What exactly is the ACC?

The ACC is an shorthand for the “Architectural Control Committee”. The Declaration of Covenants, Conditions Restrictions and Easement that legally governs the Harris Estates community, give the ACC under Article II all the “powers and duties to do each and everything necessary, suitable, convenient, or proper for or in connection with or incidental to the accomplishment of such purpose, including, without being limited to, the power and duty to approve or disapprove plans, and specifications for any installation, construction, or alteration for any Structure on any Lot.”

The ACC Guidelines outlines not only the guidelines, but the purpose of the ACC, their authority, and the approval process for our architectural requests by our homeowners (ARIs). The purpose of the ACC is outlined in our guidelines:

“The intent & purpose of the ACC Guidelines is to preserve the great charm and natural beauty of Harris Estates through the use of a coordinated plan of development. It is assumed that each homeowner(s) in Harris Estates shall be motivated to preserve these qualities through community cooperation and by enforcing, not only to the letter, the spirit of this instrument that each covenant, condition, and restriction contained herein shall achieve the objective of preserving the splendor of this community and property values therein. (ACC Guidelines)“

According to the authority outlined in the ACC Guidelines, they “define and help maintain the specific standards and procedures for the architectural design, placement of buildings, landscaping, color schemes, exterior finishes, materials and similar features.”

Harris Estates houses and lots have a certain common and intention architectural designs that were created by the developer Jeff Lindsay, or in some cases, by individual homeowners when their homes were designed and built. All our homes are two-story homes with a “European-style” house plans. All our homes have side-entry attached garages. All our homes have a combination of stone, hardi-plank, and brick on the outer walls. We all have granite countertops in the kitchen and master bathrooms. All our lots have a minimum acreage of 1.6 acres or more.

The ACC is tasked to ensure that the original design of Harris Estates remains uniquely Harris Estates. Our homes do not look exactly like the homes in Maple Creek Plantation, Reagan Farms, Kate’s Bridge or even Lake Redwine.

Having said that, it is always possible that the ACC Guidelines and Declarations can change with a majority vote of the neighborhood. Various changes to the ACC Guidelines have been made over the 15 years of the neighborhood to add or amend various ACC Guidelines. If changes to the Declaration is needed, we will need the assistance of our HOA lawyer. Our annual meeting of the homeowners is a great place to discuss any proposed changes that homeowners may want. You can also send us and/or the ACC about your ideas as well.

The ACC committee volunteers serve a three-month term. We are in need of volunteers for some vacancies later this year. If you are able to serve, please drop us an email. Thank you to all our homeowners that have served or are currently serving on our ACC.

Next up in this series we will go over some of the ACC Guidelines. If you have any questions, feel free to drop us a line. Until next time, take care.