By Sylvia Robinson, Chair 

 

April was a busy but productive month for the Architectural Review Committee as we welcomed Mark Raker, a new member, and we continued to review ARC applications in a timely manner. As of April 1, the ARC application form was revised to clarify submission of the homeowner’s plot plan as a required part of the application.

 

Alas, with the advent of spring, ARC members have received questions from neighbors regarding new plantings and home improvements, such as gutter guards and screen porch conversions. ARC members are pleased to answer questions and to assist homeowners in our efforts to facilitate clear communication about the essential elements for preparing a complete and thorough ARC application with supporting documentation that will help the HOA board reach a prompt decision. To that end, in March, ARC reviewed seven new applications, and the HOA board approved eight existing applications for homeowners.

 

The Architectural Request Form, also referred to as the ARC application, is available on the William Douglas website and the Courtyards at Southpoint Slack channel and can be accessed through the newsletter by clicking here.

 

The completed applications and accompanying documents must be submitted to Casey Ferrara at cferrara@wmdouglas.com.  

 

Please note: No installation can begin without formal approval from the HOA board.

 

In addition, please remember: Before any digging can take place, homeowners are responsible for making sure all utility lines are located and marked. You can apply online by clicking here. This especially is important because timelines for location requests and some rules changed effective Oct. 1, 2025. Therefore, homeowners should check the website to ensure the rules and timing of your application will fit with your desired project.

 

Moreover, certain items are not marked — such as plumbing lines leading to and from the property or properties that may be impacted by your project — so please be sure you take steps to locate any other buried infrastructure needing protection before you begin your project. This will help you avoid expensive mistakes, which would be the responsibility of each homeowner to fix.

 

Also, please remember neither the HOA board nor ARC can provide advice or decisions as to whether a proposed application complies with all local ordinances or codes. The obligation for this — including responsibility regarding drainage and/or utilities easements, setbacks or encroachments — rests with the homeowner. 

 

In closing, I want to thank ARC members Gwen Bloom, Bruce Buley, Doris Alexander Buley, Art Chambers, Jeff Davidson and Mark Raker, and our HOA board liaison, Jill Pafford, for their diligent efforts and continuing contributions to this effort.