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Answers to questions
Homeowners Responsibilities
Yard maintenance
Driveway maintenance
Appearance
Fences and Decks
Use of Common Space
What happens when prior written approval is not requested and provided
by the ARC?
You may be visited by evil happenings! Failure to obtain written
approval for external changes to properties in McLean Province could
result in legally enforced removal of renovations, restoration to
the original status and/or fines. The ARC or the Board will respond
promptly to written requests. If either the Board of the ARC should
not respond for some reason within 60 days as provided in the Consolidated
Covenants, you can presume approval has been granted and demand
a signed approval for your records.
What happens when I want to refinance my house and the finance company
or bank requests Board-signed documents granting approval for renovations
or improvements I have already done?
Often, when property is refinanced finance companies will require
a signed document ensuring that existing external modifications,
such as decks or front yard designer landscaping, have been approved
by the association’s ARC or Board. Each homeowner is asked
to keep these approvals in his or her files. In emergency the Board
will search its files to assist you. However, if you have not previously
asked for approval for work already done, please do not request
that the Board or the ARC provide you with a retroactive approval.
What are useful watchwords to keep in
mind when I want to do some maintenance on my house?
Be safe, be creative, be courteous, and use good “taste”.
The Board asks that you employ sound judgment, sensitivity toward
your neighbors and foresight in undertaking maintenance projects
and in planning your architecture changes. At the same time the
Board wishes to encourage all owners to be both creative and innovative
in improvements. There are wealth of good ideas that spring from
individual initiative and we wish to foster this creativity. As
a courtesy to the members of the Board and to the ARC, please submit
your written requests for architectural changes in a timely manner.
While the Committee is a benevolent body and will in principle look
favorably on all requests, please do not expect members to jump
to your demands the following day just because you may have discovered
an attractively priced contractor to start work on a pet project
you have been mulling over for months.
How do I submit a request to the Architecture
Review Committee?
Requests for any external change to existing guidelines must be
received in writing, using the attached form, to which you can attach
drawings, designs and descriptions. Address your request to the
Architecture Review Committee (c/o The Board of Directors, P.O.
Box 8134, McLean, VA 22106). The Board and/or the Architecture Review
Committee will respond promptly, also in writing. You should not
begin work on proposed changes until you have received approval
from the ARC.
Why can’t I submit a requested change by e-mail or by a quick
and convenient phone call?
The Board maintains an architecture file on each home in McLean
Province. This file contains records on past maintenance surveys
and requests for architectural changes, if any. A fair and accurate
review of any proposed architectural change submitted by phone or
e-mail is not possible because of Board membership changes each
year, thus you may land with a Board member who is not familiar
with what you are talking about. Also, accurate record keeping is
not possible with the informality of e-mail and phone calls. The
Board asks for your consideration in not requesting variations or
exceptions to established guidelines by e-mail or by phone. As expeditious
as is may appear and as inviting as it may be, it is not fair for
individual homeowners to impose on the private time of Board members
with requests for “rush job” approvals. Please do not
invite Board members to politely remind you to submit your request.in
writing and according to procedures designed to help you and the
community.
What if my regular maintenance does not involve
any external change?
Good fortune has befallen you! Provided you follow the established
and approved maintenance instructions as presented in these guidelines
regarding exterior architecture and property features, you as a
homeowner do not need to have prior written approval from the Board
or the Architecture Review Committee.
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