Grove Life Winter 2020

Love your Home by Heather Dupree A s we enter into a new year, we have a tendency to set new goals for ourselves, but why not our home as well? As we usher into 2020 let’s make our homes a priority. You want new and updated landscaping? Do it! House needs new paint? Do it!

Need to put on a new roof ? Do it! Need to renovate your kitchen or a bathroom? Do it! You get the theme. 2020 is the year to “do it”, just make sure all exterior projects go through the Architectural Control Committee or ACC process to get approved. What is the ACC Process? If your home is one of the 247 homes not in a Sub-Association the ACC is your one and only stop. If you live in an association, major changes must go through the HOA’s approval before coming to the ACC. An application to make the improvements can be picked up with me or emailed to you by, you guessed it, me. Application you say......what do I need it for? The application covers exterior paint, a new fence, the addition of a generator, new landscaping, adding hurricane shutters or windows, a new roof or any other exterior changes. The other changes include renovations, additions and pergolas which require additional infor- mation that must be submitted and approved by the ACC’s architect. Once the application has been reviewed by the necessary professionals and the Committee, you will receive an approval letter or a request for more information. This all sounds complicated, but it really isn’t. I promise! Landscaping updates are on the list! What does the ACC need? If you are doing a complete renovation the plans need to be done by a licensed Landscape Architect and must be submitted no later than 30 days prior to installation. If these plans include removing existing trees, you need to make sure that you have ACC approval to remove them. Partial renovations need approval as well. As we look at land- scape renovations, the ACC guidelines have recommendations, as well as requirements, when it comes to the trees, the shrubs and hedges all the way to the grass you walk on, so make sure you check the list and share it with the Landscape Architect before they start your drawings. Also make note that no matter what, you need three trees in your front yard, one on each side and three in the back, no exceptions. Fences fall in landscaping and have their own requirements as well. Curb appeal is a high priority for the ACC in 2020. (We haven’t forgotten about the swales yet).

Vision Inspire and enable members to enjoy every day of their lives.

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