Architectural Standards for our community are established in the property deed as restrictive protective covenants and architectural guidelines to assure that our community is built and maintained to a uniform set of standards.  Any new construction and landscaping or modification to existing houses and landscaping requires submittal and approval by the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) prior to the start of the activity.  Here is a link to the ARC form:

ARC_Form.doc

The following items are specifically subject to ARC approval:

• Tree houses
• Play equipment (not permitted on lake lots and shall be constructed of wood)
• Playhouse (not permitted on lake lot)
• Dog house
• Exterior lighting
• Basketball goal (mount on black poles and have clear Plexiglass or acrylic background)
• Swimming pool
• Hot tub
• Tennis court
• Fencing/privacy wall

Fences, in particular, have very specific requirements as described in the Architectural Guidelines for our community.  In addition to the restrictions on placement and design identified therein, there are also specific approved fence colors for wooden fences.

All antennas/satellite dishes shall be installed with emphasis on being as unobtrusive as possible to the community.  To the extent that reception is not substantially degraded or costs unreasonably increased, all antennas/dishes shall be screened from view from any street and nearby lots to the maximum extent possible, and placement shall be made in the following order of preference:

1. Back or side yard behind and below fence line; no attachments to the fence
2. Back or side yard mounted on house, in the least visible location below roofline
3. Side yard in front of side fence, screened by and integrated into landscaping
4. Back rooftop
5. Front yard screened by and integrated into landscaping

Dishes larger than one meter diameter are generally forbidden, though a specific installation may be approved by the Architecture Review Committee.    For a satellite dish installation, please indicate the proposed location of the antenna/dish and the landscaping or fencing that will visually screen the unit.

For reference, Here are some tips for timely processing and approval of your project:

1. Please be sure to put a start and completion date of your requested project and allow 10 days for minor construction and landscaping and 30 days for new house construction and landscaping.
2. Always include an engineering drawing, plat layout, and/or a sketch of your planned effort, including dimensions shown from your property lines and house.
3. For fences or other construction near property lines, make sure you have a legal survey of your lot by a Land Surveyor certified by the Alabama Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors and that you know where the property boundary metal stakes are located.
4. In many cases, an on-site visit by the ARC is required to gain insight for your project prior to approval so please allow time in your schedule for this visit.
5. If your proposed project involves landscaping, please review the Covenants and Architectural Guidelines as to type and size of trees and shrubs required (example: 3 large and 3 small trees required in front yard; 2 large and 2 small trees required in back yard) and note their location by dimensions from property line on the layout/sketch attached to the ARC form.  The mature height and diameter should be used for placement of trees and shrubs.

Your completed ARC form can be submitted to Janie Deming at the Clubhouse, or directly to the ARC chair Hap Terrell.