ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE (AC)
Revised 2/22/2007
MISSION
The mission of the Architectural Committee is to ensure and protect the community’s appearance and property values.
PURPOSE
The purpose of these policies and guidelines is to establish community and landscape themes, and standards that will insure a quality community, protect and enhance property values.
INTRODUCTION
Mizner Pointe has been planned as an attractive, up-scale place to live in Boca Raton, Florida. Homeowners are concerned with their property values and our natural environment.
The establishment of an architectural review process is essential to maintain high community standards and establish reasonable procedures and guidelines to attain these standards.
ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE
The Declaration of Covenants establishes an Architectural Committee (AC) that is appointed by and reports directly to the Board of Directors. The AC is authorized to promulgate, written architectural standards, regulations, procedures, and guidelines governing the construction, location, height, size, dimension, material design improvements, structures, landscaping, etc.
GENERAL GUIDELINES
Construction of any structure, improvement on any lot or any exterior changes to the property requires specific prior approval by the AC and will be approved or disapproved based on compliance with the Declarations, the Guidelines, and/or the aesthetic discretion of the Committee. The AC has sole discretion in approving or disapproving specific proposals.
PROJECT REQUESTS
No improvements, alterations, repairs, excavations or other work, which in any way alters the exterior appearance of any property within Mizner Pointe, shall be made or done without the prior written approval of the AC. Each request must be submitted in writing to the AC for approval prior to beginning any work. An AC Request Form is available at our Property Manager’s Office:
HRT Realty Services
1060 Holland Drive, Suite 3D
Boca Raton, Florida 33487
Request Forms should be completed with a detailed explanation of the proposed project, including the property plat with present and proposed structures, relevant surrounding features, landscaping plans, irrigation plan (if applicable) sketches with dimensions, and color samples. The AC will consider any possible influence on surrounding properties and will concentrate on maintaining the architectural style. The AC considers requests within 30 days of submission.
Requests must comply with the provisions of the Declaration, these Guidelines and with the applicable requirements of Federal, State, County, and local law.
WHAT IS AN AC APPLICATION?
An AC Application is a document that authorizes you to do specific activity, whether you do the work yourself or hire a contractor. It also ensures that the work you do, as well as the work others do, will be safe and aesthetically pleasing.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I WORK WITHOUT AN AC APPICATION?
Working without an approved AC Application may result in a Stop Work Order being issued on your project. A Stop Work Order is a document specifying that the project has no AC Application on file, and no work is to be done until an approved AC Application is issued from the AC. You may also be visited by a member of the AC or by the Property Manager. You will be asked to stop working until you submit an AC Application and get an approval from the AC.
Costs involved with pursuing compliance will be added to the resident’s account according to provisions in our documents and guidelines and billed as a special individual assessment. These costs include costs in providing non-compliance notices, and attorney and legal costs.
WHAT IF MY PROJECT WAS COMPLETED WITHOUT AN AC APPLICATION?
Your project is considered to be out of compliance with our documents and guidelines without an approved AC Application on file. You will need to submit an AC Application for the already-completed project to the AC in order to be in compliance. If any part of the project does not meet the requirements of our documents, you will be responsible for making the necessary corrections before you can receive an approval from the AC.
ARCHITECTURAL GUIDELINES
INTRODUCTION- The following guidelines are provided for assistance in planning projects, making any material changes to the exterior of your home and submitting requests. The AC reserves the right to approve or disapprove projects that vary from the Guidelines or are aesthetically inconsistent with the overall community standards. These Guidelines are not all inclusive. All changes to the exterior of a home shall require approval by the AC.
The location of a project will be carefully considered regarding the surrounding properties and the visual impact it has upon the community. The AC may require landscaping of sufficient height and density to minimize the view of the structure.
Approvals do not indicate a review of or comment upon the structural soundness, safety or compliance with any government’s standards and regulations. The property owner is responsible for obtaining any necessary building permits, variances, exceptions, inspections, or other approvals before starting any work. Approved projects must be completed within one month from the date of approval. The AC may consider a written request for extension of the time limit.
Approved applications are only valid for one year. Security checks are deposited.
ANTENNAS- Antennas will be mounted on a single pole and will be ten feet or less in height. It will be moderate and unobtrusive in size.
AWNINGS- In general, exterior awnings will be prohibited, unless it is clearly compatible with the architectural design and qualities of the home and screened from view of adjoining neighbors. At the sole discretion of the AC, if approved, awnings must meet the following criteria:
- They must be a plan design without decorative features.
- The colors must be solid that are compatible with the color scheme of the house.
- They should be consistent with the visual scale of the house to which attached.
- Structure supports should be painted to match the trim or dominant color of the house.
BASKETBALL GOALS- Particular to basketball goals mounted on poles placed in the ground, the pole must be set in concrete and should be located at least 15 feet from the street. Backboards may not be attached to the house. The goal must be placed so that play occurs on the owner’s property. No more than one basketball goal permitted on any lot.
CLOTHESLINES- Clotheslines or similar apparatus for the exterior drying of clothes shall be prohibited.
CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS- The following guidelines apply, to all construction projects:
- APPLICATION- A written application signed by the property owner containing a description of the planned project must be provided to the Architectural Committee. The application must be submitted on a Request for Architectural Approval Form and contain the following information, as applicable:
Drawing or Diagram, Height, Roof Design & Material, Exterior Finish & Color, Location on Lot, and Irrigation Analysis (if applicable).
- DURATION- Construction projects should be completed within 30 days of start day unless not feasible due to the magnitude of the job in which an extension period will be granted.
- PERMITS AND BUILDING CODES-It is the property owner’s responsibility to make certain that exterior improvements comply with local zoning ordinances and building codes and to acquire all appropriate permits.
EMERGENCY GENERATORS – Generators are permitted for use by homeowners, A maximum of 20 gallons of fuel can be stored in an approved DOT container. Do not store your gas fuel in the garage.
EXTERIOR AIR CONDITIONERS- Individual air-conditioning units extending from windows are prohibited.
EXTERIOR DECORATIVE OBJECTS- Though we encourage individual choices, the AC must approve exterior decorative objects to preserve the aesthetics of the community. These include, without limitation, bird houses, bird baths, driftwood, weathervanes, sculptures, fountains, free standing poles, mail boxes, house identification numbers, and any items attached to approved structures.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING- Lighting which is a part of the original structure may not be altered or added to without the prior approval of the AC. Proposed replacements or additions must be compatible in style and scale with the applicant’s house and applications must include their location, number, style and wattage, Recommended fixtures include low voltage, ground-mounted styles that may be concealed by plantings.
Colored bulbs designed to repel insects may be installed only in lighting fixtures at the rear of the house. Proposed lighting shall not be approved if it will otherwise result in adverse visual impact to any other property.
EXTERIOR COLORS- All exterior painting, including trims and doors requires architectural review approval. No neighboring houses may use the same base color. Front doors and garage doors are recommended to be painted in a lighter trim color
The decision whether to approve each application will be based on a judgment as to whether the proposed change would be noticeably inconsistent or visually incompatible with the new scheme of color palettes and tonal ranges
Use of color combinations from our defined color scheme does not automatically grant approval.
FENCES- AC approval is required for installing fences. Fencing may be installed on the perimeter property lines as allowed by surveyors within Palm Beach County to enclose the rear yard of single homes. Other locations will be considered for some corner, or irregular shaped lots. The style, color, height and material will be consistent with other fences installed at Mizner Pointe.
FIREWORKS- Fireworks will not be allowed on Mizner Pointe of Boca Association Property. It shall be a violation if fireworks are set-off.
FLAGPOLES- Permanent, free standing flagpoles must be approved by the AC. The height, color, location and design must be consistent with the overall theme of the community. The AC generally approves flagpoles attached at an incline to the exterior wall of the home.
GARAGE SALES- Garage Sales shall not be permitted.
HEDGES- Hedges may be considered fences and require review and approval by the AC. No hedges will be allowed on lake front properties.
HOSE REELS- Hose Reels are permitted provided they are placed in or attached to an inconspicuous location.
LAKEFRONT PROPERTIES- The Declaration of Covenants, Article XV has provisions regarding specific restrictions. In addition, any structure, permanent, semi-permanent, or temporary that obstructs the lake view, or result in adverse visual impact to your surrounding neighbors, shall not be permitted.
LANDSCAPING AND GARDENS- Significant landscaping, including vegetable, flower or rock gardens, or lawn ornaments is considered an exterior modification and must receive prior approval. Approval is required for all trees, regardless of size or location and for other plantings intended to form a hedge or natural screen that will attain a height of more than two feet. The owner must replace any permanent landscaping that dies or need replacement (trees, shrubs, hedges, etc.)
MAILBOXES AND NEWSPAPER TUBES- The addition of tubes or other containers for delivery of newspapers or magazines is prohibited. Mailboxes may be replaced only with units similar in size and style to those installed by the builder, and may not be painted, finished covered in any color or pattern other than the original installation.
PATIOS- Patios may be constructed of materials compatible with the existing structure. Visual impact on surrounding properties will be taken under consideration prior to approval.
PAVERS- Brick Pavers shall be maintained in its natural condition. They may be pressure cleaned and clear sealant may be used without AC Approval. Painting or staining of pavers will not be allowed. The use of color sealant or “special stains” requires AC approval.
RECREATIONAL AND PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT- Recreational and playground equipment will be considered by the AC based on location, style, material, and color. Generally, such equipment should be placed in rear yards. The equipment should be compatible with lot size. The design and any visual screening are additional considerations in evaluations whether or not there will be an adverse visual impact.
REPAIRS, GENERAL – Repairs that does not change the exterior appearance does not require architectural approval. Any change to the current exterior of your home requires prior approval.
ROOF REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT – Approval is required for roof replacement. No approval is necessary for roof repair as long as the repair matches the color of your current roof.
SATELLITE DISHES- Direct TV or other satellite dishes may not be greater than 18 inches in diameter and must be placed where they are not readily visible from the street unless this placement would not permit reception of an acceptable quality signal.
SHUTTERS- Shutters may be permitted based on location, materials, style and color.
SHUTTERS, HURRICANE – Hurricane shutters shall be installed when the national weather service issues a hurricane watch which is approximately 48 hours in advance of a potential storm. Shutters shall be removed within one week after the storm has passed. In the event of extraordinary weather circumstances, exceptions to this policy will be posted on Channel 63, if conditions allow.
SIGNS- Advertising signs, leaflets, petitions or other written material shall not be distributed on the premises without the Association’s approval.
Only signs advertising a property for sale or rental may be displayed. Such signs must meet applicable County regulations with respect to size, content and removal and must be in compliance with our By-Laws. Signs may only be placed in the front yard of the subject property. No sign is allowed to be placed on Common grounds, including the entrance to the Community.
SOLAR PANELS- Solar Panels may be installed and shall be flush mounted. Panels will be boxed-in and finished to blend with the color if the roof Piping and electrical connections will be located directly under and within the perimeter of the panel.
STORAGE SHEDS- Because sheds not specifically designed or located for consistency with each neighborhood’s architectural style can detract from an otherwise visually harmonious residential environment, the installation of prefabricated or free standing sheds are prohibited.
SWIMMING POOLS, SPAS, AND HOT TUBS- Pools, spas, and hot tubs will be located to minimize the visual effect on surrounding properties. Landscaping and fencing will be submitted with the request. The lot size, topography, location of equipment, and the design, color, material, method of installation will be carefully considered. Above Ground Pools are not permitted, with the exception of “kiddie pools.”
TEMPORARY STRUCTURES- No temporary or permanent utility, building, tent, structure or improvement shall be constructed, or maintained without the prior approval of the Architectural Committee.
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