KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550
Posts: 14,550
Posted:
hough our HOA probably isn’t like yours in many way, I’m looking for advice about the extent to which the assn. Board and CC&R-required Architectural Committee (ARC) can require Owners complete 2-3 forms to do certain kinds of work in their condo units.
200+ twin tower urban 22 y.o. high rise. To assure structural integrity and keep Units from damaging other units or the common areas, we have a lot of restrictions and requirements to make in-unit ARC changes in our CC&Rs that are fleshed out in a governing document called ARC Guidelines (“Guide”). There’s also an ARC Change Request (“Request”) packet of forms. These are confusing to Owners. They or their contractors fail to sign all that’s needed, projects are delayed, etc.
Now retired from the Board, I’m working with the two remaining ARC members (3rd just moved ) to revise these docs to be far more user friendly. Luckily, “Gus” is a retired architect and “Jax” is a retired home builder.
Our current documents (CC&Rs & Guide) require ARC approval basically for any project that includes penetration beyond the sheetrock or requires relocating plumbing or electrical. I hope that makes sense without a list of examples. Installation of hard surface flooring, of course, has many requirements & needs ARC approval.
BUT, the AC wants to ADD several improvements that do not meet that criteria, which they are calling “Coordination submissions”: Painting; wall covering; new appliances in existing locations; replace interior doors, hinges/hardware; replace existing shelving or cabinets; replace countertops; replacing window treatments.
Q: Why add all this??? A: The GM would like to better coordinate elevator usage.
The ARC has the authority to change the Guidelines. BUT, in CA, this would mean adding some rules and that specify these new requirements, once proposed at an open meeting by the Board, to go out to Owners for a 28-day comment period. At the subsequent Board meeting, Owners may make comments during open forum and the Board considers them + the written comments before making a decision.
To me, most of these additions are unreasonable and intrusive, and I think Owners are going to have very hostile comments. Fill out a form to paint my bedroom walls? To change out a couple of low cabinets to drawer boxes? To replace interior doors? IMO, it’s stuff like this that gives HOAs a bad name.
Opinions?
200+ twin tower urban 22 y.o. high rise. To assure structural integrity and keep Units from damaging other units or the common areas, we have a lot of restrictions and requirements to make in-unit ARC changes in our CC&Rs that are fleshed out in a governing document called ARC Guidelines (“Guide”). There’s also an ARC Change Request (“Request”) packet of forms. These are confusing to Owners. They or their contractors fail to sign all that’s needed, projects are delayed, etc.
Now retired from the Board, I’m working with the two remaining ARC members (3rd just moved ) to revise these docs to be far more user friendly. Luckily, “Gus” is a retired architect and “Jax” is a retired home builder.
Our current documents (CC&Rs & Guide) require ARC approval basically for any project that includes penetration beyond the sheetrock or requires relocating plumbing or electrical. I hope that makes sense without a list of examples. Installation of hard surface flooring, of course, has many requirements & needs ARC approval.
BUT, the AC wants to ADD several improvements that do not meet that criteria, which they are calling “Coordination submissions”: Painting; wall covering; new appliances in existing locations; replace interior doors, hinges/hardware; replace existing shelving or cabinets; replace countertops; replacing window treatments.
Q: Why add all this??? A: The GM would like to better coordinate elevator usage.
The ARC has the authority to change the Guidelines. BUT, in CA, this would mean adding some rules and that specify these new requirements, once proposed at an open meeting by the Board, to go out to Owners for a 28-day comment period. At the subsequent Board meeting, Owners may make comments during open forum and the Board considers them + the written comments before making a decision.
To me, most of these additions are unreasonable and intrusive, and I think Owners are going to have very hostile comments. Fill out a form to paint my bedroom walls? To change out a couple of low cabinets to drawer boxes? To replace interior doors? IMO, it’s stuff like this that gives HOAs a bad name.
Opinions?