Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Architectural Review

[Dave and Diane (daveanddee]

Hi Norm,
"Ugly or shoddy" is the least of your worries. I am aware of at least 
one cohousing community
(which shall remain nameless unless they choose to identify themselves) 
in which a person building
a deck almost blew up the community because they hit a gas main while 
excavating.

Here is the relevant section from our bylaws. We are a very new 
community, so we have not had
any experience with this yet.

Hope this helps!

--Diane(:^|
MARKETING FACILITATOR
JP COHOUSING  617-522-2209
P.O. BOX 420 BOSTON MASSACHUSETTS
HTTP://WWW.JPCOHOUSING.ORG
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ARTICLE V .  EXTERNAL ALTERATIONS AND EXCLUSIVE USE SPACES

Section 5.1 Policy

It is the policy of the Association that, while intending to preserve 
the aesthetic integrity of the architectural design of the Condominium, 
it respects and values individual choices.  Therefore, provision is 
made to balance these interests.

Section 5.2 General

Subject to the provisions of the Master Deed and this Article, a Unit 
Owner may make non-structural alterations to the exterior of their Unit 
or exclusive use space.

Section 5.3 Exclusive Use Spaces

Exclusive use spaces are stoops, balconies, light wells and other areas 
for which certain Unit Owners have exclusive easements as provided in 
the Master Deed.

Any construction or attachment of objects (“alteration”) in these 
spaces, such as trellises, arbors, exterior light fixtures or fences 
shall be subject to the policy and process for exterior alterations set 
out in this Article.

Section 5.4 Process and Obligations

If the proposed alteration is reversible without damage to the 
Condominium and
 which an Owner is willing and able to reverse if so directed, no prior 
approval is required for an alteration to the exterior of a Unit.  An 
example is a window box.  If another Unit Owner objects to the 
alteration and no agreement can be reached, the standard conflict 
resolution process of the Association shall be followed.

b.      For other changes, the process shall be as follows:

A simple proposal may be used to get initial feedback from the
community on proposed alterations, before hiring an architect and 
getting permits.  The Unit Owner shall post a description of the 
proposed change on the community bulletin board, and by email.  A space 
on the bulletin board will be designated for proposed changes.  The 
final proposal should include a full description of the change, 
including dimensions; architect’s approval of design for structural 
changes; legal permits if required; short-term effects on the community 
during construction, such as noise; possible long-term effects on the 
community.
A 30-day comment period will follow.  Members may post their
comments alongside the proposal.

        After the 30-day period, if there are no objections, the owner may go
ahead with the change.

If there are objections (objections should not be unreasonable) or
comments, the concerned parties should meet with the owner to try to 
come to an agreement.  If necessary, the Association’s conflict 
resolution procedure should be followed.

An owner is responsible for cleaning up debris and repairing damage to
the common areas or to other property made during the process of 
alterations.  Maintenance of alterations shall be the responsibility of 
the Unit Owner.  The Association may direct the Owner to remove the 
alterations if they are not properly maintained.  In addition, the 
owner is responsible for cleaning up debris and repairing the damage to 
common areas or other property that results from the continued presence 
of the alteration.

Changing the flooring in second or third story units in such a way as to
materially detract from the prevention of sound transmission to the 
units immediately below shall constitute an external alteration for 
purposes of this section.

The Association may modify these procedures from time to time without
the necessity of amending this Declaration.


On Tuesday, October 11, 2005, at 06:16 AM, Norm Gauss wrote:
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Our community is wrestling with the requirement in our CC&R's of an
> Architectural Committee.  <snip>
>
> Can anyone out there in cohousing land give me some ideas on ways that 
> the
> community assets can be protected from poorly planned or executed 
> projects
> that may end up being ugly or shoddy?
>
> Norm Gauss