No HOA or other organization is being formed. Discussion draft · September 15, 2026

NORTH RIVERSIDE · CABLE, WI

Thoughtful updates.
The same Northwoods spirit.

A limited modernization of our neighborhood’s 2004 Declaration—supporting Firewise mitigation, protecting dark skies and recognizing modern permanent-home construction while keeping the character we value.

For all affected owners. An invitation to understand, ask questions and take part.

North Riverside / Cable, WI — wooden badge with pine trees, a winding river and the North Star

A place worth caring for.

01 / PURPOSE & BACKGROUND

Why revisit
the Declaration?

Caring for our homes, our woods and our night skies.

A review of the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions recorded in 2004 raised a shared question: could older language limit sensible improvements today? Firewise and wildfire mitigation come first, followed by dark-sky exterior lighting and modern permanent-home construction. The concern is that the existing language may constrain appropriate work in each of these areas; the specific provisions and their effect need legal review.

The idea is to work with fellow property owners on a limited update to the existing Declaration, preserving its basic residential and Northwoods character protections. The aim is to give every affected owner the same opportunities to care for and improve their property, including owners of existing homes and vacant land. Clarifying potential barriers to wildfire mitigation could also help owners explore eligible grant or cost-share opportunities, where available. An amendment alone would not establish eligibility or guarantee funding.

Where things stand

This is an informational discussion draft. Final amendment wording, the legal consent process and recording requirements still need attorney review. Nothing on this website changes the covenants or approves a building project.

02 / PROPOSED UPDATES

Three practical priorities.

Modernize specific language.
Keep the neighborhood’s character.

01

FIREWISE & WILDFIRE

Care for the woods.
Prepare our homes.

Review vegetation and property-maintenance language that may limit appropriate wildfire mitigation, so owners can reduce hazards while respecting the neighborhood’s wooded character.

Topics for discussion include reducing combustible debris near structures, thoughtful vegetation management and emergency access, guided by site conditions and professional advice.

Practical risk reduction

Clearer language may remove covenant-related barriers to mitigation work, including work owners hope to support through grants or cost sharing. Funding availability, eligible applicants, approved activities, matching contributions and any program participation requirements must be confirmed separately. “Firewise” describes wildfire-aware practices here; this project does not form an organization or claim Firewise USA recognition.

Wisconsin DNR: wildfire action guide (PDF) ↗

Wisconsin DNR: planning & potential support ↗

02

DARK SKIES & LIGHTING

Light where we need it.
Stars where we love them.

Review existing exterior-lighting language for potential limits on modern, dark-sky-conscious fixtures and controls. The goal is safe paths and entrances with less glare, light spilling onto neighboring properties and unnecessary sky glow.

Discussion concepts include downward-directed, shielded fixtures; warmer light; appropriate brightness; and timers or motion controls where useful.

Considerate outdoor lighting

Exact fixture standards, exceptions and any treatment of existing lights remain to be worked out in the proposed amendment.

DarkSky: responsible outdoor lighting ↗
03

PERMANENT HOMES

Modern construction.
Shared opportunity.

The goal is to allow Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code (UDC)-compliant modular / manufactured-building construction for a permanent single-family residence, alongside site-built construction.

The intended standard includes an approved permanent foundation, required utilities and sanitary systems, applicable permits and the remaining covenant protections.

For all affected owners

A consistent construction opportunity, rather than an exception for one property. A UDC modular dwelling and a federally regulated manufactured home are distinct categories; final wording must make that distinction clear.

Wisconsin DSPS: UDC & modular dwellings ↗

These are discussion concepts, not adopted rules. External resources provide background; they do not interpret or amend our Declaration.

03 / THE SCOPE

What changes. What stays.

The intention is a focused amendment, with a clear comparison available before anyone is asked to sign.

What the project proposes to update

  • Vegetation and maintenance language that may limit appropriate Firewise / wildfire mitigation, including work for which grant or cost-share support may be available.
  • Exterior-lighting language that may limit modern, dark-sky-conscious fixtures and controls.
  • Construction terminology to allow qualifying, permanent Wisconsin UDC residences.

What the project intends to preserve

  • Single-family residential use and the neighborhood’s Northwoods character.
  • Applicable building, zoning, sanitary and permitting requirements.
  • Existing covenant provisions outside the specific, agreed amendment.
  • No requirement under the proposed update to replace existing structures solely because they do not conform to the updated standards.
  • Owner choice about voluntary improvements and qualifying construction projects.
No HOA. No new governing body.

The proposal does not introduce dues, assessments, fees or a board. The final amendment must clearly address existing structures, future alterations and replacements, along with any transition periods or exceptions.

Keeping existing structures. Encouraging thoughtful improvements.

The proposal is not intended to require owners to replace existing nonconforming structures solely to meet the updated standards. Owners would be encouraged to voluntarily update those structures toward modern construction standards when practical.

This intended protection must be written into the attorney-reviewed amendment. It would not, by itself, legalize an existing violation, waive enforcement rights or override applicable safety, building or other legal requirements. Rules for future alterations and replacements still need to be defined.

04 / OWNER CONSENT

A careful process,
with owners involved.

Questions first.
Final documents before signatures.

  1. 1

    Read & discuss

    Review the project, raise concerns and suggest wording. Discussion and feedback are not legal consent.

    Current stage: discussion draft
  2. 2

    Confirm the legal path

    Counsel needs to verify the amendment mechanism, required consent, affected land and current ownership. No signature threshold is stated here.

  3. 3

    Review the final packet

    Owners should receive the same attorney-reviewed amendment, an explanation of the changes and property-specific consent instructions.

  4. 4

    Consent & record, if valid

    Collect properly completed documents through the confirmed process. If the legal requirements are met and the amendment is recorded, post the recorded documents and effective-date information.

Parcel details matter.

Current tax parcels may have been split or combined since the original plat. Counsel must verify legal descriptions, required signers, treatment of multiple lots and any notarization or recording requirements. A website response is not a signature or an amendment.

05 / COMMON QUESTIONS

Good questions
deserve clear answers.

Have a question that isn’t here?
Add it to the conversation.

Is this an HOA, association or new organization?

No. This project is a limited covenant-modernization effort. It does not form an HOA, owners association, board or other organization, or create dues, assessments, fees or new governing authority. The existing Declaration may contain organizational provisions; this website does not repeal or exercise them.

Why not leave the 2004 Declaration alone?

Older language may limit appropriate Firewise mitigation, modern dark-sky lighting and permanent UDC residential construction. Reviewing all three areas can help owners address today’s needs while preserving the neighborhood’s character. Potential support for wildfire mitigation is another reason to examine unnecessary barriers, although no grant eligibility or funding is assured. Any change should be limited, clearly explained and put through a legally valid process.

Could this help with Firewise mitigation grants?

Potentially, by clarifying covenant language that may limit otherwise appropriate mitigation work. Wisconsin DNR describes grant and cost-share opportunities in its wildfire-planning resources, but availability and eligibility depend on the program, applicant, location and proposed work. Any recognition, partnership, planning or matching requirements would need separate review. This amendment does not create an organization, enroll the neighborhood in a program or guarantee funding. Confirm program requirements with DNR or the relevant administrator before making commitments. Read DNR’s wildfire-planning information.

Why review the dark-sky lighting language?

Existing wording may not clearly accommodate today’s shielded fixtures, warmer lighting and controls. The aim is to support useful lighting while reducing glare and spillover. Counsel should confirm which provisions need changing; exact standards and treatment of existing lights remain for the draft amendment.

Does the construction proposal benefit only one lot?

No. Its intended scope is the same qualifying permanent-residence opportunity for every owner whose land is subject to the amendment. Counsel must verify the affected properties. Each project would still need to meet applicable requirements.

Does this allow mobile homes, campers or every factory-built home?

That is not the proposal. The intended opportunity is for permanent Wisconsin UDC-compliant modular / manufactured-building residences. Final legal language must distinguish those dwellings from HUD-code manufactured homes, mobile homes, RVs and other categories, and identify which existing restrictions are retained.

Will I have to change my trees, lights or existing structures?

The proposal is not intended to require replacement of existing nonconforming structures solely because they do not meet the updated standards. We would encourage owners to voluntarily improve those structures toward modern construction standards when practical.

The final amendment needs to state this protection clearly and address future alterations and replacements. It would not automatically excuse existing violations or override applicable safety, building or other legal obligations. Treatment of vegetation, lighting, exceptions and any transition periods must also be explained before owners are asked to consent.

How many owners must agree?

The required consent and amendment procedure are still subject to legal review. A provision about forming an association should not be treated as an amendment threshold without counsel confirming that interpretation. This site does not announce a percentage, parcel count or approval tally.

Can owners with multiple lots sign one form?

The final instructions need to answer this after ownership and legal descriptions are verified. Do not assume one signature covers every parcel or co-owner. Counsel should confirm whether one instrument can identify multiple properties and who must sign it.

Do I need a notary, and is there a deadline?

Signing, notarization, return instructions and any deadline are forthcoming with the final consent packet. No signature deadline has been established on this site. Please do not sign a draft or treat a feedback note as consent.

Is this legal advice or an approved amendment?

No. It is an informational summary for neighbor discussion, not legal advice, an approval, or an attorney-reviewed final document. The recorded instruments and applicable law control. Obtain advice for questions about your property or rights.

06 / DOCUMENT LIBRARY

One place for the paperwork.

Check each document’s status.
Drafts are for discussion only.

PDF

2004 Declaration · supplied reference copy

Original scan from the project materials. Supplied for reference; completeness and current title status have not been independently verified.

Download reference
01

Proposed amendment

Exact changes and a comparison with the existing language will be posted here.

Draft forthcoming
02

Neighbor cover letter

An introduction to the project, its purpose and the limits of its scope.

Draft forthcoming
03

One-page summary

A concise companion to the complete amendment and supporting materials.

Draft forthcoming
04

Owner consent form

Property details and attorney-reviewed signing instructions. No form is ready for signature.

Forthcoming
05

Final recorded Declaration & amendment

Verified recorded documents, recording details and effective-date information, if the amendment is completed.

Not yet available

No final proposed amendment, attorney-reviewed consent packet or recorded amendment is available here. Forthcoming entries are placeholders, not downloads.

07 / QUESTIONS & FEEDBACK

Let’s hear
from each other.

Questions, concerns and practical suggestions are welcome. This is a conversation among neighbors about a document that affects their land.

Project contact

Chris.Rand@yahoo.com

Email a question or prepare a message here. Your feedback is for discussion and is not owner consent. Please do not include sensitive ownership or signature documents in this form.

Prepare a feedback note

Prepare an email to Chris.Rand@yahoo.com, then review and send it in your email app. This site does not collect or store your entries.