Subject to the provisions
of the declaration, a declarant has an easement through the common elements
as may be reasonably necessary for the purpose of discharging a declarant's
obligations or exercising special declarant rights. In addition, without
affecting the rights, if any, of each unit owner with respect to the use
and enjoyment of the common elements, 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 applicable.
An association shall
not have the power to impose any fees or charges or require financial security,
including, but not limited to, surety bonds, letters of credit or escrow
deposits for the use of the easement rights described in this section; however,
the declarant or owner who exercises the easement rights described in this
section, whether directly or indirectly through an agent, servant, contractor
or employee, shall have the obligation to promptly return any portion of
the common elements damaged by the exercise by the declarant or owner or
its agent, servant, contractor or employee of the easement under this section
to the appearance, condition and function in which it existed prior to the
exercise of the easement, or to reimburse the association for all reasonable
costs, fees and expenses incurred by the association to return any portion
of the common elements which were damaged to the appearance, condition and
function in which it existed prior to the exercise of the easement.