Frequently Asked Questions &
Answers
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Q. Do you have any
guidelines from the Architectural Review Board?
A. By following
this link, you will find a Guideline to the ARB requirements for
Q. Why do I have to get approval from the Architectural Review Board before doing anything to my house, yard, driveway, or anything else on the outside of my property, even in the back?
A. It is for the
benefit and protection of everyone who resides in
Q. I didn’t find an exclusion in the By-Laws saying I can’t do something. Does that mean it is okay?
A. NO…NO…NO Absolutely not! The By-Laws cannot possibly list every
conceivable change a person may envision, and if we attempted to do so, it
would be hundreds of pages long. For
example, though there are no exact specifications on paint colors, fences,
sheds, murals, or otherwise, that does not mean it is acceptable. No matter how many items and situations you
list, there is no way you would be able to conceive every possible request a
homeowner may dream up. Nor does anyone
know what the future holds. No one would
have written internet restrictions 15 years ago, but they are prevalent
today. That is why we have an ARB and an
HOA. The ARB is there to set trending
for the neighborhood and handle items on a case-by-case basis. That is also why you get written approval
from the ARB before you make any modifications.
Q. Who do I contact
to get Architectural Review Board approval before making modifications to my
property or its surroundings?
A.
You contact the property management company representative Cheryl
Altemose. Her telephone number and email
address is available on the Community Management
Professionals link. For your
convenience, you can click here to open and
print the ARB application on your own printer.
Q. Do I have to get
approval from the Architectural Review Board before installing Solar Panels?
A. Yes. Per Section 14. Solar Collectors. Solar collectors shall not be permitted
without the prior written consent of the ARB.
Any approval of the ARB shall require that the solar collectors be so
located on the
Q. I want to
repaint my house. If the colors are very
close to what it is now, do I have to get approval from the Architectural
Review Board?
A. Yes. Anything done to your home, yard, or
property, must be pre-approved, in writing, by the Architectural Review
Board before you begin any work.
This includes even the maintenance of your property. Note that you must expect a 30-day waiting
period from the time your application is received by the ARB before receiving a
reply. Including mail time, expect at
least 45 days from the time you mail an application to the management company.
Q. I see something
in the neighborhood, but the ARB tells me I can’t do it. If it is against the rules, why does my
neighbor get to have it?
A. There are two
possible answers to your question. The
first reason is the most likely reason: The builder put it in at the time of
the sale. On rare occasions they would
circumvent their own rules to secure a sale.
The Association was run by the builder until the time of turnover. Anything done prior to that time cannot be
overturned by the Association. A second
reason is a change in by-laws by the Association board. Though it rarely happens, the Association
board is permitted to change a by-law.
They are also permitted to establish a new by-law at any time. As long as they consistently enforce the
rules and by-laws in place, they have stayed within the boundaries of the law.
Q. Why can't I park
my car on the street?
A. This is a safety
hazard due to the width of our streets. If
you have ever tried to drive down one of the streets when there are vehicles
street-parked, you realize how narrow they are.
That is why it is included in ARTICLE X, Section 16. Vehicles and
Recreational Equipment. No on-street
parking shall be permitted unless for special events approved in writing by the
ASSOCIATION.
Q. Can I park my
trailer or recreation vehicle outside?
A. No. This is strictly prohibited in ARTICLE X,
Section 16. Vehicles and Recreation Equipment.
No truck or commercial vehicle, mobile home, motor home, house trailer
or camper, boat, boat trailer, or other recreational vehicle or equipment,
horse trailer or van, or the like, including disabled vehicles, shall be
permitted to be parked or to be stored at any place on any portion of the
Property unless they are parked within a garage. Any such vehicle or recreational equipment
parked in violation of these or other regulations contained herein or in the
Rules and Regulations adopted by the ASSOCIATION and/or the Master Association
may be towed by the ASSOCIATION and/or Master Association at the sole expense
of the owner. Neither the ASSOCIATION
nor the Master Association shall be liable to the owner of such vehicle or
recreational equipment for trespass, conversion or otherwise, nor guilty of any
criminal act by reason of such towing.
For complete details, please see your DECLARATIONS of COVENANTS and
RESTRICTIONS.
Q. Some people seem
to drive so fast down our streets. What
is the speed limit in
A. The speed limit throughout
the neighborhood –including the circle– is 25
MPH. It is imperative you
comply with this maximum speed limit for the safety of the children and all
residents residing within. Exceeding the
posted speed limit by as little as 10 MPH causes a great safety hazard. Please show respect for your neighbors and
friends by not exceeding 25 MPH.
Q. We don’t have STOP signs in places, we have YIELD signs in Emerald
Forest. What does the YIELD sign mean?
A. A yield sign means
you don’t have to come to a complete stop, but you are obligated by law to
yield to any oncoming traffic. This is
accomplished by slowing down to such a degree that you can safely stop should
there be any cross-traffic coming from either direction. You are required to stop and allow the cross
traffic to completely go through and exit the intersection.
Q. What are my
homeowner dues used for?
A. Your regular annual fees are used to pay for such things as
common area lawn maintenance, pond maintenance, the recreation center, insurance,
and other budget items. The fees provide
the only income for the payment of our regular bills, so it is important for
you to pay your fees on time, no later than the last day of January. Owners will receive a coupon for each
property. In addition to the normal
annual maintenance assessment, you may be obligated to a special assessment for
a purpose as approved by your Homeowners Association. The Board has the right, with the approval of
the homeowners, to levy a special assessment of financial requirements not
included in the budget.
Q. Can any homeowner attend a monthly Board
meeting?
A. Absolutely. Just remember, a monthly meeting is a public
forum for the Homeowners Board to conduct regular business. It is not open for conducting
questions from the members in attendance.
A portion at the beginning of the meeting is set aside for questions
from the audience, but to plan appropriately, we ask that you contact the Management company at least 5 days before
the meeting to have your issue or question put on the agenda. Where homeowner input is not only permitted,
but also encouraged, is at the annual meeting.
The annual meeting is announced via mail to every homeowner well in
advance. Board members are elected at
the annual meeting. It is also the forum
for discussing issues that may require a Special Assessment or adjustment to
your dues. Be sure to allow time in your
schedule to attend the annual meeting when announced.