COMMUNITY POLICY AND GUIDELINES Revised and updated June 22, 2017 WELCOME! We live in one of the most attractive communities in the entire area. It didn t just happen. It took the thoughtful experience of our early residents who tried and over the years achieved our appealing scene of grace and beauty. Along the way, these observations caused them to develop a set of mandatory rules that help us live together harmoniously. I. THE BUILDING This is a condominium community made up of 22 buildings which are owned jointly by the community as a whole. Therefore, no change of any kind may be made to the exterior surface of any building without first obtaining approval from the Board of Directors through the Architectural and Landscape Committee process (see Article XII below.) a. Storm doors: may be added at the owner s expense subject to using only those of approved design and specifications. b. Window coverings: All window coverings, whether draperies, blinds (horizontal or vertical), valances or shutters must be white, off-white or beige on the exterior side. c. Windows and Doors: The owner is responsible for maintenance and repair of windows and doors, frames, sashes, jambs and hardware thereof. d. Signs: No signs may be hung or displayed on the inside of any window with the exception of security sign decals, which are permitted. e. Real Estate Signs: A unit may place one professionally prepared For Sale or For Lease sign, limited in size to 24 by 36, in the Limited Common area between the sidewalk and building. Only one such sign is permitted. f. Satellite Dish Antenna: While antenna are permitted, an Owner must apply to the A&L Committee for permission to install, principally to satisfy size and location restrictions. Owner is responsible for removing the antenna when selling the unit unless the new owner agrees, in writing, to assume responsibility.
II. LIMITED COMMONS AREA That area used and possessed by the Unit owner. Essentially this is the area from the unit walls outward to include the driveway, the sidewalk and any patio area. a. Personal Property: Personal property in the area is limited to plants, chairs, a patio table with or without an umbrella, shepherd hooks and covered gas grills. b. Outdoor Furniture: All outdoor furniture should blend in with the surroundings. As to size and style, any nice looking, properly sized chair, table or bench in muted earthtone colors is permitted. Chairs of wrought iron or other metal and small companion tables should be both serviceable and attractive. c. Shepherd Hooks: Shepherd hooks are welcome decorative touches when used for hanging baskets and bird feeders. d. Garden Hose: Storage of garden hose must be in the garage. However, from March 15th through October 15th, the hose may be stored at the base of the water spigot in a neatly coiled fashion. Box reels are allowed. Hanging reels are not permitted! e. Patio Pavers: Several units have the builders option pavers installed. In all cases, whether adding to or replacing missing or broken pavers, an Owner may do so as long as the pavers are of the same color and size as the existing pavers. Should the existing pavers no longer be available, the entire patio should be repaved with new pavers that are similar in color and size to the original so that the entire patio is repaved in like pavers. f. Patio gates: Patio gates may be installed at the owner s expense using only A & L Committee approved design and specifications. g. Water fountains of reasonable height are permitted in patio areas. h. Decorative items: 1. Sun Catchers are permitted not to exceed 3 x 5 and not more than four (4) per unit. 2. Seasonal decorations such as wreaths, flower baskets or miniature flags are permitted on or near the unit front door. 3. Holiday decorations: Christmas lights and decorations are permitted to be placed in the Limited Common areas and/or on the building exteriors provided the decorations do not damage the building, gutters, or siding. They may not be displayed before Thanksgiving and must be removed by no later than January 10th of the following year. Other holiday decorations are permitted under the same guidelines, and may not be displayed before or one week after the holiday.
4. Statues: Two statuettes per unit are permitted; maximum size is 24 inches in height. 5. The American flag: The Flag of the United States of America may be displayed at any time following normal flag protocol. The bracket to hold the American flag may be attached to the building trim..what is not allowed in the Limited Commons: We are trying to both achieve and keep an attractive neighborhood. We can by eliminating the following visual distractions. When in doubt, ask! Ornamental rocks or stones (brown river rock is acceptable) Artificial flowers Cypress mulch Swing set, picnic table or outdoor building Laundry pole or clothesline Laundry of any kind, towels, banners, bathing suits or other such items Plastic lawn ornaments Decorative flags not otherwise detailed as seasonal Windsocks/wind chimes III. THE COMMONS AREA This is the area that is used in common by the owners of the community. Essentially this covers the streets, driveways, lawns and planting areas outside the sidewalks, driveways and patios. a. Landscape Plants: Any planting of new shrubs in this area must be approved by the Board of Directors through the A&L Committee application process. Such plantings will continue to be the responsibility of the resident. b. Flowers: Flowers are not permitted around any tree in the commons area. c. Seed bird feeders are allowed in the natural (non-maintained) areas in the community when mounted on a post or Shepherd hooks. Please note that some units do not have a non-maintained natural area near them.
IV. PETS Dogs and cats are wonderful companions but they require constant attention themselves, while that attention is not always what neighbors want from your pet. Therefore certain restrictions, gleaned through long experience, have been put forth as rules to live by: a. Pets shall be house pets, limited to dogs and cats not bred or maintained for commercial purposes. Declaration Article 3 page 4 sets forth the guidelines governing pets which among other things restricts the number and weight of the animals to a set maximum weight of fifty (50) pounds for any one animal or for the combined mature weight of two (2). Adopted rescue pets may be given consideration subject to breed and weight. Loud barking, noises, aggressive action, frequent running loose and such behaviors disturb the suburban routine and will be grounds for action by the Board of Directors. b. All pets when outdoors shall be maintained on a leash not more than 8 feet in length. They shall be supervised by a responsible individual at all times. Such individuals shall be responsible for the immediate cleanup and proper disposal of all pet litter. Proper disposition does NOT include the tossing of pet litter into the natural areas surrounding the property. Pets are not permitted in the pool or Common areas, nor may they be tethered outside in the lawn or Common area, nor tied to any patio fence. c. Pet owners may be fined for violations of these policies at the rate of $25.00 for each offense. If pets become a nuisance, they may be ejected at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
V. PARKING/VEHICLES Our streets do not allow much maneuver room so parking rules are a must to be fair to all. FIRST among these is that no vehicle shall be parked in any manner at any time that blocks any street or driveway, or the ingress/egress to any garage other than the unit owner. Now, there follows more of what you can and can t do: a. All parking by residents or guests must be within the garage or in the Limited Common area in front of the garage door or in the side drive or in parking spaces at the Clubhouse area. Cul-de-sac parking is permitted for guests and residents during social events and under other special circumstances. There are two (2) emergency entrances into the community from Highway 51. One entrance is located in the cul-de-sac at the end of Polo View Lane. The other entrance is located in front of units 2656 and 2660 on Polo Club Boulevard. There is to be NO parking in either of the two emergency entrances. Any vehicle parked in either of these emergency entrances is subject to being towed at the owners expense. b. Time limited parking: No boat, trailer, motor home, truck (larger than a ¾ ton pickup), travel trailer or any vehicle with commercial advertising may be parked in any street or driveway overnight. Specialized vehicles designed for medical or recreational purposes will be permitted to park in front of the Owners garage for up to forty eight (48) hours to allow for loading and unloading. Commercial moving vans and trucks when in the area to perform service are authorized exceptions. Parking in the Clubhouse and Common areas for whatever reason is subject to a fortyeight (48) hour maximum time limit. Consult with the Block Captain for an extension. Any vehicle exceeding its time limit or any unidentified vehicle is subject to being towed at the owner s expense. The speed limit within the community is 14 mph. Please inform any guests or visitors about the speed limit. Reckless operation, excessive speed and parking or driving on the lawn area is prohibited.
VI. TRASH COLLECTION: The rules come from both Mecklenburg County and the City of Matthews. Pickup days are on a published schedule. Trash containers are potential traffic hazards when placed incorrectly. On collection day, they must be set out at the main street, next to the curb at the end of your driveway. They are not to be set out before 5 PM on the day preceding collection and should be put away by 9 AM the day of collection. Only trash containers with lids or securely tied plastic bags are permitted for trash disposal. Trash containers when not set out for collection, must be kept inside the garage. Residents are responsible for cleanup of trash spillage from the containers. VII. SOLICITATION AND GARAGE SALES: Solicitation by commercial enterprises is not authorized within the Community. In a like manner and due to restricted parking availability, garage sales and tag sales are specifically prohibited unless approved by the Board of Directors. VIII. CONDOMINIUM SALES: Any owner, prior to completing the sale of their unit, is responsible for: a. Making certain that all Association dues are current. b. Informing the Association management company of ownership change at the time the closing date is established. c. Making certain that the new owners receive the following documents: Declaration of the Polo Club of Matthews Condominium (including the By-Laws), and Community Policy and Guidelines. IX. SWIMMING POOL: Please refer to regulations for the swimming pool. X. CLUBHOUSE: Please refer to regulations for the clubhouse. XI. GAS GRILL: Please refer to regulations for the Clubhouse gas grill. XII. APPLICATION PROCESS: The process is fairly simple, with complete instructions found on the Application for Architectural and/or Landscape Changes. Submit two copies of the application and all required attachments to any member of the A & L committee. The procedure for handling the application and the timeline thereafter is detailed on the form itself. Copies may be found in the clubhouse at the bulletin board.
XIII. APPEALS PROCESS: If an application for a change to these Guidelines is presented to and denied by the A&L Committee, the applicant has the right to meet with the Committee for clarification of the decision. If there is still disagreement, the applicant has the right for review with the Board of Directors in company with a representative of the A&L Committee. XIV. AMENDMENT: These policies and guidelines are subject to change from time to time at the discretion of and majority vote of the Board of Directors.