Are there restrictions on what our mailboxes must be like?
What do our covenants require in regard to pet control?
How can I get involved with the CWHA?
How do I make a luminary for the Posada?
How did CWHA get started, and what is the history of the organization?
I hear about these districts for our neighborhood; what district do I live in?
I want to do some renovations to my home and yard; do I have to get approval from the CWHA Board first?
YES! The CWHA Architectural Committee must approve all projects that affect the exterior of the home as well as the yard. Projects that must be approved before beginning include (but are not limited to) pools, garage bay, decks, porches, siding replacement that is different from the original, etc. A general rule of thumb is that any project that disturbs/displaces soil will need approval. Check your CWHA covenants for more detailed guidance, and be reminded that no detached structures (sheds, for example) will be approved. If you do not receive approval, you will be subject to a Stop Work Order and may be required to pay for any costs associated with conforming to covenant requirements.
To obtain approval, you must submit an application to the CWHA Architectural Committee. You can obtain a copy of the application by contacting either Architectural Committee Chairperson Kevin Schmidt or any other committee member, or by clicking here to download a copy. The committee will need at least three weeks before approval can be given, as the committee must meet together to discuss your project; please plan accordingly when turning in your application.
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Are there restrictions on what our mailboxes must be like?
To maintain an attractive and uniform appearance, our covenants require that mailboxes be black and on black 4X4 posts. The black mailboxes are required to be 12x24 inches and have your house number/address should be prominently displayed, preferably in white lettering/script. Newspaper tubes are also required to be black.
Need a new mailbox or post? Gene’s Mailbox Service will provide a covenant-approved mailbox and post; installed or do it yourself. You can reach this company at 783-1775..
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What do our covenants require in regard to pet control?
The CWHA covenants require that all pets stay under the control of their owners. This essentially means that all pet owners should ensure that their pets stay in their own yards at all times and, when off their owner’s property, they are on leash and under control. Please be mindful that even the friendliest pet can be scary to some people, particularly to children. This is especially true when one is “surprised” by an unknown animal in his or her own yard.
Although not in the covenants specifically, the CWHA Board requests that all pet owners also be good neighbors. When you walk your pet please bring along a suitable container to pick up their refuse; this is a small act of kindness that is so appreciated by your neighbors. Neighbors should not have to be concerned with the “calling cards” that some pets leave behind when they roam outside their own yard. Further, please be respectful that your neighbors might have more trouble than you do with tuning out your dog when it is barking; bring in your dog whenever she/he has been barking for longer than a few minutes..
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How can I get involved with the CWHA?
The CWHA Board is always looking for volunteers to help! There are many ways a resident can volunteer. A volunteer can take one of the CWHA Board positions, serve as a district representative, chair a special event, serve on the Architectural Committee, or volunteer time for a special event or project. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Board President Ken Kuller or one of the other Board Officers, or contact your district representative. We would love to have you!.
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How to I Make a Luminary for the Posada?
The luminaries can be made a variety of ways. For consistency across the neighborhood, CWHA asks that you use plastic gallon milk jugs to make them, although it is not a requirement that they be made this way. However, as one resident pointed out, the milk jugs have the added bonus that they can be re-used every year!
If using plastic gallon milk jugs, remove all labels from the jug. Slit a 3 to 4 inch square flap (one side still attached) on one side of the jug. Fold down the top edge of the flap and pour 1 to 2 inches of sand or kitty litter through the slit and into the bottom of the jug. Using the slit again, place a tea/votive candle (keep it in the metal container) in the middle of the bottom. After placing the jug where you want it along your property, at about 6 to 8 feet apart, light the candle.
If you do not have access to plastic milk jugs, you can also use paper bags with 2 to 3 inches of sand/kitty litter in the bottom. Make sure the candles are squarely centered so that the bag does not catch fire.
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How did CWHA get started, and what is the history of the organization?
The first CHWA Board meeting took place on
Over the years, the CWHA Board has had three primary “roles”; providing a social venue for its residents, dealing with neighborhood issues, and dealing with local/Zionsville town issues that have affected the neighborhood directly.
Providing a social venue: CWHA has always had a social component, hosting various events over the years for Colony Woods neighbors. The longest running event in CWHA’s history is the Christmas Posada, which has been a neighborhood event for every year of CWHA’s existence. The second longest event is the Garage Sale, which started in 1989. The newest CWHA event is the Spring Perennial Exchange, which began in 2003. A few events have come and gone over the years, such as the Fall Dance for adults that changed from a Barn Dance to a Square Dance to a 50’s Dance but died out in the mid 1990’s. The Golf and Tennis Outing also died out after a strong run during the 1980’s. The current CWHA Block Party has its roots in one historic event—the Kids’ Back to School Bike Parade and Festival. For current information about CWHA events, click on Special Events on this website.
Dealing with neighborhood issues: There have been many issues with which the CWHA Board has had to address over the years, yet surprisingly the same issues have popped up regularly.
The most recurring complaint has been dog refuse left in neighbors’ yards when people are walking their dogs. Clearly, this has been the bane of many past Boards as they’ve struggled to make residents accountable for their own dog’s refuse. Unfortunately, there isn’t much the Board has been able to do for the last 25 years besides raise awareness about how much it bothers people to find dog refuse in their yards that isn’t their own pet’s, and inform residents that if they do catch anyone red-handed to approach them directly. If anyone can think of any other ways to help make dog owners take responsibility for their own dogs, this Board—like all the past Boards—is willing to hear those suggestions!
Other very common issues over the years included maintenance of the neighborhood fences (which, at first, were maintained by the property owners and not the CWHA), barking dogs (especially before the Town stepped in and made a law on this), and speeding on our streets. Some surprising recurring complaints included the notorious “lawn jobs”, which have been a significant problem this year; for those not ‘in the know’, lawn jobs are when someone drives over a neighbor’s lawn and leaves deep ruts in the grass.
Dealing with local/Zionsville town issues: CWHA has also been involved in local issues that have affected Colony Woods’ residents. In 1990, the Board dealt with problems associated with theBack to top...
I hear about these districts for our neighborhood; what district do I live in?
Perhaps you are thinking of taking one of the open district representative spots, or perhaps you’re just curious…just which district of Colony Woods do you live in? To help you out, here is a list of the districts and their borders. (There is a map of the neighborhood with each district outlined, but unfortunately the areas aren't numbered, making it hard to figure out what district any particular home is in)
District 1: Williamsburg Court and Staten Place; also 910 and 950 Williamsburg Lane
District 2: Williamsburg Lane and Blackstone Place
District 3: Crowne Point and Bennington Drive
District 4: East side of Governors Lane from main entrance to southern end of Maxwell Lane,
Park Place, a nd Leeds Court
District 5: West side of Governors Lane from main entrance to northern end of Maxwell Lane and
Woodstock Court
District 6: Scranton Court and 215 to 255 Camden Drive; also 1215 and 1225 Governors Lane
District 7: Holiday Court, Trenton Court, Lynn Court, Redding Court, and 260 to 315 Camden Drive
District 8: Camden Court, Sherwood Court, Rockwell Court, and 1200 to 1295 Governors Lane
District 9: Cedar Mill Court, Orchard Point, Garden Point, and 1100 to 1195 Maxwell Lane
District 10: Princeton Point, North Maxwell Court, and 945 to 1055 Maxell Lane;
also 235 and 245 Governors Lane
District 11: South Maxwell Lane and Royal Oak Court
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