Architectural Standards
Page Last Updated: June 25, 2008
Design Standards
Disclaimer: These
Design Standards will be reviewed and may be amended from time to time.
It is anticipated that changes will involve clarification rather than
substantive modification of the existing Design Standards. They may also
be amended to reflect changed conditions or technology. Any amendments shall be
adopted, as were the original Design Standards, by the Board of Directors
and shall be updated on this website upon the approval of the Board of
Directors.
Design Standards
ADDRESS NUMBERS -- Street Address
numbers not installed by the builder require an application. Numbers
should be legible, but should be of a size and color that is appropriate
for the structure. Decorative house numbers may be acceptable dependent
upon the location and style.
AIR CONDITIONERS -- Air conditioning
units extending from windows or protruding from the existing structure are
prohibited. Additional exterior air conditioning units which are
typically installed on a level pad on the ground, or the relocation of existing
units may be considered so long as they are placed near existing units and do
not have an adverse audible or visible impact on adjoining lots or open spaces.
ANTENNAS -- To comply with the
Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996, prior approval of the Architectural
Committee is not required for the installation of a satellite dish or antenna.
Prior notice of such an installation or planned installation is
requested. Please, when considering installation, attempt to select the
least visible and least obtrusive location.
ATTIC VENTILATORS -- Attic Ventilators
and turbines shall be mounted on the least visible side of the ridgepole so as
to minimize their visibility from public areas and adjoining lots.
CHIMNEYS -- Chimneys Vents and
Flues should be as unobtrusive as possible and should not be a nuisance to the
adjacent properties.
CLOTHESLINES -- Permanent
clotheslines or similar apparatus for exterior drying is not permitted.
COMPOST BINS -- Compost Bins can
become quite malodorous. Therefore, due to the close proximity of all
homes in the community, out of respect to the others in the neighborhood,
compost bins will not be permitted.
DECKS -- Decks provide for an
extension of a home's living space. They may be designed to include bench
seating areas, overhead timbers for shade and hanging plants, planter areas,
and hot tubs with appropriate scale privacy screening. When deck design
schemes include other exterior changes, such as fencing, lights, plantings,
etc., other appropriate sections of the design standards should be consulted
prior to application. All decks must meet
·
Location - Decks shall be located in rear yards and shall have a
minimum of one (1) foot setback from the property line.
·
Size and Scale - Deck size should be appropriate to the scale of
the town home as sited on the lot. Decks must meet
·
Decks on interior town homes must be set in at least one foot on
either side. End unit town homes must be set in one foot on the side that
abuts an interior unit.
·
Under Deck Storage - Raised decks include an under deck area which
has a visual impact on neighbors in the surrounding area. When using an
under deck area for informal storage, the impact on the neighbors should be
kept in mind. Storage must be maintained so as to present a neat
uncluttered appearance. Screening such as lattice work or landscaping may
be required to hide tall, spindly deck supports or objectionable views. Exits from the town house should not be
blocked, as this may constitute a fire hazard.
·
Material and Color - Materials should have natural weathering
qualities as do brick, wood and stone. Wood in decks may be painted to
match the trim or dominant color of the applicant's townhouse, be sealed with a
natural wood stain or be left to weather naturally.
·
Railing Details - Railings of decks may include decorative designs
but must meet minimum
·
Stairs - When the use of stairs is desired, the Architectural
Committee encourages the practice of interrupting the flight of stairs with a
landing for both safety and appearance. Stairs, as well as tread and
riser dimensions must meet
·
Drainage - If changes in grade or other conditions that will
affect drainage are anticipated, they must be indicated on the application,
with drainage areas shown on the site plan. Approval will be denied if
adjoining properties are adversely affected by changes in drainage.
Serious consideration should be given in making ground level surfaces of
porous material or providing mulched beds to offset additional impervious deck
or patio area.
DOG HOUSES -- The use of doghouses
is discouraged. However, the Architectural Committee will consider
applications on a case-by-case basis. Doghouses must be located within a
fenced area. (See: Fences) Doghouses should not exceed sixteen (16)
square feet or be higher than four (4) feet. Doghouse areas are to be
kept free of animal waste and debris. Dog Runs are prohibited.
DOORS -- Any
changes or additions should include a picture from the manufacturer's brochure.
·
Front Doors - Front doors, should be of a style consistent with
the design of the neighborhood and elevation of the town home.
·
Garage Doors - Garage doors, should also be of a style consistent
with the design of the neighborhood and elevation of the town home. They
should be closed when not in use.
·
Storm Doors - Front storm doors should be full view without
significant decoration or edging. They should match the color of the
entrance door or the trim around the entrance door. Windowpane designs
and a kick panel at the bottom are permitted as long as it is consistent with
the elevation of the town home.
ELECTRONIC INSECT TRAPS - Electronic insect
traps will be regulated based on the same criteria as for exterior lighting.
In addition, no device shall be installed or maintained in such a way as
to cause discomfort to adjacent owners from noise, and may only be operated
during those times when the immediate area protected by the trap is occupied by
the owner or guests.
EXTERIOR
DECORATIVE OBJECTS - Approval will be required for all exterior decorative
objects, exceeding thirty (30) inches in height and eighteen (18) inches in
width or depth, including natural and man-made objects. Decorative objects will be considered based
on their size, color, scale, appropriateness with the surrounding area, and
their visual impact of adjoining lots and open space. Exterior decorative
objects include such items as sculptures, fountains, pools, stumps, driftwood,
freestanding poles of any type, and items attached to approved structures.
Approval
is not required for "Welcome home", "Birthday" or any other
celebratory and temporary items.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - Exterior lighting
(flood lighting, motion sensors, entrance lighting, etc.) shall not be directed
outside the applicant's property. Replacement lighting fixtures should be
compatible in style and scale with the applicant's townhouse. Lighting which is part of the original
structure must not be altered without Architectural Committee approval.
Applications for exterior lighting should include wattage, height of
light fixture above ground, and a complete description including descriptive
material of the light fixture and location on the property. Landscape Lighting
located along a walkway or among shrubbery will be considered so long as it
does not detract from the overall lighting appearance of the home and property.
FENCES - Any back yards
obscured by fences may be maintained landscaped in any way desirable to the
town home owners as long as this does not present a health hazard or offensive
environment to the immediate neighbors, and does not interfere
with natural drainage of the surrounding areas. Proper fencing can have a unifying effect
upon a neighborhood. Therefore, to continue with the existing styles, all
fences will be of the board-on-board type constructed of natural woods with the
finished side facing out. The height of the fence should be compatible
with any partial fencing installed by the builder and should be approximately
six (6) feet high. Fencing is restricted
to rear yards. On end unit townhouses, the fence may extend to the side
property line, and may extend forward to the midpoint of the townhouse.
Gates can be located as the homeowner desires and should complement the
design of the fence.
FIREWOOD - Firewood should be
stacked neatly in the back yard within the property boundaries. Any
cover used should be of a muted brown or tan.
FLAGPOLES - Flags and banners
celebrating the season or holiday or expressing team sprit are a welcoming
sight in a neighborhood. Flag poles that are attached to the side of the
home at an angle and do not exceed six (6) feet in length do not require an
application. Freestanding flagpoles would exceed the scale of the yard
and are therefore not permitted.
GARAGES - Garages are meant for
use by vehicles and not for storage to the exclusion of the vehicle. Code
requires the garage be usable by a vehicle., but not necessarily used by a
vehicle. Using a garage as an obvious pet confinement area is
not permitted.
GRILLS - Permanent grills or
barbecue areas will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Construction
design, scale and materials of permanent grill areas must complement the
existing townhouse and lot.
GUTTERS - As part of new
construction by a homeowner, gutters must match or complement the existing trim
color or area of the home to which they are attached. Extensions of
downspouts at ground level are discouraged because of drainage considerations
on adjoining properties and open spaces. All downspout extensions must be
managed in such a manner to adequately control runoff, according to correct
engineering practices.
LANDSCAPING - An application is
required when plant materials will become hedges, fences, barriers or screens
which meet or exceed [either at installation or at maturity] two (2) feet in
height. Hedges and the like will generally only be considered for rear and
side yard (not extending forward of the front plane of the home into the front
yard) installations. An application is also required for front yard use
of railroad ties, landscape timbers or stone is contemplated for a boarder and
the height of such ties, timbers or stones will exceed twelve (12) inches.
PAINTING - An application is not
required for re-painting or re-staining a specific object to match its original
color. An application is required to change the color of the
townhouse siding, doors, shutters, trim, roofing and other appurtenant
structures. Change of exterior color should relate to and complement the
colors of the townhouses in the immediate area.
Any copper roofs must be painted using paint specific for Copper
surfaces in a shade consistent with the original.
PATIOS - Patios provide a means
for ground level extension of indoor space with less visual impact than
elevated decks. Patios should be installed within county setback required
limits, and not across Building Restriction Lines (BRL). Patios may be
constructed of wood, concrete, brick, landscape slate, flagstone, etc.
RECREATION and PLAY
EQUIPMENT
- Creatively designed play equipment is encouraged. The Design Standards
listed below are provided in an effort to reconcile the need for play
equipment with the goal of minimizing its visual impact. Careful thought
should be given to location and kinds of equipment to be installed since
neighborhood facilities will be of a larger scale and have greater usage.
The use of wooden styles is recommended.
Location
and Site - Play equipment must be placed in rear yards. Consideration
will be given to lot size, equipment size and design, amount of visual
screening, etc. Permanent basketball
backboards are prohibited. Portable basketball backboards are permitted
provided that they are stored out of sight when not in use.
ROCK/WATER GARDENS - Rock gardens require
an application if the rocks or collection of rocks exceed twenty four (24)
inches in any direction. All rocks are to remain in their natural color.
Water gardens require an application. The applicant should
seriously consider location of such a feature so that the safety of household
members and neighbors is considered.
ROOM ADDITIONS - Room Additions to be
considered must meet all local zoning and construction codes.
·
Size and Scale - Room Additions should be appropriate to the scale
of the home as sited on the lot. They must meet
·
Material and Color - New construction should match the existing
townhouse in materials and color, except that they may also be constructed
of natural woods. In all cases, the roof must be shingled to match the
existing townhouse.
SIDEWALKS and PATHWAYS - The installation of
sidewalk or pathways on a lot will be considered if it seems appropriate for
the intended use and is appropriate to the size and scale of the lot.
Stone, concrete, slate, flagstone or brick would be appropriate
materials.
SIGNS - No signs may be
posted on any lots, other than one real estate sign listing a property for
sale, or a security sign posted within ten (10) feet to the immediate left
or right of, and/or two (2) feet out from the front and real entrance of a
home. Signs, either temporary or permanent, advertising products or
services, whether provided by the homeowner or others are prohibited.
SKYLIGHTS - Skylights will be
considered on a per request basis. Most designs are acceptable and will
be approved.
SOLAR PANELS - Solar panels are
prohibited unless camouflaged in some manner.
STORAGE
SHEDS -
Any storage shed has an aesthetic impact on neighboring lots.
Inconsiderately placed or poorly designed sheds can visually and
functionally negate an otherwise desirable residential area. Therefore,
it is
important
to remember in choosing and locating a shed that there are needs other than
storage that must be considered.
Storage Shed Design Criteria:
·
The shed should be designed to appear as part of the townhouse,
the fence or may be a part of a gazebo, deck or other outdoor improvement.
The materials and color of the shed must match that of the improvement to
which it is attached.
·
No shed shall exceed sixty-four (64) square feet.
·
No pre-fabricated sheds will be permitted in unfenced yards.
STORM
WINDOWS
- Exterior storm windows may be considered where the style of the windows and
frames match the style and color of the existing window.
SUN CONTROL DEVICES - The manner in which
sun control is implemented can have a significant affect on the exterior
appearance of a townhouse and the desirable benefits of sun exposure in the
winter, fall and spring. Materials are
available for application on inside of windows to reduce thermal transmission
and glare. These materials may provide effective and economical
alternatives to awnings and trellises.
·
Sun control devices should be compatible with the design and
character of the townhouse in terms of style, color and materials.
·
Awnings should be of simple designs and subtle colors.
·
Awnings and trellises should be consistent with the visual scale
of the townhouses to which they are attached.
·
Trelliswork should match the trim or dominant color of the
applicant’s home, or be constructed of natural woods. Pipe frames
and mechanical devices for awnings should be painted to match trim or dominant
color of the townhouse. If awnings are removed for winter storage, frames
should be secured or removed to the extent possible.
SUNROOMS/SCREENED
PORCHES
- Sunrooms will be reviewed as room additions.
·
Size and Scale - Sunrooms and screened porches should be
appropriate to the scale of the home as sited on the lot. They must meet
·
Material and Color - Sunrooms shall be a glass enclosure.
The use of plastics would be discouraged. Screened porches
should match the existing townhouse in materials and color, except that
they may also be constructed of natural woods. In all cases, the roof
must be shingled to match the existing townhouse.
SWIMMING
POOLS -
Wading pools do not require an application, but must be removed from view when
not in use. These may not exceed six (6) feet in diameter and/or one (1)
foot in height.
TRASH/RECYCLING
CONTAINERS - Trash cans and recycling containers must be stored out of view
of the street or adjoining properties at all times, except on scheduled pickup
days. Containers should be put out on the morning of trash collection but
may be placed out at curbside as early as after dark on 4:00pm of the evening
before pickup day, and removed the day of pickupby 6:00am the morning after.
Storage in front of or alongside the home is inappropriate.
Screened areas for trash and recycling container storage may be
incorporated into a deck design.