may 2015 peachwood estates newsletter homeowners...
TRANSCRIPT
Hello neighbors and welcome Spring! I
am happy to report that our Sandy Hollow
Court paving project is now complete. Thank
you to residents for their patience and under-
standing during that process. Before and after
photos are included in this newsletter.
The lovely warmer weather allows us to
make repairs and renovations to the exterior of our homes and land-
scapes. The HOA established an Architectural Review Committee
(ARC) in 1980 to help maintain property values and community archi-
tectural harmony by reviewing and approving submissions from home-
owners for exterior additions and/or changes to buildings, structure,
landscaping and other improvements to properties in our community.
The Board updated the ARC guidelines at our last meeting and created
an easy to read document containing detailed information for submittal
and directives on fences, additions, decks & patios, sheds, driveways &
walkways, exterior color and trim, antennas, exterior lighting, land-
scapes, woodpiles, vegetable gardens, and large recreational vehicles.
This document is in this newsletter and available on our website.
If you are planning any of the above mentioned exterior modifi-
cations or have already started, you must submit a project request to
the ARC. Your ARC is flexible and not authoritarian. Larry Collier,
ARC Chair, will work with you—not against you. We want you to enjoy
your home, as well as maintain our neighborhood aesthetic.
Speaking of home exteriors, I noticed many of you have added
house numbers to your mailboxes and houses—thank you! However,
there are still many homes with no number on the house itself. Exist-
ing numbers can be 3-1/2 inches high, but if you replace them, they
must be at least five inches high. Make this task a priority this Spring
to be sure your home is located quickly in case of an emergency!
Next, I know a number of folks on Windmill Lane had significant
flooding in their driveways due to ineffective grass drainage swales.
(continued on next page)
Special points of in-terest: Briefly highlight your point of interest here.
Briefly highlight your point of interest here.
Briefly highlight your point of interest here.
Briefly highlight your point of interest here.
PEACHWOOD ESTATES
HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION Website: www.pehoa.net
Email: [email protected]
MAY 2015
NEWSLETTER
FROM THE PRESIDENT
BOARD MEMBERS
Renee Chen, 2012
President
1108 Windmill Lane
301-879-9680
davidandreneech-
Bill Welch, 2014
Vice President
14801 Windmill Terrace
301-236-0218
Kathy Hancock, 2013
Secretary
14812 Windmill Terrace
301-384-8920
Rick Quintero, 2012
Treasurer
1104 Netherlands Court
301-384-2183
Larry Collier, 2014
1128 Windmill Lane
301-236-4389
Jack Strausman, 2014
1120 Netherlands Court
301-989-3425
Rick Welch, 2012
1112 Netherlands Court
301-236-6846
Brian Lesniewicz, 2013
1113 Sandy Hollow Court
VACANT, 2013
ARC Chair
Larry Collier
Newsletter Editor
Renee Chen
FROM THE PRESIDENT (Continued from page 1)
These are the channels (gutters) in our front lawns that collect water from hard surfaces and
allow it to percolate into the ground, reducing the amount of runoff leaving roads and proper-
ties. The swales are important, not only to avoid flooded driveways, but because we are located
in the Upper Paint Branch Special Protection Area, a nationally recognized cold-water fishery
with a unique self-sustaining brown trout population. Many of our swales have flattened out
rendering them useless. I am in the process of contacting the right person in the County to get
an evaluation of all grass swales to see if we can have repairs done all at once.
On a completely different note, your Board has voted to discontinue the PEHOA Listserv
(Yahoo group email) because it is not fulfilling the original purpose. All HOA communication
will continue with [email protected].
Along the lines of communication, it is that time of year when I need to remind home-
owners with outstanding balances that payments are due now. Our lawyer has mailed overdue
notices and we are now in the process of placing liens on certain homes. Small claims court is
another option we are weighing.
I would like to end on a good note by thanking you for being such lovely neighbors! I am
so fortunate to have gotten to know so many of you through HOA meetings and events, and
walks with my dogs. A couple of folks I spoke to expressed interest in joining our Board and we
would love to talk to you more about it. So, I would like to extend a personal invitation to all of
you to attend our next meeting & social at my house on Friday, June 5th at 6:30 PM**. It
will be a time to relax, meet some new neighbors and enjoy some food. Please see my invitation
below!
~Renee **Meeting date changed since last newsletter
PEACHWOOD ESTATES HOA RESIDENTS
You are cordially invited to Board Meeting &
Neighborhood Social
**Friday, June 5th at 6:30—8:00 PM
At the home of Renee Chen
1108 Windmill Lane
Pizza and drinks provided
Children are welcome!
Peachwood Estates HOA | Website: www.pehoa.net | Email: [email protected] PAGE 2 MAY 2015
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Peachwood Estates HOA | Website: www.pehoa.net | Email: [email protected] PAGE 3 MAY 2015
SANDY HOLLOW COURT ROAD &
SIDEWALK REPAIRS
Pictured: Gary Schneider (right), Project Manager,
Chamberlain Contractors, Inc.
Peachwood Estates HOA
Architectural Review Committee
Purpose The purpose of the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) review process is to help maintain property values and community architectural harmony by reviewing and approving submissions from homeowners for exterior additions and/or changes to buildings, structures, landscaping and other improvements to properties in our community. The ARC may also recommend appropriate action to the board of directors whenever it becomes aware of inadequate maintenance of properties in our community such as damaged trees, missing shutters, broken downspouts, lawns in need of mowing, etc. The review process will put particular emphasis on the portion of properties visible from the street. The formation of the ARC is authorized by Article IX of the By-Laws of the Peachwood Estates Homeowners Association. Article V of the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions outlines intent and responsibilities of the ARC.
Submittal Guidelines
In general, the following information is necessary for submission:
● Cover letter to explain the nature of the request. ● Exact position on lot, and relation to existing structures. Most people have simply photocopied the land plat that they
received when they moved in. and then sketched in the needed information. The exact dimensions can be included in the accompanying description.
● Description of materials to be used (i.e., the type of wood, color of materials or paint to be used, etc.) ● Name, address, phone number and email address of homeowner. ● For further information regarding Montgomery County structural guidelines, refer to their website at: http://
permittingservices.montgomerycountymd.gov. ● For restrictions on residential parking and surfacing, refer to http://montgomerycountymd.gov/goodneighbors/. ● Upon obtaining a building permit from the county, submit copy to the ARC. ● Drawings and plans must be provided to the ARC for no-building permit projects. Note: Photographs are recommended Please send all submittals for review, by letter or email, to the ARC Chair (the current ARC Chair is listed along with address, telephone number, and email address, on the front page of each newsletter). For fences: ● Design of fence (i.e., estate, picket, etc.). For additions to existing structures: ● Either prior to or concurrently, submit to the ARC, a duplicate of the package required by the county in order to obtain
a building permit. For decks & patios: ● Either prior to or concurrently, submit to the ARC, a duplicate of the package required by the county in order to obtain
a building permit. For sheds: ● Size (height, width. length). ● Design of roof. ● Color For pools: ● Either prior to or concurrently, submit to the ARC, a duplicate of the package required by the county in order to obtain
a building permit.
Peachwood Estates HOA | Website: www.pehoa.net | Email: [email protected]
PEHOA ARC COMMITTEE GUIDELINES (UPDATED 2015)
PAGE 4 MAY 2015
Directives
Fences ● All fences must have prior approval of the ARC. ● No fence may extend beyond the front of the house on either side. ● Split-rail type fences are recommended for overall natural appearance. ● No chain-link fence may be constructed. ● No fence may be constructed over a maximum height of six feet, unless otherwise approved by the ARC.
(See Article VII, Section 2)
Additions ● All above ground additions to the house/garage or extensions from the house/garage must be approved by the ARC in
advance of construction start. ● Upon obtaining a building permit from the county, submit copy to the ARC.
(See Article V)
Decks & Patios ● All deck and patio construction must have prior approval of the ARC. ● If a building permit is required by the county, submit a copy to the ARC. ● Drawings and plats must be provided to the ARC for non-building permit projects.
(See Article V)
Sheds ● All sheds must be erected in rear of home and not visible from the street if possible. ● All sheds must meet county building code and zoning ordinance. ● Shed footprint should not exceed 144 square feet. ● All sheds must be approved by the ARC in advance of the start of construction.
(See Article V)
Driveways or front walkways ● No alterations of existing driveways or front walkways shall be made without prior approval of the ARC
Any modification must be in conformance with Montgomery County zoning. .
(See Article V)
Exterior Color and Trim
Any modification or change to exterior trim, siding or color must be approved in advance by the ARC.
(See Article V) Antennas: ● All exterior antennas must meet covenant regulations. In general, antennas intended for residential use should be
acceptable.
(See Article VII, Section 10) Exterior Lighting ● Any modification to existing lights or the addition of exterior lighting (such as floodlights, spotlights) to the front, sides or back of house or garage, must not in any way be considered a nuisance to the neighborhood or infringe upon neigh-bor’s comfort.
(See Article VII, Section 3)
Peachwood Estates HOA | Website: www.pehoa.net | Email: [email protected] PAGE 5 MAY 2015
PEHOA ARC COMMITTEE GUIDELINES (UPDATED 2015) Cont’d
Landscapes: ● Any change to the existing landscape must meet regulations as stated in the covenants.. ● Submit your reason for removing any tree four inches in diameter measured two feet above the ground. ● In general dead, diseased, or damaged trees may be removed.
(See Article VII, Section 3)
Woodpiles:
● All woodpiles in excess of 1/2 face-cord must be stacked to the back of the house.
Common Areas:
● Homeowners with property immediately adjacent o common areas may, at their option and with prior approval of the
ARC, clean and maintain such areas.
(See Article VII, Sections 9 & 11)
Other Property Usage
● Vegetable garden plots must be located in the back of the house.
● No animal pen of any type may be constructed or housed on the property. All dog houses must be put in the rear of
the house.
● All play equipment (i.e. swing set. sandbox, jungle gym, playhouse, etc.) must be located in the back of the house.
● Any outdoor clothes drying devices must be located in the back of the house.
● Any RV, trailer, camper, boat or inoperative vehicles should be housed in the garage or outside the community. An
exception may be made for small items that can be stored in the backyard as long as they are not visible from the
street. The items need to be stored in such a way as to not cause an "eyesore" to the adjacent neighbors. Approval
must be received in writing from the adjacent property owners.
● Parking for Heavy Commercial and Recreational Vehicles must conform to the Montgomery County zoning laws.
See General Submittal Guidelines above.
Peachwood Estates HOA | Website: www.pehoa.net | Email: [email protected] PAGE 6 MAY 2015
PEHOA ARC COMMITTEE GUIDELINES (UPDATED 2015) Cont’d
LOCAL SCHOLARSHIP
OPPORTUNITY!
The PEHOA just received a letter from Craig
Zucker, Maryland State Delegate, to inform us about
scholarship opportunities for the 2015-2016 school year.
Mr. Zucker represents the 14th Legislative District in Montgomery County. This
district includes the areas of Ashton, Brookeville, Brinklow, Burtonsville, Calverton,
Clarksburg, Cloverly, Damascus, Gaithersburg, Olney, Sandy Spring and Silver Spring.
In order to qualify for the scholarship, the student must be a resident of District 14
and be attending a college or university in the state of Maryland, with some exceptions.
The application is available online at www.craigzucker.com/delegate-scholarship. If you
have additional questions, Mr. Zucker can be contacted at 301-858-3380 or by email at
DEADLINE: Materials must be postmarked by May 30, 2015