QUAIL VALLEY HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC.
ARCHITECTURAL CONTROL GUIDELINES - Revised October 15, 2009
Section
1: Objectives
Introduction:
This document provides guidelines for Quail Valley Homeowners to
follow when considering changes to the exterior of their homes and property.
The Architectural Control Committee created these guidelines in order to assist
homeowners in preparing acceptable applications to gain Architectural Control Committee
approval, increase residents' awareness and understanding of the covenants and
to help maintain a reasonable uniform and architecturally sound appearance for
the Quail Valley Community to maintain the homeowner's investment.
Objectives of Architectural
Guidelines:
The objectives of these guidelines and restrictions are:
1) To explain the role of the Architectural Control Committee.
2) To address, in detail, the items that require an Architectural
Change Application and approval of the Architectural Control Committee before
changes are made.
3) To address, in detail, suggestions for items not requiring an
Architectural Change Application (ACA)
but that may affect the aesthetics of the community.
4) To provide guidance to homeowners of items such as acceptable
mailboxes, fences and storm/screen door designs.
5) To address, in detail, items that are not acceptable due to
specific safety and aesthetic concerns.
6) To provide the Architectural Control Committee with uniform
guidelines for the review of applications. These guidelines reflect the goals
of the founding documents of the Quail Valley Community and the actions of the
Quail Valley Board of Directors.
Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA)
The Quail Valley Homeowners
Association is committed to accommodating reasonable wheelchair access to homes
occupied by wheelchair-bound residents. Wheelchair access encompasses use of
ramps, ingress and egress through rear entrances with pathways to common area
sidewalks, motorized wheelchair lifts, etc.
The architectural control committee will review each request for wheelchair
access on a case-by-case basis. All proposals must comply with American with
Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines and be of a safe and sound design in
accordance with Montgomery
County building code
requirements.
Also, each proposal must be aesthetically consistent with community
architecture and not create a visual eyesore or possible hazard for surrounding
residents or visitors. In addition, all wheelchair access designs must fit
within the property lines of the homeowner submitting the request. The
particular approach for providing wheelchair access which the committee
approves will depend on a property's topography, layout, house design, and
other site requirements unique to the property. Also, the committee has a right
to limit wheelchair access only to that necessary to comply with ADA guidelines.
Moreover, the materials used in the construction of wheelchair access must be
consistent with those allowed generally under these guidelines for other major
exterior changes. Pressure treated lumber or other wood products are not an
acceptable construction material for walkways, paths, or wheelchair ramps in
the front of a house.
Furthermore, approvals for wheelchair access designs are temporary and expire
when the occupant requiring access no longer resides at the property of the
homeowner requesting access. Upon termination of the need and approval for
wheelchair access, all structures and devices used to provide access must be
removed at the homeowner's expense and the homeowner's property must be restored
to its original condition. In addition, modifications to the association's
common ground to provide wheelchair access will only be allowed if no
reasonable alternative exists. If such modifications are required, the
homeowner will bear legal and financial responsibility for modifying,
maintaining, and restoring to its original condition the common ground when
access is no longer needed.
The committee strongly urges any homeowner contemplating an architectural
change request for wheelchair access to consult an ADA specialist. The committee also reserves
the right to require that all design and construction work be performed by a
firm with expertise in ADA
guidelines.