Variance to Allow Conversion of Outdoor Gas Lamp to Electric Lamp (Draft 1)
This variance is to be made to be incorporated into the CC&Rs of the Oak Parke HOA on this date as signed below by the current Board of Directors.

Current C,C,&Rs

In Section 9.13 of the Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions, it states "Each Lot shall have a light fixture fueled by natural gas between the front of the Unit and the street."

Historical Information: (Paraphrased from the Oak Parke HOA Meeting Minutes from November 10, 1994)

Ms. Terri Buchanan (of Liddiard Management Company) informed Mr. Steve Tucker of the resistance from Southern Union Gas to provide gas mantles for the homeowners. Mr. Tucker said that he had an agreement with Southern Union Gas since Oak Parke was part of a pilot program using gas lamps. Effectively the sitting Oak Parke HOA Board of Directors was notified that Southern Union Gas Company has decided to stop paying for gas mantles for homeowners. Mr. Tucker reported that this was a violation of the agreement Benchmark Land Development had with Southern Union Gas that designated Oak Parke as a "pilot program" using gas lamps instead of traditional street lights for security lighting. Mr. Tucker attempted to work with Southern Union Gas to resolve this problem but was unsuccessful. Therefore, Southern Union Gas' decision not to service gas lamps effectively voids its agreement with Oak Parke and therefore makes the CC&R requirement (in Section 9.13) invalid. 

The current Board has acknowledged that one of the main purposes of the gas lamps was to provide a safe environment for the community during the night time since there are no street lights in the neighborhood.  The gas lamps have proven costly to maintain, often requiring at least 1 or more pair of mantles each year due to their fragility.  They have also proven very costly to maintain due to increased cost of natural gas and the fact that due to the very nature of the mantle lamp system, they must operate 24 hours a day, year round.  Estimates of the currently yearly cost of gas alone are approximately $120 - $140 a year.  Since the most of the homeowners find that the lamps are difficult and costly to maintain, they tend to let the lamps either fall completely out of service or do as little as possible to keep them burning at a fraction of the intended light output.  The gas lamp system in its current state not only makes the community appear run down and reduce property values, but it also may increase property crimes due to lack of significant light output as when they were new.

Allowing homeowners the option to convert their gas lamp to a low voltage electric lamp system will increase the light output back to that of the intent of the original lamp which in turn will maintain property values and security, but will also reduce the costs to operate [ about $10 a year current utility rates of approximately $0.10 kWh].  The cost of the conversion kit is approximately $80 excluding the wire (length to be determined by each individual installation).  Homeowners are allowed to install the conversion kit on their own, providing that they follow the manufacturer's installation instructions and the guidelines set forth in the document.  Homeowner's may also opt for a professional to install the system provided the professional is licensed and insured and abides by all city building codes.

Proposed variance to Section 9.13 of the Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions:

Amended to read:  "Each Lot shall have a light fixture between the front of the Unit and the street operated by either natural gas or electricity and which utilizes the existing gas light fixture or an electrical one approved by the Architectural Control Committee that preserves the architectural integrity of Oak Parke."

Architectural Control Committee approved gas lamp to electrical light conversion kits:

Approved Compatible Conversion Kits:

Gas Light Conversions, Inc, 12VP-BX with Photo Electric Control, Low Voltage Conversion Kit (specify 10.5" T-Bar for 6 paned lamp or 8" T-Bar for 4 paned lamp)
Manufacturer: GasLight Conversions, Inc. 1039 Charles Avenue St. Paul, Minnesota 55104 (612) 644-8282 www.gaslightconversions.com
or
Gas Light Conversion (a Division of Highland Park Electric, Inc.) Low Voltage Gas Light Conversion Kit (specify 10.5" T-Bar for 6 paned lamp or 8" T-Bar for 4 paned lamp)
Manufacturer: Highland Park Electric, Inc. 3250 Skokie Valley Highway Highland Park, IL 60035 (847) 443-6300 www.gaslightconversion.com (not the same as the web address above)

Installation Specifications:

As specified in the attached manufacturers specification and installation guidelines. Additionally, the following specifications guidelines for electric conversions of gas lamps are as follows:

• All electric lines must be installed to code using properly rated underground wiring and either installed by insured electrician or the installed by the homeowner and it must comply with current low voltage wiring requirements similar to landscape lighting.
• Power source is supplied by the unit owners’ electric service.
• Any/all repair to the line from the home to the conversion kit and including the conversion kit is the sole responsibility of the homeowner.
• Electric source shall be from the outdoor outlet or indoor outlet adjacent to the garage/house screened from public view
• Where applicable, the line shall go under the sidewalk, without damage to the sidewalk.
• Any variance must be approved by the Board.

Light Timer guidelines:

The light must operate in a dusk to dawn manner via the included photocell.
Intentional alteration to restrict the light from operation at these times will result
in a violation of the CCR's and the variance by the homeowner.

Replacement of bulb guidelines:

Bulbs must be replaced according to the manufacturer's specifications outlined above.
Any deviation to this type of conversion must be approved by the Architectural Control Committee

The Oak Parke Board of Directors