WHAT ARE THE ARCHITECTURAL STANDARDS?

The Standards are based on the General Covenants contained in the Restated and Amended Declaration of Covenants, Easements and Restrictions Meadowville Landing Association, Inc. (as amended and supplemented, the “Declaration”). They describe exterior alterations that are most likely to be requested by homeowners. They establish certain minimum requirements for land use, architectural design and property maintenance throughout the community. In many cases, they detail alterations that are most likely to be approved in typical circumstances. Some Standards may also describe specific alterations which are not permitted.

HOW DOES THE ARCHITECTURAL GUIDELINE PROCESS WORK?

The General Covenants provide for the appointment of an Architectural Review Committee (ARC). The ARC typically works with the builders until a permit of occupancy has been rendered. The Association has also formed an Architectural Review Sub- Committee (ARSC) which is made up of volunteers with efforts made to obtain an equal representation from each section. All decisions are made by the ARSC. If desired, a homeowner may appeal the decision to the HOA Board of Directors if it believes that the decision was not correct or should be reconsidered.

WHY DO WE HAVE ARCHITECTURAL STANDARDS?

Many people who have lived in developments without architectural controls may have seen or experienced a well-cared-for, well-decorated home next to one which has been allowed to deteriorate. The controls in the Architectural Standards are designed to prevent this type of situation and help maintain all property values while affording flexibility in property use.

WHAT ARE THE STEPS FOR APPROVAL OF MY PLANS?

When you begin to plan exterior alterations, including landscaping changes you should first consult the appropriate standards. They will help you in finalizing your plans and will tell you if a formal application is required.

If you are questioning whether or not you need to submit an application for your particular project, contact the management company. After consulting the Guideline Standards, complete and submit your application, using the Home Improvement / Modification Application available online at the community’s website.www.MeadowvilleLanding.com

Be sure that your application is complete, clear and is signed and dated. Also, be sure to include, at a minimum, an official plat/plot or site plan and drawing [drawn to scale1] with dimensions clearly marked. Additionally, a floor plan, elevation drawing, photo(s), color chips, etc. may be required for your specific project.

The ARC may reach out to you to request information or documentation that is missing from your application. Homeowners have 2 weeks to submit the requested information or will be sent a letter of denial for the project. Submit your application as soon as possible, allowing at least 30 days for review and processing. During this time, you can obtain any necessary building and electrical permits or variances you may need from the county. Remember, approval of a project by the ARSC does not relieve you of your obligation to obtain county permits, and vice versa.

Your application will be forwarded to the ARSC. Members of the ARSC may request to make a site visit. You may be contacted directly by one of the ARSC members to clarify any application details.

The ARSC’s decision will be approval or disapproval, or approval with limiting conditions or provisions. Then your application goes back to the management company which will notify you of the ARSC’s decision. You will receive written notification in the mail detailing the ARSC’s decision.

If your application has been approved, you will have 3 months to complete your project; the approval is final and runs with the property (not just the residency time of the current homeowner) unless an exception is stated in the approval letter. Applications which are not approved may be resubmitted if they address the reason(s) for the original application’s rejection.

If your application has not been approved, you may appeal the decision to the Board of Directors and their decision will be final.

WHAT IF I DON’T WAIT FOR APPROVAL?

If you start alterations without first obtaining written approval of your plans, you do so at your own risk. If you fail to submit an application, or if your application is turned down or modified, you may be required to remove or change an alteration. If approval is not received prior to improvements being made, additional fees may result.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR STANDARDS ENFORCEMENT?

Every resident is asked to report violations. However, Meadowville’s management company is responsible for the enforcement and violation process. Routine checks are carried out by the management company. When residential architectural complaints are brought to their attention, they are investigated as promptly as possible. If a complaint is found to be a violation, the homeowner is contacted and asked to correct the problem within 15 days (or such other longer period of time as is deemed appropriate by the managing agent, in consultation with the Board President and/or the Chair of the ARSC, given the nature of the violation), either by removal of the problem or submission of an application to ARSC, or by repair in case of a maintenance problem. Our experience is that most problems are corrected at this stage.

If the homeowner has received notification requesting action and that problem is not corrected within the stipulated timeframe, the result may be additional charges or fees and prohibition of using Association amenities.

Upon receipt of the violation notice, the homeowner has a 10-day period in which to request a hearing with the Board of Directors. The Board’s decision will be the final ruling.

HOW CLOSELY MUST I ADHERE TO THE GUIDELINES IN THE STANDARDS?

The Covenants give the ARC the responsibility to set rules and procedures for architectural control. As a part of that responsibility, the Standards presented here have been written by the ARC with input from the resident stakeholders and approved by the Board of Directors.

The Standards will tell you what is most likely to be approved in typical circumstances, and also provide important information on how to prepare your application. Special circumstances regarding your property may allow the approval of an application which might be denied at another location, or may result in the denial of your application which might be approved elsewhere. The fact that a plan has been approved for use at another location does not mean that it automatically will be approved here.

Because approvals are site/residence specific, your application should be as detailed as possible.