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Architectural Review
The Architectural Review Board exists
so that Village on the Green can remain a special place to live. Anyone
wishing to make external changes to their property must meet the
association requirements for modifications and submit an application
before initiating work.
Architectural Review Process
- Read the Design Guidelines
The Design Guidelines, as well as other legally binding documents, are
provided to homeowners prior to closing on a house. Please read the
guidelines and application requirements carefully before submitting your
application.
- Submit an Application
Submit
your application, along with any other required documentation to the
management company. Please allow the alloted time period for your
application to be reviewed. Incomplete information only delays your
project.
- ARB Review
The
Board will review your application and perform any site inspections
outlined in the association documents. You will be contacted if the ARB
has questions or if there are problems with your request. Note - the
ARB enforces community guidelines but it is up to you to make sure you
meet local permit requirements.
- Approval or Rejection
You
will be notified of the approval or rejection of your request. If you
have questions about the disposition, please contact your community
manager.
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Building Maintenance
In condominium and townhome
communities, responsibility of maintenance can be confusing. Common
wall communities have common areas, limited common areas and areas
owners own. Below is the building matrix and building maintenance
information specific to our community.
These documents are in PDF format. Viewing them requires Adobe
Acrobat Reader, which is a free downloadable software available by
clicking here:
Grounds Maintenance
In condominium and townhome communities
grounds maintenance is the responsibility of the association. Below
is the grounds matrix and grounds maintenance information specific to
our community.
These documents are in PDF format. Viewing them requires Adobe
Acrobat Reader, which is a free downloadable software available by
clicking here:
Associations are required to have
certain types of insurance for common areas and for protection of the
corporation. In addition, owners are required to have proper insurance
on their property. This section is designed to provide access to
Village on the Green insurance information as well as provide helpful
tips and guidelines for owners.
The
property policy for the association would restore the home
(association) to livable conditions up to a value of $18,850,800 per
occurrence if the loss is due to a covered peril. Per the declarations
of the association, the owner is responsible for their own personal
property, improvements to their lots, personal liability, and living
expenses and such other coverage as desired. A copy of your policy has
been previously provided which would list all the covered perils and
show any exclusion.
Trash Removal
Find out information on trash pick up dates and locations as well as recycling, if available in the community.
How It All Works
Defining Association, Board and Homeowner Responsibilities: A primer on association management
Association Responsibilities
Community
associations are created to provide exclusive benefits to the owners
within a specific real estate development. The responsibilities may vary
with each community, and are in accordance with the desires of the
association members and their elected Board of Directors.
The
specific duties and responsibilities of a community association are
found within their unique set of governing documents. These governing
documents typically consist of:
- Declaration of Covenants,
Conditions & Restrictions (also called a Declaration; Covenants;
CC&Rs; or Master Deed) - Creates the community association, contains
the deed restrictions, establishes mandatory membership and payment of
assessments.
- Articles of Incorporation (though some condominiums
do not have Articles of Incorporation since many states treat
condominiums like corporations) - Sets forth the structure and basic
governance of the corporate body
- Bylaws - Defines how the association is to be operated.
In general, the duties and responsibilities of a community association consist of any combination of the following six areas:
Common Areas
Community
common areas can be as little as a sign and median strip at the front
entrance to a small single-family home community, to as large as a
planned community of 25,000 homes which contains extensive greenspace
(parks, trails), recreational facilities (marinas, clubhouses, pools,
tennis courts), streets and parking areas.
Deed Restrictions
Deed
restrictions are designed to provide a common standard of conduct for
the community, and may define rules concerning the size and number of
pets, limitations on parking and types of vehicles, renting of the home,
age restriction of residents, business use of the home, and maintaining
the appearance of the property.
Architectural Control
Architectural
control provides the mechanism to ensure that the character and
aesthetic harmony of the community is maintained in subsequent years,
and protected from a gradual deterioration of standards. Prior to
purchasing a home in a community association, a prospective buyer should
review the architectural restrictions to ensure agreement with
standards.
Services & Maintenance Responsibilities
Maintenance
and repair responsibilities coordinated by the association provide
consistent appearance and quality of work throughout the community, as
well as the time-saving benefit for the members. The collective group
purchasing power provides for economical services for the common
enjoyment of all residents.
Protection of Property Values
Although
usually not specifically listed within the governing documents, one of
the primary purposes of an association is to protect property values.
Whenever someone allows the appearance of their yard and home to
seriously deteriorate, it often negatively impacts their neighbors and
their property values.
Compliance with common standards helps to
ensure the pleasing appearance of the community, the marketability of
homes, and maximizes - if not enhances - their collective property
values.
Quality of Lifestyle
Another association
purpose usually not stated within the governing documents is to maintain
a quality of lifestyle for all of the community residents. All too
often, we lock ourselves into our homes without having the opportunity
to enjoy the company of our neighbors while celebrating the various
traditions and festivities during the year. The association can and
should act as the vehicle to help bring neighbors together to foster a
sense of community.
Architectural Control
Architectural
control restrictions are designed to maintain the aesthetic harmony of
the community, and thereby also to protect property values. When a
community was first constructed, it likely conveyed a certain look and
feel to provide design consistency - which made it easy for the initial
developer to market the community to prospective homeowners. Over time,
residents will make modifications to the exteriors of their homes -
whether necessary or not - such as changing the paint color or roofing
materials, and the addition of landscaping, fences, decks and play
areas. Without an architectural standard, these gradual changes can
easily affect the appearance of the community. Even for condominium
owners, they may wish to change the color of their door, or paint their
balconies a unique color. These gradual changes may be perceived as
weakening the spirit of common design and neighborhood aesthetic, which
may then affect property values.
Appearance is not only limited
to upgrades or changes, but also to neglect. Not everyone takes pride in
the appearance of their home and yard. Imagine how you would feel to
live next door to a home where the grass was not cut and the landscaping
consisted of dead bushes, paint that is peeling on the house, and an
old trailer with a torn tarp is parked in the street. Architectural
control standards help ensure that this situation does not happen with
your neighbors, so that your - and their - property values are
protected.
Board Responsibilities
Community
associations are governed by Boards of Directors, which consist of
persons democratically elected by their membership. Elections to the
Board are held at the association's annual meeting, and members
typically serve staggered, multi-year terms. During the initial
development of the community, the Board is often composed of members
selected by the developer (or "Declarant") to ensure the community is
completed as originally planned.
As in other forms of
representative government (federal, state and local), the association
members elect persons whom they believe will devote the time and will
best represent their interests. The Board representatives have a
fiduciary duty to use good business judgment and to put the best
interests of the entire community ahead of their own personal interests.
The
Board is empowered to make all of the operational decisions affecting
the community association, with the exception of certain powers which
are specified in the governing documents and reserved exclusively for
the membership (such as approval of special assessments or increases to
annual assessments above a particular amount, or election and removal of
directors).
The Board is required to comply with all of the
mandates cited within the governing documents, and should also represent
the collective needs and desires of the membership. The Board usually
has the authority to determine the broad range of quality and quantity
of services provided by or for the association. For example, if the
governing documents state that the association shall be responsible for
the maintenance of the grounds, the Board may either select a contractor
to perform a minimal level of service, or hire a full-time on-site
grounds crew to provide the highest level of care - choices which result
in a correspondingly wide-range of costs to the members.
One of
the most important functions of the Board is to establish the
organizational structure for the community association. The
organizational structure determines a chain of command to specifically
assign the tasks and duties of the community association to a management
team and committees of the Board. The management team may consist of a
combination of volunteers, paid employees or a contract management
company like Associa and its subsidiary firms. Once established, the
organizational structure should not be changed unless significant
improvements or changes are needed.
The Board is ultimately
responsible for the oversight of the community association ("the buck
stops with the Board"). Although the Board may retain and delegate some
of its duties to volunteers, contractors and professionals, the Board is
still ultimately responsible for the duties it may have assigned to
others.
