Homeowner’s Handbook
2017-18
Welcome to Bayhill Springs!
This Homeowner's Handbook and Directory has been prepared to provide members with important information about Bayhill Springs, including the organization and management of our association, key protective covenants and other items of general interest and importance to you as a member of the Bayhill Springs Homeowners Association.
Bayhill Springs is a planned, single-family community with distinctive individual homes, shared ownership of common areas, restrictive covenants and a sense of neighborhood. Our common interest in Bayhill Springs is very simple: to preserve and enhance the value and appeal of our neighborhood for those who own homes here.
We welcome your involvement in the homeowners association and appreciate your taking time to read and follow the covenants and guidelines in this handbook. Your comments and questions are always welcome. Contact a member of the board of directors or our management company. The phone numbers and addresses are listed at the end of the handbook.
Sincerely,
The Board of Directors
Bayhill Springs Homeowners Association, Inc.
The Homeowners Association
All property owners within Bayhill Springs are members of the homeowners association. Each year, members of the association meet to elect members to a board of directors. The board meets as needed to manage the affairs of the association. Homeowners are welcome to attend any meeting with advance notification to the board. In addition to the board, we all play an important role in Bayhill Springs’ community, many through work on one of our committees. These include the Architectural Control Committee, Neighborhood Watch Committee and other committees that may be established from time to time. All members of the board and the committees serve as unpaid volunteers. If you are interested in serving on one of the committees or on the Board of Directors, please contact AMI.
Architectural Control Committee
The Architectural Control Committee exists to help ensure consistent application of design criteria and requirements included in the Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&Rs) and architectural guidelines. All proposed exterior changes to homes must be reviewed and approved in advance by the committee. A one-page form is available by contacting AMI, our management company. The form is also included in this handbook.
Neighborhood Watch Committee
This is our neighborhood crime prevention committee that is organized into a team of Block Captains who watch over small sections of the neighborhood. This committee also acts as a telephone tree and communications network to quickly contact all homeowners in the event of a neighborhood emergency. Most of their communication is done through e-mail, so if you are not on their e-mail list and would like to be, please contact AMI.
Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions
All properties and common areas within Bayhill Springs are guided by a set of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions. This legal document is provided to each homeowner during financial closing, and each homeowner is expected to abide by its conditions. If you do not have a copy of the CC&R’s, contact your title insurance company for a free copy or visit the AMI website at www.amihome.net. The information contained in this handbook is a summary of some of the CC&Rs that apply to your property. To the extent the information contained in this handbook may conflict with the CC&R's, the CC&R's will control.
Homeowners Assessments
Under authority in the CC&Rs, the homeowners association levies and collects semi-annual assessments from each homeowner. The assessments cover costs including the maintenance and improvement of common areas, signs, utilities, insurance, neighborhood communications and other operating expenses. Financial statements, which reflect the use of the assessments, are prepared regularly and are available to all homeowners by contacting AMI.
Bayhill Springs Homeowners Association, Inc.
Architectural Specifications and Standards
April 1, 2015
Authority: Under its authority to make Association rules under Article 7, Section 7.1-1, page 7 of the Bylaws for Bayhill Springs Subdivision governing certain activities in the Bayhill Springs neighborhood, the Board of Directors of the Association, by majority vote, hereby adopts the following architectural guidelines which apply to all residences and common areas and are effective April 1, 2015. These guidelines replace and supersede all previous architectural guidelines for the Association. This document is intended to support, but not replace the Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs). In the event that these guidelines vary from the CC&Rs, the CC&Rs shall supersede. The Board and the Architectural Control Committee (ACC) request that you refer to the Bayhill Springs CC&Rs for additional information on the association’s architectural standards.
Application: Beginning April 1, 2015, these standards shall apply to all construction, renovation, modification and additions to homes and lots in Bayhill Springs. Existing inconsistencies with these standards will be noted and corrected at the time the home is either sold or the inconsistency is resolved in another manner. For example, an existing house color which does not comply with the approved colors in these standards must be changed to comply when the home is sold or when it is re-painted or re-stained. In this manner, all homes will come into full compliance with these standards over a period of time.
Roofs: Most roofs are composed of #1 grade split cedar shake shingles and a continuation of that look is desired. The shingle color shall be of the original wood tone. Cedar wood shake roofing material is the material of choice by the Board of Directors for any roofing projects. The ACC may grant approval on a case by case basis for entire roof replacements with asphalt composition shingles if the following Board of Directors approved products are used:
1. Manufacturer: CertainTeed
2. Style: Presidential Shake TL or Presidential Shake
3. Color: Autumn Blend
In all cases, before any roof renovation or replacement work can begin, the homeowner must submit and have on file an approved ACC Review Form.
The board recommends that the homeowner select a licensed, insured, and reputable roofing firm that will provide a quality installation in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendation and building codes.
Siding and Trim: Any modification to any siding of any home requires prior approval of the ACC.
Painting and Staining: Houses should be re-painted or re-stained as needed to maintain its finish. When painting or staining, the homeowner is responsible for and should follow all applicable air quality, hazardous materials handling and disposal requirements. Modifications to the existing house and trim colors needs architectural approval before work commences in all cases. Repainting or re-staining with the colors currently on a house does not require architectural approval, provided those existing colors are among those colors currently approved by the ACC.
Garage Doors: Garage doors should be painted the same approved color as the base color of the home or as the trim.
Additions and Modifications: Any addition or modification to the exterior of any home requires prior approval of the ACC. In general, an addition will be considered for approval on the basis of its consistency with existing structures and with these architectural standards. Full plans and specifications must be submitted for approval before any construction begins on any addition to any home.
Fences: All fences shall be made of a “grape stake” design and shall not exceed the height of six (6) feet or such other heights as the ACC may specify. Dog-eared, cedar fences are the standard throughout the neighborhood. The ACC may grant approval on a case by case basis for Vinyl Fencing if the following Board of Directors approved products are used:
4. Manufacturer: Kroy
5. Style: WoodLand Select
6. Color: Weathered Cedar
In all cases, before any fencing renovation or replacement work can begin, the homeowner must submit and have on file an approved ACC Review Form.
Replacing broken fence boards and posts needs no approval.
The perimeter fences on Milwaukee & Bayhill Street as well as the fence at the end of Grassland Court are owned and maintained by the homeowners association. All other fences are the responsibility of individual homeowners whose properties they border.
Sheds and Playhouses: Sheds and playhouses are allowed in the back yard of homes if they are less than eight (8) feet in height and are setback at least five (5) feet from the rear and side property lines. Sheds, playhouses, and other such structures must be painted the same color as the house and must be roofed with the same roofing material as the house. Metal, vinyl, or plastic storage sheds and playhouses are prohibited. All sheds, playhouses, and other such structures require prior approval of the ACC before any construction or modification begins.
Other Outbuildings and Structures: All other structures including animal enclosures, play and fitness equipment, swimming pools, gazebos, deck covers, railings, ramps, and any other structures require prior approval of the ACC before any construction or modification begins. These structures must be less than 8ft in height and must be setback at least five (5) feet from the rear and side property lines.
Antennae and Receiving Devices: All such devices shall require prior approval by the ACC before installation. The committee cannot disallow the installation of an antenna or receiving device; however they can enforce where the devices are installed. In general, all such devices shall be installed in such a way as to be hidden from view from adjoining property owners and not visible from the street. Homeowners must remove any antennae or device not in use.
House Numbers: House numbers should be of adequate size and location to be easily visible from the street.
Architectural Approval Form: The association's Architectural Review and Approval form is attached to these standards and should be used to seek approval of any additions or modifications to the exterior of homes and landscaping in Bayhill Springs. When submitting an architectural review form, make sure it is complete with any necessary diagrams, dimensions, colors, contractors, etc. Forms should be submitted to AMI via regular mail, fax, or e-mail. AMI will then forward forms onto the ACC for review. If the homeowner is seeking to do a major modification or seeking a variance to the current CC&Rs and Architectural Standards, that homeowner must receive written approval from the Board of Directors as well as the ACC.
Variances: All variances to these standards must be submitted in writing and must be approved in writing by a majority of the board of directors.
Approved this 1st day of April, 2015 by:
Greg Clovis (President) ______
Gary Groff (Vice President) ______
Fred Koch (Treasurer) ______
Michael Camacho (Member) ______
Association Management
Our homeowners association has engaged Association Management, Inc. (AMI) to provide a range of services. These include assessment billing and collecting, helping with meetings, keeping our records, doing our financial bookkeeping and reporting, producing newsletters, managing contractors who serve our neighborhood, and responding to homeowner concerns. While our elected board of directors is ready and willing to deal with issues, our first line of communication should be our management company. Call any time to AMI's one phone number, 385-9650. If you call after business hours you can leave a message or an emergency page and someone will respond immediately. Additional AMI contact information is available at the end of this handbook.
AMI also maintains a website www.amihome.net to serve as a resource for homeowners in the neighborhood associations they serve. Resources available to Bayhill Springs Homeowners are the governing documents, Architectural Approval Request forms, Architectural Standards, and the latest newsletter and minutes from the annual meeting among other items.
Landscape Maintenance
The level and quality of landscape maintenance in our neighborhood is an important component of neighborhood appeal. Accordingly, all homeowners should maintain their landscaping in a way that adds value and appeal to the neighborhood.
Parking and Storage
Vehicles should be parked in the garage or in your driveway. For safety and visibility of drivers and pedestrians, homeowners should avoid parking in the street. Temporary parking is available at the end of several cul-de-sac streets. Please be mindful that the primary purpose for the cul-de-sac parking is for visitors.
§ Boats, campers, travel trailers, motor homes, snowmobiles, motorcycles, watercraft, tent trailers and other recreational vehicles should be parked in the garage or off-site. Storing these vehicles behind a fence does not satisfy this requirement. It is permissible to park these types of vehicles in your driveway for up to 72 hours for cleaning, loading and unloading.
§ While in use for hauling items on a temporary basis, such as furniture, recreational vehicles, landscape or construction materials, it is permissible to have a utility trailer parked in your driveway. However, such trailers should be stored in your garage or off-site as soon as possible after use.
§ Back yard storage sheds are allowed if they meet the CC&R guidelines. Metal, vinyl or plastic storage sheds are prohibited. The Architectural Control Committee must approve all exterior sheds before they are installed.
Renting Your Home
If it becomes necessary to rent your home, please make sure your tenants have a copy of this handbook and the CC&Rs. Notify AMI of the names and phone numbers for your tenants so they can be properly welcomed to the neighborhood and receive newsletters and notices.
Neighborhood Directory
The most current neighborhood directory can be sent to you upon request. Please contact our neighborhood manager, contact information at the end of this handbook, to request your copy.
Neighborhood Complaints
Complaints about neighbors will be handled and addressed on an individual basis by the board of directors for our association. Complaints should be made in writing for record keeping and documentation purposes. Complaints should be addressed to the board of directors and sent to AMI via postal mail or email. Anonymous complaints will not be considered and are not a valid way to register a complaint or concern. Here are some of the most common complaints by homeowners:
· Loudness and Music Please keep radios and music devices low if used outside. Loud or boisterous outside activities should be avoided in keeping with city noise ordinances and our covenants.