ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE

Started by RichardC10 • 10 replies • 2031 views

💬 Join us to post & get advice from 50,000 HOA & Condo leaders.

⚡ Takes 30 seconds

Already a member? Log in

RichardC10 (Tennessee)
Posts: 4

Posted:

Does any HOA out there review builder's plans via a review committee before they begin construction on a new home? We have 159 units with 6 more under construction and about 15 more to come, but don't have an AR committee and no one willing to serve - our Covenants/Restrictions (which do have builder guidelines)are "referred to" by the county registrar when a deed is issued, but nothing with the builder's permit. Appreciate any info

MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043

Posted:

Richard,

I'm assuming the declarant is no longer in control and these are lots that remained vacant and are now being built upon. My assn is over 20 years old and we still have a few vacant lots. Construction is about to begin on one and, yes, the A/C reviews the plans before construction can begin. This must be done to be assured the home will be built to the specifications outlined in the architectural guidelines. If your assn has no A/C committee I think it would be a good idea for the board to appoint one immediately.

Our A/C has 5 members including one board member who serves as the Chair. Our PM also sits on the committee and has the authority to make minor approvals such as repainting homes.

Who has been granting variances and approving lot improvements up til now? And, most importantly, who approved the 6 homes that are under construction now?

RichardC10 (Tennessee)
Posts: 4

Posted:

Thanks for your note Mary - the six homes under construction are being handled by the orginal developer, so we're okay there....BUT, how can we appoint a committee to review the 'futures' when no one is willing to serve?? We have 2 general contracters and one developer who live here, but they want no part of it. None of the Board members or Officers are qualified except to approve minor changes once a home is built or to established homes, which they are doing. My question was more do any of the HOA's out there actually approve builder's plans ??

SteveM9 (Massachusetts)
Posts: 3,699

Posted:

Quote:

BUT, how can we appoint a committee to review the 'futures' when no one is willing to serve??

You dont.

If no one will serve, there is no architectural committee, case closed.

SteveM9 (Massachusetts)
Posts: 3,699

Posted:

Quote:

None of the Board members or Officers are qualified

Qualified officers and board members? I don't think I've ever met an officer or board member who was "qualified" LOL.

SteveM9 (Massachusetts)
Posts: 3,699

Posted:

Quote:

None of the Board members or Officers are qualified

Qualified officers and board members? I don't think I've ever met an officer or board member who was "qualified" LOL. Why do you think the message board is full of so many problems?

MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043

Posted:

Steve,

That's because we've never met! LOL

While it's true many board members have limited qualifications -- or none -- there are many, many more who are well qualified and do an outstanding job. It's just that on these HOA forums we only hear about the ones who aren't doing a good job.

MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043

Posted:

Richard,

Do you have architectural guidelines that outline all the aspects of building a house? The A/C guidelines for my HOA are very thorough. Our CCRs state that members of the A/C committee need not be architects; do your say the same? What type qualifications do you think a member of the A/C need have. If the A/C guidelines cover all aspects of building a home all the A/C committee member need do is make certain the plans are in compliance. The main thing is to prevent someone from building a English Tudor style home if the A/C guidelines say all homes must be Southwest style.

If no one is willing to serve on the A/C committee then the Board members (or at least a few of them) will have to take over those responsibilities. For new home construction you want to make certain the home is built in accordance with the A/C guidelines.

In answer to your parting question: Yes, the A/C committee of my assn does. In fact we have a home soon to be under construction. The property owner already met with the BOD to discuss the position of the house on the lot. The A/C committee will be monitoring the project throughout the building process. None of our A/C committee members are architects but we do have extensive A/C guidelines which must be followed.

RobertR1 (South Carolina)
Posts: 5,164

Posted:

Steve, what advice are you trying to give?

It seems obvious that this Board is so full of problems because folks come here to solve problems. They wouldn't come here otherwise. The issues of people posting here has absolutely nothing to do with how many associations are managed well or not managed. We are not some estimation of how well HOA's are managed. Nor are we some kind of measuring stick on the capabilities of Board members.

I would think the OP on this thread should consider taking this issue of Building approval to the Board and maybe to the general membership. But first, I would suggest he go to the Local city or county offices and see what controls they have. It would appear that the county/city/HOA would benefit if they could understand how this works inside an HOA boundry. Certainly inspection comes to mind, plus building permits. Also, this developer or builder should at least point you in the right direction. Is there some conflict here?

SteveM9 (Massachusetts)
Posts: 3,699

Posted:

Quote:

Steve, what advice are you trying to give?

I'm suggesting "do nothing" No one is willing to serve, so nothing will be accomplished. What more is there to say?

MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043

Posted:

Steve,

Well, doing nothing would certainly make a lot of the members happy; you know the ones who continually violate the rules. But, that definitely is not the solution. The solution is for several members of the board to serve on the A/C committee until such time as the BOD can get other members to volunteer.

🎯 You've read this entire discussion

Join the conversation with 50,000 HOA & Condo Leaders:

✓ Ask follow-up questions
✓ Share your experience
✓ Get expert advice
✓ Access 350,000 discussions

Create Free Account →

⚡ Takes 30 seconds

Already a member? Log in here