ABC Request/Approval Form (MS Word document)
Purpose of the Architecture and Building Committee (ABC)
To oversee and coordinate the architectural and landscape design decision-making for the homeowners of the Radiance community
The ABC uses the Radiance Restrictive Covenants (RRC) to make decisions about homeowner requests to change or enhance their properties. However, the ABC is NOT the entity that ENFORCES the Covenants. That is the role of the elected board members of the RPOA.
While the Radiance Restrictive Covenants (RRC) provides the framework for the ABC’s purpose and scope, the ABC also develops its own procedures and guidelines, to better communicate with homeowners and to create reasonable expectations for homeowners and committee members alike.
Committee members are volunteers, appointed by the board of the Radiance Property Owner’s Association. All members are homeowners in the Radiance Community.
Below is the most recent rendition of the ABC guidelines for homeowners, which are meant to act as a complement to the Radiance Restrictive Covenants.
These guidelines are defined by the ABC and may be revised at any time by the members of the ABC or the RPOA Board. Variances to these guidelines and the Restrictive Covenants are granted
on a site-by-site basis. In fact, variances to some of these guidelines have previously been granted.
- Roofing materials:
tile, metal, asphalt, slate, copper, etc. No shiny metal. Garden homes
must devise guidelines for shared roofing. - Paint: Earthen colors
that do not draw attention away from natural landscape Example: no
houses painted with magenta trim or lime-green garage doors. Stain
is preferred over paint for wood exterior walls, fences, etc. - Garbage disposals:
prohibited due to the undue load on septic systems. - Building style:
Texas contemporary and southwestern styles of the Spanish tradition
encouraged. Victorian gingerbread, Tudor, A-frames, domes, flat-roofed
homes are discouraged. Houses should blend with Texas Hill Country
and not contrast harshly with other houses or the landscape. - Fences: height and size of fence determined along the following parameters:
- Decorative fences (under 4 feet) and gardening fences (6 feet plus) are acceptable and contingent upon design, proximity of other fences, proximity to walking paths, etc.
- Privacy fences are generally limited to backyards and smaller areas.
- Detached dwellings: no larger than the Buchanan’s privacy area in 2001. (4 Concord)
- Garden homes: not to exceed the Levinson’s privacy area in 2001. (13 Concord)
- Driveways: Unpaved driveways accepted for up to 2 years after construction. Then permanent
surface required. - Trapping: No trapping allowed except for live traps used for re-location.
- Firarms: The Covenant’srestrictions on firearms includes BB guns. Fireworks on July 4th and
New Year’s Eve only, with direct adult supervision and weatherconditions permitting (i.e. no burn ban). - Gardenhomes: Design changes must be collectively agreed upon by a simple majority of the
Gardenhome owners in that area. This would include paint color, roofing
material, room additions, etc.
4/02
Appointed by the Board for
2 year term (Section 8.1)At least 4 but not more
than 6 members (Section 8.1)Must approve or reject
in 21-days after all info. gathered (8.5)Written approval for
variances required (8.6)Can unanimously designate
1 or 2 agents to act on behalf (8.4)May define their own
building/improvements guidelines beyondthe scope of the
Restrivictive Covenants. (8.3)May charge for work,
not more than $20 per application, and must
submit received funds
to RPOA at the end of each year. (8.3)
Decisions can be based
simply on aesthetic grounds. (8.2)Any ABC approval expires
after 3 months if building has not
commenced (8.7)
BUILDING AND IMPROVEMENTS
Exterior construction
or improvements – within 6 months (9.9)Cited Examples of Improvements
requiring ABC approval: (8.2)buildings, walls,
fences, pools, landscaping, security systems,exterior lighting
fixtures, radio-TV antennaeResidential buildings
only (9.1)One single-family dwelling
per lot; garage apts. okayed by ABC (9.24)No commercial activities
but home offices with public access ok. (9.18)First floor minimum:
800 sq. ft. (9.2)Total minimum: 1200 sq.
ft. (9.2)Exterior – 1/3 masonry
required (9.3)20 ft. setbacks from
lot lines and street (9.4)Driveways must be paved
to Hays County Specs. and large enoughto accomodate 4 parked
cars (9.5)Driveways must be properly
maintained and provide adequate drainage (9.5)No on-street parking (9.15)
No fuel tanks (9.11)
No wire fences (9.12)
Perimeter fencing generally
not permitted (9.19)No offensive lighting
or antennae (9.19)No trees cut with 5 in.
diameter at 1 foot above ground level (9.21)Tree stumps must be removed (9.21)
BEHAVIORS/LIFESTYLE
Domestic pets only; limit
of 2 dogs per detached dwelling (9.6)No mobile homes or temporary
dwellings (9.8)No vehicles larger than
3/4 ton pickup to be visible (boats, trailers) (9.14)No signs other than address
or for sale signs (9.13)No on-street parking (9.15)
No dumping (9.16)
No firearms, including
fireworks (9.17)No hunting, including
bow hunting (9.17)No toxic herbicides or
pesticides; store-bought aerosols are ok (9.20)No mining (9.22)
No dams over creek (9.23)
ABC Policy, drafted 2003
SITUATION: NEIGHBOR COMPLAINTS
SITUATION: OUT OF COMPLIANCE
WITH Radiance Restrictive Covenants
If a homeowner is out of compliance with the RRCs, then the ABC will contact
them verbally to ask what they intend to do about the situation. They
will be informed that they will be receiving a written notice and that
fines will insue. They will be invited to give ABC a written notice of
when they plan to have the situation resolved. If appropriate, they might
choose to apply for a variance.
First notice: sent immediately
after first discussion2nd notice: sent after 3
weeks if compliance is not achieved3rd notice: sent 3 weeks
to include details of fine, which is to be paid to RPOA.2. If a homeowner
or renter begins a building or improvement project without first getting
ABC written approval, there will be a $100 fine payable to the RPOA.
