Landscaping Approval Requirements

Landscaping Approval Requirements

“It is intended that all of the Units, Dwellings, other buildings, structures, landscaping and other improvements constructed within the Community shall be architecturally compatible and aesthetically pleasing so as to preserve the overall appearance and continuing value of property within the Community.”

The rules further state that improvements Unit Owners wish to make that change the appearance of their individual units must be approved by our Executive Board. The "Architectural Review Submission” page of this website contains the required “Architectural Review Form” that is to be used when seeking such approval.

Questions have been raised about what resources are available to help Unit Owners understand what kinds of improvements might or might not be “architecturally compatible and aesthetically pleasing” and about whether all improvements require approval.

Guidelines:
When creating the Community, our developer chose not to impose a detailed and restrictive set of rules that govern the aesthetics of landscaping for our community. Rather, they left it to the community and its Executive Board to determine landscaping guidelines as we see fit.

It is said, “That which aesthetically pleases the observer is beautiful (to the observer).” In the absence of a set of rules to govern aesthetics, it is left largely to the Unit Owner to determine what is pleasing to their eyes and what will serve their purpose in establishing new landscape elements. So, generally, the Board will not express judgment on the aesthetics of a proposal. However, the Board must also consider the rest of the community and may reject a proposal they believe will be objectionable to the community as a whole.

Kinds of Landscaping:
It is useful to consider two categories of landscaping, hardscape and softscape. Although landscaping requirements differ somewhat between single family and carriage homes, the need to have improvement plans approved is the same.

Hardscape:
Hardscape includes things like patios, decks, pergolas, fences, walkways, stones and rocks. Except for the addition of a few stones, a landscape rock, or stepping stones to transit a garden, nearly any hardscape modification needs to be submitted for approval. Hardscape improvements may, for instance, encroach on property boundaries and easements or decrease the rainwater permeability of a unit. And they tend to be expensive and difficult to modify.

Softscape:
Softscape refers to everything else, such as trees, shrubs, plants, flowers and mulch. Most requests seek to establish planting beds for shrubs, perennials and trees. They may be for foundation plantings around the home and patios or to establish islands of plantings in the yard. These should always be submitted to the Board for approval. It is not necessary to detail each and every plant to be installed but at least the nature of the plants to be installed should be described. For instance, “low growing shrubs”, “perennials” or “annuals” might be specified; enough to let the Board know that they will be easy to maintain and not overwhelm the neighborhood.

The location and species of all proposed tree plantings should be submitted for approval. We need to be satisfied that the tree is not planted too close to a structure, will not violate an easement and that the number and size of the species is appropriate for the property and will not overwhelm the neighborhood.

Street Trees:
Any required street tree that was installed by the Developer as part of the subdivision approval must remain until the local streets are accepted for dedication to the Township. If the Unit Owner has any concerns about the type, placement or condition of that street tree(s) located in the front yard they should contact the developer/builder.

When are approvals not needed?
The board does not need to know about your intent to plant annuals or to move or replace a few shrubs in an established bed. Still in doubt? The Board suggests that you apply for approval. Filling out the submission form takes little time and the Board generally responds in a few days.