE III: OWNERSHIP, SHARE OF COMMON ELEMENTS,
ALLOCATION OF COMMON EXPENSES AND COMMON SURPLUS
A. Ownership. The fee title to each Condominium Parcel shall include both
the Unit and the undivided interest in the Common Elements, said undivided interest in
the Common Elements to be deemed to be conveyed or encumbered with its respective
Unit. Any attempt to separate the fee title to a Unit from the undivided interest in the
Common Elements appurtenant to each Unit shall be null and void.
B. Percentage Ownership. Each of the Unit Owners of the Condominium shall
own an undivided interest in the Common Elements and Limited Common Elements,
and the undivided interest of such ownership in the said Common Elements and Limited
Common Elements is the percentage as set forth on Exhibit "C" which is attached to
this Declaration and made a part hereof, which is based on the total square footage of
each Unit in uniform relationship to the total square footage of each other Unit in the
Condominium.
C. Percentage Share. The Common Expenses and the Common Surplus of
the Condominium shall be shared by the Unit Owners as specified and set forth in
Exhibit "C".
D. Specific Unit Owner Resoonsibility. Any expense for the maintenance,
repair or replacement relating to Limited Common Elements shall be paid by the Unit
Owner having exclusive use of such Limited Common Element. The Unit Owner shall be
responsible for all damages and costs should maintenance, repair or replacement of any
Common Element be necessitated by the negligence or misuse by a Unit Owner, his
family, guests, servants and/or invitees.
ARTICLE IV: EASEMENTS
A. Perpetual Non-Exclusive Easement in Common Elements/Condominium
Prooerty. The Common Elements and the Condominium Property shall be, and the
same are hereby declared to be, subject to a perpetual non-exclusive easement which
is hereby created in fav.or of all of the Unit Owners in this Condominium for the use and
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benefit of such Unit Owners and the use and benefit of their immediate families, guests
and invitees, for all proper and normal purposes, and for the furnishing of services and
facilities for which same are reasonably intended, including, without limitation, for
purpose of ingress, egress, repair and maintenance, for installation of and maintenance
of utility lines (such as water and sewer collection and distribution lines, electrical power
transmission lines, telephone lines, cable television and other utility services and the
like contained within the Common Elements). A Unit Owner shall do nothing within or
outside their Unit that interferes with or impairs, or may interfere with or impair, the
provision of such utility, communication lines, or other utility services and the like or
the use of these easements. These easements shall run to the benefit of all owners,
guests and invitees at 1701 MERIDIAN BUILDING CONDOMINIUM.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, the Association shall have the right to
establish the Rules and Regulations governing the use and enjoyment of all such
Common Elements and pursuant to which the Owners of such Units may be entitled to
utilize same. The Association may impose upon the Common Elements henceforth, and
from time to time, such easement, licenses and cross-easements for any of the
foregoing purposes as it deems to be in the best interest of, and necessary for, the
uniform and proper operation of the Condominium.
B. Easement for Encroachments. In the event that (i) any Unit shall
encroach upon any Common Element for any reason not caused by the intentional or
negligent act of any such Unit Owner(s) or their agent(s); (ii) any portion of the
Common Elements shall encroach upon any Unit, for any reason not caused by the
intentional act of the Unit Owner(s) or their agent(s); or (iii) any encroachment shall
hereafter occur as a result of (1) construction of improvements; (2) settling or shifting
of the improvements; (3) any alteration or repair to the Common Elements made by or
with the consent of the Association or the Developer, as appropriate; or (4) any repair
or restoration of any portion of the improvements or any Unit after damage by fire or
other casualty or any taking by condemnation or eminent domain proceedings of any
portion of any Unit or the Common Elements, then an easement shall exist for the
continuance of such encroachment and the maintenance of same so long as such
encroachment shall naturally exist. In like manner, in the event that any Unit shall
encroach upon any other Unit, an easement appurtenant to such encroaching Unit shall
exist for the continuance of such encroachment into the neighboring Unit, for so long as
such encroachment shall naturally exist.
C. Easement for Air Space/Support. The Owner of each Unit shall have an
exclusive easement for the use of air space occupied by such Unit as such Unit exists at
any particular time, and as said Unit may be lawfully altered or reconstructed from time
to time. Further, each Unit shall have an easement of support and of necessity and
shall be subject to an easement of support and necessity in favor of all other Units and
the Common Elements.
D. Easement for the Public. An easement is created for pedestrian traffic
over, through and across sidewalks, paths, walks, waterways and lanes as the same
may from time to time exist upon the Common Elements, and for the vehicular traffic
over, through and across such portion of the Common Elements as may from time to
time be paved and intended for such purposes, but the same shall not include the
Condominium Property except those areas specifically assigned for same.
E. Construction: Maintenance. The Developer (including its designees,
successors and assigns) shall have the right in its sole discretion, from time to time, to
enter the Condominium Property for the purpose of completing the construction of any
and all improvements upon any portion of the Condominium Property, and for repair,
replacement, maintenance or warranty purposes prOVided same does not unreasonably
interfere with the reasonable use of the Condominium Property by the Unit Owners.
Any such easement shall also apply to the completion of any dock faCility which may be
constructed by Developer.
F. Sales Activity. For as long as there are any unsold Units which the
Developer holds for sale in the ordinary course of business, the Developer, its
designees, successors and assigns, shall have the right to use any such Units and
portions of the Common Elements for model Units and sales offices, to display model
Units and the Common Elements to prospective purchasers, and to erect signs and
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other promotional material upon the Condominium Property.
G. Additional Easements; Relocation. The Association, through its Board,
shall have the right to grant additional general and specific electric, cable television or
other utility or service easements, or modify or relocate any such existing easements
in any portion of the Condominium Property, as the Board shall deem necessary or
desirable for the proper operation and maintenance of the improvements, or for the
purposes of carrying out any provision of this Declaration, provided that such
easements or the relocation of such existing easements will not prevent or
unreasonably interfere with the reasonable use of the Condominium Property. The
Developer reserves the exclusive right to relocate the position or configuration of any
and all easements for ingress, utilities, drainage and other services within the
Condominium Property.
ARTICLE V: NAME
The name by which this Condominium is to be identified is: 1701 MERIDIAN
BUILDING CONDOMINIUM.
ARTICLE VI: ADMINISTRATION OF CONDOMINIUM BY ASSOCIATION
A. Powers and Duties. The Association shall be the entity responsible for the
operation of the Condominium. A copy of the Articles and, By-Laws of the Association
are attached hereto as Exhibits liD" and "E" respectively. The powers and duties of the
Association shall include those set forth in this Declaration, the By-Laws and Articles of
Incorporation of the Association, as all may be amended from time to time. In
addition, the Association shall have all the common law and statutory powers of a
corporation not-for-profit under the laws of Florida and the powers and duties set forth
in the Condominium Act. All of the powers and duties of the Association shall be
exercised by the Board of Directors limited only to the extent when specific Owner
approval is required by law, this Declaration, the By-Laws, or Articles of Incorporation.
The powers and duties of the Association as exercised by the Board of Directors shall
include but not be limited to the following:
1. The irrevocable right to have access to each Unit from time to time
during reasonable hours when necessary for pest control purposes or for the
maintenance, repair or replacement of any Common Elements or any portion of a Unit
to be maintained by the Association pursuant to this Declaration or at any time, and by
force, if necessary, to make emergency repairs or to prevent damage to the Common
Elements or to a Unit or Units.
2. The power to determine the expenses required for the operation of
the Association and to make and collect regular and Special Assessments and other
charges against Owners.
3. The duty to maintain accounting records according to good
accounting practices, which shall be open for inspection by Owners or their authorized
representatives at reasonable times upon prior request.
4. The power to adopt, amend and enforce rules and regulations
concerning the details of the operation and use of the Units, the Common Elements and
Association Property.
5. The power to charge a fee for the exclusive use of Common
Elements or Association Property to any Owner being granted, by the Association, a
right to such exclusive use.
6. The power to acquire title to property (including purchasing Units at
a foreclosure sale); and to otherwise hold, regulate, administer, convey, lease,
maintain, repair and replace Association Property and Common Elements for the use
and benefit of its members, including the right to grant, modify or move easements
which are a part of or cross Association Property and Common Elements.
7. The power to institute, settle or appeal actions or hearings on behalf
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of all Owners.
8. The power to execute all documents or consents on behalf of all Unit
Owners (and their Mortgagees) required by all government and/or quasi-governmental
agencies in connection with land use and development matters (including, without
limitation, plats, waivers of plat, unities of title, covenants in lieu thereof, etc.), and in
that regard each Unit Owner, by acceptance of the deed to such Owner=s Unit, and
each Mortgagee of a Unit, by acceptance of a lien on said Unit, appoints and designates
the President of the Association as such Owner=s agent and attorney-in-fact to execute
any and all such documents or consents.
9. The power to enter into bulk rate cable television contracts.
10. The power to contract with individuals or entities to operate various
facilities or services upon portions of the Common Elements or Association Property.
11. The power to operate, maintain, repair and replace the Common
Elements (which includes the surface water management system, if any) and the
Association Property.
12. The power to employ, dismiss and contract with personnel and
independent contractors necessary for the maintenance and operation of the Common
Elements and the Association Property.
13. The power to maintain bank accounts on behalf of the Association
and designating the signatories required therefor.
14. The power to obtain insurance for the Condominium and Association
Property.
15. The power to make repairs, additions, and improvements to, or
alterations of Common Elements and Association Property, and repairs to and
restoration of Common Elements and Association Property, in accordance with the
provisions of this Declaration after damage or destruction by fire or other event of
damage, or as a result of condemnation or eminent domain proceedings or otherwise.
16. The power to levy fines against Owners and occupants for violations
of this Declaration, the By-Laws or the Association's reasonable rules.
17. The power to borrow money, execute promissory notes and other
evidences of indebtedness, and to give as security for mortgages security interests in
property owned by the Association, if any, in connection with the operation, care,
upkeep and maintenance of the Common Elements and Association Property or for the
acquisition of property. If any sum borrowed by the Board of Directors on behalf of the
Condominium pursuant to the authority contained in this Section A.17 is not repaid by
the Association, a Unit Owner who pays to the creditor such portion thereof as his
interest in the Common Elements bears to the interest of all the Unit Owners in the
Common Elements shall be entitled to obtain from the creditor a release of any
judgment or other lien which said creditor shall have filed or shall have the right to file
against, or which will affect such Owner's Unit.
18. The obligation to operate, monitor, and maintain any surface water
management system, which is part of the Common Area, if any, in accordance with any
surface water management permit which may be obtained by Developer and in
accordance with the requirements of the South Florida Water Management District. The
costs of the operation, maintenance, and if necessary, replacement of the surface water
management system shall be assessed and collected by the Association. The
Association shall be responsible to complete all tasks required by any such permit
successfully, including meeting all conditions associated with mitigation, maintenance
and monitoring. The Association may not modify any of the requirements outlined
herein unless an intervening local government requires more stringent actions, or the
uniqueness of the Condominium=s surface water management system requires
operation by an alternative entity. Such alternative entity shall require the prior
approval of the South Florida Water Management District. The Association exists in
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perpetuity; however, if for any reason the Association is ever dissolved, the property
consisting of the surface water management system shall be conveyed to an
appropriate agency of local government. If such local government agency refuses to
accept such conveyance, the property shall be dedicated to another similar non-profit
corporation.
B. Limitation Uoon Liability of Association. Notwithstanding the duty of the
Association to maintain and repair parts of the Condominium Property, the Association
shall not be liable to Unit Owners for injury or damage, other than for the cost of
maintenance and repair, caused by any latent condition of the Condominium Property.
Further, the Association shall not be liable for any such injury or damage caused by
defects in design or workmanship or any other reason connected with any additions,
alterations or improvements or other activities done by or on behalf of any Unit Owners
regardless of whether or not same shall have been approved by the Association
pursuant to Article XI hereof. The Association shall not be liable to any Unit Owner or
lessee or to any other person or entity for any property damage, personal injury, death
or other liability on the grounds that the Association did not obtain or maintain
insurance (or carried insurance with any particular deductible amount) for any
particular matter where: (i) such insurance is not required hereby; or (ii) the
Association could not obtain such insurance at reasonable costs or upon reasonable
terms. Nothing herein shall be deemed to relieve the Association of its duty to exercise
ordinary care in the carrying out of its responsibilities nor to deprive the Unit Owners of
their right to sue the Association if it negligently or willfully causes damage to the Unit
Owners= property during the performance of the Association=s duties.
C. Effect on Developer. If the Developer holds a Unit for sale in the ordinary
course of business, none of the following actions may be taken without the prior written
approval of the Developer: (i) assessment of the Developer as a Unit Owner for capital
improvements; or (ii) any action by the Association that would be detrimental to the
sales of Units by the Develop.er; provided, however, that an increase in Assessments for
Common Expenses without discrimination against the Developer shall not be deemed to
be detrimental to the sales of Units.
ARTICLE VII: MEMBERSHIP IN CORPORATION AND VOTING
A. Membership. The Owner or Owners of a Unit shall automatically become
members of the Association upon such Owner's acquisition of an ownership interest in
any Unit and its appurtenant undivided interest in the Common Elements and Limited
Common Elements, and the membership of such Owner or Owners in the Association
shall terminate automatically upon such Owner or Owners being divested of such
ownership interest and the title to such Unit, regardless of the means by which such
ownership shall be divested. No person, firm or corporation holding any lien, mortgage
or other encumbrance upon any Unit shall be entitled by virtue of such lien, mortgage
or other encumbrance to membership in the Association or to any of the rights or
privileges of such membership.
B. Votina. Each Unit shall be entitled to one (1) vote to be cast by its Owner
in accordance with the provisions set forth in the By-Laws of the Association.
ARTICLE VIII: BY-LAWS
The operation of the Association shall be governed by the By-Laws which are
annexed to this Declaration and labeled Exhibit liE" and incorporated herein by
reference. The By-Laws shall be amended as provided therein.
ARTICLE IX: METHOD OF AMENDMENT
A. General Amendments. Except for any alteration in the percentage of
ownership in the Common Elements or alteration of the basis for apportionment of
assessments, which may be levied by the Association in accordance with the provisions
hereof, this Declaration may be amended in the following manner:
1. Bv the Association. Amendments to this Declaration may be
proposed by either the Board of Directors of the Association acting upon a vote of the
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majority of the Directors, or by not less than one-third (1/3) of the members of the
Association, whether meeting as members or by instrument in writing signed by them.
Upon any amendment or amendments to this Declaration being proposed by said Board
of Directors or members, such proposed amendment or amendments shall be
transmitted to the President of the Association, or other officer of the Association in the
absence of the President, who shall thereupon include the proposed amendments for
consideration in the Notice for the Annual Meeting, or call a Special Meeting of the
Members of the Association for a date not sooner than twenty (20) days nor later than
sixty (60) days from receipt by him of the proposed amendment or amendments, and it
shall be the duty of the Secretary to give to each member written or printed notice of
such meeting, stating the time and place thereof, and reciting the proposed
amendment or amendments in reasonably detailed form, which notice shall be mailed
not less than fourteen (14) days, nor more than sixty (60) days before the date set for
such meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be properly given when
deposited in the United States mail, addressed to the member at his Post Office address
as it appears on the records of the Association, the postage thereon prepaid. At such
meeting, the amendment or amendments proposed must be approved by an
affirmative vote of a majority of the Unit Owners present at such meeting in person or
by proxy in order for such amendment or amendments to become effective.
2. Bv the Developer. Notwithstanding anything contained herein, the
Developer reserves the right to amend this Declaration and its Exhibits, without the
consent of the Unit Owners, except as required by the Act, so as to correct any
omissions or errors, including scrivener's or surveyor's errors, so long as such
amendments do not materially affect the rights of Unit Owners or Mortgagees.
B. Mortqaqees' Consent. No amendment to this Declaration shall be adopted
which would operate to affect the validity or priority of any mortgage held by an
Institutional Mortgagee or which would alter, amend or modify in any manner
whatsoever, the rights, powers, and privileges granted and reserved herein in favor of
the Developer or any Institutional Mortgagees without the consent of the Developer or
all such Institutional Mortgagees, as the case may be.
C. Execution and Recording. An amendment, other than amendments made
by the Developer alone pursuant to the Act or this Declaration, shall be transcribed and
certified by the President and Secretary of the Association as having been duly adopted
and the original, or an executed copy, of such amendment(s) so certified and executed
with the same formalities as a deed, shall be recorded in the Public Records of Miami-
Dade County, Florida, and such amendment(s) shall specifically refer to the recording
data identifying this Declaration. At any meeting held to consider such amendment(s),
the vote of any Unit Owner shall be recognized if such Unit Owner is represented
thereat by limited proxy, provided such vote is delivered to the Secretary of the
Association at, or prior to, such meeting.
D. Amendments With Respect to Percentaqe of Ownership in Common
Elements. No amendment to this Declaration, which shall purport to alter in any way
the basis for apportionment of assessments, shall be adopted or shall become effective
without the written consent, in recordable form, of all of the Unit Owners within this
Condominium, and all of their respective Mortgagees, first had and obtained, and then
same shall not become effective until an instrument evidencing such written consent is
recorded among the Public Records of Highlands County, Florida.
E. Amendments Affecting Surface Water Management. Prior to passage, any
proposed Amendment which would affect the surface water management system, if
any, conservation areas or water management portions of the Common Areas of the
Condominium shall be submitted to the South Florida Water Management District for a
determination of whether the Amendment necessitates a modification of any surface
water management permit.
ARTICLE X: MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS
A. Unit and Limited Common Elements. All maintenance, repairs and
replacements of, in or to any Unit and the Limited Common Elements appurtenant
thereto, whether structural or non-structural, ordinary or extraordinary, including, but
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not limited to, maintenance, repair and replacement of: screens, sliding glass doors,
and windows (including the framing, caulking and hardware); the interior and exterior
of the entrance door and all other doors within or affording access to a Unit (except for
the painting of the exterior of any doors providing access to the Unit, which shall be a
Common Expense); the electrical (including fixtures, dimmers, wiring and outlets),
plumbing (including fixtures, pitch pans, and connections), heating and air-conditioning
equipment (including compressors and condensers); all cabinetry and fixtures,
appliances, carpets and other floor coverings owned by the Owner of a Unit; all interior
surfaces and wallcoverings and the entire interior of the Unit lying within the boundaries
of the Unit orthe Limited Common Elements or other property belonging to the Owner,
shall be performed by the Owner of such Unit at the Owner's sole cost and expense,
except as may otherwise be expressly provided to the contrary herein. The Owner shall
also maintain, repair and replace, at his sole cost and expense, all hurricane shutter(s),
including such portion of the Common Elements, if any, to which the hurricane shutters
are attached. The Owner shall be obligated to repair any equipment, fixtures, wiring,
or other items of property which only serve the Owner's Unit without regard to whether
such items are included within the boundaries of the Unit. Where a Limited Common
Element consists of a terrace, balcony or roof area, the Owner who has the right to the
exclusive use of said terrace, balcony, or roof area shall be responsible for the
maintenance, painting, repair and replacement of the surfaces of all walls, floors and
ceilings within said area. Any surfaces shall be painted in conformity with the color
specifications promulgated by the Board of Directors from time to time.
B. Common Elements. Except to the extent expressly provided to the
contrary herein (i.e., as to Limited Common Elements, or fixtures, equipment or wiring
located within the Common Elements which only serve an individual Unit), all
maintenance, repairs and replacements in or to the Common Elements shall be
performed by the Association and the cost and expense thereof shall be charged to all
Owners as a Common Expense. However, any expense or cost for maintenance,
repairs and replacements in or to the Common Elements performed by the Association
arising from or necessitated by the negligence, misuse or neglect of a specific Owner(s)
shall be paid solely by such Owner(s).
C. Failure to Maintain or Repair. In the event the Owner of a Unit fails to
maintain or repair the Unit and Limited Common Elements as required herein or makes
any unauthorized additions, alterations or improvements or otherwise violates the
provisions hereof, the Association, without waiving its right to pursue all rights and
remedies provided for in this Declaration or by law, shall have the option to effectuate
any such necessary maintenance or repairs or to remove any unauthorized additions,
alterations or improvements and the right to do the necessary work to enforce
compliance with the provisions hereof, at the Unit Owner's sole cost and expense.
Additionally, the Association or any other Unit Owner shall have the right to proceed in
a court of competent jurisdiction to seek compliance with the provisions of this
Declaration.
ARTICLE XI: ADDITIONS, ALTERATIONS OR IMPROVEMENTS
A. Bv Unit Owner. No Owner shall cause or allow improvements or changes
to any Unit or the Limited Common Elements appurtenant thereto or to the Common
Elements, including, but not limited to, painting or other decorating of any nature;
installing any electrical wiring, television antenna, machinery or air-conditioning units;
installing balcony enclosures or in any other manner changing the appearance of any
portion of the Building, without obtaining the prior written consent of the Board of
Directors in the manner specified herein. Any requests for electrical, mechanical and
structural additions, alterations and improvements must be submitted with plans
prepared and sealed by the appropriate licensed professional (i.e., architect, engineer,
etc.). The Owner shall be responsible for any fees and costs incurred by the Association
in hiring professionals such as engineers, architects or attorneys as may be necessary
to review any request by an Owner to proceed with an addition, alteration or
improvement. The Board of Directors shall have the obligation to answer any written
request by an Owner for approval of such an addition, alteration or improvement within
forty-five (45) days after such request and any additional information requested by the
Board of Directors is received, and the failure to do so within the stipulated time shall
constitute the Board=s consent. The Board may condition the approval in any manner,
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including, without limitation, retaining approval rights of the contractor to perform the
work. Depending upon the nature of the alteration, addition or improvement, the Board
of Directors in its sole discretion shall have the authority to require the Owner to
execute an agreement and covenant running with the land as a condition to obtaining
approval.
Any approved additions, alterations and improvements shall be made in
compliance with all laws, rules, ordinances and regulations of all governmental
authorities having jurisdiction, and with any conditions improved by the Board of
Directors with respect to design, structural integrity, aesthetic appeal, construction
details, and lien protection or otherwise. An Owner making any such additions,
alterations or improvements, and his heirs, personal representatives, successors and
assigns, as appropriate, shall be deemed to have agreed to hold the Developer, the
Association, its officers, directors, agents, employees and members and all other Unit
Owners harmless from and to indemnify them for any liability or damage to the
Condominium Property arising from the installation or construction of the addition,
alteration or improvement and expenses arising therefrom, and shall be solely
responsible for the maintenance, repair and insurance thereof as may be required by
the Association. Neither the Developer, the Association, nor any of its officers,
directors, agents, employees, members or attorneys shall be liable to any Owner or any
other person by reason of mistake in judgment, failure to point out or correct
deficiencies in any plans or other submissions, negligence, or any other misfeasance,
malfeasance or nonfeasance arising out of or in connection with the approval or
disapproval of any plans or submissions. Anyone submitting plans hereunder, by the
submission of same, agrees not to seek damages from the Developer and/or the
Association arising out of the Association=s review of plans hereunder. Without limiting
the generality of the foregoing, the Association shall not be responsible for reviewing,
nor shall its review of any plans be deemed approval of any plans from the standpoint
of structural safety, soundness, workmanship, materials, usefulness, conformity with
building or other codes or industry standards, or compliance with governmental
requirements. Further, each Owner, including his successors and assigns, agrees to
hold the Developer and the Association harmless from and against any and all cost,
claims (whether rightfully or wrongfully asserted), damages, expenses or liabilities
whatsoever (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys= fees and court costs at
all trial and appellate levels), arising out of any review of plans hereunder.
Notwithstanding anything in this Article to the contrary, the Board of Directors shall not
refuse to approve the installation or replacement of hurricane shutters conforming to
the specifications adopted by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may
appoint an Architectural Control Committee to assume the foregoing functions on their
behalf. The provisions of this paragraph shall not be amended without an affirmative
vote of four-fifths (4/5) of the total voting interests in the Condominium.
No Unit Owner shall make any additions, alterations or improvements to the Life
Safety Systems, and/or to any other portion of the Condominium Property which may
alter or impair the Life Safety Systems or access to the Life Safety Systems, without
first receiving the prior written approval of the Board. In that regard, no lock, chain or
other device or combination thereof shall be installed or maintained at any time on or in
connection with any door on which panic hardware or fire exit hardware is required.
Stairwell identification and emergency signage shall not be altered or removed by any
Unit Owner whatsoever. No barrier, including, but not limited to, personalty, shall
impede the free movement of ingress and egress to and from all emergency ingress
and egress passageways.
Any Unit Owner who proceeds with an approved addition, alteration or
improvements shall do it at their sole risk and expense. In the event it is necessary for
the Association to remove an addition, alteration or improvement installed by an Owner
in the course of performing repairs or maintenance to any portion of the Condominium
required to be maintained or repaired by the Association, the Owner shall be
responsible for the cost of removal and replacement of such addition, alteration and
improvement. Under no circumstances shall the Association be responsible for any
damages to any such addition, alteration or improvement caused by the Association or
its agents or employees in connection with the performance of any maintenance,
repairs or replacements of any portion of the Condominium required to be maintained
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by the Association.
Owners shall be held strictly liable for any violations of the restrictions set forth
in this Article and for all damages resulting therefrom. The Association, in addition to all
other rights and remedies provided by law and this Declaration shall have the right to
require the immediate removal of any alterations, additions, or improvements in
violation of this Article.
B. Bv Develooer. Not withstanding anything to the contrary, the foregoing
restrictions in this Article shall not apply to Developer-owned Units. The Developer shall
have the additional right, without the consent or approval of the Board or other Unit
Owners, to make alterations, additions or improvements, structural and non-structural,
interior and exterior, ordinary and extraordinary, in, to and upon any Unit owned by it
(including, without limitation, the removal of walls, floors, ceilings and other structural
portions of the improvements) so long as the Developer complies with Section
718.110(2), (4), and (8), Florida Statutes.
C. By Association. Whenever in the judgment of the Board of Directors the
Common Elements, Association Property or any part thereof shall require additions,
alterations or improvements (as distinguished from repairs and replacements) costing
in excess of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) in the aggregate in any calendar
year, the Association may proceed with such additions, alterations or improvements
upon the approval of a majority of the voting members represented at a meeting at
which a quorum is attained. Any such additions, alterations or improvements to the
Common Elements, Association Property or any part thereof costing in the aggregate
one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) or less in a calendar year may be made
by the Board of Directors without approval of the Owners. The cost and expense of any
such additions, alterations, or improvements shall constitute a part of the Common
Expenses and shall be assessed to the Owners. Notwithstanding anything in this
Paragraph to the contrary, changes to the exterior or interior color scheme of the
Building shall not be deemed an alteration or improvement requiring Owner approval.
Accordingly, changes in color to interior or exterior surfaces, including, but not limited
to, painted, wallpapered, carpeted, or hard floor surfaces may be authorized by the
Board of Directors without Owner approval even if the cost associated with such
changes exceeds one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) in a calendar year. For
purposes of this Paragraph, "aggregate in any calendar year" shall include the total
debt incurred in that year if such debt is incurred to perform the above stated
purposes, regardless of whether the repayment of any part of that debt is made beyond
that year.
ARTICLE XII: LIENS AND ASSESSMENTS
A. Determination of Common Expenses and Fixing of Assessments Thereof.
The Board of Directors shall, at least annually, prepare a budget for the Condominium
("Budget"), determine the amount of Assessments payable by the Owners to meet the
Common Expenses of the Condominium and allocate and assess such expenses among
the Owners in accordance with the provisions of this Declaration and the By-Laws. The
Budget shall include reserve accounts to the extent required by law unless waived or
reduced by the Owners in accordance with the Act. Notice of the Board of Directors'
meeting at which the Budget for the fiscal year will be adopted, along with a copy of the
proposed Budget, shall be furnished to all Owners at least fourteen (14) days prior to
said meeting. The Board of Directors shall have the authority to amend the Budget
from time to time or to impose Special Assessments if the operating Budget is
insufficient to meet the actual expenses at any time. Incidental income to the
Association, if any, may be used to pay regular or extraordinary Association expenses
and liabilities, to fund reserve accounts, or otherwise as the Board of Directors shall
determine from time to time and need not be restricted or accumulated.
"Common Expenses" shall include all expenses and Assessments properly
incurred by the Association, including, but not limited to: (1) expenses of
administration and management of the Association; (2) expenses of maintenance,
operation, protection, repair and replacement of the Common Elements and Association
Property, including, but not limited to, the costs for additions, alterations and
improvements effectuated in accordance with the provisions of this Declaration; (3)
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expenses declared Common Expenses by the provisions of this Declaration, the By-
Laws and the Condominium Act; (4) any valid charge against the Condominium as a
whole; (5) the costs of carrying out the powers and duties of the Association; (6) the
costs of operating or subsidizing facilities, amenities and services for the benefit of the
Owners. Common Expenses shall also include insurance for directors and officers, road
maintenance and operation expenses, and in-house communications, which are
reasonably related to the general benefit of the Owners even if such expenses do not
attach to the Common Elements or property of the Condominium, and the cost of a
master antenna television system or duly franchised cable television service obtained
pursuant to a bulk contract, if applicable.
B. Liability for Assessments. An Owner, regardless of how title is acquired,
including a purchaser at a judiCial sale, shall be liable for all Assessments coming due
while that person is the Owner of a Unit. In the case of a voluntary conveyance, the
grantee shall be jointly and severally liable with the grantor for all unpaid Assessments
against the grantor for the share of the Common Expenses up to the time of the
conveyance, without prejudice to any right the grantee may have to recover from the
grantor the amounts paid by the grantee. The liability for Assessments may not be
avoided by waiver of the use or enjoyment of any Common Elements or by the
abandonment of the Unit for which the Assessments are made or otherwise.
C. Institutional Mortgaaee. A first Mortgagee who acquires title to a Unit by
foreclosure or by deed in lieu of foreclosure is liable for the share of Common Expenses,
Assessments and Special Assessments or other charges imposed by the Association
pertaining to such Unit that became due prior to the Mortgagee's receipt of the deed.
However, such liability is limited to the lesser of: (i) those Assessments which accrued
or came due during the six (6) months immediately preceding the acquisition of title
and for which payment in full has not been received by the Association; or (ii) one
percent (1%) of the original mortgage debt. The first Mortgagee's liability for such
expenses or assessments does not commence until thirty (30) days after the date the
first Mortgagee takes title to the Unit. The provisions of this paragraph apply only if the
first Mortgagee joined the Association as a defendant in the foreclosure action. Joinder
of the Association is not required if, on the date the complaint is filed, the Association
was dissolved or did not maintain an office or agent for service of process at a location
which was known to or reasonably discoverable by the Mortgagee.
A first Mortgagee acquiring title to a Unit as a result of foreclosure, or a deed in
lieu of foreclosure, may not, during the period of its ownership of such Unit, whether or
not such Unit is unoccupied, be excused from the payment of some or all of the
Common Expenses coming due during the period of such ownership. If any unpaid
share of Common Expenses or Assessments or other charges is extinguished by
foreclosure of a superior lien or by a deed in lieu of foreclosure thereof, the unpaid
share of Assessments are Common Expenses collectible from all of the Owners,
including such acquirer, and such acquirer's successors and assigns.
D. Default in Payment of Assessments for Common Expenses. Assessments
and installments thereof not paid within ten (10) days from the date when they are due
shall bear interest at the highest lawful rate from the date due until paid. In addition to
the above stated interest, the Association may charge an administrative late fee in an
amount not to exceed the highest amount provided for in the Act (as it may be
amended from time to time) on Assessments and installments thereof not paid when
due. All payments upon account shall be first applied to interest, then to any
administrative late fee, then to any costs and reasonable attorneys= fees incurred in
collection and then to the Assessment. The foregoing method of applying payments
shall be applicable notwithstanding any restrictive endorsement, designation, or
instruction placed on or accompanying a payment. Further, the Association shall have
a lien on each Condominium Parcel for any unpaid Assessment, administrative fee,
interest and all attorneys= fees for the collections thereof. The claim of lien shall not be
released until all sums secured by it (or such other amount as to which the Association
shall agree by way of settlement) have been fully paid or until it is barred by law. The
claim of lien shall secure (whether or not stated therein) all unpaid Assessments,
interest thereon, and costs and attorneys' fees which are due and which may accrue
subsequent to the recording of the claim of lien and prior to the entry of a final
judgment of foreclosure. A claim of lien must be signed and aCknowledged by an
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officer or agent of the Association. Upon payment, the person making the payment is
entitled to a satisfaction of the lien in recordable form. The Association may bring an
action in its name to foreclose a lien for unpaid Assessments in a manner a mortgage of
real property is foreclosed and may also bring an action at law to recover a money
judgment for the unpaid Assessments without waiving any claim of lien. The
Association is entitled to recover its reasonable attorneys= fees incurred in either a lien
foreclosure action or an action to recover a money judgment for unpaid Assessments.
1. Acceleration. As an additional right and remedy of the Association,
upon filing a claim of lien, the Association may declare the Assessment installments for
the remainder of the budget year to be accelerated and such amount shall thereupon
be immediately due and payable. In the event the amount of such installments
changes during the period for which Assessments were accelerated, the Unit Owner or
the Association, as appropriate, shall be obligated to payor reimburse to the other the
amount of increase or decrease within ten (10) days of same taking effect.
2. Appointment of Receiver to Collect Rental. If the Owner remains in
possession of the Unit and the claim of lien is foreclosed, the court in its discretion may
require the Unit Owner to pay a reasonable rental for the Unit and the Association is
entitled to the appointment of a receiver to collect the rent. The expenses of such
receiver shall be paid by the party which does not prevail in the foreclosure action.
E. Certificate of Unpaid Assessments. Within fifteen (15) days after request
of an Owner or Mortgagee of a Unit, the Association shall provide a certificate stating
whether all Assessments and other moneys owed to the Association by the Owner with
respect to his Unit have been paid. Any person other than the Unit Owner who relies
upon such certificate shall be protected thereby.
F. Installments. Regular Assessments may be collected monthly or quarterly,
in advance, at the option of the Association from time to time.
G. Limits on Rights or Responsibilities of Mortgagees. Nothing herein shall
abridge or limit the rights or responsibilities of Mortgagees of a Condominium Unit as
set forth in greater detail in the statutes made and provided for same.
H. Liens. With the exception of liens which may result from the initial
construction of this Condominium, no liens of any nature may be created subsequent to
the recording of this Declaration against the Condominium Property as a whole (as
distinguished from individuals Units) except with the unanimous consent of the Unit
Owners. Unless a Unit Owner has expressly requested or consented to work being
performed or materials being performed or materials being furnished to his Unit or
unless work was done on account of the Unit Owner=s failure to maintain his individual
Unit as provided for in Article X, such labor or materials may not be the basis for the
filing of a lien against same. No labor performed or materials furnished to the Common
Elements shall be the basis for a lien thereon unless authorized by the Association, in
which event same may be the basis for the filing of a lien against all Units in the
proportions for which the Owners thereof are liable for Common Expenses.
ARTICLE XIII: INSURANCE
The insurance which shall be carried upon the Condominium Property and the
property of the Unit Owners shall be governed by the following provisions:
A. Purchase. Custody and Payment.
1. Purchase. All insurance policies described herein covering portions
of the Condominium and Association Property shall be purchased by the Association
and shall be issued by an insurance company authorized to do business in Florida or by
a surplus lines carrier offering policies for Florida properties reasonably acceptable to
the Board.
2. Named Insured. The named insured shall be the Association,
individually, and as agent for the Owners of Units covered by the policy, without
naming them, and as agent for the holders of any mortgage on a Unit (or any
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leasehold interest therein), without naming them. The Unit Owners and the holders of
any mortgage on a Unit (or any leasehold interest therein) shall be deemed additional
insureds.
3. Custody of Policies and Payment of Proceeds. All policies shall
provide that payments for losses made by the insurer shall be paid to the Association
or the Insurance Trustee (if appointed), and all policies and endorsements thereto shall
be deposited with the Association or to the Insurance Trustee (if appointed).
4. Copies to Mortgagees. One copy of each insurance policy or a
certificate evidencing such policy, and all endorsements thereto shall be furnished by
the Association upon request to the holders of any mortgage on a Unit covered by the
policy. Copies or certificates shall be furnished not less than ten (10) days prior to the
beginning of the term of the policy, or not less than ten (10) days prior to the
expiration of each preceding policy that is being renewed or replaced, as appropriate.
5. Personal Property and Liability. Except as specifically provided
herein or by the Act, the Association shall not be responsible to Unit Owners for
obtaining insurance coverage upon the property lying within the boundaries of their
Unit, including, but not limited to: (i) the Unit Owner's personal property; (ii) the Unit
Owner's personal liability; (iii) moving and relocation expenses; (iv) lost rent expenses
or living expenses; (v) nor for any other risks not otherwise insured in accordance
herewith. To the extent that a Unit Owner or other occupant of a Unit desires
coverage for such excluded items, it shall be the sole responsibility of the Unit Owner
and/or occupant to obtain such coverage.
B. Coverage. The Association shall use its best efforts to maintain
insurance covering the following:
1. Property Damaae. The Building, including all fixtures, installations
or additions comprising that part of the Building within the boundaries of the Units and
required by the Condominium Act to be insured under the Association's policy(ies), and
all improvements located on the Common Elements from time to time, together with all
fixtures, building service equipment, personal property and supplies constituting the
Common Elements or owned by the Association (all of the foregoing herein referred to
collectively as the "Insured Property"); excluded from such coverage shall be all
furniture, furnishings, floor coverings, wall coverings, ceiling coverings, hurricane
shutters, or other personal property owned, supplied or installed by Unit Owners or
tenants of Unit Owners, and the following equipment if it is located within a Unit or if
the Unit Owner is required to repair or replace such equipment: electrical fixtures,
appliances, air conditioning or heating equipment, water heaters, built-in cabinets,
personal property, as well as fixtures, appliances or equipment permitted to be
excluded from the Condominium's insurance policy pursuant to the Act, as same may
be amended or renumbered from time to time. The Insured Property shall be insured in
an amount not less than 100% of the full insurable replacement value thereof,
excluding land, footings, foundation and excavation costs. Such policies may contain
reasonable deductible provisions as determined by the Board of Directors of the
Association. Such coverage shall afford protection against:
a. Loss or Damage by Fire and Other Hazards covered by a
standard extended coverage endorsement; and
b. Such Other Risks as from time to time are customarily
covered with respect to buildings and improvements similar to the Insured
Property in construction, location and use, including, but not limited to,
vandalism and malicious mischief.
2. Liability. Comprehensive general public liability and automobile
liability insurance covering loss or damage resulting from accidents or occurrences on or
about or in connection with the Insured Property or adjoining driveways and walkways,
or any work, matters or things related to the Insured Property, with such coverage as
shall be required by the Board of Directors of the Association, but with combined single
limit liability of not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000) for each accident or
occurrence, three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) per person and one hundred
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thousand dollars ($100,000) property damage, and with a cross liability endorsement
to cover liabilities of the Unit Owners as a group to any Unit Owner, and vice versa.
The Association may also obtain and maintain liability insurance for its directors and
officers and for the benefit of the Association's employees, in such amounts and under
such terms and conditions as the Association deems appropriate in its sole and absolute
discretion.
applicable.
3. Worker's Comoensation and other mandatory insurance, when
4. Flood Insurance if required by the Primary Institutional First
Mortgagee or if the Association so elects.
5. Fidelity Insurance. The Association shall obtain and maintain
adequate fidelity bonding of all persons who control or disburse funds of the Association
in an amount not less than the minimum sum required by the Act.
6. Association Property. Appropriate additional policy provisions,
policies or endorsements extending the applicable portions of the coverage described
above to all Association Property, where such coverage is available.
7. Such Other Insurance as the Board of Directors of the Association
shall determine from time to time to be desirable.
When appropriate and obtainable, each of the foregoing policies shall waive the
insurer's right to: (i) subrogation against the Association and against the Unit Owners
individually and as a group, (ii) pay only a fraction of any loss in the event of co-
insurance or if other insurance carriers have issued coverage upon the same risk, and
(iii) avoid liability for a loss that is caused by an act of the Board of Directors of the
Association, a member of the Board of Directors of the Association, one or more Unit
Owners or as a result of contractual undertakings. Additionally, each policy shall
provide that any insurance trust agreement will be recognized, that the insurance
provided shall not be prejudiced by any act or omissions of individual Unit Owners that
are not under the control of the Association, and that the policy shall be primary, even
if a Unit Owner has other insurance that covers the same loss. All policies of physical
damage insurance shall provide that such policies may not be canceled or substantially
modified without at least forty-five (45) days prior written notice to all of the named
insureds, including all Mortgagees of Units. Prior to obtaining any policy of property
damage insurance or any renewal thereof, the Board of Directors shall obtain an
appraisal from a fire insurance company, or other competent appraiser, of the full
insurable replacement value of the Insured Property (exclusive of foundations), without
deduction for depreciation, for the purpose of determining the amount of insurance to
be effected pursuant to this Article.
C. Premiums. Premiums upon insurance policies purchased by the
Association shall be paid by the Association as a Common Expense. The Board of
Directors shall determine the appropriate deductible for each policy of insurance. Each
Owner, by acceptance of a deed or other conveyance of a Unit, hereby ratifies and
confirms any decisions made by the Association in this regard and recognizes and
agrees that funds to cover the deductible must be prOVided from the general operating
funds of the Association before the Association will be entitled to insurance proceeds.
The Association may, but shall not be obligated to, establish a reserve to cover any
applicable deductible.
D. Insurance Trustee: Share of oroceeds. All insurance policies purchased
by the Association shall be for the benefit of the Association, the Unit Owners and their
Mortgagees, as their respective interests may appear, and shall prOVide that all
proceeds covering property losses shall be paid to the Insurance Trustee, which shall
be designated by the Board of Directors and which shall be any bank or trust company
in Florida with trust powers. The Insurance Trustee shall not be liable for payment of
premiums nor for the renewal or the sufficiency of policies, nor for the failure to collect
any insurance proceeds. The duty of the Insurance Trustee shall be to receive such
proceeds as are paid and to hold the same in trust for the purposes elsewhere stated
herein and for the benefit of the Unit Owners and their Mortgagees in the following
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shares, but which shares need not be set forth on the records of the Insurance
Trustee.
1. Common Elements. Proceeds on account of damage to Common
Elements shall be held in an undivided share for each Unit Owner, such share being the
same as the undivided share in the Common Elements appurtenant to his Unit.
2. Units. Proceeds on account of damage to Units shall be held in the
following undivided shares:
a. Reconstruction or Repair. When the damaged property is to
be reconstructed or repaired, an undivided share shall be held for the Owners of
the damaged Units in proportion to the cost of repairing the damage suffered by
each Unit Owner, which cost shall be determined by the Association.
b. Failure to Reconstruct or Repair. When the building is not to
be reconstructed or repaired, an undivided share shall be held for each Unit
Owner, such share being the same as the undivided share in the Common
Elements appurtenant to his Unit.
3. Mortgages. In the event a mortgage endorsement has been issued
as to a Unit, the share of the Unit Owner shall be held in trust for the Mortgagee and
the Unit Owner as their interests may appear; provided, however that no Mortgagee
shall have any right to determine or participate in the determination as to whether or
not any damaged property shall be reconstructed or repaired, and no Mortgagee shall
have any right to apply or have applied to the reduction of a mortgage debt any
insurance proceeds except distribution thereof made to the Unit Owner and Mortgagee
pursuant to the provisions of this Declaration.
E. Distribution of Proceeds. Proceeds of insurance policies received by the
Insurance Trustee shall be distributed to or for the benefit of the beneficial owners in
the following manner:
1. Expense of the Trust. All expenses of the Insurance Trustee shall
be first paid or provisions made therefor.
2. Reconstruction or Repair. If the damage for which the proceeds are
paid is to be repaired or reconstructed, the remaining proceeds shall be paid to defray
the cost thereof as elsewhere provided. Any proceeds remaining after defraying such
costs shall be distributed to the beneficial owners, remittance to Unit Owners and their
Mortgagees being payable jointly to them. This is a covenant for the benefit of any
Mortgagee of a Unit and may be enforced by such Mortgagee.
3. Failure to Reconstruct or Repair. If it is determined in the manner
elsewhere provided that the damage for which the proceeds are paid shall not be
reconstructed or repaired, the remaining proceeds shall be distributed to the beneficial
owners, remittance to Unit Owners and their Mortgagees being payable jointly to them.
This is a covenant for the benefit of any Mortgagee of a Unit and may be enforced by
such Mortgagee.
4. Certificate. In making distribution to Unit Owners and their
Mortgagees, the Insurance Trustee may rely upon a certificate of the Association made
by its President and Secretary as to the names of the Unit Owner and their respective
shares of the distribution.
F. Association as Agent. The Association is hereby irrevocably appointed
agent for each Unit Owner and for each owner of any other interest in the
Condominium to adjust all claims arising under insurance policies purchased by the
Association and to execute and deliver releases upon the payment of claims.
G. Unit Owners: Personal Coveraoe. Each Unit Owner shall obtain and
maintain at all times individual property damage and general liability policies insuring
the property lying within the boundaries of their Unit and for their personal liability
arising in the use of their own Unit and other areas of the Common Elements for which
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they have exclusive use.
ARTICLE XIV: RECONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR AFTER PROPERTY DAMAGE
A. Determination to Reconstruct or Reoair. If any part of the Condominium
shall be damaged by an event of damage, whether or not it shall be reconstructed or
repaired shall be determined in the following manner:
1. Common Elements. If the damaged improvement is a Common
Element, the damaged property shall be reconstructed or repaired, unless it is
determined in the manner elsewhere provided that the Condominium shall be
terminated.
2. Buildings.
a. Lesser Damage. If the damaged improvement is a Building
or Buildings containing a group of Units, the damaged property shall be
reconstructed or repaired unless, within sixty (60) days after the event of
damage, it is determined by agreement in the manner elsewhere provided that
the Condominium shall be terminated.
b. Major Damaqe. If the damage is to more than one Building,
and if Units to which more than fifty percent (50%) of the Common Elements are
appurtenant are found by the Board of Directors to be not tenantable, then the
damaged property will not be reconstructed or repaired and the Condominium will
be terminated without agreement as elsewhere provided, unless within sixty (60)
days after the event of damage, at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the Unit
Owners agree in writing to such reconstruction or repair.
3. Certificate. The Insurance Trustee may rely upon a certification of
the Association made by its President and Secretary to determine whether or not the
damaged property is to be reconstructed or repaired.
B. Plans and Specifications. Any reconstruction or repair must be
substantially in accordance with the plans and specifications for the original buildings
and then applicable building and other codes, or if not, then according to plans and
specifications approved by the Board of Directors of the Association; and if the
damaged property is a group of Units, by not less than seventy-five percent (75%) of
the Owners of Units, including the at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the Owners of
all damaged Units.
C. Resoonsibility. If the damage is only to those parts of one Unit for which
the responsibility of maintenance and repair is that of the Unit Owner, then the Unit
Owner shall be responsible for reconstruction and repair after the event of damage. In
all other instances, the responsibility of reconstruction and repair after the event of
damage shall be that of the Association.
D. Estimate of costs. Immediately after a determination is made to
reconstruct or repair damage to property for which the Association has the
responsibility of reconstruction and repair, the Association shall obtain reliable and
detailed estimates of the costs to reconstruct or repair such property.
E. Assessments. The amount by which an award of insurance proceeds to
the Insurance Trustee is reduced on account of a deductible clause in an insurance
policy shall be assessed against all Unit Owners in proportion to their share in the
Common Elements. If the proceeds of such Assessments and of the insurance are not
sufficient to defray the estimated costs of reconstruction and repair by the Association,
or if at any time during reconstruction and repair the funds for the payment of the costs
of reconstruction and Unit repair are insufficient, Assessments shall be made against
the Unit Owners in the case of damage to Common Elements in sufficient amounts to
provide funds for the payment of such Unit costs. Such Assessments against Unit
Owners for damage to Units shall be in proportion to the cost of reconstruction or repair
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of their respective Units. Such Assessments on account of damage to Common
Elements shall be in proportion to each Unit Owner's share in the Common Elements.
F. Construction Funds. The funds for payment of costs of reconstruction and
repair after an event of damage, which shall consist of proceeds of insurance held by
the Insurance Trustee and funds collected by the Association from Assessments against
Unit Owners, shall be disbursed in payment of such costs in the following manner:
1. Association. If the total assessments made by the Association in
order to provide funds for payment of costs of reconstruction and repair which is the
responsibility of the Association is more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00), then
the sums paid upon such Assessments shall be deposited by the Association with the
Insurance Trustee. In all other cases, the Association shall hold the sums paid upon
such Assessments and discharge same in payment of the costs of reconstruction and
repair.
2. Insurance Trustee. The proceeds of insurance collected on account
of an event of damage and the sums deposited with the Insurance Trustee by the
Association from collection of assessment against Unit Owners on account of such event
of damage shall constitute a construction fund which shall be disbursed in payment of
the costs of reconstruction and repair in the following manner:
a. Association: Lesser Damage. If the amount of the estimated
costs of reconstruction and repair which is the responsibility of the Association is
less than five thousand dollars ($5,000.00), then the construction fund shall be
disbursed in payment of such costs upon the order of the Association; provided,
however, that upon request to the Insurance Trustee by a Mortgagee which is a
beneficiary of an insurance policy, the proceeds of which are included in the
construction fund, such fund shall be disbursed in the manner hereafter provided
for the reconstruction and repair of major damage.
b. Association: Maior Damage. If the amount of the estimated
costs of reconstruction and repair which is the responsibility of the Association is
five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) or more, then the reconstruction fund shall be
disbursed in payment of such costs in the manner required by the Board of
Directors of the Association and upon approval of an architect qualified to practice
in Florida and employed by the Association to supervise the work.
c. Unit Owner. The portion of insurance proceeds representing
damage for which the responsibility of reconstruction and repair lies with a Unit
Owner shall be paid by the Insurance Trustee to the Unit Owner, or if there is a
mortgage encumbering such Unit, then to the Unit Owner and the Mortgagee
jointly.
d. Surplus. It shall be presumed that the first monies disbursed
in payment of costs of reconstruction and repair shall be from insurance
proceeds. If there is a balance in a construction fund after payment of all costs of
the reconstruction and repair for which the fund is established, such balance shall
be distributed to the beneficial owners of the fund in the manner elsewhere
stated; except, however, that the part of a distribution to a beneficial owner
which is not in excess of Assessments paid by such owner into the construction
fund shall not be made payable to any Mortgagee.
e. Certificate. Notwithstanding the provisions herein, the
Insurance Trustee shall not be required to determine whether or not sums paid
by the Unit Owners upon Assessments shall be deposited by the Association with
the Insurance Trustee, nor to determine whether the disbursements from the
construction fund are to be upon the order of the Association or upon approval of
an architect or otherwise, nor whether a disbursement is to be made from the
construction fund, nor to determine whether surplus funds to be distributed are
less than the Assessments paid by Owners. Instead, the Insurance Trustee may
rely upon a certificate of the Association, made by its President and Secretary, as
to any or all of such matters and stating that the sums to be paid are due and
properly payable, and stating the name of the payee and the amount to be paid
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provided that when a Mortgagee is herein required to be named as payee, the
Insurance Trustee shall also name ~he Mortgagee as a payee of any distribution of
insurance proceeds to a Unit Owner; and further provided the when the
Association or the Mortgagee which is the beneficiary of an insurance policy, the
proceeds of which are included in the construction funds, so requires, the
approval of an architect named by the Association shall first be obtained by the
Association before disbursements in payment of costs of reconstruction and
repair.
ARTICLE XV: TAXATION
A. Common Elements. For the purpose of ad valorem taxation, the interest
of the Owner of a Condominium Parcel in his Unit and in the Common Elements
appurtenant to such Unit shall be considered as a unit. The value of said unit shall be
equal to the fractional share of undivided shares in Common Elements of the entire
Condominium, including land and improvements as has been assigned to said Unit in
Exhibit "C" of this Declaration. The total of all of said fractions equals one hundred
percent (100%) of the value of all of the land and improvements thereon.
B. Amendments. The fractions assigned above shall be binding upon all
Owners for all purposes, including ad valorem taxation, at all times in the future, and
may not be amended or changed except as provided for in this Declaration.
ARTICLE XVI: TERMINATION OF CONDOMINIUM
A. Termination of Condominium. If at least seventy-five percent (75%) of
the Unit Owners and holders of liens and mortgages affecting any of the Condominium
Parcels execute and duly record an instrument terminating the Condominium, or if
"Major Damage" occurs as defined herein, the Condominium shall be deemed to be
subject to termination and thereafter owned in common by the Unit Owners. The
undivided interest in the property owned in common by each Unit Owner shall then
become the percentage of the undivided interest previously owned by such Owner in
the Common Elements. No termination of the Condominium shall be deemed to have
occurred unless and until the notice and recording requirements of Section 718.117,
Florida Statutes, or any other applicable provision within Chapter 718, Florida Statutes,
have been met.
B. Termination as a Result of Major Damaae. In the event of termination as
a result of Major Damage, the Association shall be deemed to be the trustee of each
Unit Owner and shall, for ease in conveyancing, hold title to the Unit and its share of
the Common Elements as "Trustee" on behalf of each Unit Owner and in accordance
with each Unit Owner's proportionate interest. All costs and expenses associated with
the operation of the property shall be borne by each Owner in accordance with their
proportionate ownership interest.
ARTICLE XVII: FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH CONDOMINIUM DOCUMENTS
A. Compliance and Default. The Association, each Unit Owner, occupant of a
Unit and other invitee of a Unit Owner shall be governed by and shall comply with the
provisions of this Declaration of Condominium, and the Articles of Incorporation and By-
Laws of the Association, and its Rules and Regulations as any of the same are now
constituted or as they may be adopted and/or lawfully amended from time to time.
Failure by the Owner of a Unit to comply with such documents shall entitle the
Association or the Owners of other Units to the following relief in addition to the
remedies provided by the Act:
1. Compliance. Failure to comply with any of the terms of this
Declaration of Condominium or other restrictions and regulations contained in the
Articles of Incorporation or By-Laws of the Association, or its Rules and Regulations,
shall be grounds for relief which may include, without limiting the same, an action to
recover sums due for damages, injunctive relief, foreclosure or lien as provided in
Article XII or any combination thereof. Additionally, the Association shall have the right
to proceed in equity to require performance and/or compliance, to impose any
applicable fines, to sue in a court of law for damages, to make a special charge against
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the Unit Owner and the Unit for sums necessary to do whatever work is required to put
the Unit Owner, or Unit, in compliance; provided, however, that nothing contained in
this Article shall authorize the Association to enter a Unit to enforce compliance. In
any proceeding arising because of an alleged failure to comply by the Owner of a Unit
or the Association, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover the costs of the
proceeding and such reasonable attorneys' fees (at all trial, appellate or arbitration
proceedings) as may be determined by the court or such tribunal.
2. Negligence. A Unit Owner and/or tenant of a Unit shall be liable for
the expense of any maintenance, repair or replacement made necessary by his
negligence or by that of any member of his family or his or their guests, employees,
agents or lessees, but only to the extent that such expense is not met by the proceeds
of insurance actually collected in respect of such negligence by the Association.
3. No Waiver of Riaht bv Association. The failure of the Association or
of the Owner of a Unit to enforce any right, provision, covenant or condition which may
be granted by this Declaration of Condominium or other above-mentioned documents
shall not constitute a waiver of the right of the Association or of the Owner of a Unit to
enforce such right, provision, covenant or condition in the future.
4. No Waiver of Right by Developer. The failure of the Developer to
enforce any right, privilege, provisions, covenant or condition which may be granted to
it by this Declaration of Condominium or the above-mentioned documents shall not
constitute waiver of the right to thereafter enforce such right, privilege, provisions,
covenant or condition in the future.
5. Riahts are Cumulative. All rights, remedies and privileges granted
to the Association or the Owner of a Unit pursuant to any terms, provisions, covenants
or conditions of this Declaration of Condominium or other above-mentioned documents,
shall be deemed to be cumulative, and the exercise of anyone or more shall not be
deemed to constitute an election of remedies or privileges as may be available to such
party at law or in equity.
B. Equitable Relief. In the event of substantial damage to, or destruction of,
all or a substantial part of the Condominium Property, and in the event the property is
not repaired, reconstructed or rebuilt within a reasonable period of time, any Unit
Owner shall have the right to petition a court of equity in Miami-Dade County, Florida,
for equitable relief, which may, but need not necessarily, include a termination of the
Condominium and partition.
ARTICLE XVIII: OCCUPANCY AND USE RESTRICTIONS
In order to maintain a community of congenial owners who are financially
responsible and thus protect the value of the Units and provided this Article shall not be
used to permit or sanction unlawful discrimination or other violation of laws; the use of
the Condominium Property shall be restricted to and shall be in accordance with the
following provisions:
A. Occupancy Restrictions. The provisions in the following paragraphs
numbered Al," A2" and A3" of this Subparagraph A shall not be applicable to Units held
by the Developer for model Units, sales or resales offices, or management or
administrative services:
1. Occupants. Each Unit shall be used only as an office, by the Unit
Owner, members of his family and social guests, any tenants or lessees thereof, except
as otherwise expressly provided herein, and in accordance with all applicable city,
county and state codes, ordinances and regulations.
2. Use. If a Unit is owned or leased by a corporation, partnership,
trust or other fiduciary, the Unit Owner shall be subject to the lease restrictions in this
Declaration.
3. Lessees. Unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors of
the Association, a person(s) occupying a Unit for more than one (1) month without the
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Owner being present shall not be deemed a guest but, rather, shall be deemed a lessee
for purposes of this Declaration (regardless of whether a lease exists or rent is paid)
and shall be subject to the provisions of this Declaration which apply to lessees. The
purpose of this Paragraph is to prohibit the circumvention of the provisions and intent
of this Article requiring the Association's approval of all lessees.
4. Pet Restrictions. No Owner or occupant of a Unit, including lessees
and guests, shall be permitted to maintain any animals in their Unit or on the
Condominium Property. Violations of the provisions of this Paragraph shall entitle the
Association to all of its rights and remedies, including, but not limited to, the right to
fine Owners and/or to require any pet to be permanently removed from the
Condominium Property. This Paragraph shall not prohibit the keeping of seeing eye
dogs or animals of similar needs.
B. Use Restrictions. The Unit Owner shall not permit or suffer anything to be
done or kept in his Unit which will increase the rate of insurance on the Condominium
Property, or which will obstruct or interfere with the rights of other Unit Owners or
annoy them by unreasonable noises or otherwise; nor shall the Unit Owner commit or
permit any nuisance, immoral or illegal act in or about the Condominium Property.
1. Nuisances. No nuisances shall be allowed upon the Condominium
Property, nor shall any use or practice that is the source of annoyance to other Unit
Owners or which interferes with the peaceful possession and proper use of the property
by its Unit Owners be permitted. All parts of the Condominium shall be kept in a clean
and sanitary condition, and no rubbish, refuse or garbage allowed to accumulate nor
any fire hazard allowed to exist. Hazardous or flammable materials shall not be kept in
any storage facilities located within the Condominium, if any.
2. Toxic or Noxious Matter. No person shall discharge into the
property's sewer system or storm drain any toxic or noxious matter in such
concentrations as to be detrimental to or endanger the public health, safety, welfare,
violate any law, subject any Owner or occupant to liability under state and federal law
for any clean-up or cause injury or damage to neighboring property or business
elsewhere on property.
3. No ImproDer Uses. No improper, offensive, hazardous or unlawful
use shall be made of the Condominium Property or any part thereof, and all valid laws,
zoning ordinances and regulations of all governmental bodies having jurisdiction shall
be observed. Violations of laws, orders, rules, regulations, or requirements of any
governmental agency having jurisdiction, relating to any portion of the Condominium
Property, shall be corrected by, and at the sole expense of, the party violating any such
provisions.
4. Noise. No Owner shall make or permit any disturbing noises in the
Condominium by himself or his employees, agents, visitors, lessees or licensees, nor
permit any conduct by such persons that will interfere with the rights, comforts or
conveniences of other Unit Owners. No Owner shall play or permit to be played any
musical instrument, nor operate or permit to be operated a phonograph, television,
radio, sound amplifier or other electronic equipment in a Unit in such a manner as to
disturb or annoy other Unit Owners.
5. Common Elements. No person shall use the Common Elements, or
any part thereof, or a Unit, or the Condominium Property, or any part thereof, in any
manner contrary to or not in accordance with such Rules and Regulations pertaining
thereto, as from time to time promulgated by the Association. No Owner shall permit
any use of his Unit or make any use of the Common Elements that will increase the cost
of insurance upon the Condominium Property.
6. Access and Use. The rights of access and use established with
respect to the Condominium Property shall be subject to security checks and
restrictions. In the event the Association hires security personnel, such personnel shall
have the right to stop and question persons and to require satisfactory evidence of any
such person's right to be where such person is stopped. Persons not establishing such
rights to the satisfaction of the security personnel may be required to leave the
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Condominium Property.
7. Condominium Property. The entrances, passages, vestibules,
elevators, lobbies, halls and like portions of the Common Elements shall not be
obstructed nor used for any purpose other than the ingress and egress to and from the
Condominium Property; nor shall any carts, carriages, or any other similar objects be
stored therein. The personal property of Owners must be stored in their respective
Units or in assigned storage lockers or spaces, if any.
8. Storaae on Balconies/Terraces. No equipment, materials or other
items shall be kept or stored on any balcony or terrace area of the Condominium. The
foregoing shall not prevent, however, placing and using patio-type furniture, planters
and other items in such areas if same are normally and customarily used for a balcony
or terrace area.
9. Signs, Advertisements and Notices. No Unit Owner shall show
signs, advertisements, or notices of any type on the Common Elements and no Unit
Owner shall show signs, advertisements, or notices of any type in his Unit or within his
Unit which said signs, advertisements, or notices are visible from the exterior of the
Unit without the prior written consent of the Association.
10. Hurricane Preparation. An Owner who plans to be absent during the
hurricane season must prepare his Unit prior to his departure by designating a
responsible firm or individual to care for his Unit should the Unit suffer hurricane
damage and furnishing the Association with the name(s) of such firm(s) or
individual(s).
11. Drainage. There shall be no interference with the established
drainage pattern over the property unless an adequate alternative provision is made for
proper drainage with the prior written approval of the Association. No Owner shall
dispose of any hazardous materials in any drains. If such Owner fails to maintain such
drainage and, as a result, imminent danger or damage to person or property may
result to the other Owners, then the Association shall have the right of access onto such
area for the purpose of clearing debris and other material so as to not impede the flow
of water. This right of access shall be exercised only for the purpose of preventing
damage to persons and property and the Association shall use reasonable care so as to
not cause any damage to such areas. The Owner shall reimburse the Association for
any costs and expenses incurred in clearing such debris.
12. Parking. Owners' automobiles shall be parked in the parking lots.
No vehicles of any nature shall be parked on any portion of the Property except on a
surfaced parking area thereof. To the extent that the Condominium has any guest
parking, Owners are prohibited from parking in such guest parking spaces. No vehicle
which cannot operate on its own power shall remain on the Property for more than
forty-eight (48) hours. No maintenance or repair, except emergency repair, of vehicles
shall be made on the Property.
13. Association Emolovees. No Owner shall interfere with or direct any
employees of the Association. Employees of the Association are not to be utilized for
personal errands. The Board of Directors shall be solely responsible for directing and
supervising employees of the Association, except to the extent such responsibility may
be delegated to the Association's manager.
14. Access by Association. The Association may retain a pass-key to all
Units. No Owner shall alter any lock, nor install a new lock, without the prior written
consent of the Board of Directors, or, in the event of emergency, without delivering a
key to the Association promptly thereafter. Where such consent is given, the Owner
shall provide the Association with an additional key.
15. Assessments. Every Unit Owner shall promptly pay the
Assessments levied by the Association.
16. Maintenance. Every Unit Owner shall maintain in a clean and
sanitary manner and repair his Unit and all interior surfaces within or surrounding his
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Unit (such as the surfaces of the walls, ceilings, floors, etc.) whether or not part of the
Unit or the Limited Common Elements which are appurtenant to the Unit, and maintain
and repair the fixtures therein and pay for any utilities which are separately metered to
his Unit.
17. Alterations. Without limiting the generality of Article XI hereof, but
subject to Article VI hereof, no Owner shall make any additions, alterations or
improvements in or to the Common Elements, the Limited Common Elements, or the
exterior of a Unit, including, but not limited to, the installation of screens, sliding glass
doors, enclosures to balconies, awnings, trellises, window tinting, painting or other
decorating of any nature visible from the exterior of the Unit, installation of electrical
wiring, antennas, machinery, air conditioning units, or hard floor surfaces, without the
prior written consent of the Board of Directors.
18. Exterior Improvements. Without limiting the generality of the
preceding Paragraph 17 of this Section B, but subject to Article XI hereof, the Unit
Owner shall not cause anything else to be affixed or attached to, hung, displayed or
placed on the exterior walls, doors, or windows of the buildings except with the prior
written consent of the Board of Directors, and further, when approved, subject to the
rules and regulations adopted by the Board of Directors. Notwithstanding anything
contained herein to the contrary, an Owner may display one (1) portable, removable
United States flag in a respectful manner on the exterior of the Unit, and portable,
removable official armed services flags (not to exceed 4 2 feet by 6 feet) that represent
the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard may likewise be
displayed on Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day and
Veterans Day.
19. Weioht and Sound Restriction. With the exception of the Developer,
hard floor coverings, including but not limited to, tile, wood, marble and stone, may not
be installed in any part of the Unit (except in the bathrooms or kitchens if any) or
Limited Common Elements without the prior written consent of the Board of Directors in
accordance with the procedures specified herein. Approval for installation of any hard
floor covering shall be subject to compliance with weight and soundproofing
specifications adopted by the Board of Directors from time to time. Due to the
propensity of carpeting to retain moisture and thus contribute to the corrosion of the
concrete slabs, under no circumstances may carpeting be installed or maintained on
balconies, if any, Additionally, the floor coverings (and insulation and adhesive material
therefor) installed on any balcony, terrace or patio shall not exceed a thickness that will
result in the finish level of such structures being above the bottom of any scuppers or
diminish the required height of the rails (as established by the applicable building
code).
20. Mitigation of Dampness and Humidity. No Unit Owner shall install
within their Unit or upon the Common Elements or Association Property non-breathable
wall-coverings or low-permeance paints. Additionally, any and all built-in casework,
furniture and/or shelving in a Unit must be installed over floor coverings to allow air
space and air movement and shall not be installed with back boards flush against any
gypsum board wall. Additionally, all Unit Owners, whether or not occupying the Unit,
shall periodically run the air conditioning system to maintain the Unit temperature,
whether or not occupied, at 780F to minimize humidity in the Unit. Leaks, leaving
exterior doors or windows open, wet flooring and moisture will contribute to the growth
of mold, mildew, fungus or spores. Each Unit Owner, by acceptance of a deed or
otherwise acquiring title to a Unit, shall be deemed to have agreed that Developer is
not responsible and hereby disclaims any responsibility for any illness or allergic
reactions which may be experienced by the Unit Owner, its family members and/or its
or their guests, tenants and invitees as a result of mold, mildew, fungus or spores. It is
the Unit Owner's responsibility to keep the Unit clean, dry, well-ventilated and free of
contamination. While the foregoing are intended to minimize the potential development
of molds, fungi, mildew and other mycotoxins, each Owner understands and agrees
that there is no method for completely eliminating the development of molds or
mycotoxins. The Developer does not make any representations or warranties regarding
the existence or development of same. In furtherance of the rights of the Association
as set forth in Article VI above, in the event that the Association reasonably believes
that the provisions of this paragraph are not being complied with, then the Association
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shall have the right, but not the obligation, to enter the Unit (without requiring the
consent of the Unit Owner or any other party) to turn on the air conditioning in an
effort to cause the temperature of the Unit to be maintained as required hereby (with
all utility consumption costs to be paid and assumed by the Unit Owner). To the extent
that electric service is not then available to the Unit, the Association shall have the
further right, but not the obligation (without requiring the consent of the Owner or any
other party), to connect electric service to the Unit (with the costs thereof to be borne
by the Unit Owner, or if advanced by the Association, to be promptly reimbursed by the
Owner to the Association).
21. Relief by Association. The Association shall have the power (but not
the obligation) to grant relief in particular circumstances from the provisions of specific
restrictions contained in Subparagraphs A and B of this Article.
22. Effect on Developer. Subject to the following exceptions, the
restrictions and limitations set forth in this Article shall not apply to the Developer, nor
to Units owned by the Developer. The Developer shall not be exempt from the
restrictions, if any, relating to requirements that leases or lessees be approved by the
Association, except as specifically provided herein, pet restrictions, or vehicular
restrictions, if any, except as such vehicular restrictions relate to the Developer=s
construction, maintenance and marketing activities.
D. Transfer of Unit. No Unit Owner, other than the Developer, may transfer
their Unit except by complying with the following provisions:
1. Right of First Refusal. Any Owner who receives a bona fide offer to
purchase their Unit (such offer to purchase a Unit shall be referred to as an AOutside
Offer"), which they intend to accept shall give notice by certified mail to the Board of
Directors of the receipt of such Outside Offer. Said notice shall also state the name and
address of the proposed purchaser, the terms of the proposed transaction and such
other information as the Board of Directors may reasonably require. The giving of such
notice to the Board of Directors shall constitute an offer by such Owner to sell the Unit
to the Association or its designee upon the same terms and conditions as contained in
such Outside Offer. The Owner shall submit in writing such further information with
respect thereto as the Board of Directors may reasonably request. Not later than thirty
(30) days after receipt of such notice, together with such further information as may
have been requested, the Association or its designee may elect, by sending written
notice to such Owner, to purchase such Unit upon the same terms and conditions as
contained in the Outside Offer. If the Board of Directors elects to purchase the Unit on
behalf of the Association in accordance with the terms of the Outside Offer, the Board
of Directors shall have the authority to proceed with such purchase on behalf of all
Owners. If the available funds of the Association are insufficient to effectuate any such
purchase, the Board of Directors may levy an Assessment against each Owner in
proportion to his share of the Common Expenses, and/or the Board of Directors may, in
its discretion, finance the acquisition of such Unit.
In the event the Association or its designee should fail to notify the Owner of its
election to purchase such Unit within the time period prescribed above, the Owner shall
be free to accept the Outside Offer. In such event, if the Owner accepts such Outside
Offer but such sale is not consummated in accordance with the terms of such Outside
Offer or within a reasonable time after the date set for closing, then, should such Owner
thereafter elect to sell such Unit the Owner shall be required to again comply with all of
the terms and provisions of this Article.
2. Certificate. Upon request of the Owner, a duly authorized officer of
the Association shall provide the Owner with a certificate of waiver of its right of first
refusal if the Association or its designee does not elect to purchase the Unit in
accordance with the terms set forth in the Outside Offer.
3. Approval by Association. In order to determine that proposed
purchasers are familiar with the governing documents and Rules and Regulations of the
Association, the Board of Directors, at its option, shall have the right to require a
personal interview with the proposed purchaser. Notwithstanding anything in this
Article to the contrary, the Association shall have the absolute right to deny approval of
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any sale without being obligated to purchase the Unit if: (a) the sale would result in a
violation of the Association's governing documents; or (b) the Owner or proposed
purchaser makes any material misrepresentation on any documents provided to the
Association or in the personal interview. A material misrepresentation shall be defined
as any false representation or omission which in the sole judgment of the Board of
Directors would influence their decision in regard to whether to exercise their right of
first refusal.
4. Exceptions. The provisions of this Article shall not apply with
respect to any sale or conveyance of any Unit by: (a) the Owner thereof to his spouse,
adult children, parents, or a trustee, corporation or other entity where the Owner or the
aforementioned related persons are and continue to be the sole beneficiary or equity
owner of such trustee, corporation or other entity; (b) the Association; (c) the
Developer; or (c) an Institutional First Mortgagee deriving title by virtue of foreclosure
of its mortgage or acceptance of a deed in lieu of foreclosure; provided, however, that
each succeeding Owner shall be bound by, and his Unit subject to, the provisions of this
Article. Any Owner shall be free to conveyor transfer his Unit by will, or to have his
Unit pass by intestacy, without restriction; provided, however, that each succeeding
Owner shall be bound by, and his Unit subject to, the provisions of this Article.
5. Transfer Fee. The Association shall have the authority to charge a
non-refundable one-hundred dollar ($100.00) screening fee in connection with the
approval required for the sale of a Unit. Said fee may be increased by the Board of
Directors from time to time but shall not exceed the highest fee permitted by law as set
forth in Chapter 718, Florida Statutes, as same may be amended from time to time.
6. Sale in Violation of this Article. Any purported sale of a Unit in
violation of this Article shall be voidable at any time at the election of the Association
and if the Board of Directors shall so elect, the Owner shall be deemed to have
authorized and empowered the Association to institute legal proceedings to void a
conveyance. Said Owner shall reimburse the Association for all expenses (including
attorneys' fees and costs incurred in connection with such proceedings).
E. Lease of Unit. The following restrictions shall apply in connection with the
leasing of Units:
1. Term. No Unit may be leased for a term of less than six (6)
months. If an approved tenant should vacate the Unit prior to the expiration of the
lease term, the Owner shall be permitted to relet the Unit during such period. The
Board of Directors shall have the sole discretion to waive the restriction on releasing
prior to expiration of the original lease term in cases resulting in undue hardship to the
Owner. Such waiver shall not constitute a waiver of any rights against the Owner
thereafter or against any other Owner.
2. Approval by Board of Directors. No Owner may lease his Unit
without the prior written approval of the Board of Directors. An Owner intending to
lease his Unit shall provide the Association with written notice of his intent to lease the
Unit, along with a copy of the proposed lease and a standard lease application form as
promulgated by the Board of Directors from time to time. Within twenty-one (21) days
from receipt of the Owner's notice of intent to lease his Unit and any additional
information which may be required by the Board of Directors, the Board of Directors
shall either approve or disapprove of the lease. The Association may deny permission
to lease the Unit upon any reasonable grounds, including, without limitation: (1) failure
of the Owner to submit all documents required for approval or to submit the screening
fee as described below; (2) the Owner is delinquent in the maintenance assessments
for his Unit; (3) occupancy of the unit by the proposed tenant would violate any
provision of this Declaration, the By-Laws, Articles of Incorporation or Rules and
Regulations of the Association; or (4) the Owner or proposed tenant makes any
misrepresentation on any of the lease approval forms. No tenant whose lease requires
the approval of the Board of Directors under the terms hereof may occupy the Unit
prior to obtaining the Board of Directors' approval unless the tenant has been
previously approved and is awaiting approval of a lease renewal. A lease application
shall be deemed automatically withdrawn if the prospective tenant occupies the Unit
prior to receipt of approval from the Board of Directors.
Declaration
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3. Lease Addendum. In connection with the leasing of a Unit, the
Board of Directors shall have the right to require that Owners and their tenants execute
a standard Lease Addendum as promulgated by the Board of Directors from time to
time. In addition to other provisions which may be adopted by the Board of Directors,
the standard Lease Addendum shall provide (or be automatically deemed to provide,
absent an express statement) that the tenant is subject to the terms and conditions of
the Association's Declaration, By-Laws, Articles of Incorporation, rules and regulations
and the Act, as all may be amended from time to time (the "Association's Governing
Documents"), and any failure to comply with the terms of the Association's Governing
Documents shall constitute a default under the Lease.
4. Association as Agent. An Owner leasing his Unit shall be deemed to
irrevocably appoint the Association as his agent or attorney-in-fact in his place and
stead to terminate the tenancy of any tenant who violates any of the terms of the
Association's Governing Documents or statutes of the State of Florida. The
determination of whether a violation has occurred shall be within the sole discretion of
the Board of Directors. The Owner shall be liable for all costs and reasonable attorneys'
fees incurred by the Association in connection with the termination of the lease or
tenancy and the eviction of the tenant. This provision shall not obligate the Association
to commence such proceeding and shall not relieve the Owner of his obligation to
terminate the Lease and evict the tenant for any violations of law or the Association's
Governing Documents.
5. Leasing Fee. The Association shall have the authority to charge a
non-refundable one-hundred ($100.00) screening fee in connection with the approval
required for the leasing of a Unit. Said fee may be increased by the Board of Directors
from time to time but shall not exceed the highest fee permitted by law as set forth in
Chapter 718, Florida Statutes, as same may be amended from time to time.
6. Security Deposit. Owners wishing to lease their Units shall be
required to have any prospective lessee place in escrow with the Association a security
deposit in a sum not to exceed the rent due for the entire term, if the rental period is
one (1) month or less, or one (1) month=s rent if the rental period is longer than one
(1) month. The security deposit may be used by the Association to repair any damages
to the Common Elements resulting from acts or omissions of tenants (as determined in
the sole discretion of the Board of Directors). The Owner will be jointly and severally
liable with the tenant to the Association for any amount in excess of such sum which is
required by the Association to effect such repairs or to pay any claim for injury or
damage to property caused by the negligence of the tenant. Such security deposits
shall be administered in accordance with Chapter 83, Florida Statutes.
7. Approval by Association. In order to determine that proposed
tenants are familiar with the Association's Governing Documents, the Board of
Directors, at its option, shall have the right to require a personal interview with a
proposed tenant prior to granting or denying approval for occupancy, where approval is
required.
8. Tenant Use Riahts. When a Unit is leased, a tenant shall have all
use rights in the Association Property and those Common Elements otherwise readily
available for use generally by Owners and the Owner shall not have such rights except
as a guest, unless such rights are waived in writing by the tenant. Nothing herein shall
interfere with the access rights of the Unit Owner as a landlord pursuant to Chapter 83,
Florida Statutes. The Association shall have the right to adopt rules to prohibit dual
usage by a Unit Owner and a tenant of Association Property and Common Elements
otherwise readily available for use by Unit Owners.
9. Subleases, Assianments and Renewals of Leases. Except with
respect to any fee charged in connection with a lease or sublease, the provisions of this
Article shall also apply to subleases, assignments and renewals of leases.
F. Miscellaneous Restrictions and Obliaations.
1. Liability for Common Expenses. No Owner of a Unit may exempt
himself from liability for his contribution towards the Common Expenses by waiver of
Declaration
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the use and enjoyment of any of the Common Elements or by the abandonment of his
Unit.
2. Restraint Uoon Separation and Partition of Common Elements. No
Unit Owner shall attempt to convey his undivided interest in the Common Elements
which are appurtenant to each Unit separately from the Unit to which it is appurtenant.
The undivided interest in the Common Elements appurtenant to each Unit shall be
deemed conveyed, devised, encumbered or otherwise included with the Unit to which it
is appurtenant, even though such undivided interest is not expressly mentioned or
described in the instrument conveying, devising, encumbering, or otherwise dealing
with such Unit. The respective shares in the Common Elements shall remain undivided,
and no Unit Owner shall have an action for partition of the Common Elements, the
Condominium Property, or any part thereof, except as provided herein with respect to
termination of the Condominium. Any conveyance, mortgage or other instrument which
purports to effect the transfer, conveyance, devise or encumbrance, or which purports
to grant any right, interest, or lien in, to, or upon a Unit, shall be null, void and of no
effect insofar as the same purports to affect any interest in the Common Elements,
unless the same purports to convey, devise, encumber or otherwise treat or deal with
the entire Unit and its appurtenances. Any instrument conveying, devising,
encumbering or otherwise dealing with the Unit which describes said Unit by the
designation assigned thereto in Exhibit "B," without limitation or exception, shall be
deemed and construed to affect the entire Unit and its appurtenant undivided interest
in the Common Elements. Nothing herein contained shall be construed as limiting or
preventing ownership of any Unit and its appurtenant undivided interest in the common
Elements by more than one person or entity as tenants in common, joint tenants, or
tenants by the entirety.
3. Interest in Unit. No Unit Owner shall attempt in any manner to
divest himself of his interest in the Unit and its appurtenances except by conveyance of
his total interest in the Unit and its appurtenances.
4.
be valid unless:
Judicial Sale. No judicial sale of a Unit nor any interest therein shall
a. The sale is to a purchaser approved by the Association which
approval shall be in recordable form, executed by two officers of the Association and
delivered to the purchaser; or
b. The sale is a result of a public sale with open bidding.
5. Develooer=s Riohts. Nothing set forth in this Declaration shall be
construed as limiting the Developer's rights to freely and without approval of the
Association or any other Unit Owner, convey, alter or modify Units in the Condominium
subject to the limitations of Chapter 718 of the Florida Statutes.
6. Oblioations of Unit Owners. In addition to other obligations and
duties heretofore set out in this Declaration, every Unit Owner shall:
a. Promptly pay the Assessments levied by the Association.
b. Maintain in good condition and repair his Unit and all interior
surfaces within or surrounding his Unit, and maintain and repair the fixtures
therein.
c. Conform and abide with the By-Laws and uniform rules and
regulations promulgated by the Board of Directors of the Association.
G. Mortgaoes. No Unit Owner may mortgage his Unit or any interest therein
without the approval of the Association except to an Institutional Mortgagee. The
approval of any other mortgage may be granted upon conditions determined by the
Association, or may be arbitrarily withheld. This provision shall not be construed so as
to prevent the Developer or Association from accepting a purchase money mortgage as
a part of the purchase price of a Unit nor prevent a Unit Owner from accepting a
purchase money mortgage from an approved purchaser.
Declaration
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Where an institutional first mortgage by some circumstance fails to be a first
mortgage but it is evident that it is intended to be a first mortgage, it shall nevertheless
for the purpose of this Declaration be deemed to be an institutional mortgage.
H. Sales Activity and Developer's Rights. Until the Developer has completed
and sold all the proposed Units of the Condominium, neither the Unit Owners nor the
Association nor their use of the Condominium shall interfere with the completion of the
contemplated improvements, Developer's access to and entry upon the Condominium
for construction and sales purposes, and the sale of Units. The Developer (or its duly
authorized agents or assigns) may make such use of the unsold Units and the Common
Elements as may facilitate such construction access, completion and sale, including, but
not limited to, the storage of equipment or materials, the maintenance of construction
and sales offices for the construction and showing of the property and display of signs,
billboards, placards, and visual promotional materials. The Developer may use unsold
Units as model units or as sales offices for display purposes to prospective
Condominium purchasers. The Developer shall have the right to use unassigned
parking spaces for prospective purchasers and such other parties as Developer
determines. The sales office personal property, model furnishing, signs and all items
pertaining to construction and sale shall not be considered Common Elements and shall
remain the property of the Developer. As long as Developer shall hold fee simple title
to any Unit in the normal course of business, no amendment affecting or altering
Developer's rights under this Declaration may be made without Developer's written
consent.
1. Chances in Developer-Owned Units. Developer shall have the right,
without the vote or consent of the Association, to make alterations, or improvements
in, to, and upon Units owned by Developer, whether structural or non-structural,
interior or exterior, ordinary or extraordinary, so long as the configuration or size of the
Units is not changed, the appurtenances to the Units are not materially altered or
modified, and the percentage interest in the Common Elements of any Units shall not
be changed by reason thereof. The provisions of this paragraph may not be added to,
amended or deleted without the prior written consent of the Developer.
ARTICLE XIX: ADDITIONAL RIGHTS OF MORTGAGEES AND OTHERS
A. Availabilitv of Association Documents. The Association shall have current
and updated copies of the following for inspection by Institutional Mortgagees during
normal business hours or under other reasonable circumstances: (a) this Declaration;
(b) the Articles; (c) the By-Laws; (d) the rules and regulations of the Association; and
(e) the books, records and financial statements of the Association.
B. Notices. Any holder, insurer or guarantor of a mortgage on a Unit shall
have, if first requested in writing, the right to timely written notice of:
1. any condemnation or casualty loss affecting a material portion of
the Condominium and/or Association Property or the affected mortgaged Unit;
2. a sixty (60)-day delinquency in the payment of the Assessments on
a mortgaged Unit;
3. the occurrence of a lapse, cancellation or material modification of
any insurance policy or fidelity bond maintained by the Association; or
4. any proposed action which requires the consent of a specified
number of mortgage holders.
ARTICLE XX: ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS
A. Titles. Article and Paragraph titles inserted throughout this Declaration are
intended only as a matter of convenience and for reference and in no way define, limit,
or in any way affect this Declaration, or define, limit or in any way affect the content of
the respective Article and/or Paragraph.
B. Conflict. In the event of conflict among the powers and duties of the
Declaration
- 29 -
Association or the terms and provisions of this Declaration, Exhibits attached hereto or
otherwise, this Declaration shall take precedence over the Articles of Incorporation, By-
Laws and applicable rules and regulations; the Articles of Incorporation shall take
precedence over the By-Laws and applicable rules and regulations; and the By-Laws
shall take precedence over applicable rules and regulations, all as amended from time
to time. Notwithstanding anything in this Declaration or its Exhibits to the contrary, the
Association shall at all times be the entity having ultimate control over the
Condominium, consistent with the Act.
C. Severability. The invalidity in whole or in part of any covenant or
restriction, or any section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, clause,
phrase or word, or other provision of this Declaration, the Exhibits annexed hereto, or
applicable rules and regulations adopted pursuant to such documents, as the same may
be amended from time to time, shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions
thereof which shall remain in full force and effect.
D. Notices. All notices to the Association required or desired hereunder or
under the By-Laws of the Association shall be sent by certified mail (return receipt
requested) or registered mail to the Association in care of its office at the
Condominium, or to such other address as the Association may hereafter designate
from time to time by notice in writing to all Unit Owners. Except as provided
specifically in this Declaration or in the Act, all notices to any Unit Owner shall be sent
by first class mail to the Condominium address of such Unit Owner, or such other
address as may have been designated by him from time to time, in writing, to the
Association. All notices to Mortgagees of Units shall be sent by first class mail to their
respective addresses, or such other address as may be designated by them from time
to time, in writing to the Association. All notices shall be deemed to have been given
when mailed in a postage prepaid sealed wrapper, except notices of a change of
address, which shall be deemed to have been given when received, or five (5) business
days after proper mailing, whichever shall first occur.
E. Attornevs= Fees. In any proceeding arising because of an alleged failure
of a Unit Owner or the Association to comply with the requirements of the Act, this
Declaration, the Exhibits annexed hereto, or the rules and regulations adopted pursuant
to said documents, as the same may be amended from time to time, the prevailing
party shall be entitled to recover the costs of the proceeding and such reasonable
attorneys' fees (including appellate attorneys' fees).
F. Governing Law. Should any dispute or litigation arise between any of the
parties whose rights or duties are affected or determined by this Declaration, the
Exhibits annexed hereto or applicable rules and regulations adopted pursuant to such
documents, as the same may be amended from time to time, said dispute or litigation
shall be governed by the laws of the State of Florida.
G. Gender: Plurality. Whenever the context and facts permit, the use of the
singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include the singular and the use of
any gender shall be deemed to include all genders.
H. Exhibits. There is hereby incorporated in this Declaration all materials
contained in the Exhibits annexed hereto, except that to such Exhibits, any conflicting
provisions set forth therein as to their amendment, modification, enforcement and
other matters shall control over those hereof.
1. Signature of President and Secretary. Wherever the signature of the
President of the Association is required hereunder, the signature of a vice-president
may be substituted therefor, and wherever the signature of the Secretary of the
Association is required hereunder, the signature of an assistant secretary may be
substituted therefor, provided that the same person may not execute any single
instrument on behalf of the Association in two separate capacities.
J. Time Shares. The Developer will not create time-share estates with
respect to any Units in this Condominium.
K. Ratification. Each Unit Owner, by reason of having acquired ownership
Declaration
- 30 -
(whether by purchase, gift, operation of law or otherwise), and each occupant of a Unit,
by reason of his occupancy, shall be deemed to have acknowledged and agreed that all
of the provisions of this Declaration, the Articles, the By-Laws and the rules and
regulations of the Association are fair and reasonable in all material respects.
L. Execution of Documents: Attorney-in-Fact. Without limiting the generality
of other articles of this Declaration and without such other articles limiting the
generality hereof, each Owner, by reason of acceptance of a deed to such Owner=s
Unit, hereby agrees to execute, at the request of the Developer, all documents or
consents which may be required by all governmental agencies to allow the Developer
and its affiliates to complete the plan of development of the Condominium, as such plan
may be hereafter amended, and each such Owner further appoints hereby and thereby
the Developer as such Owner=s agent and attorney-in-fact to execute, on behalf and in
the name of such Owners, any and all documents or consents. This power of attorney
is irrevocable and coupled with an interest. The provisions of this paragraph may not
be amended without the consent of the Developer.
M. Liabilitv of the Association. Notwithstanding anything contained in the
Association=s Governing Documents, the Association, except to the extent specifically
provided to the contrary herein, shall not be liable or responsible for, orin any manner
a guarantor or insurer of, the health, safety or welfare of any Owner, occupant or user
of any portion of the Condominium and/or Association Property, including, without
limitation, Owners and their guests, invitees, agents, servants, contractors or
subcontractors or for any property of such persons. Without limiting the generality of
the foregoing:
1. it is the express intent of the Association=s Governing Documents
that the various provisions thereof which are enforceable by the Association and which
govern or regulate the uses of the properties have been written, and are to be
interpreted and enforced, for the sole purpose of enhancing and maintaining the
enjoyment of the properties and the value thereof;
2. the Association is not empowered, and has not been created, to act
as an entity which enforces or ensures the compliance with the laws of the United
States, State of Florida, Miami-Dade County, the City of Miami Beach and/or any other
jurisdiction or the prevention of tortious activities; and
3. the provisions of the Association=s Governing Documents setting
forth the uses of Assessments which relate to health, safety and/or welfare shall be
interpreted and applied only as limitations on the uses of Assessments and not as
creating a duty of the Association to protect or further the health, safety or welfare of
any person(s), even if Assessments are chosen to be used for any such reason.
Each Owner (by virtue of his acceptance of title to his Unit) and each other
person having an interest in or lien upon, or making use of, any portion of the
Association Property (by virtue of accepting such interest or lien or making such use)
shall be bound by this provision and shall be deemed to have automatically waived any
and all rights, claims, demands and causes of action against the Association arising
from or connected with any matter for which the liability of the Association has been
disclaimed hereby. As used herein, AAssociation@ shall include within its meaning all
Association directors, officers, committee and board members, employees, agents,
contractors (including management companies), subcontractors, successors and
assigns. The provisions hereof shall also inure to the benefit of the Developer, which
shall be fully protected hereby.
N. Liberal Construction. The provisions of this Declaration shall be liberally
construed to effectuate its purpose of creating a uniform plan of condominium
ownership. It is the intention of the Developer that this Declaration and the provisions
hereof, as well as the provisions of all Exhibits hereto, shall comply with the Act, and if
there be any direct conflict between the provisions of this Declaration or any of the
Exhibits hereto and the said Act, then the provisions of the Act shall govern. If there
shall ever be a question as to the interpretation of any of the provisions of this
Declaration or the Exhibits hereto, same shall be interpreted in accordance with the
intent of the Developer in such manner that any such questions would conform to the
Declaration
- 31 -
Act and against any interpretation which would not be in conformance with the said Act.
O. South Florida Water Management District Enforcement Rights. The South
Florida Water Management District has the right to take enforcement action, including a
civil action for an injunction and penalties against the Association to compel it to correct
any outstanding problems with the surface water management system facilities, if any,
or in mitigation or conservation areas under the responsibility or control of the
Association, or to enforce the restrictions described in Article XVIII, Section C of this
Declaration, if applicable.
P. Rules and Regulations. Subject to the terms of this Declaration, which
provide for conditions under which this Declaration may be terminated, the Rules and
Regulations of the Association shall remain in effect for a minimum of twenty-five (25)
years and shall be automatically renewed thereafter.
ARTICLE XXI: DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES
A. Disclaimer of Warranties. Developer hereby disclaims any and all
express or implied warranties as to the design; construction; sound and/or
odor transmission; existence and/or development of molds, mildew, toxins
or fungi; furnishing and equipping of the Condominium Property, except only
those set forth in FS 718, to the extent applicable and to the extent that
same have not expired by their terms. As to such warranties which cannot be
disclaimed, and to other claims, if any, which can be made as to the
aforesaid matters, all incidental and consequential damages arising
therefrom are hereby disclaimed. Each Unit Owner, by virtue of acceptance of
title to its respective Unit (whether from the Developer or another party),
shall be deemed to have automatically waived all of the aforesaid disclaimed
warranties and incidental and consequential damages. The Unit Owner has
not received nor relied on any warranties and/or representations from
Developer of any kind, other than as expressly provided herein.
Further, given the climate and humid conditions in Florida, molds, toxins
and fungi may exist and/or develop within the Unit and/or the Condominium
Property. Each Owner is hereby advised that certain molds, mildew, toxins
and/or fungi may be, or if allowed to remain for a sufficient period may
become, toxic and potentially pose a health risk. By acquiring title to a Unit,
each Owner shall be deemed to have released the Developer from any and all
liability resulting from same, including, without limitation, any liability for
incidental or consequential damages (which may result from, without
limitation, the inability to possess the Unit, inconvenience, moving costs, hotel
costs, storage costs, loss of time, lost wages, lost opportunities, and/ or
personal injury). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, leaks, wet
flooring and moisture will contribute to the growth of mold, mildew, fungus or
spores. Each Unit Owner, by acceptance of a deed or otherwise acquiring title
to a Unit, shall be deemed to have agreed that Developer is not responsible
and hereby disclaims any responsibility for any illness or allergic reactions
which may be experienced by the Unit Owner, its family members and/or their
guests, tenants and invitees as a result of mold, mildew, fungus or spores. It
is the Unit Owner's responsibility to keep the Unit clean, dry, well-ventilated
and free of contamination.
Each Owner understands and agrees that for some time in the future, it
and its guests, tenants and invitees may be disturbed by the noise, commotion
and other unpleasant effects of nearby construction activity and as a result
Owner and its guests, tenants and invitees may be impeded in using portions
of the Condominium Property by that activity. Because the Condominium is
located in an urban area, demolition or construction of buildings and other
structures within the immediate area or within the view lines of any particular
Unit or of any part of the Condominium (the "Views") may block, obstruct,
shadow or otherwise affect Views, which may currently be visible from the
Unit or from the Condominium. Therefore, each Owner, for itself, its
successors and assigns, by acceptance of a deed or otherwise acquiring title to
a Unit, releases Developer, its partners and its and their officers, members,
Declaration
- 32 -
directors, and employees and every affiliate and person related or affiliated in
any way with any of them ("Developer's Affiliates") from and against any and
all losses, claims, demands, damages, costs and expenses of whatever nature
or kind, including attorneys' fees and costs, including those incurred through
all arbitration and/or appellate proceedings, related to or arising out of any
claim against the Developer or Developer's Affiliates related to Views or the
disruption, noise, commotion, and other unpleasant effects of nearby
development or construction. As a result of the foregoing, there is no
guarantee of view, security, privacy, location, design, density or any other
matter.
IN WITN&SS WHEREOF, tthe,u,ndersigned have hereunto set their hands and
seals this Jrl ' day of '1H}f- , 2007.
'J
Signed, Sealed and Delivered
in the presence of:
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, a municipal
~___ corporation of the State of Florida
~N~;;-J~4J~~~.er BY';, 1 ~O ~
Site"':"" en~.c;:s.$I-........:- 9..... ~ .J
Print Name: S~e..h~ fY\.AGE..S
STATE OF FLORIDA
)
) SS:
COUNTY OF MIAMI-DADE)
Acknowledged before me this !::J .,.,. day of M ~ ' 2007, by
..:r~{,€ H.(-,,>N2A(F2 ,as c.''r'j HANAbFlL oft~itv of MI 'mi Beach, a municipal
corporation of the State of Florioa. He is personally . nown to ~or produced a driver's
license issued by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles as
identification and did not take an oath. ~
J~dI~ ~ u
Print Name:
NOTARY PUBLIC, STATE OF FLORIDA
Commission No.:
A~r JJ
. _}Ai\/'.~
Robert Parcher, City Clerk
i~l'I'l\. Notary Public Slate 01 Florida
. . Judith Hemandez.fi!ueroa
\;: ;I My Commission 00648.93
OF '" Expires 03108120 11
H :\LIBRARY\CASES\3956\2060611 \SL5784.DOC
APPROVED AS TO
FORM & NGUAGE
& FO ECUTION
yln/~l
IDmey~ ate
Declaration
- 33 -
Exhibit AA@
Legal Description of Real Property Being Submitted to Condominium
Form of Ownership
PARCEL 1
Folio 02-3234-007-0410
Lot 1 and the South V2 of Lot 2, Block 22, AMENDED PLAT OF GOLF COURSE
SUBDIVISION OF ALTON BEACH REALTY COMPANY, according to the Plat
thereof, as recorded in Plat Book 6, at Page 26, of the Public Records of Miami
Dade County, Florida and that strip of land thirty feet (3D') wide, known as
Bridal Path adjacent to and East of Lot 1 and the South one half (1/2) of Lot 2:
Declaration
- 34 -
Exhibit AB@
Survey, Plot Plans and Floor Plans
Declaration
- 35 -
Exhibit AC@
Unit Owners= Percentage Interest in Common Elements, Common
Expenses and Common Surplus
UNIT 1 1,326.78/26,466
UNIT 2 1,802.89/26,466
UNIT 3 1,290.59/26,466
UNIT 4 1,268.87/26,466
UNIT 5 5,994.82/26,466
UNIT 6 6,036.46/26,466
UNIT 7 6,353.30/26,466
UNIT 8 2,392.69/26,466
TOTALS
26,466/ 26,466 = 1000/0
Declaration
- 36 -
Exhibit AD@
Articles of Incorporation of Association
Declaration
- 37 -
Exhibit AE@
By-Laws of Association
Declaration
- 38 -
Declaration
- 39 -