Architectural Standards
Page Last Updated: June 25, 2008
Objectives
and Legal Authority
The objective of this document is to guide and assist
members of the Architectural Committee, the COPPERMILL PROPERTY OWNERS
ASSOCIATION staff and homeowners in maintaining and enhancing THE TOWNES AT
COPPERMILL COMMUNITY'S carefully designed environment. The Design
Standards address improvements for which homeowners most commonly submit
applications to the Architectural Committee. They are not intended to be
all-inclusive or exclusive. The specific objectives of these Design
Standards are:
· To increase homeowner's awareness and understanding of the Covenants from which authority is granted for creating rules and use restrictions.
· To illustrate design standards which will assist the Architectural Committee, COPPERMILL PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION staff and homeowners to develop exterior alterations and improvements that are in harmony with the immediate community as a whole.
· To assist homeowners in preparing an acceptable application to the Architectural Committee.
· To coordinate exterior improvements with THE TOWNES AT COPPERMILL COMMUNITY'S open space
The authority and responsibility for maintaining
the quality and design in THE TOWNES OF COPPERMILL is founded in the
Declaration that is a part of the deed to every lot in COPPERMILL. The
intent of Covenant enforcement is to assure homeowners that the standards of
design quality will be maintained consistently throughout the community.
This, in turn, protects property values and enhances the overall community
environment.
The Architectural Committee performs its task of
ensuring aesthetic quality of the community and environs by establishing and
monitoring the review process, thus assuring that proposed exterior alterations
comply with the objectives set forth in the Covenants. This involves
regular and systematic review of all applications for exterior alterations
submitted by homeowners.
Section 8.2 of the Declaration explicitly states that all exterior alterations require the approval of the architectural Committee.
Section
8.2.
Architectural Control
"No structure may be
commenced, constructed, erected, placed, maintained or permitted to remain on a
Lot, and no Structure existing on a Lot may be altered in any way including (a)
exterior painting and (b) interior painting or other modifications which are
visible from the exterior thereof) which, in the judgment of the Architectural
Committee, materially changes the exterior appearance thereof, and no Use may
be commenced on a Lot, unless prior thereto plans and specifications therefore,
and a description of any such use, have been submitted to and approved in
writing by the architectural committee."
This paragraph explicitly states that any change, permanent or temporary, to the exterior appearance of one's property must be approved, in writing, by the Architectural Committee. Further, once a plan is approved, it must be followed or a modification must be approved. It is important to understand that Architectural Committee approval is not limited to major alterations, such as adding a room or deck to a townhouse, but includes such items as changes in exterior color and materials, etc. Approval is a so required when an existing item is removed. Each application is reviewed on an individual basis. There are no "automatic" approvals, unless provided for specifically in these design standards. For example, a homeowner who wishes to construct a deck identical to one already approved by the Architectural Committee is still required to submit an application, and be approved prior to the start of construction.