By Neighbors ~ For Neighbors
The Pleasant Valley West
About The Community
Pleasant Valley West is located in Carbon County in the western Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. The governing municipality is Penn Forest Township and the school district and post office address is that of Jim Thorpe.
Pleasant Valley West encompasses just over 700 acres of land, which includes approximately 10 miles of roads, and over 500 private parcels of land, subdivided as individual building lots, most of which are an acre in size. It also includes a small lake area that has a sandy beach, gazebo, playground, fire pit, kayak and canoe racks, volleyball court and picnic tables. Swimming, non-motorized boating, and fishing are permitted on the lake. The spring-fed lake is stocked with fish annually and feeds into Drakes Creek, a tributary to the nearby Lehigh river.
The area is accessible from one entrance and is surrounded by state game lands, PA conservation land, and a private preserve.
The areas is attractive, not only for its privacy, beauty, abundant wildlife, fauna and foliage, but because it's conveniently located to State Route 903, PA 476, shopping, restaurants, activities, downtown Jim Thorpe and two new hospitals. The small metro areas of WIlkes-Barre, Allentown and Stroudsburg are just 30 minutes away, and the nearby town of Lehighton has a Walmart, Lowes, Aldi and Giant supermarkets.
The community welcomes homeowners and vacationers alike.
About the Community
Pleasant Valley West Club is a non-profit corporation incorporated within and under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on Janauary, 5, 1976.
The club, which operates and promotes itself as an HOA, is not part of a planned community under the Uniformed Planned Community Act, but administrates the maintenance and care of the common areas of the community.
It is not a mandatory HOA for all property owners, but for the ones that are, it is governed by covenants and bylaws. Membership is voluntary for all others, which means you are not required to become a member and pay dues, but owners are responsible for a pro-rated share of maintenance of the common areas. (less than $300/year)
They also charge a capital improvement fee to HOA members at the time of purchase.
Rules, Covenants and By-Laws for HOA Members ONLY
HOA Board of Directors
- Elizabeth Ramsey, President
- Timothy Bucci, Vice President
- Terence Roy, Treasurer
- Linda Lorusso, Secretary / Office Manager
- Robert Boucher, Board Member
- Michael Devaney, Board Member
- Thomas Haney, Board Member
- Steven Martin, Board Member
- Nina Mirachi, Board Member
- Candice Schneider, Building Compliance Officer, Office Manager
- Kelly Jameson, Board Attorney
Fees for HOA Members Only as advertised by the HOA
(This does NOT apply to all property owners):
- Resale Certificate $100
- Annual dues: $300
- Annual dues late fee: $87.50
- Returned check fee: $ 25.00
- Capital improvement fee for undeveloped Lot: 1/2 of prior year dues and assessments. Due at time of purchase.
- Capital improvement fee for developed Lot: Equal to prior year dues and assessments. Due at time of purchase.
- Resale Certificate: $ 100.00
- New Homes Construction ARC: $400.00
- Land Clearing: $ 100.00
- Occupancy Permit: $ 100.00
- Construction of any free-standing structure or lot improvement with dimensions over 200 square feet which does not involve installation of a frost footer or foundation: $ 50.00
- Construction of a garage, storage building, swimming pool, pond, driveway or other structure, including landscape improvements, which requires the use of earth moving equipment in site preparation: $ 50.00
- Annual dues: $300
- Annual dues late fee: $87.50
- Returned check fee: $ 25.00
* As of 3/1/23
For Non-HOA members:
Most property owners are not subject to fees or oversight by the HOA regarding their property, but may be required to pay a share of road and recreation area maintenance costs. Refer to your deed covenants and/or a real estate attorney for details.
Wildlife:
Feeding Of Animals is strictly prohibited.
It is unlawful to, except for normal or accepted farming, habitat management practices, oil and gas drilling, mining, forest management activities or other legitimate commercial or industrial practices, intentionally lay or place food, fruit, hay, grain, chemical, salt or other minerals anywhere in this Commonwealth for the purpose of feeding bear or elk, or to intentionally lay or place food, fruit, hay, grain, chemical, salt or other minerals that may cause bear or elk to congregate or habituate an area. If otherwise lawful feeding is attracting bear or elk, the Commission may provide written notice prohibiting the activity. This includes bird feeders.
Road Closings:
Pursuant to 68 PA.C.S.A. 5218. Notice to all vehicles over Ten (10) tons gross weight: Sign will be posted in the entrance. This will prevent our roads from getting damaged while they thaw out from freezing conditions. The Fines for contractors are as follows: 1st offense: $500.00, 2nd $ 750.00, 3rd $ 1000.00. This will be strictly enforced.
The law, Uniform Planned Community Act at 68 Pa.C.S.A. § 5218, says:
"Subject to the provisions of the declaration, ... each unit owner and its agents, contractors and invitees shall have a nonexclusive access easement through the common elements as may be reasonably necessary for the purpose of construction, repair and renovation of the owner's unit. An association shall have the power during spring thaw conditions to restrict road usage by vehicles of more than ten tons gross weight, provided:
(1) such restrictions shall be imposed only on a week-by-week basis for an aggregate period not to exceed eight weeks during any calendar year;
(2) thaw conditions shall be reviewed by the association at least weekly; and
(3) signs shall be conspicuously posted by the association at all entrances to the planned community advising when and where such thaw restrictions are..."