Lake Bella Vista

Spanish Meaning:

Beautiful Lake View

Pat Dalton

Myself along with my wife, Nanci Dalton, have lived in Lake Bella Vista since 1998.  We have been fortunate to raise 4 children (Rylie, Ty, Regan and Max) while living in LBV and our family continues to use the lake and area parks throughout all the seasons! Nanci and I enjoy walking our dogs around our beautiful neighborhood.  I am finishing my first term and have been serving on the board for 3 years. I am currently on both the Finance Committee and Parks Committees.  I was part of the team that recently helped broker the investment property. I have an interest in developing a long-term strategy to continue to improve our community and set up an ongoing fund specifically focusing on our lakes to make sure they are usable for many generations to come. I have an abundance of experience to bring to the board.  I am a partner in BHS Insurance and have served on the Visser YMCA board, Rockford Sports Booster Board and was a former president of the Soccer Club of Rockford. (SCOR).  Please consider my reappointment to the LBV board.  

Thank you! 

Brandon Graetz

I am currently the LBVIA Treasurer, helping guide the board members to act in the best interest of all residents. During my first six years on the LBVIA board I have helped re-develop the utilization of sub-committees. I currently chair the Finance committee and am also a member of the Parks & Lakes committee, as well as the Personnel committee (to help our awesome LBVIA staff). These, and the other sub-committees, have led to a more focused use of board member’s time, as well as the completion of several additional projects throughout the lakes and neighborhood! My wife, Shaina, and I bought our home on beautiful Lake Bella Vista in 2008. We, along with our two daughters and golden retriever, enjoy playing in and around the lake, as well as enjoying the friendship of several neighbors. My wife and I have enjoyed being long-time active members at City Church (formerly ResLife Rockford), and we’re currently both on the leadership team helping to plant a campus in Greenville. I’ve been a Financial Advisor for 22 years and own an investment advisory practice here in West Michigan. I’m a small business owner, analytical, thoughtful, grounded in my faith – oh, and know how to read a balance sheet. At 43 years-old, I desire to continue to be involved in our community, in a leadership role, as I feel I can help our community to realize the most with the resources we have. Thank you for your consideration.

Mark Wells

My wife Sarah and I have lived in LBV since 2009. Our family with four young children loves this community! 

During my term, I have managed the Lakes and Parks Committee. Our goals have been to improve the water quality of the lake and neighborhood aesthetics. Some recent accomplishments:

• Weeds/Algae - We worked closely with PLM and the State to reduce the sources of weed/algae growth. I hope you have noticed a big difference!!
• Lake Level – We went to court to modify the legal level of the lake and also improve pumping capacity. Over the past two summers, we have been able to maintain a much more consistent level during boating season. 
• Aesthetics/Park Improvements – We have funded improvements to our common areas including irrigation at commonly used parks and the new dock/path to gas/pizza and ice cream.

My background:

• BA in Business from Calvin College
• 10 years in Engineering/Finance/Operations at an Aerospace Electronics Company
• MBA from University of Michigan
• Currently a director at an investment firm that owns several start ups, turn arounds and growing businesses

I am also a member of the Finance Committee. We have been able to balance the budget while also funding aesthetic improvements to some of our aging infrastructure like mailboxes. Future projects I will drive for include resurfacing our cracking tennis/pickleball courts, replacing street signs and street lights

Bella Vista has the best infrastructure of any lake in the area. Let’s continue making the lake water cleaner and update the aesthetics of our neighborhood!

In 1988, a resolution was passed by the LBVIA board of directors that would allow an outdoor in-ground pool if it was properly contained by a fence, but LBV's fence guidelines within our bylaws made that nearly impossible to achieve. Today, both Michigan's building code and Cannon Township now recognize power safety covers as an exception to the fence as a sufficient barrier for a pool. It is the intent of the LBVIA board to revise the 1988 resolution and adopt a new policy for permitting outdoor in-ground pools, as long as they have a power safety cover as noted in the aforementioned Township guidelines. The proposed resolution for adoption is available to review here, and we plan to hold the public meeting during the Tuesday November 29th monthly board of director's meeting at the Cannon Township Hall. All residents interested in attending will have approximately 3-5 minutes to talk in front of the board and other residents to make sure their opinion is heard. More information about safety standards can be found here: International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC).

 In ground Pool Resolution Public Hearing- Tuesday November 29th @ 7:00 pm @ the Cannon Township Hall

Many residents living on the Little Lake have noticed a lower than normal water level the past two summers.  Many of those same residents attended the September Board Meeting and are now helping to asses the ongoing concern and to establish a plan moving forward. 

Safety is often our number one concern as one person's reckless behavior can endanger many others. The Board of Directors fields many complaints and concerns regarding issues within the community throughout the year, whether on the streets or on the water. Please know that none of these complaints and concerns go unchecked. LBVIA works closely with Cannon Township, the Kent County Sheriff's Dept, the Kent County Marine Patrol and Michigan DNR to monitor many activities and respond to complaints within the association boundaries. When we receive complaints or concerns, we always recommend to call the proper authorities directly as first hand information is more valuable than second or third hand.

Many residents within LBV help pull this community even closer with fun member run events.  The LBVIA Board has a vision for the community for now and the future.  Check out many of this past year's events and improvements.

Parking on the Street-

The Kent County Sheriff's Department has asked that all residents be reminded to avoid parking on the streets within our association. The state of MI Vehicle Code prohibits parking on the streets. LBV streets are not wide enough nor intended to be parked upon. There are concerns about the ability of rescue vehicles (fire trucks, ambulances, etc) to get through the streets in case of an emergency. There are also concerns about the safety of bikers, walkers, joggers, etc., especially in congested areas and on curves.

Garbage Cans-

Association bylaws prohibit leaving your garbage can on the street for more than 48 hours. Ideally, you place your garbage can out the night before your scheduled pickup day and retrieve it the day it has been emptied. Some residents place trash overflow outside their garbage can, which may attract unwanted animal attention.  If you tend to do this often, companies offer a second can at a greatly reduced rate. During the week, if your garbage can is not stored inside your garage, store it someplace inconspicuously out of sight from the street and your neighbors. Many residents have applied for architectural approval to install two short sections of privacy fence to create a nook for storing these items. Remember, be a good neighbor and hide your garbage cans!

General Curb Appeal Appearance-

All items stored outside should be stored behind the front setback of your home and out of sight from the street. When placing official election or school-related signs, it's best to place them near your home naturally in your landscape. These signs must abide by the 10' side yard setback so as to not encroach on your neighbor's property.  School-related signs should only be out during the sport or activity in which they represent and official election signs must be removed within 10 days after the election.

Storing of Boats, Trailers, Campers, Motor homes, ATVs, etc-

Storing any of the above-mentioned items on your property or in the street in front of your home is strictly prohibited and enforced by management and the LBV Bylaws. Don't store any of these items aside from inside an enclosed building within the LBV Association.

Leaving Grass Clippings in the Street-

Proper disposal of your yard debris is a simple yet significant way to help reduce stormwater pollution.  When debris enters the storm sewer inlets, it becomes wet and quickly decomposes, adding unnecessary nutrients to our stormwater system, which ultimately discharges to our lakes. These excessive nutrients reduce the clarity and quality of the waters we all enjoy. Not only does this activity have a degrading effect on our water quality, but it also costs the association money to remediate. More tips to do your part.

Obey the Speed Limit-

Take it slow in our streets and respect the speed limit of 25 mph. Our streets are narrow and are always active with walkers, joggers, bikers, children, etc. Don't drive distracted and SLOW DOWN!

Obey Michigan Water Laws-

One person's poor judgment or irresponsibility can ruin many members' day. Please do your part to ensure that all watercraft operators are aware of lake laws and etiquette. Keep in mind that on high boat traffic days, the lake may be too busy to do what you love-whether it is anchoring by the dam, wake surfing, tubing, water skiing, jet skiing, paddle boarding, or kayaking. 

Fire Hydrants-

It is your duty to keep fire hydrants clear and accessible as you are the direct beneficiaries of the hydrant nearest your home. Do not plant flowers, shrubs, or trees on or near a hydrant in your yard. Do not park on the street in front of a fire hydrant. This winter, regularly clear the snow from the hydrants closest to your home. 

See something, say something-

If you ever suspect anything suspicious; a person, a vehicle, anything - please report it to the proper authority and let your neighbors know. A vigilant community is a safe community.

• Register all new watercraft with the office
• Update your email address with the office (for quarterly billing)
• Set up a new account when you move into LBV
• Close your account when you move
• Inform the office if you are a snow bird and need your winter bill mailed to a different address
• Sign up for our newsletters if you are not already
• Did you know you can pay your LBV bill with a debit or credit card? Call the office for details!

10/24 October Board of Director's Meeting, 7:00 PM LBV Office

10/25-10/29 Hydrant Flushing 8:00 AM-5:00 PM

10/31 Trick or Treating, 6:00-8:00 PM

10/31 LBV Water/Association Bills Due

11/1 Yard Waste Pickup

11/7 Annual Membership Meeting and Election

11/8 Yard Waste Pickup

11/15 Yard Waste Pickup

11/22 Final Yard Waste Pickup

11/24-11/25 Office Closed

11/29 November Board of Director's Meeting

11/29 In-ground Pool Resolution Public Hearing, 7:00 PM Cannon Township Hall

Bella Vista Belding Road Entrance Signs-

Coming soon to Bella Vista Dr will be a replica of the entrance sign on Arroyo Vista. This has been planned for some time and is on the calendar for early 2023.

Tennis and Pickleball Courts-

The contract has been signed and work is scheduled for 2023 to rehabilitate and refinish the existing court surface as well as a bit of a redesigned layout. The North tennis court will turn into two pickleball courts while the South tennis court will remain a tennis court with pickleball painted inside of it.

Mailboxes-

All residents are scheduled to have their new black aluminum mailbox by the end of next summer. Inflation along with supply issues caused this project to drag on a bit longer than initially planned. Newspaper press tubes are not installed on all new mailboxes, but rather by request. You can email Dave Schmuker if you would like a press tube installed.