CENTENNIAL at Historic Huntersville Homeowners Association, Inc.

Transcription

1 Re: Frequently Asked Questions From time to time, current and prospective homeowners have raised questions about the application, interpretation, and enforcement of the Architectural Design Guidelines, and although that document is available for access by Members of the Association through the Homeowner Documents section of the Hawthorne Management Company website at the Design Review Board and our Association Manager have compiled the following lists of some commonly used abbreviations and frequently asked questions. We hope you find them useful. I - Abbreviations ARC the former Architectural Review Committee, whose functions are now performed by the Design Review Board. ADG the Architectural Design Guidelines, which are administered by: DRB the Design Review Board, which reviews: RAA the Request for Architectural Review forms submitted by Members of the Association to apply for DRB approval of proposed improvements to the exterior of their houses and lots. ROC The Roll-Out Containers provided for curb-side collection of our Member s recyclables, yard waste, and garbage. Street Trees The trees planted in the right-of-way areas adjacent to Member s lots, in the turf grass area between the sidewalk and the street curb. II - Frequently Asked Questions What does an approved ROC screen look like? How many panels should it consist of? If you choose not to put your Roll-Out Containers in your garage between pickups, you may store one or more of them on the side or in the rear of your home if these containers are concealed within a screen which has been approved by the DRB. The screen must shield the containers from view from your adjacent neighbors properties, as well as from the street and any common open space areas.

2 Typically, approved screens have at least two panels (they generally use the side of the house as a third panel ); one shields the front and the other shields the side of the container(s). All materials used in the screen should complement the appearance of the house in style and color. The Guidelines state that all sections of a fence that front a street shall have a landscape buffer/screen installed on the street side of the fence. What does this mean? Homes on a corner Lot: If you live on a corner lot, you will have to screen your fence from view from each of the streets which border your lot with evergreen trees or shrubs. Each portion of your fence that can be seen from a street is required to be screened; DRB approval of the screening is required. Homes not on a corner Lot: If you are in your front yard facing your home, the sections of fence that can be seen from the street (the sections which extend from the sides of your home and run parallel with the street) must have DRB approved evergreen trees or shrubs planted in front of the fence to help screen these fence sections from view. What kind of shrubs should I plant for screening purposes? The list of recommended plant species are listed on the last page of the Guidelines. It is suggested that you use a mixture of evergreen and deciduous shrubs and trees. Note that the DRB will not approve proposed landscape screening unless the plants are half the height of the improvement (proposed fence, etc.) when planted and are of species which will grow to a minimum height equal to the improvement when mature (within two years). Why did I get a violation letter about my temporary basketball goal? I thought they were permitted in the neighborhood? While basketball goals are permitted, all temporary, portable basketball goals are to be stored out of sight when not in use. You may not leave a portable basketball goal in your driveway when it is not in use. If the basketball goal is a permanent structure, it must be installed in a location approved by the DRB, with approved landscape screening.

3 Am I responsible for maintaining the trees and grass between the sidewalk and the street in front of my house? Yes. The governing documents of Centennial require homeowners to maintain the areas between the sidewalk and the street adjacent to their lot, including the grass and any trees planted in that area. What are the most common violations found during property inspections? Lawn maintenance issues, including, but not limited to, lack of fertilizing, mowing, edging and weeding the turf grass, trimming the shrubs, weeding and replenishing ground cover in the planting and tree beds, pruning trees, etc. ROC violations, including leaving containers curbside after pickup, improper storage and screening. Unapproved changes, additions or modifications on the exterior of your home or lot, including ROC screens, fences, patios, play equipment, etc. General maintenance of the exterior of the home, including pressure washing to remove dirt and mold, fences and ROC screens in disrepair, Why am I just now receiving a violation letter for an improvement on my Lot that has been there since I moved in? In an effort to be fair and consistent in the prescribed violation process, the Association Manager will continue ongoing inspections of the community and will be contacting anyone who is in violation of the community documents, no matter the amount of time an improvement has been on the Lot. I received a violation letter. Who reports the violations? Our Association Manager is contracted to do regular inspections of our community. Many reported violations are those seen on their drive-through inspections. If a Member reports an apparent violation to the Association Manager, a Board member will confirm that the issue does indeed appear to be a violation before notice goes out to an owner.

4 How do I report a violation? Can it be done anonymously? You may contact Hawthorne Management Company to report any issues or concerns you may have. The report is kept confidential and only the Association Manager and the Board know who reported it. Please provide as much information as you can when contacting the Manager, including pictures of the violation and dates, times and addresses. Anonymous reports will not be acted upon. Who owns the streets in Centennial? As each phase of the development of Centennial is completed, after the streets in that phase receive their final coat of asphalt paving, the streets, curbs, sidewalks, etc., are inspected by the Town and when any issues have been resolved, the streets in Centennial will be accepted by and turned over to the Town of Huntersville. Note that the parking lot at the clubhouse is and will remain private property owned by the Association. When do I have to file a Request for Architectural Approval? All improvements to the exterior of houses and lots in Centennial require Design Review Board approval before any work is undertaken on the proposed improvement by the Member, except for those for which the ADG specifically state that DRB approval is not required. The exceptions generally cover maintenance, for example, the replacement of plants in an existing planting bed, and supplementation or substitution of planting bed mulch. What happens if I proceed with or complete an improvement without DRB approval? Commencing (or completing) an improvement before receiving approval from the DRB is a violation of Centennial s governing documents, for which the Executive Board may assess a fine or other penalty, whether or not the improvement meets the requirements of the ADG or is thereafter approved by the DRB. The maximum fine is $100 per violation and, if the violation continues, $100 per day until the violation is corrected to the satisfaction of the Executive Board. What should I do if an improvement was installed on my lot without DRB approval? Submit a Request for Architectural Approval for the improvement with an explanation of the reasons why approval was not previously requested.

5 How do I obtain a copy of the Request for Architectural Approval form? The preferred current inter-active Request for Architectural Approval form is posted on the Homeowner Documents section of the Hawthorne Management Company website, and can be downloaded and completed by any Member. Contact the Association Manager for assistance, if necessary. I have questions about the ADG or an improvement I d like to make; who do I contact for help? Contact the Association Manager, who can arrange to have a DRB member meet with you to answer your questions. For the Design Review Board, John S. Rode, Chairman