Architectural Review Committee

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  ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE (ARC)

1. Welcome to the Oak Lake Estates Neighborhood ARC. These pages are dedicated to answering questions for all homeowners in Oak Lake Estates about the guidelines for updating or improving your property. All homeowners, regardless of HOA status, are required to file an ARC application when updating their property.
2. The Architectural Review Committee is aware that in our subdivision there are some previously constructed structures that do not conform completely to the deed recorded CCR’s. However, the current board, as stewards in the interest of all residents, are attempting to have more appropriate compliance in the application of the CCR’s moving forward. The Architectural Review Committee does not accept existing deviations as a precedence in approving future construction nor an obligation for approval.  
3. There is a consideration of the impact visually to the neighborhood. For example, we will not consider ‘warehouse’ looking structures or rooflines towering over the existing home as acceptable. While the ARC board can understand a resident’s desire to construct an outbuilding, we must consider that Oak Lake is a residential neighborhood subdivision and not rural property. Recorded CCR’s clearly give guidance on what is acceptable.  In offering variances to CCR’s, we may look at size, location and screening as considerations. See ARC policy on variance guidelines.
4. Improvements made outside the guidelines of the CCR’s are subject to having a “Notice of Unapproved Structure” placed on the property title. The non-conforming structure would not be approved in the future for a similar re-build which may limit property value as well as insurability. Neither the Oak Lake Estates HOA nor the Architectural Review Committee will be responsible for devaluation of property due to unapproved non-conforming structures.
5. Please note: Obtaining a County building  permit for construction does not override the requirement to submit plans to ARC for approval based on the subdivision's specific CCR's.

• Disclaimers: Approval of any Structure by the ARC is in no way a certification that the structure has been built in accordance with any governmental rules or that the Structure complies with sound building practices. Homeowners are required by law to obtain a building permit for all new construction. These Architectural Standards set forth herein have not been reviewed for engineering or structural design or quality of materials. In fact, it is very likely that certain standards have been adopted solely on the basis of aesthetic considerations.
• In accordance with the Declaration, every person who submits plans or specifications and every homeowner have agreed that they will not bring any action or suit against Declarant, the Association, the ARC, the Board or the officers, directors, members, employees and agents of any of them to recover any such damages

To expedite your request and avoid non-approval, the Architectural Review Committee encourages 

you to review these requirements and incorporate them into your plans for improvement.