ACC Guidelines Series Part II

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Harris Estates in 2008

Greetings! Today, we are continuing our series on the Architectural Control Committee (ACC) Guidelines that deals with homeowners’ animals and property. The stated goal 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.

GUIDELINE 4: ANIMALS: No animals, including birds, insects and reptiles, may be kept on any lot unless kept thereon solely as household pets and not for commercial purposes. No animal shall be allowed to become a nuisance. Homeowners(s) including their dog walkers are responsible for cleaning up after their pet on any part of Harris Estates.

Harris Estates homeowners’ love their dogs, cats, and birds! We are a neighborhood that keeps our beloved pets safe by keeping them in a protected or confined space in our yards. Be aware that hawks and coyotes occasionally visit our neighborhood. One family years ago had their pet “cross the rainbow bridge” due to a hungry predator.

The guidelines do not allow homeowners to have a commercial business with animals. The guidelines also state that homeowners will not allow their pets to become a nuisance. This can mean having a dog that is kept outside, barking and howling throughout the night. It can be allowing their pets to dig holes in their neighbor’s yards. Or defecating in their neighbor’s grass. Additionally, everyone that walks a dog must clean up after their pet. All dog walkers should carry a poop bags for use during the walk as needed.

GUIDELINE 5: COVERAGE of PROPERTY: Developed areas on any PROPERTY, most importantly areas adjacent to the street, shall be maintained & covered with some form of landscaping material, such as lawns, shrubs, natural stone/rocks, bark or mulch, or be actively cultivated and maintained as gardens or flower beds. These activities are to be completed without ACC approval. Areas not disturbed during initial construction are exempt from this rule. Lawns must be adequately watered & fertilized, and may not be neglected or allowed to die. Lawns may not be allowed to grow to a height exceeding four (4) inches. It is also the responsibility of homeowner to exhibit proper weed control. PROPERTY that is deemed to have a weed issue by the ACC is subject to notice. Homeowners shall maintain trees and shrubs with proper trimming. Shrubs alongside the house shall not be neglected or to become unsightly.

Every yard in Harris Estates has flower beds or areas with mulch around trees. These areas must be maintained with a landscaping material such as mulch, bark, and stone. Lawns must be maintained with water, fertilizer, mowing, and weed control. Two previous homeowners who moved away long ago allowed the grass in their yards to die and be overtaken by weeds. After numerous warnings, the homeowners refused to do anything to maintain their yards, resulting in them paying very large fines.

In addition to our grass, our yards have shrubs and trees. These should be maintained with proper trimming and not be neglected or to become unsightly.

GUIDELINE 6: PERSONAL PROPERTY: Any unsecured personal property, including but not limited to litter, junk, boxes, containers, bottles, cans, toys, bicycles, implements, tools, machinery, building materials, firewood, landscaping material of any type, and other such items may not be placed, stored, maintained, or allowed to accumulate on PROPERTY which is visible from the street. Exceptions are for lumber, bricks, stones, cinder blocks, scaffolding, mechanical devices, or any other materials or devices used for building purposes can be stored on any lot no longer than the length of time reasonably necessary for the construction in which such materials are to be used. Any temporary storage of building materials shall not present a hazard to vehicular traffic. At the completion of construction, all building materials that were stored on the road shall be cleaned up. Homeowners are responsible for repairing any damage to the curbs.

This ACC guideline is mostly about the tidiness of our yards. Toys, containers, tools, and building material are not allowed to be placed, stored, maintained, or accumulate in our yards as to be visible from the street. Exceptions are allowed for construction projects. Be sure that your contractors are not placing these materials on the road that impedes traffic or becomes a hazard to traffic.

Homeowners are responsible for ensuring that roads affected by projects conducted on their property are completely cleared of nails, screws, scrap metal, tree branches, and litter daily, and after the project is complete. Damage to curbs as a result of project activity must be repaired by the responsible homeowner.

Spring is officially here! If you have a project coming soon, be sure to submit an Application of Residential Improvement (ARI). Links are on the website or you can click the link below. Thanks and take care!

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