Common Elements
The common elements consist of everything outside each individual dwelling and lot. These grounds are shared by all owners: sidewalks, roadways, and gazebos, etc.
Guidelines:
- Swimming pools are limited to shallow inflatable "day use"
- No furniture, appliances, toys, etc. are to be left in the common elements overnight
- Don't leave anything to kill the grass or interfere with landscaping activity
- Anything that affects exterior appearance requires pre-approval (see Architectural Review)
Boundaries
Most deeded lots are barely large enough to contain the house, with only a few feet on each side. This has led to confusion and discord. It is essential that owners understand their own deed and boundaries. The county website contains all the records which can be found by name, address, or parcel number. For example, enter parcel 662-15-041 for the common elements of the association.
Owners are permitted to make changes only within their own deeded lot, and such changes may be subject to architectural review by the board. If ever in doubt, please ask first. Owners may not make any changes within the common elements. Any proposal for changes within the common elements should be submitted to the management company.
Originally, Whitlatch & Company (the builder) planted trees and shrubs both within deeded lots and within the common elements. Owners do have the general latitude to make minor landscaping adjustments on their own property, as long as the general character of shrubs and plantings is consistent with the neighborhood.
Trees and shrubs may occasionally die, and the association may remove dead plantings, including within deeded lots. However, the association is under no obligation to replace dead plantings, regardless of location. The association is more likely to replace in the common elements, but as 34 owners are all sharing the cost of such replacements, the decision to replace and the timing are all subject to the board of directors.