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Council authorizes Erie Highlands districts to pursue temporary homeowner service fee amid resident concerns about notice and deferred maintenance
Summary
After two resident-led districts described separation from developer-controlled districts and a need to cover deferred pool, clubhouse and landscaping costs, council approved a resolution authorizing Erie Highlands Metropolitan Districts 1 and 2 to impose a temporary service and facility fee (maximum $636 annually through 2029); residents raised concerns about meeting notice and transparency.
Erie Town Council on April 8 approved a resolution authorizing Erie Highlands Metropolitan Districts 1 and 2 to impose a temporary service and facility fee (if their boards later choose to do so) to help the homeowner-led districts cover immediate maintenance needs and operating costs following a separation from developer-run district governance.
General counsel Jeff Herb explained the background: the five interconnected Erie Highlands districts were created in 2013; districts 1 and 2 have transitioned to homeowner-elected boards and sought separation from the developer-controlled districts (3–5). As part of a settlement with the developer, Oakwood Homes provided transition funding and the homeowner boards sought town authorization to allow them to impose a temporary fee for five years (2025–2029) with a maximum of $636 per household annually.
Board president Josh Malm and other resident directors said the fee is intended to fill a short-term budget gap while property-tax revenue and further build-out of District 2 increase assessment revenue. Listed priorities for fee revenue included clubhouse repairs (door locks, access systems), pool filter and equipment replacement, concrete repairs, landscaping maintenance and replacement of deferred items.
Several residents and homeowners spoke at the meeting, urging more robust notice of district meetings and more transparent, resident-facing budgeting. Jim Davis said he and other homeowners received minimal notice and described the Metro District notification process as “abysmal.” Tony Philias cited statutory notice requirements and said many neighbors were unaware of meetings. Board representatives said they had started a new email-notification list and planned a mailer to every household and additional public meetings; they also said the districts intend to hold at least two further public meetings before setting any fee amount.
Council members expressed concern about outreach and about the maximum amount proposed. Councilor Mortelaro cited the impact on households and suggested a slower engagement cadence; Councilor Hoback praised the resident boards’ work to regain local control after what he described as difficult dealings with the developer. Town legal staff clarified that council’s action authorizes the districts to pursue the fee (it does not itself set the fee) and that the districts remain subject to open-meetings and service-plan notice obligations.
Following discussion, council moved, seconded and approved the requested resolution to authorize the districts to set a temporary fee under the parameters described in the settlement agreement. Council urged the districts to expand outreach (email lists, mailers, sandwich boards and posted agendas) and to hold additional public sessions before any fee is imposed.
