Residents asked to consider sheds amendment (Updated 12-12-07)

Christmas lights contest under way for residents (Posted 12-12-07)

Sheds Amendment fails to get votes needed to pass (posted 1-7-08)

Winners announced in Christmas Lights Contest (posted 12-24-07)



 residents asked to consider sheds amendment
 Measure requires two-thirds approval to pass; deadline Dec. 15 
(Updated 12-12-07)

In response to growing demand for storage sheds in Ivy Hall, the POA Board has drafted an amendment to our Covenants that would allow such structures if they adhere to strict architectural and aesthetic guidelines.

Homeowners representing two-thirds of the lots in Ivy Hall (166 of 252) must approve the amendment in order for it to become part of the Covenants.

Those in favor of the amendment must return their approval form by Dec. 15. Homeowners should have received the form with their annual fee notice in an early December mailing from Odessa. If not, the form may be downloaded here.

Residents who oppose the amendment need not do anything.

Sheds have long been a topic of conversation in Ivy Hall, where homes aren’t known for having a lot of storage space. The only structures our Covenants allow on a private lot are a main dwelling and garage.

The Board did a lot of research in preparing the amendment, having combed through the shed-related covenants of similar neighborhoods locally and nationally. The result, the Board feels, is an amendment that would protect Ivy Hall’s existing architectural and aesthetic harmony.

Central in the amendment is the point that plans for any shed would need to be approved by the POA’s Architectural Review Committee BEFORE construction. The prior-approval requirement would ensure that no unsightly sheds are erected in the neighborhood.

Amendment language:

The Covenants would be amended in two areas under Article VI, Section 2, pertaining to property use restrictions. Under Section 2, a., the beginning would be changed from this:

a.   No structure shall be erected on any Lot in the subdivision other than one permanent single-family dwelling and detached or attached garage of similar design, and no use shall be made of the Property or of any right or privilege appurtenant thereto…

...to this (changes in red italics):

a.   No structure shall be erected on any Lot in the subdivision other than one permanent single-family dwelling, a detached or attached garage of similar design, and a detached or attached storage shed. All plans for proposed structures must be approved by the POA Board’s Architectural Review Committee BEFORE construction or installation can begin. No use shall be made of the Property or of any right or privilege appurtenant thereto…

Additionally, a new paragraph, designated “i”, would be added below paragraph “k” and read:

i.    Utility or storage sheds are subject to the provisions of this Declaration
      and may be subject to further provisions of the POA Board’s
      Architectural Review Committee. All sheds and locations MUST BE
      APPROVED through the ARC process prior to installation. Utility and
      storage sheds shall: (1) be constructed so as not to encroach upon any
      easements or setback lines; (2) be constructed on an ARC-approved
      level floor structure AND within 5 feet of the back side of the home; (3)
      not alter drainage patterns of a Lot; (4) not exceed 14’ X 14’ in base
      dimensions; (5) not exceed 10’ in height at its highest point measured
      from the pad floor; (6) be located so as not to be viewed in full from the
      front of the Lot; (7) be constructed of materials and colors that match or
      are compatible with the main residence; and (8) must be designed to
      respect the visual rights of neighboring properties and cannot be
      offensive to the community. No metal siding or metal roofing is
      permitted. Only one shed per residence is permitted.

The amendment received only 28 votes, far from the 166 votes (representing two-thirds of the lots in Ivy Hall) needed to change our Covenants.

All residents were mailed amendment approval forms in early December along with their annual POA fee invoices. Those in support of the amendment were given about two weeks to return their signed forms. Those opposed didn't have to do anything.

Sheds have long been a topic of conversation in Ivy Hall, where homes aren’t known for having a lot of storage space. The only structures our Covenants allow on a private lot are a main dwelling and garage.

Click here to read more about our Covenants.
 

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So, without further ado, your 2007 winners:

First Place: 3011 Morningdale Dr.
Second Place: 3107 Morningdale Dr.
Third Place: 1316 Balcome Rd.
Fourth Place: 3127 Morningdale Dr.

Each winning household received a Wal-Mart gift card.

Thanks again for everyone for participating! We'll do it again next year!
 

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