MILL CREEK SOUTH HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW GUIDELINES
Issued January 17, 1996
Revised January 30, 2001
Revised and adopted July 22, 2003
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW AND APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
Objective of Architectural Review. The objective of the Architectural Review process is to maintain the visual character of the Mill Creek South community as established by the original developer. That character includes: preservation of natural woodlands and a sense of open space, consistency in architectural style, scale, materials and details with the houses built by Craig Builders, and use of approved earth tone colors for siding and approved colors for exterior trim.
Authority. The Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, Restrictions and Easements for the Mill Creek South Planned Residential Development states in Article VII, Sec. 1:
No building, fence, wall or other structure shall be commenced, erected or maintained upon the Properties, nor shall any exterior addition to or change or alteration (including color) therein be made until the plans and specifications showing the nature, size, kind, shape, height, materials, colors and location of the same shall have been submitted to and approved in writing as to harmony of external design and location in relation to surrounding structures and topography by the Board of Directors of the Association, or by an architectural committee composed of three (3) or more representatives appointed by the Board.
A. Construction and Alterations That Require Architectural Review Committee Approval
1. Construction or installation of detached structures, including garages, sheds, mailboxes, gazebos and any other outbuildings.
2. Additions and alterations to existing structures, including porches, decks, carports, breezeways, attached garages, enclosure of existing decks and porches, and any other addition or alteration.
3. Construction or installation of fences, including replacement of an existing fence with a fence of a different style or height or in an altered location.
4. Any change to the exterior of a building including but not limited to: change of siding and trim color; installation of shutters, lattice, storm doors, sun screens or awnings; construction or installation of dormers, bays or pop-outs.
5. Removal of living trees greater than 3 inches in diameter.
6. Landscaping projects that alter the contours of the site or that could affect storm drainage.
7. Driveway modifications that alter the location or slope of the original driveway.
8. Replacement doors or windows with a style different from the original.
B. Design Criteria
1. Consistency with Craig Builders designs. All new structures and all additions and modifications to existing structures shall be consistent with the architectural designs used by Craig Builders in Mill Creek South. All additions and secondary structures should maintain the original proportions and scale of the existing dwelling.
2. Colors of siding and trim shall be selected from the colors used by Craig Builders in Mill Creek South. Additions and new structures shall have the same siding and trim colors as the existing dwelling. No house may have the same siding color as adjoining houses on the same street.
3. Fences may be erected only in side and rear yards and shall be no taller than five feet above the ground level at any point. Solid board fences will not be approved, and picket fences shall be constructed with the finished side facing outward (i.e., toward the street, adjoining properties and common areas). It is preferred that fences not be sealed, stained or painted. The use and color of any sealer, stain or paint shall be approved by the Architectural Review Committee.
4. Roofs. Roof pitches of additions should be reasonably consistent with the pitch of the principal roof or roofs of the existing dwelling. Roofs of detached structures shall be constructed at the same pitch as the principal roof of the dwelling and shall be a gable or hip roof of the same style as the roof of the dwelling. No detached structure may be built with a shed roof. Roof shingles must match the original roofing of the dwelling as closely as possible in color, size and exposure and must be of the type “double thickness laminated strip shingle.” Roofs of new dwellings must be consistent in pitch, overhangs, and shingle color, style and type with the original Mill Creek South homes.
5. Siding shall be of the same type and dimension used in the original dwelling, except that Hardiplank or similar cement fiber siding material may be used in lieu of cedar siding. Siding must be installed horizontal and with the same exposure as on the original dwelling. Siding of new homes shall be consistent with these criteria.
6. Windows and doors for additions and detached structures shall match those of the original dwelling, or if the original windows are being replaced, all windows should be of the same sash color. A storm door shall be the same color as the existing door.
7. Exterior trim and details. Exterior window and door trim, fascias, cornerboards, porch columns and all other exterior trim and details shall be consistent with those used by Craig Builders on houses of the nearest corresponding style.
8. Foundations. Any exposed foundations on front and side elevations are to be faced in brick that matches that used by Craig Builders in color, size and joint spacing.
9. Mailboxes. Mailboxes and mailbox posts shall be of the design used by Craig Builders or of one or more other designs as may be approved by the Board of Directors. Mailboxes and posts shall be painted Duron’s Shore Beige, unless the box and post are of a design approved by the Board that does not require painting. If you are interested in having your existing mailbox repaired or repainted by the Mill Creek South mailbox repair team, click here.
10. Existing vegetation should be disturbed as little as possible by the proposed construction. No living tree with a diameter of 3 inches or greater may be felled without approval from the Architectural Review Committee.
11. Building locations relative to property lines, set backs and easements must comply with Albemarle County zoning and building requirements and with the requirements of utilities, including the Albemarle County Service Authority.
12. Miss Utility should be contacted at 1-800-522-7001 to mark utility locations prior to the preparation of construction plans.
C. APPLICATIONS FOR ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW
Applications for architectural review shall include:
1. A completed Mill Creek South Architectural Review Application
2. A site plan on a copy of the plat showing the exact location of the project, the distance to all property lines., and the type and location of erosion control measures, if such measures will be needed.
3. Required drawings:
a. Building additions and detached structures: Dimensioned drawings to scale, including a floor plan, a roof plan, and elevations of all exterior sides of the structure or addition. The elevations must show all exterior details, including window and door placement, window and door style and trim, eaves and overhangs, corner boards, roof style and pitch, and finish materials (e.g., cedar siding, brick). Elevations shall be drawn at the scale of 1/4 inch = 1 foot. See Craig Builders drawings following the guidelines for examples of elevations.
b. Decks: Dimensioned drawings to scale showing floor plan, elevations, and materials.
c. Fences: Dimensioned drawings to scale showing the site plan and both faces of the fence if different, any gates, and materials
d. Prefabricated sheds: The supplier’s standard drawings and if available, a photo or artist’s rendering of the shed.
The Architectural Review Committee suggests that in designing major projects such as additions and garages, homeowners consult with an architect or with a builder who has built similar projects in Mill Creek or Mill Creek South.
D. Submission Procedures and Requirements
1. Requests for Architectural Review should be submitted to the Chairman of the Architectural Review Committee.
2. Applicants should allow 30 days for committee action and will receive written notice of the committee’s action within 45 days. The committee meets monthly on the second Wednesday of the month.
3. The committee will return to the applicant any application that is incomplete and/or does not clearly describe the proposed construction or alteration. A new 45-day approval period begins when the committee receives the completed application.
4. The committee may ask to meet with the applicant to discuss the proposed project. Any comments made at such a meeting shall be recorded by the committee and a copy of the comments provided to the applicant. If the committee requests that the applicant revise the plans, a new 45-day approval period begins when the committee receives the revised application and plans.
5. The committee will notify the applicant of its decision by returning the signed application form with any comments.
6. Applicants may appeal the decision of the committee by a letter to the Board of Directors.
7. Applicants are advised not to obtain a building permit before obtaining Architectural Review Committee approval, in the event that the committee requires changes to be made in the plans.
8. If any County department or other regulatory agency requires the plans approved by the committee to be changed in a way that affects exterior appearance, the applicant must submit the changes for Architectural review. In such cases, the committee will make every effort to expedite the review.
9. Any construction started before formal approval by the committee is subject to a stop-work order from the Board of Directors and to the imposition of fines.
10. Projects are to be completed in a timely manner. When the work is complete, the applicant is to call the committee member designated on the approval notice for a final inspection.
Natalie Somer (434.296.4287) has a list of the original color schemes for each house and samples of siding colors you can borrow.
Architectural Review Committee
This committee was created pursuant to the Declaration of Covenants. The committee is responsible for upholding the architectural controls contained in the Covenants. The committee has published guidelines for all construction and modification of structures, including fences. Copies of the guidelines (Web Format) (Word Format) and the application (Microsoft Word Format) are available here (you print) or by contacting Dell Erwin below. Completed applications should be returned to Dell Erwin at 1721 Arrow Wood Drive.
The architectural style, quality of construction and natural surroundings are what attracted most of us to Mill Creek South. That is why it is absolutely essential that all proposed new construction and modifications to existing structures be submitted to the Architectural Review Committee for review and approval. If a construction project is started without committee approval, the work will be required to be stopped until an application has been submitted, reviewed and approved. Homeowners are also responsible for obtaining Albemarle County Building Department permits for most types of construction projects.
Applications for ARC review can be downloaded or obtained by contacting Dell Erwin (dellerwin@gmail.com). Completed applications should be turned in to Dell Erwin. If you are unable to contact Dell, please contact Natalie Somer.
