Saddlebrook Forest Subdivision Architectural Design Guidelines

Transcription

1 Saddlebrook Forest Subdivision Architectural Design Guidelines 1. INTRODUCTION Under 5.05(a) of the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions for Saddlebrook Forest [the Covenants], the Architectural Review Committee [ARC] is charged with the task of adopting and promulgating the Design Guidelines [DGs] for the subdivision. The general purpose of the DGs are to assure the conformity and harmony of external design and the overall quality of Saddlebrook Forest. More specifically, the DGs establish ARC guidelines for the approval and disapproval of design features, architectural features, exterior colors and materials, details of construction, and location and size of structures. The ARC does not so much want to control how an individual uses property as it wants to maintain the high quality of our subdivision. By maintaining high quality we not only increase our present enjoyment, but also maximize our investment. The ARC expects all homeowners to seek preapproval for all improvements/alterations for a lot, including, but not limited to: any and all painting, roofs, gutters, trim, siding, fences, mail boxes, exterior lighting, garage doors, front doors, decks, patios, basketball goals, major landscaping, tree removal (if 6" or more in diameter), landscaping structures, retaining walls, lighting, pools, spas, storage sheds, greenhouses, forts/jungle gyms, play equipment, patio covers, awnings, arbors, gazebos, courtyards, cabanas, satellite dishes, dog structures, room additions, driveways, walkways, and front porches. Please see the Saddlebrook Forest website or the current ARC chair for the ARC Request Form. For further information, refer to the Covenants and Bylaws on the website. 2. GENERAL a. The purpose of the Design Guidelines are to maintain the conformity, quality and harmony of the external design of Saddlebrook Forest Subdivision. b. The Design Guidelines are to be used as guidelines for the approval and disapproval of design features, architectural features, exterior colors and materials, details of construction, and location and size of structures. c. The ARC is guided by the standard of reasonableness. d. During any construction project, the owner shall ensure that all construction and construction materials are confined to that lot. The owner shall also ensure that scrap materials and debris are removed as often as necessary in order to keep the lot safe and visually appealing. No trash shall be buried on any lot. 3. DEFINITIONS

2 a. Street: Any street located within the exterior boundaries of Saddlebrook Forest subdivision. b. Visible from the Street: Applies to objects which may be viewed from any street within the exterior boundaries of Saddlebrook Forest subdivision. 4. EXTERIOR STRUCTURES a. Exterior modifications and/or additions to existing structures that are visible from the street shall be of similar quality and design as the existing structure and shall be constructed of the same or similar materials as the existing structure. b. Exterior Materials Exterior surfaces must match or complement the exterior wall surfaces. Subject to ARC approval, any of the following materials may be used: 1. Hardboard lap siding, fiber cement siding, or smooth wood that must be painted in approved colors. Samples of materials and paint colors shall be provided for ARC approval. 2. Stacked stone with natural colored mortar joints. 3. Brick, as approved by the ARC, with buff or natural gray mortar joints. 4. Stucco that is painted or integrally colored. Colors and textures must be approved by the ARC. c. Exterior wood surfaces on homes shall be kept painted. No exposed wood surfaces. d. Mailboxes shall be constructed of the same material as the predominant exterior building material of the house or other materials as approved by the ARC. Mailboxes shall have operable doors and be maintained and painted as needed. The street address or house numbers shall be clearly marked and attached to the mailbox housing or on the curb. e. Roofs All structures shall be covered with either black or charcoal blend, medium to dark gray, or medium to dark brown fiberglass shingles which match existing construction. The ARC recommends Architectural shingles with algae resistance when roof replacement becomes necessary. f. Satellite dishes and antennae should be installed in the back of the house if possible. Pursuant to FCC rules, the Association will allow any standard outside antenna regardless of size, a direct broadcast satellite antenna (DBS) one meter in diameter or less, or a multi-channel, multipoint distribution service antenna (MMDS) one meter in diameter or less, so long as it is not in the homeowner s front yard or visible from the front of the house. The ARC will accommodate any homeowner who can show that installation anywhere other than the front yard or house will unreasonably delay or prevent installation, maintenance or use; unreasonably increase the cost of installation, maintenance or use; or precludes the reception of an acceptable quality signal. The ARC will not approve any request from homeowners to install antenna or satellite dishes on common property. g. Gutters and trim must be secure to the house and have no visible signs of disrepair.

3 h. Sheet metal work All sheet metal work (roof caps, flashings, vents, or chimney shrouds) shall be painted to match the roof. Gutters and downspouts shall be painted in ARC approved colors that match existing trim. Any stack or plumbing vent that penetrates the roof shall be located on the rear slope of the roof. i. Statues and, fountains less than 3 feet in height, benches of standard size, water gardens, benches, and yard art are permitted. Items of a seasonal nature must be removed within 10 days of seasonal event (1 day for each seasonal sporting event). if they are no larger than 20 inches in height and/or 12 inches in width. No more than 3 items may be displayed. Up to two flower pots or decorative urns are allowed on the front stoop. The colors of items are to be in harmony with the external design and overall quality of Saddlebrook Forest (no neon). Items of a seasonal nature must be removed within 10 days of seasonal event (1 day for each seasonal sporting event). Exceptions to the above Yard art should not be excessive in size or quantity and should harmonize with the standards of the Saddlebrook community. Water gardens require approval by the ARC. j. Fireplaces Any fireplace chase that is visible from the street must extend to finished grade. All chimneys must be topped by a sheet metal shroud that must be painted flat black. k. Windows and doors All windows, doors, louvers, and window screens must be finished in white or colored-matched to the house trim color. l. Driveways, walkways, and parking areas must be paved with materials that are in harmony with the community and as approved by the ARC. m. Swimming pool, hot tub or spa installations must be approved by the ARC. n. Basketball Goals may be portable or pole mounted. The goal cannot extend past the front corners of the house. Exceptions, as approved by the ARC, may be made for houses with front entry garages. Pole mounted goals must have black poles and the backboard must be white or clear. 5. EXTERIOR COLORS The color of any existing home or structure (including future additions and modifications) shall be in keeping with existing colors and architectural nature of the subdivision. All proposed exterior redecoration, repainting in general (even if color is the same), color scheme changes, additions, and alterations must be submitted to the ARC for approval. Written confirmation of project approval must be received before work commences. 6. FENCES AND WALLS a. No fences or wall other than those approved by the ARC shall be permitted in Saddlebrook Forest.

4 b. Fences shall be made primarily of pre-painted or paintable material, wood, painted vinyl, painted aluminum, or painted wrought iron. Other materials used in fence construction shall be the same as the predominant exterior material of the house. In no event shall chain link fences, other than those installed prior to adoption of these Design Guidelines, be permitted. Existing chain link fences shall be replaced with approved fencing materials when replacement is necessary. This restriction does not apply to common property. c. Fences shall be painted, stained or treated with a preservative so as to prevent deterioration, discoloration or rust. d. Fences shall be painted, stained or have a wood preservative applied within 180 days of completion of the fence. e. No walls constructed with a cinder block, building block, or unfinished concrete exterior shall be erected within view of any street within Saddlebrook Forest, unless veneered with natural stone, brick or stucco to complement the existing structure. f. Fences and walls shall not exceed 6 feet in height, except any fence that borders non- Saddlebrook Forest property, which may be up to 8 feet in height. g. Consistent with the purpose of maintaining a standard policy of open areas abutting streets, the set back of a fence or wall shall be a minimum distance from the street upon which it abuts by establishing the furthermost projection of that portion of the house which faces the street. h. In order to maintain a consistent appearance of the Saddlebrook Forest subdivision, any fence that borders Saddlebrook Forest common property along Hembree Road shall be painted Mission Brown, a solid color oil stain by Cabot, or equivalent, on the outside of the fence that faces Hembree Road. Any improvements or additions to fencing shall be approved by the ARC. i. No fence shall be installed on the front of the property. j. All fences that are parallel/adjacent to existing fences shall match the height of the existing fence. k. All fences shall have the finished side facing the outside of the enclosure. l. Fences installed on corner lots shall not exceed ¼ of the distance from the house corner to the street side unless approved by the ARC. In no case shall they be less than 30 feet from the curb. m. Invisible fences shall not be placed within 30 feet of the street. n. ARC approved retaining walls which are included in a landscape presentation shall be constructed of stacked stone, decorator blocks with a natural stone look, used railroad crossties, or chemically treated 6" X 6" or 4" X 6" landscape timbers. Proper erosion

5 control measures shall be employed if such installation involves grading or other activities that may produce soil erosion. The wall shall be shielded by shrubbery if it is constructed of wood products and is visible from the street. 7. LANDSCAPING a. The predominant ground cover visible from the street shall be grass [lawn] or a mulch material naturally derived from trees. In no event shall predominant ground covers and mulches consisting of rock aggregates or artificial turf be approved. Any barren area greater than 100 square feet must be covered; grass on lawn, mulch on mulch. b. Lawns shall be mowed on a regular basis and curbs, walkways, driveways and islands shall be kept edged. Trees, hedges and shrubs shall be pruned and/or trimmed on a regular basis. c. Each home must have along the street at least a fifteen (15) foot wide border of grass, running at least 80% of the length (excluding driveways) of the property along the street. d. No trees, shrubs or flowers shall be located in the 15 foot border as defined in section 7(c). This section does not apply to the area within 15 feet of either the mailbox or any corner formed by a driveway and the street. e. Tree limbs shall not extend over the street below 8 feet in height. Shrubs shall not extend over the curb of the street. f. Grass variety is at the homeowner s discretion. g. With the exception of the specific restrictions of this section, the selection and location of trees, shrubs and flowers shall be at the homeowner s discretion. h. Rear yards shall be seeded or left in a manicured natural state that is aesthetically pleasing and completely eliminates the possibility of erosion. If left in a natural state, the resident shall ensure that the area is properly maintained so as to prevent the natural area from becoming objectionable to adjoining property owners. i. Yards shall be seeded and left in a manicured state that is aesthetically pleasing and is graded to completely eliminate the possibility of erosion. j. Trees No evergreen or hardwood tree over six inches (6 ) in diameter or any Dogwood or Redbud tree over two inches (2 ) in diameter may be removed without prior written consent of the ARC. However, any tree over six inches (6 ) in diameter may be removed if it poses an immediate hazard to any person or structure. For this purpose, immediate hazard means any tree that is in imminent danger of toppling or dropping limbs so as to cause grave danger to a structure or injury to any person or pet. k. Exterior Lighting must be approved by the ARC. Reasonable seasonal lighting may be displayed from the last weekend in November through the first weekend in January.

6 8. SIGNS The following signs are permitted: 1. Yard/Garage sales with City permit decal attached 2. Real Estate 3. Community/Neighborhood Events 4. Security Signs 5. Work-in-process signs from vendors: One sign per contractor to be removed the day the contractor finishes. 6. Political signs (Maximum 4 square feet per sign, removed within 24 hours of the end of the election).