See details below for the Feb 23, 2026 Annual Meeting
Where Should Most Neighborhood Issues be Reported?
Our neighborhood is part of the City of Middleton. If a homeowner has concerns regarding City property maintenance, snow removal, abandoned cars, potholes, mowing/weed complaints and related issues for roads and other properties in the neighborhood under the jurisdiction of the City of Middleton, you can report them at City of Middleton Report Concern.
What is the Formal Name of Our Neighborhood?
The formal or legal entity name of our association is the Misty Valley Home Owners Association. Initially, the neighborhood was called Misty Valley during the first construction phase. As the development progressed to the second and third phases, more homes were added to the neighborhood by different contractors, so informally our name was expanded to Misty Valley/Middleton Ridge.
What Are the Speed Limits on the Roads in our Neighborhood?
The speed limit on all roads in the Misty Valley/Middleton Ridge neighborhood is 25 mph. This includes Belle Fontaine Boulevard (BFD) which was previously listed in the City of Middleton ordinances–but not posted–as 35 mph. This was officially reduced by the City to 25 mph in the summer of 2023 and posted since BFD will remain a two-lane road. All the roads in our neighborhood are public–owned and maintained by the City of Middleton–with the exception of the alley behind the homes on Belle Fontaine Boulevard. The alley is owned and maintained by the HOA. High Road, at the eastern border of our neighborhood, has posted speed limits which vary from 30 mph for the portion closest to Misty Valley to 25 mph in several other portions.
Am I a Member of the Misty Valley Home Owners Association?
If you own property within the Misty Valley/Middleton Ridge subdivision, then yes, you are a member of the Misty Valley Home Owners Association (HOA). When you purchased your property in the neighborhood, you automatically and contractually became a member of the Misty Valley HOA. As a member, this includes agreeing to following the rules and regulations of the HOA which are detailed in the Declaration and By-Laws documents received during the purchase of your home. Current versions of these key documents can be found on the Birwood portal and the Misty Valley HOA website. Access information regarding both the portal and website is provided in the next section.
Are the Crane’s Nest Condominiums and Middleton Ridge Apartments Also Members of the Misty Valley HOA?
No. Crane’s Nest has their own association with rules and regulations specific for condominiums. Middleton Ridge is a separate community of traditional rental apartments. The Misty Valley HOA works closely with both Crane’s Nest and Middleton Ridge on many topics each year which are common to and have impact on homeowners, condominium owners and apartment residents in our neighborhood.
What are the Advantages of an Active Homeowners Association?
In addition to providing strategic and tactical operating guidelines, an active HOA helps to ensure a neighborhood will consistently remain physically attractive for many years by following standards applicable to all Members, thus maintaining and often enhancing property values.
How is the Board of Directors Chosen? Who is Currently on the Board of Directors?
See the Board page on the Misty Valley HOA website for how Directors are chosen as well as our current Board members.
What Committees are Part of the HOA? How Can I Get Involved with a Committee?
See our current committees via the Committees Page on the Misty Valley HOA website. To volunteer for a committee, attend a committee meeting, or if you have questions about a committee, please email the Board of Directors at board@mistyvalleyhoa.org.
What Do My Annual Assessment Dues Cover?
Annual dues primarily cover our largest yearly budgeted expenses which include our private alley snow plowing and maintenance; insurance; our property management partner; and the cost of adopted properties maintenance and improvements. Budgeted expenses covered by the dues assessment also include our website, accounting, applicable legal costs, printing, copying and postage.
What are the Common Areas within the Neighborhood Which the HOA is Responsible for Maintaining?
Currently, the private alley behind the homes on Belle Fontaine Boulevard is the only HOA-owned common property which we are required to maintain. Similar to many other alleys in Middleton developments, ours was designed as a private road to handle only the cars garaged by homeowners on Belle Fontaine Boulevard. It was not designed to City of Middleton street standards. The HOA also has an arrangement to maintain and improve several spaces in our development “adopted” from the City of Middleton. These currently include the Caneel Corner Conservancy triangle at the corner of Caneel Trail and High Road and the Misty Valley Circle at the northern termination of Misty Valley Drive.
What are the HOA Guidelines Regarding Home Security Systems?
With home security technology constantly evolving, it is difficult to implement a comprehensive HOA policy to help ensure the privacy and quiet enjoyment of all homeowners. With this in mind, the association has developed the following guidelines to help our Members to manage their home security systems.
Exterior Security Cameras…such as those used for doors and windows should be directed on the Owner’s property as much as possible, minimizing potential intrusion on the privacy of neighboring homes.
Exterior Lighting…these should be of sufficient brightness, but not generally deemed as excessive, and directed onto the Homeowner’s property as much as possible.
Alarms…to reduce the risk of undue neighborhood disruption, alarms should be of the type which inform the Owner of a potential breach with minimal external alarm ring time. Systems should provide the ability to remotely shut off the alarm if the Owner is not home at the time of the breach.
Are There Specific HOA Lawn Maintenance Regulations?
No. The association follows the City of Middleton ordinance Chapter 23—Minimum Housing and Property Maintenance Code—for all lawn maintenance regulations. Section 23.05 of this ordinance, Safe and Sanitary Maintenance of Property, contains the regulations for all Middleton homeowners. Specifics regarding lawn maintenance, grass height limits, weed control, and other requirements are outlined in detail in this section of the ordinance.
Are There Specific HOA Documents, Rules, Regulations and Policies Which Apply to My Property?
Yes. The Misty Valley HOA is regulated by three key documents: our Declaration, our By-Laws and our Rules & Regulation Policies. Below are brief descriptions of all three. These documents can be found on the Birwood portal under Shared Documents > Misty Valley HOA Documents or on the Misty Valley HOA website under the tab “About Us”.
Declaration…formally known as the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions (in short, the “Declaration”) is a legal document which lays out the overall strategic guidelines for the Misty Valley HOA. The Declaration is required to be filed with Dane County and is a legally binding document. Therefore, when you purchase a home in Misty Valley, you automatically and contractually become a member of our HOA. The Declaration–initially written by the developers of our neighborhood–has been subsequently amended over the years and was fully revised in 2022. It provides the rules and regulations of the Misty Valley HOA. The Declaration governs what one can, cannot, or must do with respect to your home.
By-Laws…the By-Laws provide the tactical guidelines for the operation of the Misty Valley HOA. The By-Laws primarily define the duties of the Board of Directors and officers as well as membership voting rights, required meetings, notices of meetings, elections, and other specific actions needed to operate the HOA. The By-Laws were also fully revised in 2022.
Rules & Regulation Policies…added in mid-2023, the Rules & Regulation Policies (in short, “R&Rs”) were developed to augment our Declaration and By-Laws. A flexible document, the R&Rs is a group of policies which fill several information gaps, clarify various Declaration and By-Laws sections, and allow additions as well as quick revisions to address changing government regulations and technology improvements.
How Do I Obtain HOA Approval to Make Changes to the Exterior of My Home?
Exterior projects such as patios, porches and fences require approval of the HOA’s Architectural Control Committee (ACC). Details regarding all types of exterior changes requiring ACC approval are in Part C of the Declaration. Project approval request forms along with the submission process guidelines are on the Birwood portal under Shared Documents > Homeowner Documents > Architectural Project Submission Information.
What is the Background Regarding the Quarry?
The Meinholz quarry–operated by Yahara Materials–is located just north of the Misty Valley/Middleton Ridge neighborhood. It has been in existence since the 1950’s and contains sufficient material to operate for many years into the future. Located on a large limestone-based vein, it provides high quality construction grade stone, sand and related highway and building materials for the greater Madison area. Quarry blasts mainly take place in the spring, summer and fall.
How Are Quarry Blasts Regulated?
Quarry blasts are regulated under Wisconsin Safety and Professional Services (SPS) Chapter 307. This regulation contains quarry blasting requirements, definitions, standards and limits. Subchapter IV–Blasting Resultants–contains the limits, pre-blast notification requirements and monitoring information. SPS 307.44 establishes the maximum ground vibration allowed per blast. Yahara Materials, under SPS 307, controls all blasts well under the maximum ground vibration allowed. Further information regarding Wisconsin SPS Chapter 307 can be found via the following link: https://docs.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/sps/safety_and_environment/301_319/307.
Is Seismograph Testing Performed Around the Quarry and In Our Neighborhood?
Yes. The Wisconsin regulations outlined above require that each quarry blast be monitored for both ground and air vibrations via seismograph with results recorded and submitted to the state. Here are details regarding the seismograph testing performed by Yahara Materials.
Around the Quarry…three seismographs surrounding the quarry in all directions–based on the specific blast location–record the results of each blast. The seismographs are positioned in these locations since they are closest to the quarry, just north of Misty Valley/Middleton Ridge.
In Our Neighborhood…in recent years, seismograph testing has periodically been performed in Misty Valley/Middleton Ridge to determine the strength of blasts in our neighborhood. In 2021/22, seismographs were temporarily positioned at strategic points in our neighborhood–including locations within Misty Valley, Crane’s Nest and Middleton Ridge apartments–at different times for two or more blasts each. In summary, the results confirmed that all blasts were well under the state limits; the strength dissipated with distance from the quarry; and readings were nearly negligible at the further, southern-most points of our neighborhood.
How Can I Obtain More Information About the Meinholz/Yahara Quarry?
You can see scheduled quarry blast activity and sign up for email advance notifications at the Yahara website at https://www.yahara.com.
What is the Plan to Redevelop the Graber Pond Area?
The long-range plan by the City is to consolidate several long-deferred capital budget projects into the more comprehensive Graber Greenway Improvement Project. This multi-year project includes numerous stormwater management and conservancy elements located upstream of the Pheasant Branch Conservancy designed to protect both the greenway area and downstream locations from flooding.
The “Graber Greenway” starts at Graber Pond and runs east through Misty Valley to the culverts which run under Pheasant Branch Road. With the passing of the Stormwater Utility referendum in November 2024, the project will include approaches the City can take to further improve stormwater management and reduce downstream flooding risks even further. Incorporated in the project are areas within and adjacent to the housing developments currently under construction east and west of Misty Valley (Redtail Ridge, Belle Farm and Pheasant Crossing) as well as the stormwater control plans from the Parmenter Street reconstruction project north of Century Avenue.
The Graber Greenway Improvements Project will consider seven key elements for possible updates and enhancements both east and west of High Road as well as taking into account the reconstruction of High Road anticipated to be performed in 2026. Further details and updates on this project can be found on the City of Middleton website or by contacting our District 6 Alder.
What Are the City Mowing and Maintenance Practices in the Graber Pond Area?
There are two separate areas around Graber Pond which are managed by different City of Middleton departments as described below.
Stormwater Retention Ponds…located east of Misty Valley Drive and between the apartments, the primary purpose of these man-made ponds is to protect people and property from flooding. They are designed to be mowed to ensure maximum stormwater retention space. Our Public Works Department is responsible for mowing and maintaining these ponds. They are keenly aware of and are continuing to work on improved practices to allow the retention ponds to, first and foremost, work as designed while minimizing the environmental impact of mowing/maintenance on both flora and fauna. Mowing is performed several times a year which is dependent upon weather, water level and staff availability, so it is not possible for the City to provide a specific yearly timetable. Note that mowing and any other maintenance activities are subject to revision pending the improvements anticipated from the Graber Greenway Improvements Project.
Area East of Graber Pond…located east of Graber Pond in the space behind the Crane’s Nest condominiums and adjacent to Misty Valley Drive, this environmentally sensitive, natural wetlands area is managed by our Parks Department. An annual, controlled spring burn is performed on t his space which is also weather, water level and staff dependent. Portions are often trimmed manually as needed if burning is not possible. Note that in addition to keeping the Misty Valley Drive culvert clear, the Parks Department also mows a four-foot strip along both sides of the paved paths in the Graber Pond area and between the retention ponds; maintains the boardwalk; overseeds the Graber Pond area with native forms and grasses; removes noxious weeds/brush as much as possible; and manages invasive pond aquatic species.
How is Garbage and Recycling Pickup Managed?
The City of Middleton is currently contracted with Pellitteri Waste Management to pick up garbage and recyclable materials once per week. Our neighborhood pickup is currently on Thursdays with some exceptions based on holidays. Details regarding the carts provided by Pellitteri for garbage and recyclables as well as the types of acceptable materials can be found on the City of Middleton website at https://www.cityofmiddleton.us/183/Recycling.
The above link also provides information regarding the Middleton Recycling Center located on Parmenter Street. This drive-through facility accepts many types of materials such as electronics, large plastic items and block Styrofoam which cannot be recycled via weekly pickups.
What are Homeowner and City Tree Trimming Responsibilities?
City Ordinance 20.05 applies to trees on homeowner properties as well as the terrace between roads and sidewalks. Homeowners are responsible for pruning and maintenance of trees located on their properties. The City ordinance requires branch clearance to be a minimum of 10 feet above the sidewalk. The City of Middleton is responsible for pruning and maintenance of trees located in terraces. The Parks Department has an annual pruning/maintenance schedule for the terrace trees. If any terrace trees need attention, contact the Parks Department at 608-821-8360 or their online reporting system on the City of Middleton website.
Does the City Provide Homeowner Tree Trimming Guidance?
The Parks Department provides the following tree trimming guidance. There is also a significant amount of information available via internet searches, garden centers and various associations. As our contacts at the Parks Department noted, although one size does not fit all, the following guidance should help many homeowners:
-for sidewalk clearance trimming, it is mainly shearing back to raise the canopy, depending upon the tree or shrub. If some relatively new trees or shrubs are already creating sidewalk clearance issues, then removal should be considered.
-while some contradictory information and long-standing beliefs can be found on the internet, in general, light pruning can be done in spring, summer of fall. Summer trimming of oaks and elms should be avoided since both are subject to disease.
-for larger branches over 1.5 inches in diameter, a three-cut pruning method is recommended for young trees. Flush cuts too close to the trunk should be avoided, if possible, but also avoid leaving cut stubs too far from the trunk.
-to eliminate sidewalk clearance issues, focus on removing only offending branches or parts of branches as much as possible. As many homeowners have done, seek expert advice from a certified arborist if in doubt to help ensure your trees and shrubs are pruned appropriately.
Are Leaves and Garden Waste Picked Up by the City?
Scheduled collections of leaves and garden waste are provided, weather-permitting, by the City of Middleton in April, October and November. Please see the City’s Leaf and Garden Waste Collection Policy for a description of the spring and fall for both scheduled and unscheduled leaf and garden waste collection service.
Are Branches and Brush Picked Up by the City?
Scheduled branch and brush collections are provided once per month by the City of Middleton from April through October. Please see the City’s Brush Collection Policy for a description of the brush collection service. The following links provide a map of scheduled brush collection areas, as well as a listing of collection week by street address.
Where Can Homeowners Drop Off Leaves, Garden Waste, Branches and Brush?
For homeowner who prefer to collect and drop off these material themselves, the City’s composting center located on Highway Q just east and north of Middleton is available spring thru fall to collect these materials which are then used to produce compost.
Which City Department is Responsible for Clearing Snow from the Paths Behind the Apartments and Homes on Caneel Trail?
This falls under the Parks & Recreation Department (“Parks”) and includes the popular path from High Road west to Misty Valley Drive.
Why Doesn’t Parks Clear the Path Going Further West from Misty Valley Drive Towards Graber Pond?
This path is not cleared since it would need to stop at the boardwalk. The boardwalk cannot be cleared since the equipment is too heavy to be operated on it, plus the path at the other end of the boardwalk on the south side of Graber Pond is a steep hill and would be dangerous for City personnel to clear.
Does Clearing Snow from the Sidewalk Through and Around Middleton Ridge Park and the Sidewalk from Misty Valley Circle to Greenbrier Road Also Fall Under Parks?
Yes. The only portion they do not routinely clear is the sidewalk that runs from the park to Calla Pass. This is technically part of the alley but is often cleared by Parks or by great neighbors along the alley who often clear this sidewalk so children can safely reach their school buses.
What is the Weekend Path and Sidewalk City Snow Clearing Policy?
If the snowfall is under 2 inches, Parks does not clear the paths and sidewalks on weekends. If over 2 inches, both are cleared. This follows the same weekend policy for Middleton roads and other paths/sidewalks around the city.
What is the Snow/Ice Salting Policy on These Paths and Sidewalks?
Generally, the City minimizes salting as much as possible all around Middleton. If there is a lot of ice, the City will salt more often, but not if the temperature is under 15F since salt has little effect at these lower temperatures.