When Mr. Henry Phillips developed the Vista he did almost everything right. Those of us who live here agree that its a wonderful place to live and that Mr. Phillips could not have found a prettier place to build a new sub-division.

In his planning he had the forethought to include some liberal but important deed restrictions. As an organization we do not enforce deed restriction. That's a job better left to the Mecosta County's Zoning Board of Appeals or Circuit Court. I will list them later and I do so only because I'm asked about them time and time again.

What Mr. Phillips did overlook was the Roads. That's right the Roads! As a private subdivision we also have Private Roads. That in itself isn't bad. Privacy is high on our priority list and something we all enjoy. However, Phillips forget to include a covenant that could have provided that each property owner pay a predetermined amount for the maintenance of our 1.4 miles of private roads.

So now we have a nice sub-division with private roads and no way to pay for there up keep, but not for long. At some point the property owners banded together and collected donations for road maintenance. Later attempts founded the West Chippewa Vista Association. At first, a loosely formed organization that in 1994 incorporated to become "The Chippewa River Vista West Association, Inc.". Articles of Incorporation The purpose for which the corporation is organized is to: Obtain, operate, hold, maintain and improve properties dedicated to the use of the lot owners in the plat of Chippewa River Vista West. Take other actions deemed to be in the best interest of and beneficial to the majority of the members of West Chippewa River Vista Association, Inc.".

With the Articles of Incorporation comes a liberal set of Bi-Laws that pertain to the operation of the corporation itself. We have set no restrictions, nor do we wish to restrict in any way what you may or may not do with your property. All lots come under the Mecosta County Building and Zoning Ordinance with the exception of the Deed Restrictions mentioned earlier.

Copies of the Articles of Incorporation are available for the asking, and we will always try to get copies to the new comers.

The year 2000 brought on quit a change. At the annual meeting the board of directors introduced the idea of creating a "Special Assessment District" encompassing the plat for the purpose of road maintenance. The idea was overwhelmingly embraced by the membership and the Fork Township Board was petitioned to to create the the Special Assessment.

On September 9, 2000 the Fork Township Board adopted a resolution by a vote of 5-0 establishing a Special Assessment District for the plat of the West Chippewa River Vista Association.

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What does it take to become a member? Not much! Our only requirements are that you are a property owner of the Vista.

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What Happens With The Money

Nearly every dollar collected goes to the maintenance of our roads. No other entity contributes to our task. The roads are 100% funded by the Special Assessment. We do all the maintenance, Grading, Spot Gravel, Snow Plowing, Snow Removal, Brining , Gravel Replacement and Tree Trimming. Four hundred Seventy three dollars ($473.00) each year is budgeted for administrative purposes such as Paper, Envelopes, printing and Postage Stamps. There is also a Fifteen Dollar ($15.00) annual incorporation filling fee and a rental fee of twenty dollars ($20.00) for the town hall that we use for meetings. The only other expenditure is fifty dollars ($50.00) used for door prizes at our Annual Meeting.

On our "Schedule" page you will find 2007-2008 budget and the a bi -monthly Treasurer's report.