ARCHITECTURAL CONTROL COMMITTEE
The Architectural Control Committee (ACC) is responsible for maintaining the architectural character of the neighborhood. The ACC is made up of volunteers appointed by the Board of Directors. The committee meets as necessary to review project submissions from homeowners about house and yard modifications. If you have any questions about the ACC or the submission and review process, please send an email to: [email protected].
The CC&R's address architectural control in Article XV, which requires ACC approval for all structural changes or additions to a home, exterior changes to a home (siding, painting, roof, etc.), any accessory structures on the lot, fences, walls, recreational facilities, other exterior structures and landscaping. Section 9 describes how the ACC is to evaluate development proposals from members. Review criteria include:
The CC&R's address architectural control in Article XV, which requires ACC approval for all structural changes or additions to a home, exterior changes to a home (siding, painting, roof, etc.), any accessory structures on the lot, fences, walls, recreational facilities, other exterior structures and landscaping. Section 9 describes how the ACC is to evaluate development proposals from members. Review criteria include:
- how the proposal harmonizes with the natural and built environment
- how the proposal harmonizes with aesthetic features of other homes in Amesbury
- other factors which affect the desirability or suitability of a proposal
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Although the CC&R require submissions by mail, the Board and ACC have adopted an email submission policy. Submissions via email tends to be easier, and accelerates the review process by allowing ACC members to easily circulate review comments to reach consensus.
Please make all submissions to: [email protected]
PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU RECEIVE ACC APPROVAL FOR YOUR PROJECT PRIOR TO BEGINNING CONSTRUCTION. ANY REQUIRED MODIFICATION DUE TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR ACC REQUIREMENTS WILL BE AT THE HOMEOWNER'S COST.
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR OBTAINING ANY GOVERNMENT PERMITS THAT MAY BE REQUIRED FOR YOUR PROJECT. AMESBURY ACC APPROVAL IS COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM ANY PERMITTING REQUIREMENT BY ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY.
Submission content will be project specific, with larger and more complex projects containing more detail. The purpose of the submission is to provide enough information to allow the ACC to evaluate your proposal against the criteria described above. Your submission may, as necessary, include plot plans, elevation sketches or drawings, pictures of typical sections of your project (for example, a section of typical fencing), pictures of products that will be used, material lists, paint colors, and similar information that will help the ACC to determine the acceptability of your proposal. The ACC will review your submission as quickly as possible. Based on that review, you may be requested to provide additional information. After all information has been received, the ACC will provide you with an approval as submitted, or a description of the modifications to your proposal that are necessary to obtain an approval (for example, a small structure may require screening). In some cases, a proposal will not be approved, and the ACC will provide justification for that decision. Please see link below for "fillable form"to begin your request.
Please review to fillable form to begin your project request process.
Below are some examples of submission for various types of projects that have been proposed over the years. PLEASE NOTE THAT YOUR SUBMISSION MAY REQUIRE INFORMATION IN ADDITION TO WHAT IS PRESENTED IN THE EXAMPLES BELOW. THESE ARE FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY.
Sample Fence Submission
Sample House Addition Submission
Sample Sport Court Submission
Sample Shed Submission
Sample House Painting Submission
As the original cedar shake roofs aged, it became apparent that homeowners would have to replace the original roofs. In June, 2008, the AHA voted to amend the CC&R and add a list of pre-approved roofing materials. If you use one of the materials from this list, please notify the ACC via a short email, and approval will be automatic.
Pre-approved roofing materials
COMMON ISSUES WITH SUBMITTALS
In an effort to streamline the review process and minimize frustration, past ACC submissions were reviewed to identify common problems that slowed review times.
Article XV, Section 11 of the CC&R requires that submissions for a project contain documentation that adjacent neighbors have been notified of your proposal and have 21 days to respond. While the CC&R require notification by certified mail, the Board and ACC also accept email notification, as long as the adjacent neighbor replies that they have been notified. Many homeowners neglect this aspect of their submission, and obtaining documentation of notice can lengthen the review, if not done prior to the original submission. Please review to fillable form to begin your project request process.
Some exterior structures (for example, sheds) may require screening as part of impact mitigation. The rule of thumb used in the past is that screening should cover 2/3 of the structure after two years. In addition to screening, please also consider setback requirements (Article XII, Section 7). Any county required setbacks are in addition to those required by the CC&R. Finally, please include the height of any structure or fence you may be proposing.
When submitting a house painting request, please make sure that you specify all requisite paint colors (manufacturer and color code), including trim, windows, shutters, etc. A link to the manufacturer's website showing the colors you propose would be helpful to the ACC.
Article XV, Section 11 of the CC&R requires that submissions for a project contain documentation that adjacent neighbors have been notified of your proposal and have 21 days to respond. While the CC&R require notification by certified mail, the Board and ACC also accept email notification, as long as the adjacent neighbor replies that they have been notified. Many homeowners neglect this aspect of their submission, and obtaining documentation of notice can lengthen the review, if not done prior to the original submission. Please review to fillable form to begin your project request process.
Some exterior structures (for example, sheds) may require screening as part of impact mitigation. The rule of thumb used in the past is that screening should cover 2/3 of the structure after two years. In addition to screening, please also consider setback requirements (Article XII, Section 7). Any county required setbacks are in addition to those required by the CC&R. Finally, please include the height of any structure or fence you may be proposing.
When submitting a house painting request, please make sure that you specify all requisite paint colors (manufacturer and color code), including trim, windows, shutters, etc. A link to the manufacturer's website showing the colors you propose would be helpful to the ACC.