ARCHITECTURAL CONTROL COMMITTEE (ACC) PROCEDURES
WHO COMPRISES THE ARCHITECTURAL CONTROL COMMITTEE?
The Architectural Control Committee (ACC) is made up of property owners and Board members. For a listing of current ACC members for The Overlook, contact a member of the Board.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE COMMITTEE?
The purpose of The Overlook ACC is to maintain property values by protecting the environmental and architectural integrity of The Overlook in accordance with the provisions of the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CCRs). Most covenants state that no building, structure or improvement of any character shall be erected, placed, added to or altered on any lot until the building plans, specifications and a site plan showing the location of the proposed structure or structures have been submitted to and approved by the Architectural Control Committee for the Association. These building plans, specifications and site plan must be in compliance with the CCRs as to use, quality of workmanship and materials, nature of materials, harmony or external design and colors with existing and proposed structures, and location of improvements with respect to topography, finished grade elevation, lot boundary lines and building lines, and the like.
WHY DO OWNERS NEED TO REQUEST PERMISSION TO MAKE CHANGES OR IMPROVEMENTS TO THEIR PROPERTIES?
Some owners have requested and been granted approval to add improvements to their properties by following the procedures outlined in the Declaration. However, there are some owners who have expressed surprise and concern about having to “ask permission” to improve or change their property. The Overlook was developed and made subject to a Declaration, and all owners become obligated to follow the terms of the Declaration when they receive the deed to their properties.
WHAT TYPES OF ITEMS REQUIRE WRITTEN APPROVAL?
Some examples, but not all, of the improvements and alterations that may require written pre-approval from The Overlook ACC include:
o Antennae/satellite dishes
o Exterior light fixtures
o Playgrounds
o Fences and walls
o Landscaping (major changes)
o Garage doors
o Solar collectors/panels
o Storage buildings
o Decks and outside staircases
o Patio covers
o Trampolines
o Swimming pools
o Flagpoles
o Painting and paint colors of homes and railings
o Roofing
o Front doors
o Windows
o Driveways and stone pavers
o Basketball goals
WHAT POLICIES SHOULD A HOMEOWNER IN THE OVERLOOK REVIEW BEFORE COMPLETING THE SUBMITTAL FORMS?
Before completing any submittal forms, a property owner should review the following existing policies for The Overlook to ensure compliance with any modification requests:
WHAT ACTION IS REQUIRED OF OWNER(S)?
The action required by property owners is a two-step process.
Step One: Before making any changes or improvements, any property owner planning to change or add to the existing structures on a lot must complete and submit a request in writing called The Overlook at River Place Property Owners' Architectural Control Committee Compliance Submittal Form Request for Property Modification to The Overlook ACC. (The Overlook ACC form can be found and completed by clicking on the link below.) The form must state the details of the intended change and the improvement or need for the variance. In addition, the property owner must attach samples or plans to more clearly describe the projected change or addition. If any change, improvement or action in variance from the Declaration is taken prior to written approval of the ACC, the Association has the right to require the property owner to remove the improvement(s) and/or change(s) from the property in a timely fashion and at the property owner’s expense.
Step Two: In addition to submitting a completed ACC form for The Overlook, a property owner must complete the River Place Architectural Compliance Submittal Addition/Modification form. The River Place ACC form must include all necessary documents. The River Place ACC form can be found and completed by clicking on the link below.
WHY DO YOU NEED TO PUT EVERYTHING IN WRITING?
The formal request and approval process on the part of The Overlook ACC and River Place ACC is necessary to assure that every property owner's desire to improve his or her property can be given due process without discrimination. It will also provide the property owner(s), the Committees and the Association Boards with a permanent record of actions taken under the Declaration.
ARE THERE ANY EXCEPTIONS TO GETTING THE WRITTEN PRE-APPROVAL FROM THE OVERLOOK ACC?
The only time a property owner does not have to obtain written pre-approval is when he or she is replacing ‘like with like’ or when approval already exists for a particular change from The Overlook ACC. For example, if a property owner is repainting any part of the exterior of his/her home, the exterior paint color being used for repainting purposes must already have been approved as one of the currently approved exterior paint colors previously approved by The Overlook ACC. Otherwise the modification is not considered a 'like with like' replacement modification. The same is true for drive-way pavers, roof tiles, windows, front doors, and any other exterior modification.
CAN THE OVERLOOK COMMITTEE GRANT VARIANCES FOR CERTAIN DETAILS?
The Overlook ACC Committee is authorized to grant variances for things such as location, height, number of improvements, materials, etc. However, the property owner must request this variance, giving reasons why the variance should be granted so that the Committee can make a reasoned decision.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER FORMS ARE SUBMITTED?
Once forms are submitted, Inframark staff will review the forms to ensure that all documents are complete, signed and dated by the property owner. Then the evaluation and decision-making process begins on the part of The Overlook ACC and the River Place ACC. This process is expected to be completed within approximately 30 days after which time the property owner will be formally notified of the final decision by Inframark staff.