FAQs

Communication with residents is a key initiative of the Board of Directors and management. We send a bi-weekly eNewsletter to all residents. If you are not already signed up, please contact the Community Manager via email at thebridges@ccmcnet.com, or by phone at 480-921-7500 to have your email added. 

 

The Bridges website is also a good way to stay informed regarding community events, governing documents, assessment info, etc.

The Associations Board of Directors (BOD) is made up of seven (7) homeowners that volunteer their time for the administration of the affairs of the association, including enhancing and protecting the community's assets.

 

For more information on board meetings and board members, please visit the Resident section of the Bridges website, or to communicate with the Board of Directors, please email them via the community manager @ thebridges@ccmcnet.com.

A Homeowners' Association (HOA) is a legal entity created by a real estate developer for the purpose of developing, managing, and maintaining the over all aesthetics of community-owned and common areas 

The HOA has the authority to enforce the covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs) for resident infractions.

The elected Board of Directors is required to follow the terms and conditions contained in a set of governing documents (as must the homeowners themselves). A potential buyer or homeowner should develop a basic understanding of what the governing documents are, their purpose and  responsibilities of ownership.

 

Typically, the governing documents include:

 

The Articles of Incorporation: The Association is generally created when a Developer files Articles of Incorporation as a nonprofit organization with the secretary of state where the development is located. The Articles are usually brief and contain only the basic information about the Association, its name, location, formation date and purpose. There is ordinarily no need for a buyer or owner to review the Articles.

 

By-laws: By-laws are a set of rules or guidelines regarding the operation of a nonprofit corporation such as its Board of Directors. By-laws generally set forth definitions of offices and committees involved with the Board as well as the election process and terms of office. They can include voting rights, meetings, notices and other areas involved with the successful operation of the Association. They typically set forth how meetings should be run and dictate who is responsible for rules enforcement and collection of assessments. 

They usually lay out the procedures for creating an annual budget and determining assessments (dues).

 

Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&Rs): CC&Rs are used by many "common interest" developments to regulate the use, appearance and maintenance of property. A real covenant is a legal, contractual obligation imposed in a deed upon the buyer of a home within an HOA community. Such restrictions frequently 'run with the land' and are enforceable on future buyers of the property. Examples might be to maintain a property in a reasonable state of repair. Covenants are very simple and are meant only to protect a neighborhood from declining values. This document usually also outlines the penalties for violating the CC&Rs, which may include fines, forced compliance or in some cases, litigation. The CC&Rs typically allow the HOA to adopt rules and guidelines to further define the member's obligations. Some can be more specific and strict controlling things such as:

• Acceptable colors to repaint the home
• Parking or vehicle repair on property
• Everything a homeowner can do to the exterior of their home
• Architectural Guidelines

Assessments are used to pay for the repair, maintenance, and upkeep of all areas of the property that are owned collectively by the members (i.e. land maintenance, amenities repair).

HOA fees also cover insurance, utilities, legal advice, and contractual compensation to its maintenance and management contractors.

The Board of Directors establishes a budget and divide the total expenses by the number of homes in the community to set the monthly assessment amount. Whether or not a resident uses all of the common area amenities, there is a legal obligation to pay the assessment in full.

An association management company is contracted by a Board of Directors or community to provide a variety of services in the day-to-day operations of the community. Common expectations might be:

• Advisement on legal and other property-related matters
• Collecting assessments
• Financial advisement and statement/reports preparation and analysis
• Oversight of general maintenance and provide problem resolution
• Staying current with local, state and federal laws pertaining to HOAs
• Supervising HOA maintenance contracts to ensure they are performing per the expectations of the Board of Directors, community members and contractual obligations.

The Bridges at Gilbert design guidelines are unique to our community. 

 

The most visible changes to your home require advanced approval by the Design Review Committee (DRC).  Visible is defined as "seen from the street, neighboring property or through an open view fence."

 

For more detailed information please see the Community design guidelines information.

The Board of Directors will typically solicit for committee volunteers to serve on a committee designed for a particular function. The Board appoints the volunteers and outlines their function and authority in a document known as the Committee Charter.

 

For more information about committees and who to contact, please visit the Lifestyle page within the Bridges at Gilbert website.

The Bridges at Gilbert trash and bulk pickup schedule can be found under the Resident section of the website. Our community is under section E.  Trash should be put out the Thursday before Friday pickup.  Information regarding hazardous waste can also be found under the Resident section.