Lakewood at Darby Architectural Review Committee INTRODUCTION Approvals Process Lakewood at Darby is designed to be a unique community of homes based on thoughtful land planning and sound architectural design. As years pass and as additions and improvements are made, it will be very important to keep the entire community in mind and not merely the individual improvement. In order to insure property values that uphold the architectural integrity of the community, the Architectural Review Committee was established. BACKGROUND Lakewood at Darby was developed by MI Homes, Inc. MI Homes has established the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions for Lakewood at Darby that each resident receives at closing. The Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions for Lakewood at Darby require that all improvements to each lot and home, including but not limited to landscaping, building additions, fences, walls, decks, patios and revisions in colors on exterior materials, shall be approved by the Architectural Review Committee or ARC. This review is to occur prior to the installation of any such improvements. This document also permits that the ARC will be comprised of 3 members of the Lakewood at Darby community who are selected by the Lakewood at Darby Homeowners Association. This committee provides a more efficient response time and also allows for more homeowner representation in the process. The ARC will review all applications for compliance with the Guidelines and grant or deny approval. Homeowners may appeal for further review by the elected Board members, if necessary. Final decisions regarding appeals and the Design Guidelines will be made by the 3 members of the Lakewood at Darby Homeowners Association who were elected by the residents of Lakewood. DESIGN GUIDELINES The proposed improvements to your home should be tastefully and professionally designed to add character and increase the value of your property, and those around you. The ARC requests that you contact your neighbors as a courtesy before making any major changes to your property. The following is a summary of the Lakewood at Darby Design Guidelines. It is required that all additions utilize the exact same architectural design and materials as the original home, such as: Established 03/12/2006, revised 10/18/2007 1
Foundation, if applicable Architectural Siding Windows Roof Materials Paint Colors Architectural Trim Roof Pitch THE ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE The ARC has the authority to approve, modify, or disapprove any and all proposed exterior physical improvements to your home and/or property. This would include but is not limited to the following improvements: I. Architectural and Structural Improvements and Additions PORCHES SUN ROOMS ROOM ADDITIONS ALTERATIONS TO THE PHYSICAL STRUCTURE OF YOUR HOME ALTERATIONS TO THE COLOR OF YOUR HOME The above improvements must be approved by the ARC as well as the Lakewood at Darby Homeowners' Association. All approved construction projects must be completed within a reasonable time frame. Submittal Process for Architectural and Structural Improvements or Additions It will be necessary to submit the following: 1. 2 copies of Site plan to scale showing the entire lot with all easements and setbacks, existing built structures and clearly defined new structures in roof plan. Also include driveways and patios. 2. 2 copies of Floor Plans to scale showing new structure and pertinent information with relationship to existing built structures. 3. 2 copies of Elevations to scale showing all sides with relationship to existing built structures. All materials to be clearly noted. 4. Actual Site and House Photos from several angles. After all necessary information has been submitted, final comments and/or approval should be available in approximately 4 weeks. Established 03/12/2006, revised 10/18/2007 2
II. Non-Structural Improvements FENCING All side yard and rear yard fencing is required to be in compliance with the Declarations of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions of the community. Chain link is just one example of an unacceptable fence style. Acceptable materials are wood, vinyl, stone and brick. Fence must be natural color, black or white. Fence is not to exceed 42 in height. Fencing is to be installed within your property line. The homeowner is responsible for maintaining their property on both the inside and the outside of their fence. Fences are not permitted to run across a driveway. No front yard fencing will be permitted. Please be advised that if a fence is installed without the approval of the Lakewood at Darby Homeowners Association, it may result in fines as well as the removal of your fence at the owner s expense. DECKS Decks are to be an extension of the homes architecture with attention to detail in railings and steps. All deck materials must be painted to match the color of the home or stained natural. Landscaping is strongly encouraged to give the deck a finished look. PATIOS Patios must be approved for their material construction as well as their location. TRELLIS & ARBORS Trellis and Arbors must be approved for materials, paint colors and location. FISH PONDS. FOUNTAINS AND FIRE PITS Established 03/12/2006, revised 10/18/2007 3
Fish ponds and permanent fountains and fire pits must be approved for materials, paint colors and location. GAZEBOS Gazebos must be approved for materials, paint color, location and design. They must be open and not used for storage. HOT TUBS Hot tubs must be approved for location. The ARC requires that hot tubs be placed in an appropriate location with the least visual impact on neighboring homes. It is required that all hot tubs be appropriately screened. AUXILIARY BUILDINGS Auxiliary buildings including, but not limited to, storage sheds and greenhouses are not permitted. AWNINGS Awnings must be approved for style, color, material and location. SIGNS One (1) Real Estate sign permitted per property. Political Signage is permitted on private property 2 weeks prior to an election day and must be removed within 24 hours after the election. No other signage is permitted without Lakewood at Darby Homeowners Association approval, including but not limited to contractor and construction signs. SATELLITE DISHES Satellite Dishes must be approved for their location, size and appropriate screening. Dishes should be securely affixed to the primary structure, deck, or a support in close proximity to the primary structure or deck. LANDSCAPING Landscaping must be approved for location and materials. This includes any Landscaping that affects the grade of the lot, planting beds, retaining walls, etc. Established 03/12/2006, revised 10/18/2007 4
This is not meant to include typical additions to your landscaping such as annuals or perennials. Approval for the planting of trees is necessary only when you are planting in your front or side yard and in lots of 3 or more at a time. LANDSCAPE WALLS Walls must be approved for height, location and material. PLAYGROUNDS. SWING SETS and RECREATIONAL EQUIPMENT Swing sets are to be wooden. Playground equipment, i.e. basketball hoops, sandboxes, slides, swings, etc., should be appropriately placed and must not disturb drainage/utility easements, no build zones or preservation areas. Consideration is also given to the amount of space available for this equipment so as not to overcrowd yard space. In addition, consideration should be given not to place playgrounds, swing sets or recreational equipment approximately 10 feet from the neighboring property. SWIMMING POOLS Above ground pools will not be permitted. Wading pools will be permitted with the following conditions: 1. They must be temporary in nature. 2. No pumps or filters are allowed. 3. Pool height is not to exceed 18 inches. Wading pools must be stored inside nightly. All approved construction projects must be completed within a reasonable time frame. Submittal Process for Non-Structural Improvements It will be necessary to submit two (2) copies of the following: 1. House Site Plan to scale showing existing structures and proposed improvements with property lines and easements. 2. Detailed Plans and Elevation of proposed improvement(s) 3. Actual Site and House Photos from several angles 4. List of materials being used including paint colors, if applicable Established 03/12/2006, revised 10/18/2007 5
Before submitting the above information, the Lakewood at Darby Homeowners Association requests that you carefully consider any potential impacts that your improvements will have on your neighbors and modify them accordingly. The above must be submitted to: The Lakewood at Darby HOA c/o The Case Bowen Company 6255 Corporate Center Drive Dublin, OH 43016 Upon approval, an official notice will be sent to you for your records. If your plan is not approved, you will be notified in writing as to why it was not approved and what conditions, if any, must be met to obtain approval. The Lakewood at Darby Homeowners Association reserves the right to make periodic inspections during construction to assure compliance with these guidelines. Please be advised the Lakewood at Darby Homeowners Association provides an approval on aesthetics only! This is not a structural approval. All building and zoning permits are the responsibility of the homeowner. The Lakewood at Darby Homeowners Association reserves the right to modify any approval if all conditions were not made available to the committee at the time of approval. Guidelines may be updated or modified at any time by the ARC with the approval of the Lakewood at Darby Homeowners Association. Any change or update will also require approval by the board. These guidelines have been established for the betterment of your community. If you would like to suggest a change or addition to these guidelines, please contact a member of the committee or one of your community trustees. Notification of Approval/Contingencv/Denial The committee meets twice per month during the months of May, June, July, August and September. They meet once per month during the rest of the year. Once the committee has reviewed your plans you will receive one of three notifications from the Lakewood at Darby Homeowners Association in writing: Established 03/12/2006, revised 10/18/2007 6
1. Approval Notification - This notice informs you that your plan has been approved as submitted, no changes needed. 2. Contingency Notification - This notice will inform you of any changes that need to be made to your plan in order to obtain approval. 3. Notification of Denial - This notice will inform you that your plan has been denied and provide the explanation for denial. If you do not agree with the contingencies for approval or denial of your plans, you may appeal this decision. Your appeal must be in writing and addressed to the members of the board for the Lakewood at Darby Homeowners Association. This can be sent to the attention of: The Lakewood at Darby HOA c/o The Case Bowen Company 6255 Corporate Center Drive Dublin, OH 43016 Enforcement of the ARC Guidelines Please always keep in mind that these guidelines are in place to protect your property values. These are guidelines you as a homeowner in the community agreed to abide by when you purchased your home. If the ARC and/or Lakewood at Darby Homeowners Association finds any homeowner in violation of these guidelines, the following may occur: 1. A notice will be sent informing the homeowner that they are in violation. 2. The ARC and/or Lakewood at Darby Homeowners Association may request a copy of the homeowners Lakewood at Darby Homeowners Association approval letter as proof that the homeowner did indeed receive approval. 3. The Lakewood at Darby Homeowners Association may approve the improvement under the category of non-conforming or they may request that changes be made or structures removed, at the owner s expense. 4. Fines may be imposed on the homeowner if sufficient notice is given and the homeowner chooses not to cooperate. These fines will be assessed to the HOA dues and are able to be liened against property. Established 03/12/2006, revised 10/18/2007 7