A response to the community regarding a recent letter circulated in Goldcrest

A letter recently circulated within our community has raised concerns regarding a potential covenant violation by a member of the Board. To ensure our neighborhood remains a place of transparency and mutual respect, the Board would like to clarify the facts and the process we are following to resolve this matter.

Understanding Covenant Interpretations

The Board's decision regarding backyard chickens requires careful legal consideration, going beyond a strict interpretation of our community's governing documents. Although some residents view chicken keeping as a clear violation of existing covenants, an alternative interpretation has been brought forward that requires further analysis. The Board acknowledges that the current Olympia municipal code (OMC 18.04.060) permits up to five female chickens for lots under an acre in size, and may take this into account.

When covenant language is subject to more than one reasonable interpretation, the Board must proceed cautiously to avoid making arbitrary decisions. Our priority is to ensure that any final ruling is fair to all residents and legally defensible.

The Importance of Due Process

The authority to determine if a violation has occurred rests with the Board, following a formal "due process" period. This process is designed to protect every homeowner from premature judgment, and has been standard procedure. We believe it is vital for the community to have all the facts and for the Board to complete its full review before a final determination is made.

In addition, members of the Board have the same rights as any homeowners in being able to provide additional information and request appeals when accused of a covenant violation. However, Board members must recuse themselves from any judgment related to their own potential covenant violations.

Proactive Steps Forward

Rather than making a hasty decision, the Board is taking the following actions to ensure the long-term interests of Goldcrest are met:

• Chicken Pilot Program: We are considering a draft for a pilot program to study the actual effects of backyard chickens in our neighborhood to align with the City of Olympia’s definition of chickens as pets. This effort will provide data-driven insights rather than relying on assumptions. This pilot program will be discussed in upcoming meetings.
• Covenant Review Committee: A committee has been formed to draft updated covenants. This is an opportunity to modernize our rules to reflect the current vision of our residents and community. Any covenant changes will require two thirds of the homeowners to ratify.
• Community Feedback: No final decisions have been made. We are committed to an open dialogue where every member can share their input at upcoming meetings.  

How to Join the Conversation

A strong community is built on dialogue, civility, and trust. We encourage you to participate in this process so that the future of Goldcrest reflects the collective will of its neighbors.

• Attend a Meeting: Look for the schedule on our website  https://www.goldcrestolympia.org/news/calendar.
• Submit Feedback: Email your thoughts or ideas for inclusion in our upcoming open discussions.

We look forward to a respectful, open-minded conversation about the future of our home.

The Goldcrest HOA Board

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