714 Olympic Ridge Drive

Port Ludlow, WA 98365

Oct. 12, 2003

To the members of Olympic Ridge Estates Community Association:

The officers of our homeowners’ association have proposed widening Olympic Ridge Drive at the dead end to a width of 55 feet from its present width of 18 feet. To do this they would grade and gravel a 30-foot wide strip of our property. This is unacceptable to us. They claim it would increase the safety of our residents by facilitating the turning around of large vehicles. We believe that argument is completely erroneous.

ORECA’s officers have distributed information to the membership on which to base a decision at the Nov. 1, 2003, annual meeting. The Board’s mailing did not include important information, such as: any statement of our position, any explanation of our counterproposal, the costs, or the significance of this action to each member. Enclosed is the letter to the Board from our attorney which explains our position and the background for it.

It is our belief that the Association’s proposal is completely misguided, arbitrary and unnecessary. Please review the facts:

· The planned widening would make the “turn-around lane” 55 feet wide. This is far wider than any road section in our Bywater community.

· It would degrade our property and diminish our property value significantly. It would create a big parking lot just 60 feet (approx.) from our house at the north end of our property and adjacent to lots 4 and 5, an eyesore and completely out of character with our property.

· Fire Chief Wayne Kier has stated that the existing turnaround area is adequate. The fire department has brought their biggest truck out three different times to test whether they could turn it around. Every time they have affirmed that the existing space is adequate.

· This is a waste of membership funds. We have seen no discussion of costs or funding.

· The association’s proposal, if accepted, would set a precedent of the association taking land from an unwilling landowner. Such an act will diminish the property rights of all landowners in our association.

The roads were established in 1989 by the developer when the property was platted. We accepted their location when we purchased the property. ORECA does not have authority to condemn our land. Its charter is to maintain the open spaces which we own in common. The ORECA Board acts as if it were a government authority imposing its will on an individual landowner. We see this as an encroachment on an individual member that would have grave consequences, not only to us, but also to others who have land that suits their agenda. The inappropriateness of this proposal is obvious when you visit the site. We will be glad to show any member the details “on the ground” – call us at 360-437-2493 to arrange a meeting.

There is no county or state governmental agency with oversight responsibility for homeowners’ associations. Enforcement is left solely to the members. Regrettably, the officers of Olympic Ridge Estates Community Association have left us no alternative but to institute legal action to protect our property rights if this proposal is not permanently withdrawn. We are hopeful that the entire membership of ORECA will begin working together to reclaim our association from its present dysfunctional state and restore it to harmony and management by consensus.

We respectfully request that you reject this proposal.

Sincerely yours,

Tom & Polly Peters

Lot 7

Cc: M. Harris

Encl