FAQ

A Homeowners’ Association (HOA) is created by the developer of a community when starting a new development. An HOA is incorporated as a not-for-profit company under the Companies Act or as a society under the Societies Act.Usually, Homeowners’ Associations are created to assume responsibility for the maintenance and control of common lands or assets that were established by the developer to enhance the development that will not be maintained by the municipality. For example, developers may build community features that are above and beyond what the municipality will care for and so the obligation to maintain and repair these assets is then left to the HOA.

The Evergreen Residents Association (ERA) was established by Genstar Development Company to assume ownership and responsibility of entrance features and feature parks within the community.

• All properties in the community that have an encumbrance registered on the title of the property are members of the HOA. Membership is mandatory and can’t be withdrawn.
• Any property that was built by Genstar Development Company has the encumbrance registered to its title. Select properties that were built after the original development, or by other developers, do not have the encumbrance registered to their title.

• All owners and residents in the community benefit from the community assets which would not otherwise be available without an HOA. The HOA maintains its assets to a higher standard than if maintained by the municipality. 
• Living in a well-run HOA can provide a stable and well-maintained community that can contribute to the maintenance and appreciation of property values.
• Architectural controls, rules, and regulations help preserve the community's appeal and overall quality, making it a more desirable place to live.

• Each property owner is required to remit an annual payment to fund the HOA’s operations.
• Each property owner is required to adhere to the HOA Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation.

This document allows the HOA to do business in Alberta. Articles of Incorporation outline the primary purpose and regulations of the HOA.

The HOA Bylaws govern how the HOA is run and operated. They cover matters such as Board of Directors elections, contribution collection, resolutions/voting, and obligations/duties. 

The HOA is run by a volunteer Board of Directors in accordance with the HOA Bylaws. The Board of Directors has retained the services of Blackstone Property Management Inc. to assist in running the HOA.

• Includes: the masonry Evergreen entrance feature sign, lighting and controls, masonry/wrought iron fences, drainage swales, irrigation, shrubs/trees, surrounding landscaping/beds, pathway, and city sidewalk snow removal.
  

• Includes: the masonry Evergreen entrance feature sign, lighting and controls, masonry/wrought iron fences, drainage swales, benches, irrigation, shrubs/trees, surrounding landscaping/beds, pathway, and city sidewalk snow removal.

• Includes: benches, irrigation, shrubs/trees, surrounding landscaping/beds, pathway, and city sidewalk snow removal.

• Includes: the masonry Evergreen entrance feature sign, lighting and controls, masonry/wrought iron fences, drainage swales, irrigation, shrubs/trees, surrounding landscaping/beds, pathway, and city sidewalk snow removal.

• Includes: the masonry Evergreen entrance feature sign, lighting and controls, masonry/wrought iron fences, drainage swales, irrigation, shrubs/trees, surrounding landscaping/beds, and city sidewalk snow removal.

• Includes: the masonry Evergreen entrance feature sign, lighting and controls, masonry/wrought iron fences, drainage swales, irrigation, shrubs/trees, surrounding landscaping/beds, and city sidewalk snow removal.

• Includes: the masonry Evergreen entrance feature sign, lighting and controls, masonry/wrought iron fences, drainage swales, irrigation, shrubs/trees, surrounding landscaping/beds, pathway, and city sidewalk snow removal.

• Includes: the benches, irrigation, shrubs/trees, surrounding landscaping/beds, pathway, and city sidewalk snow removal.

• Includes: the masonry Evergreen Estates entrance feature sign, shrubs/trees, surrounding landscaping/beds, and city sidewalk snow removal.

• Includes: the park entry feature fence, irrigation, shrubs/trees, surrounding landscaping/beds, and pathway snow removal.

• Includes: the masonry/wood structures/pergolas, benches, lighting and controls, irrigation, shrubs/trees, surrounding landscaping/beds, pathway, and city sidewalk snow removal.

• Includes: the park entry feature fence, irrigation, shrubs/trees, surrounding landscaping/beds, and pathway snow removal.

• Includes: the masonry Evergreen entrance feature sign, lighting and controls, drainage swales, irrigation, shrubs/trees, surrounding landscaping/beds, and city sidewalk snow removal.

• Includes: the park masonry feature, irrigation, shrubs/trees, surrounding landscaping, pathway, and city sidewalk snow removal.

• Includes: the drainage swales, irrigation, shrubs/trees, surrounding landscaping, and city sidewalk snow removal.  

• Includes: the masonry Evergreen Estates entrance feature sign, shrubs/trees, beds, and city sidewalk snow removal.

• Includes: the masonry Evergreen entrance feature sign, stone/wrought iron fencing, surrounding landscaping/beds, and city sidewalk snow removal.

Seasonal holiday lights: installed on various trees at sites throughout the community.

Administrative services: community website, management/accounting, annual audit, and insurance.

The annual fee is calculated based on the current year’s budget. Click here to view the current fee amount.

The annual fees collected are used to fund the administration and maintenance of the 17 community entrance features and feature park sites. Snow clearing during the winter months and landscaping maintenance during the summer months are contracted out to ensure the ongoing upkeep of these sites. Other items include seasonal lighting, graffiti removal, stone repair, and other maintenance as required. Included in the administration of the HOA are insurance, bank charges, legal, and management & accounting. For further information, please review the annual budget.  

The Evergreen Residents Association annual homeowner fee is due on September 1st of every year.

An annual invoice is sent out via email before the due date, unless opted out of email or there is no email on file, then it will be mailed.

• Payments can be made through one of the following options:
  • Online with a credit card. Visa, Visa-Debit, MasterCard or MasterCard debit are accepted.
  • Mail in cheque along with the lower portion of your statement.
• E-transfers, debit, and bitcoin payments are not accepted. Please refer to your annual invoice for details.

If you have made a payment online, you will receive an email receipt. You can also call 403-984-2450 (Blackstone Property Management Inc) to confirm your payment was received. 

• Annual invoices are sent approximately two weeks before the payment due date by email (if available) or mail. We recommend you add the email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. as a safe sender to ensure it doesn’t go to your junk inbox.
• You can also set up a calendar reminder for yourself as they are due on the same day annually.
• It is the responsibility of each homeowner to ensure their contact details are up to date and fees are paid before the due date.

Outstanding balances incur interest at a rate of 18% as per the encumbrance.

The HOA has established a strict policy for collecting unpaid fees. After the annual invoice is distributed, homeowners who have not paid their fees by the due date will subsequently receive another statement listing the amount owing, including additional interest charges. If the outstanding amount is still not received after the second statement is sent, a third and final statement will be sent. If payment for the outstanding amount has still not been received, the account will then be turned over to the HOA’s lawyer for further collection. All legal costs incurred by the HOA to recover outstanding balances become the responsibility of the homeowner and are added to the homeowner’s account

• Most properties in the community were built with Architectural Guidelines implemented by the developer. These guidelines were meant to guarantee a specific look for the community and safeguard property values. Architectural Guidelines can include controls related to fencing, shingles, paint colors, sheds, swimming pools, and much more. These Architectural Guidelines are captured in restrictive covenants registered on each property's title.
• Homeowners must do their due diligence and determine what is allowed under the municipal bylaws, restrictive covenants, or other instruments registered on their title.
• Property titles and the details of all registered instruments on title can be obtained from a local registry office or on the Alberta Land Titles website Spin2 https://alta.registries.gov.ab.ca/
• Generally, these restrictive covenants require property owners to maintain the assets to the standard they were originally built. For example, if you have a 4-foot black chain link fence, you can likely only replace it with a 4-foot black chain link fence. If you have a masonry fence, you can likely only replace it with an identical masonry fence.
• Homeowners who violate the restrictive covenants may face legal action, fines, and remediation/removal by various other stakeholders including other property owners in the community, the municipality, or the HOA. We encourage property owners to ensure they are following all the rules that apply to their property to avoid costly mistakes.
• Property owners are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the fences that border their property, no matter what style. This includes both sides of the fence where it is not shared with a neighbour.
• If you have a concern with one of your neighbours or suspect they have violated a restrictive covenant we urge you to discuss the matter with them and advise them of any obligations before taking any type of legal action.
• The ERA fence paint colours are:
  • “Dark Evergreen” (Evergreen Estates - brown) BEHR Paint Colour: RUGGED TAN N190-4
  • “Light Evergreen” (Evergreen - cream) BEHR Paint Colour:  PALE PARSNIP S320-2

You can contact us here.

No, a community association is an organization formed by the residents of an area to manage and direct its social and recreational activities, act as an intervener in civic matters, plan, develop, and maintain community facilities and amenities. Membership to a community association is voluntary. A homeowners’ association is a compulsory organization created by a land developer to manage and maintain the amenities of a development that the municipality will not accept responsibility to maintain.

Please check your restrictive covenant and caveat through Alberta Land Titles as each property restriction varies.

Attend the Annual General Meeting (AGM). You can nominate yourself as a candidate or be nominated by fellow homeowners.

• A notice of the Annual General Meeting along with a comprehensive AGM package is distributed to all owners approximately 3 weeks in advance of the meeting.
• The AGM package and notice will also be posted on the website in advance of the meeting.