Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Architectural review of house modifications

[Evdavwes (Evdavwes]

Hello, cohousers,
 
I am a member of _Westwood  Cohousing _ (http://www.westwoodcohousing.com)  
in Asheville, NC.  I have a question about how  Architectural Review Teams and 
decisions on modifications to units work in other  communities.
 
We have an Architectural Review Team that makes recommendations to the  Board 
about changes to houses.  We have had several porches added or  enclosed, 
rooms added, etc.
 
We recently had a situation where a proposal for a room addition was made  
and approved, and the owner decided to partially complete the addtion-- to turn 
 
it into an open porch rather than a room.  They made this change without  
approval from the Board.
 
The owner, moreover, asserts that since the Board approved the original  plan 
he has the right to complete the project as originally proposed at any time  
in the future.  
 
We are realizing that we may not have written into our rules and regs  
appropriate language to require that any changes approved be completed in a  
timely 
way, or to require that the project be completed according to the  approved 
plans.
 
Some associations might want to have a bond or guarantee that if the owner  
does not complete the project the association would complete it and bill to the 
 owner.
 
As you might imagine, uncompleted projects to the exterior of the house are  
potentially unsightly, unsafe, or not in accord architecturally with the rest 
of  the development.
 
How do other groups handle this issue?  Examples of language used in  the 
common agreements would be helpful, as well as any stories of similar  
situations.
 
Thanks
 
David Clements
 
 
 
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David Clements, Evan  Richardson, Wesley Clements, Lila Richardson
43 Vermont Court,  #G24
Asheville, NC 28806
828-285-0601