What is the Architectural Committee (AC)?
The Architectural Committee is a required group according to the Grand Oaks CCR’s (Article 1 and Article 7). The intention of the committee is to ensure the high quality visual standards of the Grand Oaks community.
The committee is composed of volunteer Grand Oaks HOA members.
The committee is responsible for
The committee is composed of volunteer Grand Oaks HOA members.
The committee is responsible for
- Approving/ denying submitted plans for proposed changes to exteriors
- Interpreting the architectural requirements of Grand Oaks
- Communicating with homeowners seeking approval
- Reviewing non-approved changes for consistency with requirements
- Determining whether a home owner or resident is in violation of Architectural Committee requirements
Who is on the Architectural Committee?
Any Grand Oaks HOA member may volunteer to join the committee. There are only three voting positions, which are filled by appointment by the Board after each Annual Meeting. Additional members are welcome in an advisory, non-voting capacity. The committee is a separate entity from the Board of Directors. The AC reports approvals, disapprovals, disputes, and related issues to the Board via CAM and at Board meetings, but the Board does not have any control over the decisions made.
When should I contact the Committee for approval of work on my house/ yard?
Obtaining approval is very much to your advantage, because approval is permanent: a project once approved is safe forever from any issues with the HOA.
If the work you are considering affects the appearance of the exterior of your home or your yard, seek approval from the Architecture Committee. Failure to do so may result in a fine, and you could be required to restore the impacted area to its original state, at your own expense.
Contact the Architectural Committee before:
If the work you are considering affects the appearance of the exterior of your home or your yard, seek approval from the Architecture Committee. Failure to do so may result in a fine, and you could be required to restore the impacted area to its original state, at your own expense.
Contact the Architectural Committee before:
- Selecting new paint colors for the exterior of a home
- Selecting new color for the front door (the Committee has a tradition of approving a wide range of choices here)
- Building a structure (shed, pergola, etc…) which is visible from another yard or from the street
- Making exterior changes such as changing/ adding/ removing
- a porch
- new windows (where prior windows did not exist)
- a roof with a change in consistency or color
- Moving fencing or adding additional fencing
- Landscape changes such as xeriscaping
What is the Process for Review?
- Obtain an application form from the HOA website or CAM.
- Provide drawings, samples, plans, etc… so that the Committee is not guessing at what you are planning based on a written or verbal description. In particular, provide actual paint chips (not scans / JPEGs / etc) when requesting approval for paint colors.
- CAM will forward the request to the committee, who will review and ask for clarifications if needed.
- The Committee will approve or disapprove by a majority vote.
- Once approved, the resident requestor may proceed, following approved plans.
- If denied, the resident requestor will be given specific reasons the request does not fall within Grand Oaks HOA Architectural guidelines.
- Requestors may adjust their plans to meet criteria. If they are unclear how they can meet HOA guidelines, they may work through CAM to seek a resolution; or request a hearing before the HOA Board to review the facts.
Forms for Submission can be found here.
For questions, contact CAM at the Contact page.
For questions, contact CAM at the Contact page.
What if I already made changes or plan to do so without approval? - May I retroactively ask for permission?
Yes, but obtaining approval before doing the work is better as you do not risk being required to remove or redo unapproved work.
If you feel you have made a change in error or in potential conflict with the CCR’s or Architectural Committee Rules, you may reach out to CAM to work toward resolution at any time.
If you feel you have made a change in error or in potential conflict with the CCR’s or Architectural Committee Rules, you may reach out to CAM to work toward resolution at any time.
When do I *not* have to contact the Architectural Committee?
In general, it is better to be safe than sorry. Failure to contact the AC may result in additional expenses or you may have to revert your change back to the original design.
However, some items do not require Architecture Committee approval.
However, some items do not require Architecture Committee approval.
- Repainting a house using the same colors in the same manner
- Most work occurring in a fenced backyard that does not rise about the fence line should be fine. However, it never hurts to contact the Architecture Committee as a courtesy to let them know you are adding a deck, etc...
Documentation
1.01 Architectural Committee "Architectural Committee" shall mean the committee created pursuant to these restrictions to review and approve plans for the construction of Improvements upon the Property DECLARATION OF COVENANTS, CONDITIONS, AND RESTRICTIONS Page 1 Grand Oaks
1.02 Architectural Committee Rules "Architectural Committee Rules" shall mean the rules and regulations adopted by the Architectural Committee, as the same are amended from time to time
Article VII ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE
1.02 Architectural Committee Rules "Architectural Committee Rules" shall mean the rules and regulations adopted by the Architectural Committee, as the same are amended from time to time
Article VII ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE