THE HOMESTEAD

RESTRICTIONS AND PROTECTIVE COVENANTS

 WHEREAS, Ranch Enterprises, Ltd., hereinafter called Developer, has established the Subdivision in  McCulloch County, Texas known as The Homestead and has dedicated to such Subdivision all the lots, tracts and parcels of land shown on that certain map or plat filed for in the Map and Plat Records of McCulloch County, Texas to which reference is here made for all purposes.

 WHEREAS, Developer has established the Subdivision by carrying out a general uniform plan of development and improvement of  The Homestead to insure and maintain its suitability for private and residential purposes, to protect and benefit each and every purchaser, owner or grantee of herein and enhance the value of the land located in said subdivision.

 NOW,  THEREFORE, The Homestead is subject to the covenants, restrictions, and conditions, to wit:

1.  Covenants Running With the Land.  These restrictions and covenants shall run with the land and shall be fully binding upon all persons acquiring property in said subdivision whether by decent, devise, purchase, assignment, contract or otherwise, and any person by the acceptance of any Tract or parcel of land or entering into a contract for the purchase of the same shall thereby agree and covenant to abide by, and fully perform all the foregoing restrictions, covenants, and conditions.  These covenants shall be binding for a period of thirty (30) years from the date they are filed for record in the Deed Records of McCulloch County, Texas, unless changed or amended as provided herein.  Said covenants shall be automatically extended upon the expiration of said term of successive periods of ten (10) years each.  The record owners of legal title of fifty-one (51%) percent of the Tracts in all phases of the subdivision as shown by the Deed Records of  McCulloch County, Texas, may amend or change the said covenants in the whole or part at any time.  Any change or amendment shall be set forth and evidenced by a successor instrument bearing the signatures of the requisite number of record owners and recording of the same in the office of the County Clerk of  McCulloch County, Texas.  A copy of any change or amendment to these Restrictions or Covenants and Conditions shall all be forwarded by prepaid mail to all owners by the Developer.  Failure to furnish and copy shall not affect the validity if such amendment.

 2.  Definitions.  The following words shall have the following meanings in construing the restrictions, covenants, and conditions:

2.1 AThe Homestead@ shall mean and refer to all phases of that subdivision of McCulloch County, Texas, recorded in Deed Records of  McCulloch County, Texas, and designated according to the original plat.

2.2 APurchaser@ shall mean and refer to the person or persons, entity or entities who have entered into a contract for purchase of a tract of land with the Developer as the original party as a successor or assign; or who owns of record fee simple title to a tract.

2.3 AResidence@ shall mean and refer to a permanent structure or mobile home erected on a tract for the use of a single family dwelling.

2.4 APOA@ shall mean and refer to the Property Owners Association of The Homestead  composed of the Purchasers in The Homestead, whose elected officers shall review plans for construction prior to construction or erection of any building, residential or out-building and shall determine such specifications and plans are not in violation of any of these restrictions, covenants, or conditions and shall have the power to enforce the restrictions and covenants of The Homestead.  Until a POA is formed, Ranch Enterprises, Ltd. shall take on the role of the POA.

2.5 ATract@ shall mean and refer to the lot, acreage of land conveyed or contracted for by the purchaser, his executor, beneficiaries or assigns.

3.  Non Commercial Use of Tracts.  None of said Tracts, or improvements erected thereon, shall be used for any purpose other than a private family residence with usual and customary accessory buildings, such as, but not limited to garages, guest cottages, and servants= quarters.  No Tract, or improvement thereon, shall be used for any commercial purpose, except that nothing herein shall be construed to prevent a purchaser from rendering professional services of purely personal nature so long as such services do not attribute to the Tract any appearance of a commercial or non-residential use.

 4.  Architectural Control.  The POA which shall determine if the plans and specifications for any structure on any Tract meet the requirements of these restrictions and determine if the appearance, design, and quality of the workmanship and materials are in harmony with the purposed scheme or plan of development of the Subdivision and the POA.  Plans and specifications shall, as a minimum, describe the building to be placed or constructed as well as the materials to be used on the exteriors.

5.  Construction of Buildings and Other Structures.   All building and structures on each Tract shall be architecturally acceptable by the POA.  No unpainted metal or fiberglass structure shall be placed on any said Tracts for use as an accessory building.  No tent or substandard structure of any character may be placed, constructed or maintained by any said Tracts, nor shall ever any structure of temporary character be used as a residence thereon except as permitted in Paragraph 6.  Storage of travel trailers is permitted provided it is not in a condition or location to adversely affect the value of the adjoining property.

 6.  Size and Type of Building.  Not more than one single family residence shall be placed or constructed on any tract of the land herein contracted or conveyed.

 A. Conventional on site construction single family residence:

Each dwelling must be new construction and shall not be less than 1000 square feet of heated and air-conditioned space, exclusive of garages, carports and porches. All plans and specifications are subject to the prior written approval of the POA. All dwellings must be completed within 360 days after laying foundations. A residence may not be lived in or occupied until the residence is 100% complete as per the POA approved plans. 

 B. Move-on housing such as manufactured homes, modular homes and all other   Move-on Homes:          

1. New Manufactured Dwelling Houses (or houses which are not more than five years old and approved by the POA ) of not less than one thousand (1000) square feet are permitted. 

2.All manufactured homes must have their towing devices, axles and wheels removed, and must be placed on a slab, blocks or piers and anchored to the land in the manner prescribed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

3. All manufactures homes shall have shingle roofs (or roofs made of other materials approved in writing by the POA) and hardy panel siding or vinyl siding.

4. All manufactured homes must be completely enclosed from the groung level to the lower portion of the outside wall within 60 days after placement on the property with dealer installed skirting such as hardy panel, masonry, plaster, brick, stucco or other fabricated material specifically approved for the purpose of enclosing manufactured homes, as approved in writing prior to installation, by the POA, so as to maintain a neat, harmonious appearance. Lattice and vinyl skirting are not acceptable. Back filling is allowed.

5. Unless back filled, a front deck built of weather resistant wood shall be installed within 180 days of the installation of a dwelling. The porch shall be a minimum of 6 feet by 12 feet and shall have railings and banisters at all appropriate places.

All plans and specifications are subject to the prior written approval of the POA to insure the development of a high quality residential area.

 7. Setback Requirements. Under ordinary topographical circumstances, all residences, new factory built mobile homes, garages, carports, decks or any other buildings will be required to be set back 75 feet from roadways bordering the Tract. All residences, new factory built mobile homes, garages, carports, decks or any other buildings will be required to be set back 20 feet from side tract lines and not less than 25 feet from the back lines.  There can be no variations from this unless variance is granted by the POA because of topography.

 8. Driveways. All Tracts must have a driveway extending from the street to the garage, carport or vehicle parking area of the residence. All driveway materials must be caliche, gravel, crushed limestone, concrete, asphalt paving or of a material approved by the POA. Prior to constructing a driveway you must contact your County Commissioner to determine if a culvert is needed for your driveway.

 9. Decks and Patios. All decks and patios shall contain only furniture and appliances customary for use on decks and patios, such as grills, smokers, deck furniture, hot tubs, etc. Decks and patios may not be used for storage, or for placement for refrigerators, freezers, house hold appliances, etc.

 10. Animals and Hunting.  No feed lots shall be allowed nor shall any commercial livestock operations be allowed, specifically the raising of game or fighting roosters. No swine shall be permitted unless it is in connection with a school  project, Future Farmers of America or 4-H Club project.  Livestock may be kept and maintained on said land in numbers not to exceed one (1) animal for each two acres for horses and cattle and may not exceed one (1) animal for each one acre for sheep and goats.  No more than five (5) animals shall be allowed on any Tract, excluding poultry. Chickens, duck, geese or other poultry shall be allowed if contained within a pen and do not become an annoyance to neighbors. Household pets should be maintained in a sanitary and quiet manner. No hunting of any type shall be allowed.

 11. Water Supply, Sanitation and Sewerage.  No outside toilets will be permitted or maintained on any Tract and all plumbing shall be connected to a sanitary sewer or septic system approved by the State and local Department of Health. No well or septic tank may be placed within 75 (seventy-five) feet of any property line.

 12.Trash and Garbage.  No trash, garbage, construction debris, or other refuse may be dumped or disposed or allowed to remain upon any Tract, vacant or otherwise.  No building material of any kind or character shall be placed upon the property until the owner is ready to commence improvement, and then such material shall be placed within the property lines of the Tract. All incinerators, cans, or other equipment for the storage or disposal of trash, garbage or other wastes shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition and behind Tract improvements so they are not visible from the street. 

13. Unused Vehicles and Commercial Vehicles. The storage of junked, abandoned or wrecked items such as motor vehicles, boats, or other equipment or materials shall not be permitted on any Tract. No eighteen wheel trucks or other large commercial type vehicles will be allowed to park along the roads in the subdivision.  

14. Noxious Activity. No noxious or offensive activity shall be carried on or maintained on any Tract, nor shall anything be done thereon which may be or may  become an annoyance or nuisance to the neighborhood in the Subdivision. All Tracts must be kept in a neat and clean condition. The POA shall determine noxiousness or undesirability and any decision shall be conclusive on all parties.

 15. Signs.  No sign or advertising device may be displayed on any Tract except in the event of sales.  There may be one for sale sign with no more than five (5) square feet. 

16. Subdividing.  No Tract, as that term is defined herein, may be re-subdivide by the purchaser or owner without the consent of the Developer or POA in writing. 

17. Separability of all Terms and Provisions.  If any term or provision of this instrument, or the application thereof shall be held invalid all other terms and provisions of this instrument, or the application thereof shall not be affected thereby nor shall any failure of the Developer or POA to seek enforcement of any term or provision constitute a waiver of any rights to do so in the future or the validity or enforceability of such term or provision.