Architectural Guidelines

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1 Finley Farms South Homeowners Association Architectural Guidelines Property management Company In all cases that the Property Management Company is noted in these guidelines It is referring to Vision Community Management South Desert Foothills Parkway Phoenix, Az phone # Fax # FinleyFarms@wearevision.com September 2010

2 Table of Contents Page # Architectural review process 1 Application procedure 1 Review Approval and/or Disapproval 2 Approval Expiration 2 Construction Period 2 Appeal of decisions 2 Architectural Committee 2 Guideline revisions 2 Inspection 2 Antennas 3 Awnings 3 Basketball Hoops Or Similar items 3 Children's Play Structures; Pool Ladders 3 Barbeques/ Fire pits etc. 3 Water features/ fountains 3 Landscaping 4 Prohibited Plants 4 Rock ground cover 4 Turf 4 Hardscape 4 Fences Walls / Decorative Walls 5 S Page # Decorative items 5 Seasonal Decorations/decorative flags 5 American Flag display and flagpoles 5 Signs 6 Gates 6 Gutters 6 HVAC Units 6 Outdoor lighting 6 Room additions 6 Patio Covers /partial shade 6 Patio covers solid 7 Ramadas & Gazebos 7 Storage sheds 7 Other structures 8 Driveways/additional parking 8 Additional sidewalks 8 Solar energy devices 9 Security Devices 9 Window tinting 9 Sun Screens 9 Security/screen doors 9 Pools/spas 9 Painting exterior of residence 10 Index September 2010

3 Architectural Review Process In accordance with the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions for Finley Farms South Homeowners Association, the Board of Directors has adopted the following guidelines for architectural improvements which shall apply to all lots within Finley Farms South Homeowners Association. Each lot owner should review and make themselves acquainted with the CC&R S recorded on their lot with Maricopa County and with these Architectural Guidelines which may be amended from time to time by the Board of Directors. These documents are intended to enhance property values and maintain the high standards of development that exist within Finley Farms South Home owners association. The Guidelines are established to assist home owners in preparing an application to the Architectural Committee for structural and landscaping improvements. Following these guidelines does not eliminate the need to submission of plans for approval by the Architectural Committee. Applications must be submitted and approved prior to any installation or modification. Even if your project is identical to another that has been approved it must still be submitted for approval. Each situation may have different conditions such as, different location, physical conditions or design considerations. Each application will be reviewed on a case by case basis. In the event of an inconsistency between these guidelines and the Declaration, the Declaration shall control. All Architectural approvals will be conditioned upon compliance with all applicable City Codes. Application Procedure Applications and plans will be kept on file at the association s management company and are available on their web site. Once completed they can be mailed to the Property Management Company. ( see cover page for information) The following information should be included. 1) Completed application form, copies can be obtained from the property management company. 2) Plot plan A site plan showing dimensions relation to existing dwelling and property line set backs. Measurements must be shown on the plans. 3) Elevation plans showing finished appearance of addition /new structure in relationship to existing dwelling. 4) Specifications Detailed description of materials to be used, color samples and dimensions must be submitted. The use and appearance of all land in Finley Farms South must comply with applicable Town of Gilbert Ordinances, building codes as well as the CC&R s and these guidelines. 5) Photograph If submittal is for an existing structure or improvement, a photograph should accompany the submittal application. Photos of site are always very helpful pg 1 September 2010

4 Expiration of Approval Work on approved projects must begin within 90 days of the approval date or the approval is withdrawn and before proceeding the project must be resubmitted for a new approval. Once started all construction must be pursued diligently and be completed in 90 days from inception of work on project. Any exceptions to project duration and completion dates must be approved by the FFS BOD. Approval/ Disapproval The Architecture committee shall have 30 days after submittal of plans to approve or disapprove them All applications once approved or disapproved by the committee shall be mailed to the resident. Verbal approvals are not acceptable. Disapprovals will include the reason for request not being approved. Committee members will not be involved in the discussion or voting on submittals from properties bordering their own. Appeal of Decision All appeals of the Architecture Committee s decision must be submitted in writing to The Property Management Company within 30 days of the mailing of the Committee s decision to the homeowner. The appeals are made to the Finley Farms Board of Directors and not to the Committee. Once an appeal has been received by The Property Management Company the homeowner filing the appeal will be given an opportunity to appear before the next regularly scheduled board meeting to present any additional statements or additional information relating to their request. The Board will meet in executive session to vote on the appeal. The homeowner will be notified of their decision in writing by mail from the Property Management Company as soon as possible. Architectural Review Committee The Architecture Review Committee will be composed of a minimum of three homeowners, one being a board member and a maximum of seven with two board members as appointed by the board. There is no term limit except that members serve at the discretion of the board. The board appoints the chairperson of the committee. The committee should meet every two weeks in order to expedite all requests for review it receives. Three members must be present to hold an official meeting. Minutes of all meetings shall be submitted to the property management company for their action. Committee members must be in good standing with the HOA. Each submittal shall be signed by at least two committee members. Guideline Revisions Revisions to the guidelines must be submitted to the board for their review and approval The date of that approval shall appear on the revised guidelines and each set shall be numbered in succession. Inspection Any Member or authorized agent of the architectural committee or the board may after reasonable notice to the owner or occupant of such lot without being deemed guilty of trespass, enter upon any lot in order to inspect the improvements constructed or being constructed on such lot to ascertain that such improvements have been or are being built in compliance with the CC&R s and the architectural guidelines and approved plans, drawings and specifications. Pg 2 September 2010

5 Architectural Guidelines Antennas No antenna pole or tower will be permitted that is visible to surrounding properties. Satellite dishes of less than one meter in diameter are permitted behind the fence on either the side or rear of house. No dish shall be mounted on front (facing the street) of house. Wires must be securely attached to the dwelling and painted to match where attached to the house. Awnings Awnings are to be made of canvas. No prints, or flowered patterns, will be accepted. Submit the manufacturer, color, type and drawing showing where it is to be installed on house. A sample of the material to be used, along with the color and design of the proposed awning, is required. Owner is responsible for maintenance and repair of awnings. Association retains the right to determine when an awning must be repaired and or replaced due to weathering, fading tearing, ripping etc. Awnings are permitted only on the side and rear of residence Basketball Hoops Basketball hoops will be taken on a case by case basis. House mounted goals are not permitted. Portable removable or in ground pole mounted are allowed but must be approved. All basketball poles used in the front of the home must be placed half way between house and street on either of the driveway. Portable units are not allowed to be placed on the sidewalk All equipment must be constantly maintained. Broken backboards, disfigured or bent rims, ripped or torn nets, chipped and/or peeling paint, etc., should be promptly repaired or replaced. Only nylon or similar cord nets are acceptable. Metal or chain nets are expressly prohibited. Painting of keys on driveways is prohibited. Poles are to be painted to match house, white, or black. Children s Play Structures Play structures should be centered in the rear yard at least 10 from the property line where possible When submitting application the perimeter fence height from the ground must be included. When considering approval the committee will take into consideration the appearance, height and proximity to neighboring properties. The maximum height that will be considered for approval for pool ladders, swing sets and jungle gym equipment shall be 8 feet (with a maximum of 10 feet, including an awning or shade canopy). Play pools and swing sets etc. are prohibited in the front yard. Barbeque grills/ fire pits etc Barbeque grills, either permanent or the storage of portable units are prohibited in the front yard. All units either portable or built in must be lower than the surrounding wall in the rear yard. Water Features (Fountains, Etc.) Water features must be approved by the Architectural Committee if placed in the front yard. It is recommended water be chlorinated. pg 3 September 2010

6 Landscaping Owner shall maintain their lots free of weeds and debris; lawns shall be neatly mowed and trimmed; bushes shall be trimmed; and dead plants, trees, or grass shall be removed and replaced in a timely fashion. In all cases, the installation must comply with Town of Gilbert drainage and grading requirements. Any changes or modifications must be submitted for approval. Prohibited Plants The following vegetation types. and varieties are prohibited Olive trees (Olea europaea) other than the "Swan Hill" variety. These trees create considerable pollen which disturbs allergy sufferers. A mature tree produces thousands of olives which drop and create a mess in the landscape. These are also currently prohibited by the state of Arizona. Oleanders (Nerium oleander) other than the dwarf variety and. Thevetia (Thevetia Species). Oleanders other than dwarf or thevetia varieties get to such a size and trunk thickness that they are difficult to control on a small lot. Fountain Grass (Pennesethus setaceum) or Pampass Grass (Cortaderia Selloana). Within a' very few years, fountain grass and pampass grass build up thatch which makes them extremely difficult to trim back. As a result, they are often let go and are unattractive. The grass blades are so sharp they can easily produce sliver cuts. All varieties of mulberry trees. Mulberry trees join fruiting olive trees as a major pollen contributor. Mexican Palo Verde (Parkinsonia aculeatea), known for its extreme shedding. All types of artificial plants and flowers.are prohibited. All varieties of Citrus are permissible within the confines of the rear yard Turf The Town of Gilbert currently does not limit the amount of turf on residential lots. However, Finley Farms South Homeowners' Association joins the Town in encouraging water conservation. It is recommended that you consider turf installation in areas where it can be used for play, for example; and consider desert landscaping in other areas. Bermuda and over seeding with winter rye is recommended. Some better grade artificial turf is acceptable however a sample and the warranty must be submitted for approval. Rock Ground Cover If decomposed granite or other landscape rock is used, it must be of an "earth tone" color and not white, green, blue, red or other bright colors. All rock areas shall be treated with preemergent weed control at regular intervals to retard weed growth. River run rock shall be three (3) inches to six (6) inches in, diameter. Not more than 10 percent of the front yard landscape may be river run rock Hardscape Any hardscape items proposed for front yard installation must be approved by the Committee prior to installation. Materials included in hardscape are concrete, brick, tile, wood, pavers, etc. Examples of hardscape items are planters, walkways, retaining walls, decorative walls and fountains. Any additional pavement areas in any form, ie concrete, brick, tile or wood in the front yard including all fencing, fountains, statuary etc. must be approved by the architecture committee. pg 4 September 2010

7 Fences/walls/Decorative Walls Plans for any change of existing or new fences or walls must be submitted for approval prior to construction. Exact location and height must be included on a plot plan. Front yard decorative walls will not exceed 36 in height measured from the common sidewalk. A 6 set back from the property line is required. Uprights or columns must be of brick, rock, or stucco. Stucco finish and paint must match the existing dwelling in texture and color, Lighting fixtures included in the wall must meet lighting guidelines. Open fencing such as chain link and driveway gates are not allowed.. Adjustment to the height of any existing wall must be submitted with details. and required neighbor s written approval for walls between houses. Decorative items Decorative items are allowed in rear yards but must be screened from view of neighbors and common areas. Front yard items including fencing, fountains, statuary etc must be submitted for approval by the Architectural Committee. The Board reserves the right to require removal of decorative items in front yards based on size, quantity, color, location and any other criteria that the Board may determine Seasonal Decorations and Decorative Flags Holiday decorations may be installed thirty (30) days prior to the holiday and must be removed within thirty (30) days after the holiday. Decorative flags which are house mounted below the roof line do not require approval. Seasonal flags must be removed within 30 days after the date of the holiday. Decorations and flags must be maintained in good condition at all times. Torn, ripped and/or faded flags constitute grounds for fines and removal. Flags may not be offensive to neighbors or the Association. The Board shall make this determination. Flag Display/ Flag poles Flag display requirements: 1. Only the flag of the United States and either the Arizona State flag or a nationally recognized Military Unit Flag (not both) may be displayed. 2. The minimum size of any flag shall be three feet by five feet (3 x5 ) and shall not be any larger than the size appropriate for the height of the flag pole. 3. The maximum height of a pole shall be sixteen feet (16 ). The minimum diameter of the pole shall be 3 and it should be made of steel, aluminum, or fiberglass preferably painted to match the house. Must submit details of base and how the pole is to be secured in the ground. Poles should be placed in the center of the front yard. 4. Wall mounted flag poles shall be a maximum of five feet (5 ) long 1 diameter with attaching brackets painted to match the attachment area. The flag is not to exceed 3 x5. Flags fitting this description do not require prior approval. 5. All poles and flags must be maintained in excellent condition according to the United States Flag Code, Title 36, Chapter Only one (1) permanent, removable wall mounted or freestanding flag pole is permitted per residence. 7. It will be the responsibility of the homebuyer or resident of the lot on which a flag is displayed to do so with proper respect and flag etiquette. pg5 September 2010

8 Signs No sign (other than a name and address sign, not exceeding 9" x 30" in size) of any nature, shall be permitted on any Lot; provided, however, that one (1) sign of not more than five (5) square feet may be temporarily erected or placed on a Lot for the purpose of advertising the property for sale or rent; and political (1) sign by an association member on that member's property, except that the display of a political sign is prohibited earlier than forty-five days before the day of an election and be removed no later than seven days after an election day.. This restriction shall not apply to the Association in furtherance of its powers and purpose. Gates All requests for additional gates or gates must be submitted for the architectural Committee approval. Placement of the gate must be approved by the Committee. Double gates may be installed to allow wider access to rear yards. All gates (double or single) should be of the same material, design and color as the originally installed single gate. Gutters Gutters and downspouts will be considered for approval if the finish is esthetically pleasing and closely matches the color scheme of the home. The Association strongly recommends use of high quality materials that offer long life, as the gutters must be maintained in good condition at all times. Hvac AND Evaporative Coolers No heating, air conditioning or evaporative cooling unit shall be placed, installed, constructed or maintained upon any lot without the prior written approval of the Committee. All units shall be ground mounted, located within the perimeter of the rear yard and screened or concealed from view of all neighboring property. Outdoor lighting All lighting shall be shielded so that the light shines primarily on the lot. Lights which create glare visible from other lots are prohibited. The illumination intensity shall not exceed 1 foot candle power at the lot line Lights should be screened where ever possible. Room Additions Room additions to existing house will be considered on a case by case basis and must be in conformance with all Town of Gilbert rules. Patio Covers Partial Shade Plans for patio covers must be submitted for approval. This type of patio cover is permitted only in rear of house and will be subject, but not limited to, the following minimum standards: All wood must be painted to match the existing color scheme. Horizontal shading members: minimum 2 x 2 rough sawn, running parallel to the dwelling unit, with a maximum overhang of 6 inches past a support. Horizontal support members: minimum 4 x 6 rough sawn. Vertical support members: minimum 4 x 6 rough sawn. pg 6 September 2010

9 Patio Covers Solid This type of patio cover is permitted only in rear of house and will be subject, but not limited to, the following minimum standards. Flat roof pitch less than 1":12" must be modified roofing materials or a built-up roof application with colored granules that match existing roof tile.. The color and quality shall match as close as possible the exiting house roof. Asphalt shingles or mineral caps are expressly prohibited. Absolutely no rolled roofing material is allowed. Post and trim colors are to match existing house colors. Sloped patio cover with 4":12" and greater shall have tile to match existing dwelling as close as possible in style and color. Any extension to existing patio must match the original Aluminum and Vinyl patio /shade covers must be installed by a licensed contractor or bought in an approved engineering kit with colors a close match to body of house. Ramadas and Gazebos Ramadas and Gazebos may be constructed only in the rear yard of the Lot, and only upon the prior written approval of the Committee. Any ramada or gazebo that is approved for construction will meet the following criteria: 1. Will not cover under its roof more than one hundred twenty (120) square feet. 2. Will not be more than ten feet (10 ) high at its highest point. 3. Must be located at least five feet (5 ) on all sides from all perimeter walls. 4. Must be painted the color of the house, with an exception if it is built out of red wood. 5. The roof on any approved Ramada or gazebo must to be tiled, and the roof tile used must match as close as possible the roof tile on the house. 6. Any lighting associated with the ramada or gazebo must also be approved in by the Committee. Any lighting approved for installation with a ramada or gazebo must be installed so that it does not shine into any neighboring property, and should not exceed a general intensity of 1 foot candle. Storage sheds Storage sheds must be submitted for approval. The maximum size of metal or vinyl storage sheds is 50 Square feet. (7 x 7 ) height of the shed, including roof, should not exceed the height of the immediately surrounding walls. Storage sheds 60 sq ft or less in area, whose maximum height is greater then the immediately surrounding walls are limited to 8 in height. Sheds under 50sqft in area shall have a minimum clearance of three feet from any rear yard wall. If height is higher than walls the neighboring owners must sign a letter of approval that is to be submitted with request. Larger then 50 sq ft Storage sheds larger then 50sqft shall be constructed using the same building materials as the house. Must have tile roofing: material to match as near as possible existing house and be painted the same color as the house. Must have a minimum of a five (5) foot set back and conform to Gilbert s construction regulations and may require a building permit pg7 September 2010

10 Other Structures Similar structures (i.e. free-standing: garages, work-shops, storage rooms, play houses etc will be subject to but not limited to, the following criteria: Shall be constructed using the same building materials as the house. Must have tile roofing: material to match as near as possible existing house and be painted the same color as the house. Must have a minimum of a five (5) foot set back and conform to Gilbert s construction regulations and may require a building permit. The purpose for the structure shall be entered on the architectural submittal form. Such freestanding structures will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Much emphasis for consideration will be placed on the lot size for the proposed structure as well as the adjacent properties. The neighboring owners must sign a letter of approval that is to be submitted with request. The majority of the homesites in Finley Farms South will not accommodate such a structure. The town of Gilbert has regulations on amount (sq ft) of building allowed on a lot. Because of soil properties, pest abatement and drainage, it is recommended that sheds and similar structures be placed on footings. In order- to improve the appearance-from adjacent properties, additional foliage to screen such structures is recommended Driveways/Additional Parking Space. In most cases, driveways may be widened to a maximum of 30feet, which will accommodate three vehicles. All driveway expansions must be of concrete that matches the existing driveway, cannot exceed 50% of the Lot width as measured at the front yard setback, and must end at least two feet from the property line measured from the edge of the proposed extension. The lot area between the extension and the property line must be landscaped. Submitted plans must include a plot plan of the existing Lot and the location in which expansion is proposed. The exact measurements of the proposed paved surface must be stated on the plan. In no case can the neighboring drives meet creating a huge expanse of concrete. Town of Gilberts Article 4.2: Off-Street Parking Surfacing A. Single Family Residential Driveways - 50 feet or less. That portion of a driveway within 50 feet of a right-of-way shall be improved with a concrete or masonry surface. Additional Sidewalks Sidewalks installed to utilize the side gates shall be submitted to the Committee and meet the following conditions: The additional sidewalk is three feet (3 ) or less in width, is one foot (1 ) or more from the property line, and is one foot (1 ) or more from the home. The area between the home and sidewalk addition must have groundcover installed to match the existing front yard ground cover. The Committee reserves the right to review and request changes to the addition per these requirements. Additional sidewalks in any other location in the front yard must be submitted for approval. pg 8 September 2010

11 Solar Energy Devices All solar energy devices visible from neighboring property or public view must be approved by the Architectural Committee prior to installation. Panels must be an integrated part of the roof design and mounted directly to the roof plane. Solar units must not break the roof ridge line and should be of as low a visibility as possible from public view. Ground mounted units are possible so long as panels are not higher then the surrounding walls. Pole mounted units are too unsightly and harm the entire neighborhood and should not be considered. Security Devices Security features, including but not limited to lights, doors and window coverings, must be submitted for approval. Security alarms need not be submitted for approval. Window Tinting No aluminum material or other reflective material may be installed on any window. Manufactured tinted windows must be submitted for approval. Sun Screens Sun screens should be compatible with the house colors ie tan, bronze, or charcoal screen material may be installed. The frame for window screens must match the screen material or existing window frames. Security/Screen Doors: Wrought iron security/screen doors must be submitted for approval. Such doors shall be of a color that is compatible with existing color of the home. Silver colored aluminum screen/security doors and/or wire screen mesh doors are strictly prohibited on front doors Pools/ Spas Pools and spas need not be submitted for architectural approval, with the exception of pool ladders and slides which need to be approved and will be considered based upon appearance, height, and proximity to other properties. Perimeter walls on lots bordering Association landscaped areas may not be torn down. Access must be gained by tearing down a front wall at the side of the home, leaving the perimeter wall intact, assuring it matches in texture and color throughout the community unless other access is approved by the Architectural Committee pg 9 September 2010

12 Home Painting Architectural Committee approval is required prior to painting any home, color chips must be submitted with request, paint names and numbers listed in FFS color books are also acceptable. All current color schemes and placement are hereby grandfathered in. Any changes in placement or color require submittal for approval before painting begins. The front door may be painted in any color used on the home ie wall, trim or pop out color or other suitable colors compatible with rest of house with approval. All other exterior doors shall be the wall color. Garage doors shall be painted the body color. All exceptions must be submitted for approval. All vents, gutters, and downspouts must match the trim color when attached to the trim and the wall color when attached to the house. Keep in mind that the paint color and scheme needs to be compatible with other architectural elements, such as the roof color, any stone or brick accents.consider neighboring house colors Use these colors to provide cues when selecting a new color scheme. Also consider the neighboring houses colors. There are color books with 29 approved color schemes designed by a professional color design team for all residences in Finley Farms South. The color books are available at the following locations. The Property Management co, their web site, Dunn Edwards at Val Vista & Ray, Home Depot at Val Vista & Warner, Sherwin Williams at Higley & Williamsfield Rd. some of these suppliers offer Finley Farms home owners up to a 24% discount. Even though the colors in this book have been deemed acceptable you still must submit an application for design review and we would appreciate you noting every thing you want to do. If the form is too short add a page as the more detail you give the committee the better we will understand your request. Application must include brand, scheme number, Paint name & number. pg 10 September 2010