About FHHO, Inc.

GOVERNING DOCUMENTS - COVENANTS, ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION, BYLAWS

Forest Hill Home Owners, Inc. (FHHO) is an Ohio non-profit corporation that was formed in 1950 by filing articles of incorporation with the Ohio Secretary of State. The Articles provide that its purposes are "to promote, safeguard and improve the property values in and the general welfare of the community known as Forest Hill".  To accomplish this, the administration and enforcement of the protective covenants governing architectural standards, construction, materials, permitted and prohibited uses and structures that all lots in the Forest Subdivision were made subject to when the community was subdivided were assigned to the corporation, as is typically done when development has progressed to the point that a homeowners association needs to become the entity responsible for such matters. Our operations thus are focused on administering and enforcing these covenants and promoting and improving our property values. Our corporate authority is determined by the provisions of Ohio's non-profit corporation law (Chapter 1702 of the Ohio Revised Code) and our corporate governance is prescribed by the code of regulations (sometimes referred to as bylaws) adopted by the members of the corporation, being the owners of Forest Hill homes. Our bylaws have always been written according to the Ohio's non-profit corporation law.

The Ohio General Assembly enacted legislation taking effect in 2010 known as the Ohio Planned Community Act, found at Chapter 5312 of the Ohio Revised Code. Because a few Forest Hill residents believed this legislation was applicable to the corporation and thought this legislation affected its authority and operations, in 2018 FHHO requested a legal opinion from Kenton Kuehnle, an attorney having expertise in such questions, as to whether this was the case. He concluded that FHHO is not subject to the Ohio Planned Community Act and that its status as a homeowners association having the legal authority to administer and enforce the covenants is unaffected by this legislation. To read the full text of Mr. Kuehnle’s analysis, click here.

FHHO IS A LEGAL HOA GOVERNED BY THE OHIO REVISED CODE FOR NON PROFITS, CHAPTER 1702 (ORC-1702).

IT DOES NOT QUALIFY AS AN OHIO PLANNED COMMUNITY.

MEMBERS

 Each owner and occupant of a home in Forest Hill which is subject to the covenants is automatically a member of the corporation, along with his or her spouse or partner. An occupant who rents a home is not a member, nor is an owner like a limited liability company, trust, corporation or financial institution that acquired title through foreclosure, but the majority owner of an entity or primary beneficiary of a trust can be a member if he or she otherwise satisfies the occupancy requirement.

TRUSTEES/DIRECTORS

Under our bylaws, members meet annually, usually in October or November, to elect our Board of Trustees (sometimes referred to as Directors). The Trustees are tasked with the management of the corporation and with the appointment of the officers. Our bylaws state that the number of Trustees can range from 9-21, with the Board determining the number. For 2023, the number of trustees elected by the members was 17, but two have since resigned due for personal reasons. Information about these 15 Trustees can be found on the Home page.  The Board of Trustees usually meets on a monthly basis but may skip a month from time to time. The major responsibilities of each Trustee are to chair or serve on at least one committee.

COMMITTEES

The chair of each committee recruits members both from the Board of Trustees and from non-Trustee residents. Any resident who is interested in participating on any of the following committees, would like information about the activities of any of the committees, or is interested in forming a different committee, is encouraged to contact the President at president@fhho.org. Currently, active or planned committees are:

  •  Membership

  •  Preservations/Standards

  •  Marketing

  •  Community Monster Garage Sale

  •  Newsletter (writing, editing, delivery)

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

In 2022 the bylaws were amended at the meeting of members held in November to eliminate the Executive Committee, which for many years had met usually on a monthly basis to perform the functions of the Trustees because during this period the Trustees were meeting only twice a year. Because the Trustees now meet with much greater frequency it was determined the Executive Committee was no longer needed.

OFFICERS

 The bylaws provide that the officers of the corporation shall be a President, Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary., and such other officers as the Trustees may determine. Officers are not required to be Trustees but must be members who have made the recommended annual donation to FHHO.

 Historically the Trustees also elect from their group a Chair.

MEETINGS AND MINUTES

 A planned schedule of meeting dates for the Trustees and the residents’ meetings are posted on this site.

At each meeting of the Trustees or Members, the corporation's secretary, or a person appointed to serve as the secretary for the meeting, keeps minutes of the proceedings. Minutes of the Trustees’ and Members' meetings are posted on this site.