Cherrywood Estates Homeowners Association Architectural Control Committee Guidelines

Transcription

1 Cherrywood Estates Homeowners Association Architectural Control Committee Guidelines Requirement for Guidelines: Whereas CCR Section IV.H requires the ACC to provide written guidelines to be applied to it s review of plans and specifications in order to further the intents and purposes of the CCR s, the following guidelines are provided. Also, from time to time, the guidelines may be amended and approved by the Cherrywood Estates Homeowners Association (HOA) Board of Directors. Architectural Control Committee (ACC) Purpose: Keeping Solid Property Values! The ACC is of critical importance to the functioning of the association in accomplishing its mission. The primary purpose of the ACC is to represent the interest of the Association and homeowners to ensure that the visual harmony and beauty of Cherrywood Estates is maintained. The ACC is responsible for reviewing the plans for all proposed new construction, additions, or modifications to any home or lot. The ACC shall be responsible to ascertain that the plans and projects within Cherrywood Estates meets the minimum building requirements set forth in the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CCR s) for Cherrywood Estates and provide recommendations to the board of directors. Homeowners derive the benefit of increased property values as a result of these efforts. Submitting Plans: Any Cherrywood homeowner seeking to modify their property shall submit the plans to the ACC for review through utilization of the ACC Approval Application Form (Addendum A, attached). The ACC will meet within a reasonable amount of time to review the submitted plan. The homeowner is responsible to meet all City of Richland Codes. The committee will vote to approve or deny the plan and notify the Board of Directors. If the submitted plan is denied, the homeowner can appeal to the Cherrywood Estates HOA Board of Directors. Approval of Plans: As stated in the CCR s, any property owner seeking to add to or modify any portion of the exterior of an existing home or structure shall submit their plans to the ACC for review and approval. The CCR s further state that no construction, change, modification, or alteration for which plans are to be submitted, shall commence until the plans and specifications have been approved in writing by the ACC. The ACC will review project applications (See attached form) and provide their recommendations to the board. Much like government inspectors who give final approval of building code requirements, the decision to approve additions, changes, or modifications includes some judgment based on precedence and common standards of construction. ACC Committee Members are encouraged to talk with homeowners and help them protect their investment. Guidelines: In an effort to better define the basis for such judgment, the following guidelines shall be used by the Architectural Control Committee (ACC) and the Board of Directors to provide guidance to Page 1

2 homeowners wishing to make changes to their property that are not specifically covered in the Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions for Cherrywood Estates. 1. Vehicle Storage: a. All vehicle storage shall comply with the City of Richland s Codes and Standards for Vehicle Storage, section Storage, which states: No boats, campers (pickup), large vehicles, motor homes, recreational vehicles, snowmobiles or utility trailers (hereafter referred to as vehicle or personal property ) may be stored in a residential district or on public streets, roads, highways or sidewalks. With the exception of boat trailers as provided above, no vehicle or private property shall remain in a public park or municipal parking lot overnight. Storage of any vehicle or personal property is permitted on private property under the condition that such vehicles or personal property are set back 10 feet from any alley or roadway and meet the requirements of Chapter RMC regarding inoperable and junk vehicles. b. No storage is allowed in front of the house and if a side yard is used, it should minimize viewing from the street. Any vehicle storage area must be set back behind the front face of the house and consist of a concrete pad connected to the driveway and enclosed with a six- foot solid fence of the same material as existing fences/walls. A gate must also be provided, preferably a dense wrought iron gate to minimize seeing the stored item. See the following examples of acceptable storage areas: i. 462 Royal Ann Court ii. 419 Cherry Blossom Loop iii. 454 Cherry Blossom Loop c. Junker or project vehicles and boats are not allowed in the storage area, unless they are completely out of view from the front of the house. 2. Fences: Fences/walls should be of the same masonry material and design as currently exists on the existing or adjacent lot. Wood and Vinyl fence material are strongly discouraged. The acceptable height of fences is 6 feet, however this may be adjusted according to the elevation and slope of the surrounding land. 3. Rain Gutters and Rolling Shutters: There is no need to obtain approval for rain gutters or rolling shutters as long as they meet the CCR requirements for colors defined in Section IV.e. and match the existing colors of the residence. 4. Painting/Stucco work: Requests for painting and stucco work should include the color name and color number, along with a sample tab. 5. Upkeep of Lots: All Residents shall keep all properties and the improvements thereon in a clean, attractive, safe and sanitary condition. Page 2

3 6. Solar Panels: Based on the Washington State law and its provisions, Cherrywood Estates Homeowners Association has established the following guidelines regarding the installation of residential solar power systems: a. Per CCR Section IV (Architectural Control), all modifications including solar power system projects must be approved in writing by the Board, or the Architectural Control Committee, prior to commencing any construction activities on the exterior of the residence. It is highly recommended that Association approval be obtained prior to seeking necessary city permits because the city may not issue permits without evidence of Association approval. b. The Association recognizes that solar panel installations can be roof- mounted or surface (ground or walls of the residence) mounted. The Association has a strong preference for solar panels to be installed either i) on existing roof space or ii) mounted to ground or walls in the rear of the residence not visible from the front of the residence ( drive- up view ). Given that, for purposes of energy capture efficiency, roof panels may need to be installed on roofs facing in specific directions relative to the sun, the Association will not identify any requirements regarding which existing roof areas must be used, but the general rule is to avoid an unsightly presentation to the front of the residence. Proposals to install solar panels on the ground surfaces or walls of the residence visible from the front of the residence are discouraged. Any such proposals must include justification showing that it is not possible to achieve sufficient energy capture (defined as up to 100% of historic electric usage averaged over at least one year) with existing roof space or rear grounds or rear wall surfaces. c. The Association requires that roof- mounted panel designs be intended to conform to existing roofline geometry. A key element of maintaining architectural harmony within the development is to avoid deviations from existing rooflines within a given home. Accordingly, designs, which do not have the solar panels retaining the same angle as the existing roofline, are to be avoided. The panel distances above the existing roof surfaces are to be minimized, as practically possible. Any exposed electrical conduit must be colored (e.g., powder coated) to be color- matched to the roof or other background (wall, fascia). d. Solar Power System applications for approval must include photos (simulated okay) or drawings showing the specific proposed panel layouts and the location of any inverter hardware, or other system infrastructure, which is located on the exterior of the residence. The application must also identify the photovoltaic panel manufacturer and model number (specification sheet would be ideal). The project application must be signed by all owners within a clear line- of- sight view indicating that each owner within this group has been notified of the proposed project. e. The Association understands there is no common- law right to sunlight. However, the Association does have specific statutory authority to protect the rights of solar users in terms of both their ability to install a solar energy system on their property and after that system is installed to protect their access to sunlight, so Page 3

4 that the system remains operational. The Association will not mandate members to cut down existing trees for another member s access to solar energy. However, the Association s restrictive covenants will protect members from tree shading, by requiring a tree/bush owner to trim or cut down a tree that grows to a height that blocks solar access to approved solar panels after installation. Anatomy of a Violation In addition to reviewing submittals and project approvals, the ACC is charged with acting on covenant violations that may occur. In the event the ACC observes or is notified of a violation, the ACC or Board of Directors may elect to send a reminder letter in the mail to the homeowner first. If the reminder letter does not bring the homeowner into compliance, the fine schedule policy (later) will take effect. At any time during this process, the homeowner is welcome to come to a board meeting to discuss the situation. It is always the hope of the ACC that problems can be resolved with minimal action for enforcement. Cherrywood Estates Homeowners Association Architectural Project Request Form Please fill in the blanks on the form below and submit your request to the Architectural Control Committee or Board of Directors. The ACC will then review the request and give a recommendation to the HOA Board of Directors. Additional sketches, pictures or other supporting information may be attached to this form. Please keep a copy of your entire submission for your records. Contact Information: Dean L. Gano; HOA President; Jim Jarrett; HOA Vice President; Jim Sween: ACC Chairman; Page 4

5 Addendum A Cherrywood Estates Homeowners Association Architectural Project Request Form Name: Home Address: E- mail Address: Work to be performed by: Expected Start Date: Expected Completion Date: Description of work to be competed: Phone: (Attach any drawings or photos if applicable) Please Read Before Signing: By signing below, I am attesting that to the best of my knowledge, the completed work will be within the requirements set forth in the Cherrywood Estates CCR s & in accordance with this request and follow all city building codes. I understand that no work is to be initiated prior to acceptance of this request, and should I decide to begin work prior to acceptance, I will be liable for restoration to original conditions should the request be denied. Also should changes or additions be required, a new modification request must be submitted for another review. Approval is based only on the aesthetics of your proposed modification and is not to serve as certification as to the construction worthiness or structural integrity. If the submitted plans that are approved are not what is being built, a lien will be placed on your property and you will be held liable for changing your plans back to its original submitted request or further action will be taken. The homeowner or contractor will take all necessary precautions to keep the job site clean of debris and protect the finished work of other trades from damage such as existing streets, sidewalks and landscapes. If concrete work is being done, all concrete material or residue must be cleaned off all surfaces to include streets and sidewalks. Unsightly job cleanup will be treated as a violation of the covenants. Signature: Date Submitted: Page 5

6 Cherrywood Estates Homeowners Association Architectural Project Request Form (FOR COMMITTEE USE ONLY DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA) Request Received by: Date Received: [ ] HOA Covenants Checked [ ] Approved [ ] Denied Conditions for approval or reasons for denial (as applicable): Approved By: Printed Name: Signature: Date: ACC Comments: Page 6