Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Exterior changes and documentation to that regard

[Elizabeth Stevenson (tamgoddess]

I didn't respond to this at first because I wasn't clear what you are
asking. I'm still not sure, but maybe this will help.

We have a design review committee-basically it's our building and grounds
committee. Just as background, our community was designed in its entirety by
an architect, with the input of the members at the time. It has won several
design awards, and there is a feeling of wanting to keep the design from
radical changes. Many of you have been here and would agree that it's a
harmonious design, without looking cookie-cutter.

We don't have what I would consider strict rules about homeowners making
changes. Changing the landscaping is pretty much up to the homeowner, unless
it involves large plantings in common space or trees. We have a palette of 5
colors that are available for house colors, and homeowners can change colors
within that palette only. That may seem restrictive, but with homes sharing
walls, we agreed that it was important for the group to limited color
choices. They are not all shades of earth tones, however, like one finds in
the usual condos. They are strong colors, and I think having a limited
choice has avoided what could have been lots of problems when it came to
re-painting time. I would think that those who have a lot-development model
would want to do things differently.

Homeowners sometimes want to add a short fence to protect landscaping or
various non-permanent structures. These are not considered important enough
to bother the committee with. Structural changes, such as adding a deck,
arbor, or an addition to the unit have to go through the design-review
process. We had an early experience with a founding member adding an
enclosed porch without permits and without permission. People were angry,
but he got away with it because he had done so much for the community. He
had really kept us going almost single-handedly in some especially dark
days. He eventually left, though. It really takes a different kind of person
to build cohousing than to live in it sometimes, but that's another topic!

If someone wants to build without a permit, we require them to sign a
release stating that the association is not responsible for any legal costs,
and that they will bear the brunt of the code and law enforcement people. We
haven't had a problem yet, but this is a historic district, and if a
neighbor complained, someone could be required to remove their stuff. Since
most of our neighbors have illegal sheds(too close to the property line), it
will probably not be a problem.

We have said yes to projects that didn't pass the design review of the city.
Most people do not live in historic districts and won't have trouble getting
permits the way we have.

The result in our community is homes that look individual without jarring
differences, in colors that look individualized yet harmonious. It works for
us. If you are anxious to get the actual wording in our CC&Rs, I might be
able to get them from the person who wrote them. But I don't have it on
disk, so I'm not willing to do all that typing.

-- 
Liz Stevenson
Southside Park Cohousing
Sacramento California

http://members.home.net/southsideparkcohousing/
tamgoddess [at] home.com


> Hello all,
> 
> I thought I sent the message below a few weeks ago, but got no response
> at all. I don't know if it actually reached the list or if the subject
> is too boring or controversial ? Could at least any one who knows me let
> me know if they recieve this email Thanks.
> 
> I am sending out 2 questions for communities already established. The
> subject is about individual exterior changes to your own property and
> how your cohousing is dealing with it.
> 
> The first and easy thought was to get to the web, and I did. There
> is not necessarly a lot written in most printable info. It also did not
> give me a flavor to how it really works for each community.
> 
> So, is there a better heading than, legal documents or bylaws to
> find the printed official paragraphs on just the "Architectural &
> landscape
> review process" for most cohousing communities ?
> 
> And, what does your community plan to amend or would sugest to do or
> not do that would be more beneficial since implementing what was written
> on the documents, if any needs changing ?
> 
> Thank you in advance for any help and or advice.
> Brigitte from Blueberry Hill Cohousing in Virginia
> on behalf of our Architectural guidance and review committee.
> 
> 
> 
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