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Architectural Review Committee Guidelines

The Role of the Architectural Review Committee and Guidelines for External Improvements to Townhouses

As most of your are aware, each owner of a lot home within Flint Hill agreed, by purchasing his or her lot, to comply with the restrictive covenants contained in the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (“Declaration”) which attached to each lot at the creation of the community. A central provision of the Declaration is the requirement that owners obtain written approval from the Association prior to making certain external changes to the owner’s home or lot.

The Declaration provides for the establishment of an Architectural Review Committee (ARC) to review exterior change applications. The ARC is a group of your neighbors appointed by the Board of Directors of the Association to make sure that our development continues to be well-kept and an attractive-looking community.

The Board of Directors and the ARC have recently, after consultation with the membership, reviewed and updated the attached architectural guidelines (“guidelines”). These guidelines are intended to provide owners with a guide to assist the owners in planning for exterior changes and to help prospective owners understand what types of changes/actions are likely to be considered appropriate for Flint Hill. These guidelines are not intended to be all encompassing or to cover every imaginable situation. Rather, they are intended to provide guidance to owners. Questions regarding interpretation of the guidelines should be directed to the ARC. Improvements are not limited to the items shown in this document.

As residents of Flint Hill Manor we are responsible for the external appearance and upkeep of our townhomes. This responsibility exists whether we own or rent at Flint Hill Manor. Owners and renters are expected to follow these guidelines. Investor-owners are responsible for providing their tenants with this document. All owners are fully accountable for any damage to the common areas or neighboring property caused by themselves, their family or guests, or individuals/contractors they hire.

A. COMMUNITYAPPEARANCE/YARDS

1. Properties should be kept free of debris and in neat and orderly condition. Trash, garbage, or other waste shall be kept only in sanitary containers. All garbage cans shall be kept in clean and sanitary condition. Garbage cans and recycling bins should not be stored in the front yards. Trash and recyclables should only be placed outside in the front yards for collection on the mornings of scheduled pick-up days (currently Tuesdays and Fridays for trash and Fridays for recyclables) or the previous evening after 6:00 PM.
2. The dominant ground cover of the front yards should be grass. However, homeowners can request approval from the ARC for replacing grass as the dominant ground cover. Residents can plant bushes and flowers within four (4) feet of exterior wall of their townhouses in the front and unenclosed side yards without involving the ARC. Planting additional trees or bushes beyond the four feet limit, however, requires ARC approval but replacement of such trees and bushes with the same type of planting in the same location shall not require approval.
3. Frontyard landscaping (e.g. landscape edging) should be maintained in good repair.
4. Backyard landscaping (i.e., within the enclosed rear yard) can be done at the discretion of the owner so long as trees or bushes do not grow above the fence line. Approval of the ARC and, in appropriate cases, the affected adjoining neighbor(s) is needed where trees or bushes grow above the fence line.
5. Garden ornaments, bird baths, feeders, wind chimes, Rubbermaid fencing, wire, and aluminum scalloped edging, etc., are not permitted in the front or unenclosed side yards.
6. Holiday decorations are to be taken down no later than three weeks after the holiday.
7. Personal property (e.g, baby carriages, bicycles, scooters, tools, etc.) and building materials, including firewood, should be stored only within the boundaries of the backyards. Garden hoses can be stored by front spigots as long as they are coiled neatly.
8. . Temporary basketball backboards, badminton nets and other sporting equipment are allowed only in backyards and cannot be left up overnight.
9. Dogs, cats and other household pets may be kept, provided that they are not raised, bred or kept for any commercial purpose and do not cause a nuisance to the neighborhood by barking, etc. No other animals, livestock, or poultry shall be raised, bred, or kept on any Lot. Please clean-up after your pets when walking them in the community and remove dog waste from the rear yards on a regular basis.
10. Exterior clotheslines or clothes hanging devices are not permitted on any Lot.
11. Signs of any kind are prohibited on any Lot, except (a) temporary signs advertising the said Lot for sale or rent or (b) signs of contractors performing work at the home. The contractor signs may only be up for 5 days.
12. Barbecues and grills should be used and stored only in backyards and used only in accordance with the Fairfax County code.
13. The preferred location for a television antenna or satellite dish is below the fence line in the rear of the lot. No radio antennas are permitted.

B. GENERAL APPEARANCE/COMMON AREAS

1. Dumping of debris, garbage, or any other waste on common areas is prohibited. Storage of personal belongings or homeowner's building materials on common areas is prohibited.
2. Advertising is not permitted on common areas unless approved by the ARC. "For Sale" realty signs are permitted on common areas during the actual hours that an "open house" is being conducted.

C. COMMUNITY APPEARANCE/PARKING LOT

1. Routine maintenance (e.g., changing oil/filters/lights/tires) of residents' personal cars/vehicles is permitted in the parking lots provided no car is left overnight in disrepair. Care must be taken to prevent oil, gas, or other chemicals/fluids from leaking on/damaging the parking lot surface. Commercial repair or maintenance of vehicles is not permitted.
2. Commercial vehicles, boat trailers or other types or trailers should not be regularly parked in residential areas. Motorcycles are considered motor vehicles and must be parked in designated automobile parking areas.

D. EXTERNAL MAINTENANCE/TOWNHOUSES

1. It is the responsibility of each resident to properly maintain the exterior portions of the townhouse and Lot. General exterior house appearance is to be maintained in a neat manner and in good repair, including trim, siding, shutters, doors, gutters, downspouts, roof shingles, etc. Gutters should be kept free of debris.
2. Homeowner’s sidewalks, steps, and step landings are to be maintained in good repair.
3. Handrails at the front of homes are to be maintained in good repair and be black in color.
4. Fences and gates must be no more than 6 feet in height, made out of wood, and maintained in good repair. Metal or chain link fences are prohibited. Gates off hinges, broken or missing boards, rotted boards, leaning fences, etc., are not acceptable. All additional or replacement fencing in the backyards must conform to the design of the existing neighboring townhouse fences and these guidelines. Either clear or wood-colored stain may be applied to fencing without ARC approval. For end units, the fences may only extend from the rear plane of the home up 15 feet along the side of the house (e.g. approximately halfway from the rear plane of the home).
5. Fences, walls, trees, hedges, or shrub plantings shall be properly maintained and not obstruct sight lines for vehicular traffic.
6. If the homeowner fails to properly maintain the Lot and improvements thereon in a manner satisfactory to the Board, then the Board may act to maintain the Lot and such improvements pursuant to Article V of the Declaration.

E. EXTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS/TOWNHOUSES

1. Repainting of external painted surfaces of the townhouse does not need ARC approval provided it is the same color.
2. Replacement siding will be considered by the ARC for approval provided it represents a similar appearance to the existing siding.
3. Roof color changes will be considered by the ARC for approval provided the proposed color is in harmony with the existing neighboring townhouse roofs, painted surfaces, and brick color. No changes to roofing materials shall be permitted.
4. Chimneys will be considered by the ARC for approval provided they are constructed to match the rear exterior of the townhouse.
5. All changes and/or additions in externa1 lighting must be approved by the ARC.
6. Construction of window wells will be considered by the ARC for approval provided they do not extend above grade level, are covered with a natural wood grate (plastic bubble not permitted) and are landscaped.
7. All permanent structures, including storage sheds, must be approved by the ARC to comply with drainage flow and appearance guidelines. It is recommended that the prior written approval of adjoining neighbor(s) be submitted with the project specifications/application.
8. Patios will be considered for approval by the ARC provided the following guidelines are met:
• Surface area - No more than 50% of the backyard of any lot shall be covered with a non-seepage/impervious material in order to alleviate drainage problems to common or adjacent properties.
• Drainage - - No direct surface drainage on common ground or adjacent property will be allowed (e.g. drainage pipe may not empty/discharge directly on common ground at lot boundary with common ground or adjacent lot.)
• Vertical extension - No permanent above ground extension of the patio may protrude above the fence level (i.e., lighting. hanging planters, etc.).
• Coverings - No overhead covers/awnings are permitted..
• Composition - Surface must be built of non-degenerative material (e.g., stone, ceramic, slate, concrete, redwood).
9. All decks to be constructed in the backyards must be submitted to the ARC for approval. No decks are permitted in the front yards. No above deck extensions (e.g. hanging planters, lattice, etc.,) may protrude above the fence level.
10. Residents are encouraged to conserve energy by installing storm doors on their front entrances. Storm doors should have full view or cross-buck styling, metal construction, and the color be in harmony with the exterior of the home. Replacement storm windows should conform to the existing design and materials. All windows should have muntins.

F. APPROVAL PROCESS

1. The homeowner should complete and submit an improvement approval form (see attached) in order for his or her exterior improvement to be considered by the ARC. The form should contain the height, width, size, shape, color, and location of the proposed improvement(s). Photographs or sketches of similar completed projects and statements of approval from adjoining neighbors would aid in the ARC's consideration. If the alteration affects the existing drainage pattern, the new drainage pattern should be included on the form.
2. Approval of an improvement by the ARC does not waive the necessity of obtaining required Fairfax County permit(s), nor does obtaining the county permit(s) waive the need for ARC approval. The ARC will not knowingly approve a project which is in violation of county zoning/building codes.
3. Completed improvement approval form(s) can be submitted to the ARC in care of the Association’s Management Company, Koger Management Group, currently with a mailing address of P.O. Box 10133, Fairfax, VA 22038. ARC approval must be obtained prior to the start of construction of the improvement.
4. In accordance with Article VII of the Association Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions, the ARC shall respond to the homeowner within thirty (30) days of receipt of the completed improvement request form. As a matter of practice, the ARC will make every effort to respond within fifteen (15) days. Failure of the ARC to respond in the allowed time shall constitute approval of the homeowner's request, however, nothing shall be deemed approved by default which is expressly prohibited by these guidelines (e.g., chain link fencing).
5. All improvements shall be completed within six (6) months of the date of approval. If the homeowner requests additional time or extensions, such request must be in writing and approved by the ARC . The Board of Directors shall have the right to, at its option, compel the owner to complete improvement(s) which have not been completed by the agreed date to be completed or, after appropriate notice, arrange for the removal or completion of the improvements at the expense of the homeowner. Recovering related expenses from the homeowner shall be done pursuant to Article V and VIII of the Declaration.
6. A homeowner may appeal an ARC decision regarding an application to the Board of Directors of the Homeowners Association provided such appeal is made, in writing to the Management Agent, within 30 days of the date of the ARC decision. A simple majority vote of the Board, provided that a quorum of the Board is present, is needed to modify or reverse an ARC decision.
7. The Board of Directors may assume, either on a general or case-by-case basis, any of the duties of the ARC. Such decision will be based on the discretion of the Board and may, but is not required to be, based on the lack of ARC volunteers.
8. The ARC and its members serve at the pleasure of the Board and may be appointed and removed from time to time.