ACC Standards & Guidelines

Overview

This document describes the architectural standards and guidelines used by the Landscape & Architecture Committee to determine approvals. Use this as a reference when submitting your ACC requests. Changes require an ACC request and approval, even if it meets these guidelines (!!!) Note: this document is not yet complete. Please reference: Architectural Standard Guidelines (2006 Edition) for any sections not documented here. Any sections located in this document fully repeal and replace the guidelines in the 2006 Edition. All guidelines, ACC submission forms, rules and regulations not on this page have been repealed and are void, including any documents published from prior management companies (Homeside Properties and Action Community Management) or when the HOA was developer controlled.

ACC Submission Process

  1. Fill out the ACC Submission Form (Download Here)
  2. Login to CMA portal
  3. Choose Submit New Request of type ARC Request
  4. Please include the form from step 1 and any requested documentation. Generally speaking, this is any drawings, samples, photos, etc. that are needed to make a decision.
  5. Submit the form online
  6. CMA reviews the form and submits it to the Landscape & Architecture Committee for approval
  7. The Landscape & Architecture Committee approves or rejects the request, notifying the Board of Directors of the result.
  8. The Board of Directors will do a final review of the application and will notify CMA of the final result. 
  9. CMA notifies the homeowner of the result

For Emergency Requests, Please Forward a Copy of the Application via email to acc@ballentinepointe.com. Please include that it's an emergency request in the subject line.

CMA, the Landscape & Architecture Committee, and the Board of Directors may ask additional questions or require that a professional consultant assist with the approval. Any costs paid by the Association for a review must be paid by the applicant as a condition of an approval. Most approvals do not require any cost paid. The Association will make a good faith effort to provide a quote and an approval from the Owner for any costs prior to retaining any professional's service in conjunction with an application from an Owner. Members not in good standing with the Association may have non-architectural considerations taken into account, such as past due balance, and the presence and status of a payment plan. Depending on the past due balance and the scope of the project, the approval may require that all or a portion of the past due balance be settled in advance of an approval, and a payment plan for the remaining balance be arranged if a partial settlement is stipulated.

NOTE: Submissions from contractors will not be accepted. Submissions must come directly from the Owner.

The Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions states that approved projects be started within 1 year of approval date and be completed 90 days after being started, unless an exception is approved by the Landscape & Architecture Committee. 

Guidelines

Additions

  1. All additions must be consistent to design, materials, and color with the home
  2. Additions are to be located in the rear of the property

Air Conditioners

  1. Air Conditioning units extending from windows are prohibited
  2. Other exterior units may be added or relocated only when they are not visually or physically intrusive to neighbors. Shrubbery for screening of such other exterior units are encouraged.

Antennas

  1. Antennas or satellite dishes must be mounted on the rear of the home and may not be visible from the street.

Awnings

  1. Awnings may be installed on the rear of the home only

BBQ Grills (Permanent)

  1. Permanent grills may be installed at the rear of the house and must not be located within 10 feet of the side and rear property lines

Basketball Goals

  1. Permanent basketball goals are considered on an individual basis and are not allowed to be mounted to the house.
  2. Portable Goals must be stored in the garage when not in use
  3. Use of basketball goals are limited to the hours between 8 AM and 10 PM

Clotheslines

  1. Clotheslines are not permitted within view from the street and are allowed only within the confines of a privacy fence.

Decks

  1. Decks are allowed at rear of home only
  2. All material shall be of a type generally utilized for the purpose of deck construction (i.e., treated pine, cedar, cement decking). Finishes and colors must be natural wood tones

Dog Houses

  1. Doghouses must be located in the rear of the property, may not be visible from the street, and must be within the confines of a privacy fence that is locked when dog is present
  2. Must be constructed of materials and colors consistent with the home on the Lot
  3. Invisible fences are acceptable
  4. Dog runs or pens of any type are not acceptable

Doors

  1. Storm doors on the front or side of the house must be full view glass only
  2. Storm doors on the rear of the house may have retractable glass or screens
  3. Replacing an entry door is permitted, provided that the quality, material, and color are consistent with that used in the original construction.
    1. It is preferred that the design be similar to that used in the original construction, but other designs may be permissible
    2. If the original door had a glass window embedded, then the replacement door should as well
    3. Frosted glass is permitted in lieu of clear glass.
  4. Screen doors are not permitted on the front or side of the house or where they may be visible from the street.
  5. Repainting a door is permitted, provided that the color is a color currently used in the neighborhood palette, and that the door color matches the trim or the shudders of the home as appropriate. The ACC request should include repainting the color coordinated areas as well
    1. Homes located on Boulder Run, Bollen Lane, Bollen Ridge, and Birch Street between Bollen Lane and Boulder Run must color coordinate doors with the shudders.
    2. Homes located on Birch Street between Bollen Lane and Baywood Drive, Baywood Drive, Baywood Way, Baywood Crossing, Bay Court, and Bluff Court should color coordinate doors with the trim, however, coordinating with the shudders may be permitted depending on circumstances.

Driveways

  1. All driveways must be constructed of concrete with the same finish used in the original construction

Exterior Decorative Objects

  1. No decorative objects such as statues, sculptures, birdbaths, fountains, and the like shall be placed or installed on the front or side yard

Exterior Lighting

  1. Lights added to the front of a home or garage must match or complement existing lamp styles of exterior lamps.
  2. Ground level lights bordering driveways must be unobtrusive in nature with black or dark finish.
  3. Lighting, decorative or otherwise, must be placed so that the light does not shine outside the property in a manner which could disturb neighbors.

Gardens and Landscaping

  1. Grass, ornamental plants and shrubbery, consistent with the original grass or landscaping, may be planted in front, rear, or side yard without the approval of the HOA. All other planting requires approval by the HOA.
  2. Planting of trees, plants or shrubbery on the property line is prohibited.
  3. No vegetable gardens are allowed without approval of the HOA. Vegetable gardens will be considered in the rear yard when enclosed by a privacy fence.
  4. An application is required for railroad ties or garden timbers which form a wall over one foot (12 inches) high and eight feet long. An application should include site plan with the location of the timbers and information on landscaping plans and grading changes.
  5. All property located at intersections shall be landscaped to permit safe sight across the street corners. No fence, wall, hedge, or shrub planting shall be placed or permitted to remain at any corner where this would create a traffic or sight problem.
  6. Landscaping cannot exceed 40% of the lot area.
  7. Replacing pine straw, mulch, or landscaping stone in existing beds is permitted without HOA approval, including switching from pine straw to mulch or landscaping stone. Adding pine straw, mulch, or landscaping stone elsewhere will require HOA approval and will require the stone, mulch, or pine straw to be laid on top of a proper weed control barrier (such as landscape fabric)

Fences

  1. All fences must be constructed of wood only. All wood material shall be of a type generally utilized for the purpose of fence construction (i.e., oak, pressure treated pine, spruce, cedar, etc...). Chain link, vinyl, hog wire fences are prohibited. Privacy fences are the only type of fencing allowed. No rail or picket fencing is allowed.
  2. No fence shall be greater than 6 feet in height or less than three and a half feet in height.
  3. All fences shall have a uniform pattern along the top line.
  4. All structure and/or framing members shall be installed to the interior of the fence, such that they are not visible from outside the fence or lot.
  5. All fences must have a natural or stained finish. Stained finishes must conform to others in the community and must be Colonial style colors or earth tones. No painting of fences is allowed. All fences must be regularly maintained by staining and/or sealing. No fence shall be allowed to reach a state of disrepair.
  6. All fencing must be installed within the boundaries of Lots to confirm with all governmental setback and other regulations, if any, as well as any requirements of the recorded Plats for the subdivision. Any boundary dispute shall be resolved between the disputing Owners and shall not be the responsibility of the Association. No fence shall be installed forward more than 5 feet of the rear corners of the home, however, variances may be granted, in the sole discretion of the Association, to allow access to a side door, enclose an air conditioning condenser unit or similar items. Side yards are not typically approved for fencing.
  7. No front yard of any Lot shall be fenced. Corner lots may be considered to have two front yards, therefore front yard rules apply to the yard adjacent to both adjacent streets on corner lots. As a general rule, fences are not allowed in front yards due to the fence construction being prohibited forward of the rear corners of the house. However, consideration may be given by the Association to the back yard fenced area yielding after rear corners are used and whether the house is situated square with the streets or diagonally placed. The ACC may also consider which street the houses faces for address purposes and what appearance results from the other street side. In any event, the fence should be no closer to the side street than the building setback.
  8. Invisible fences are acceptable.

Firewood

  1. Firewood shall be kept neatly stacked and should be located to the rear of the residence. Firewood must be screened from view of neighboring Lots, streets, and property located adjacent to the Lot.

Mailboxes

  1. You must use the approved mailbox ("The Oak", customized for Ballentine Pointe, by Mailbox Project) when replacing. 
  2. The approved supplier is from Mailbox Project, and uses the following parts: Box S1, Post C2, 2" Reflective Vinyl Numbers (Gold or Silver), #1 Address Plate, and Pontalba Bracket
  3. You may use an alternative supplier; however, the mailbox must be substantially similar to the approved mailbox design.
  4. Many homes in Phase I (Baywood Crossing, Baywood Drive, Baywood Way, Bay Court, Bluff Court) have a grandfathered mailbox. Replacement mailboxes MUST use the approved mailbox design, even if the current mailbox does not.

Sheds & Outbuildings

  1. Sheds must be placed in the backyard.
  2. If visible from the street, the shed must be a neutral color.

Note: per the Covenants, all outbuildings, including sheds, also require Board approval in addition to approval from the Landscape & Architecture committee.

Solar Panels & Other Solar Devices

  1. Solar panels must be installed in the rear of the home.
  2. Note: a signed statement from the engineer in charge of installation showing why it would not be cost effective to install the solar panels in the rear of the home should be submitted with any applications with the solar panels elsewhere. If the amount of additional panels needed to install in the rear to make equivalent energy as placing them in the front exceeds 33% of the total cost of having the panels not in the rear, the panels might be approved in the front as a variance.