Hardscaping a community - extending driveways

The only advice I have is:

If you allow a longer extension for some, you will have to allow a longer extension for others.

Knowing nothing about your development, I don't think anyone can really give you an informed opinion.

Personally, I would rather see vehicles, boats, trailers and RVs parked in driveways then on the street or in the yard, as this gives a better impression.

Cathy brings up a good point.

Here is some info I found:

Residential Driveways from Georgia Dept of Transportation

there are also more specific documents for permits based on counties and municipalities.

Also see:

Subject 391-3-16 RULES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING CRITERIA from the State of Georgia, which says (in part):

"Impervious Surface" means a man-made structure or surface which prevents the infiltration of storm water into the ground below the structure or surface. Examples are buildings, roads, driveways, parking lots, decks, swimming pools, or patios.

The impervious surface area, including all public and private structures, utilities, or facilities, of the entire water supply watershed shall be limited to twenty-five (25) percent, or existing use, whichever is greater.

Therefore, as Cathy said, the Board (who is granting extensions of driveways) and the owners (who desire extending driveways) need to check with their local building permit office.

I appreciate everyone's input! Definitely food for thought. Actually as a board we have expressed that we need to set a standard so all will be informed such as putting in a stipulation on our modification form that driveway extensions cannot extend out more than 3 feet (so far the requests that we have approved have been no more than 3 feet). As Cathy mentioned, "It's not just esthetics" that we need to be concerned about, drainage is an issue we should bring to the attention of everyone as well. Thank you Cathy for the Georgia links for more information around the subject.

Since we have already approved modest extensions of driveways we can't go back and say folks can't do it and we do appreciate that folks are trying not to park on the streets as the reason we approved. But what we cannot do is approve huge installations of concrete throughout the neighborhood. We are willing to approve the recent requests for no more than 3 feet out as an amicable solution. Thank you all again.

Agree with Shelia. The Board needs to set a policy for its Architectural Guidelines if your have such a document. Otherwise just a nice solid Board resolution.

To my way the thinking, huge driveways with 4 or more vehicles parked in them is NOT aesthetically attractive. I lived next door to such a home and their driveway/front of their house often looked like a used car lot!

Angela

Are you talking extending or widening the driveway? If extending, then extending where?

Thank you all very much. This feedback has been very helpful!

So we have put together a Board resolution that stipulates that driveway extensions are not to exceed 5 ft wide. Since then we have denied a homeowner's request to extend their driveway 17 feet wide. They are very upset and is complaining that this resolution should have been a community wide vote. Our management company has explained to them that the community voted on the Board to make sensible decisions for the community. With that said, I don't think an HOA board is obligated to have a community wide vote on every decision we make. As such, I'd like anyone's feedback on this issue. Thank you.

Your MC is right and give them a good explanation. Board are elected by Owners to make decisions. The only exception might be if. there's worthing in your CC&Rs that names matter that must be decide by Onwnrs' votes. You'll see elections of directors and perhaps limits to how much dues can be raised annually. But there MIGHT be some other items. Take a look.

As others have said, if the board is making decisions in accordance with your governing documents, then a community-wide vote would be inappropriate. HOAs are corporations, which means the board is the decision maker. Not only do corporate statutes require this, think about it. The board has a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of the community. Homeowners have no such duty and can act in their own self-interest, even if that self-interest is contrary to the well being of the community. Who would you want to make these decisions?

Hardscaping in particular isn't just an aesthetic decision. It will affect storm water run-off, and there could be local laws and requirements around this. The typical homeowner probably won't know about these things, and probably won't care (unless his own yard is getting flooded every time it rains, in which case he will care very very much and will raise Cain with the board).

That said, if the board were considering a significant change, then it could make sense to poll the community to see what people think. But... the board is not obligated to do this, and the community "vote" is not binding. The board could still do what they believe to be the best course of action. (My rule of thumb: the only thing people hate worse than not being asked for their opinion is being asked and their opinion being ignored. Let that guide you.)

Thank you so much Cathy43 for your input. I agree with everything you have said.

Thank you KerryL1.

The board // is // obligated to have a community wide vote on any decision that amounts to an amendment of the declaration.

You would have to post the wording in the declaration pertaining to restrictions on the lots; when HOA architectural approval is required; et cetera to get an opinion on whether an owners' vote is (and was) required here.

I hear you about your concerns that there is history with this HOA approving extensions in the past. But before addressing the latter, I think the wording in the covenants needs to be presented.

I do not think much of the Management Company's response. It should have been more like, "With some caveats, the community voted on the board to make sensible decisions..." Fact: The board cannot lawfully do anything it wants. The board must operate within the four corners of the Declaration, for one.

I think the question is whether the decision exceeds the board's authority. For example, if the covenants are silent about xyz, the board cannot lawfully create rules concerning xyz.

I also wonder whether a city a permit was required when owners added impermeable surface. Adding impermeable surface affects drainage. Drainage (including impermeable surface) is massively regulated by cities.

Interesting, we have guidelines in our CC&R that actually state residents must 1st park vehicles in their garage and once that has reached capacity (2 vehicles) then park on their driveway. These are homes no larger than 4 bed 2400sqft.
We also have rules about garages only being for vehicles and some storage, anything else is not permitted.
We dont yet enforce the garage but we do warn people parking on the street (streets are private HOA owned)

for the 1/3 of homes that do not have their front yards maintained by HOA (extra assesment) we have allowed minor extensions of only 18" so they can get trash can down driveway if 2 cars parked in it