EARHART VILLAGE HOMES ASSOCIATION

Architectural Committee

Guidelines for Exterior Modifications

The Architectural Committee was created as a standing committee by the Board of Directors at the time the developer turned over control of Earhart Village Homes to the Association. The function of the Committee is to review and approve applications and printed plans from a co-owner for architectural modifications to the co-owner’s unit. The purpose is to protect the character and stability of the development while taking into consideration the individuality and desires of the co-owners. The Committee consists of up to five (5) co-owners, including a chairperson or co-chairpersons. It is important that the Committee members are, or become, familiar with basic construction techniques and terminology.

A co-owner desiring to make a modification to the exterior of his or her unit shall submit an Approval Request, a form available at the Operations Center or from any Committee member or the President of the Association, describing the modification(s) desired. This form, signed by the co-owner(s), along with signed approval of each adjacent neighbor, is to be submitted to the Committee in duplicate along with two sketches or blueprints showing dimensions and details of the construction or enhancement. NO CONSTRUCTION or ENHANCEMENT shall begin until the application, plans, site inspection, and a meeting with the applicant co-owner have been accomplished and the application approved in writing by the Committee. While most of the requests for modification to date have been for decks and/or patios, guidelines for other types of modifications will be prepared as required.

The Committee strongly recommends that any modification, after approval, should be submitted to the City of Ann Arbor and a Building Permit obtained therefor. This is recommended whether co-owners obtain the services of a contractor or do the work themselves. A permit and its ensuing inspections will aid in insuring the work is done according to code and in a workmanlike manner. Co-owners should insist that any contractors used are currently licensed and insured. Building code is uniform over the State of Michigan, but is subject to change from time to time; therefore, these guidelines will not spell out the code. If co-owners are doing the work themselves, they should familiarize themselves with the building code, details of which are available at the City of Ann Arbor Building Department.

DECK CONSTRUCTION

The structural member, i.e., the joists, beams and posts should be of a strong, preservative treated wood, such as (CCA) wolmanized pine.

The decking boards, railings and balusters, or spindles, of the railing may be of a co-owner’s choice. The Committee recommends weather resistant materials, such as (CCA) wolmanized pine, cedar, redwood, or one of the new composition wood/polymer materials that are advertised not to rot, warp, crack, splinter and do not require bi-annual sealing. These new materials are marketed under brand names such as Trex, Nexwood and Geo Deck and Railing systems. Ornamental metal railing materials are also available. The Committee makes no recommendation about the specific material that should be used. We would add, however, that the new composition wood/polymer materials, even with their 20 year Limited Warranties, have not had the long term experience factors as has redwood, cedar, or (CCA) wolmanized pine.

Cedar, redwood and (CCA) wolmanized pine decking and railing boards should be treated bi-annually with a good CLEAR sealer. Approved colors for decks, including structural members, decking, rails, steps and privacy dividers are natural wood colors and Earhart Brown stain (paint should never be used), and similar colors for the new composition wood/polymer materials. Approved colors for ornamental metal rails are brown, black and bronze.

Structural member should be fastened together with bolts and nuts, or with lag bolts, if bolts and nuts are not possible to be used in some areas. Metal joist hangers offer another solution.

Decking board should be fastened to joists with brass or stainless steel screws rather than nails. Deck screws should be used to fasten railing and baluster members together.

The Committee recommends deck surfaces be flush or just slightly below the threshold of the door or doorwall from the interior of the unit to the deck. This will minimize or eliminate the danger of falling as can happen with step-down stairs.

Depending upon the height of the decking surface above ground level at the edges of the deck, code will dictate regarding steps and the number required, as well as the necessity for railings.

Prior to construction, the soil below the deck should be graded away from the building wall in a manner to cause water going through the decking boards to drain away from the building walls.

If an outside water hydrant (faucet) is below the level of the new deck, some sort of trap door or access to the hydrant should be created and maintained.

A deck constructed behind center units should be no wider than the unit the deck will serve. Decks on end units may be larger than those on center units, but should not interfere with the privacy or views of any of the other co-owners.

As a general rule, decks (and patios) may not extend more than 16 feet from a unit’s rear wall, and shall require approval from the Committee taking into account designs that are compatible with adjacent decks, if any, or existing ground topography. Privacy dividers between decks will be allowed with the approval of the Committee as to size and location.

PATIO CONSTRUCTION

Patios, flush with ground or slightly raised, may be made of concrete, paving bricks, or patio stone, or a combination of two or more of the above. Detailed plans or blueprints must be provided the same as for a deck.

Concrete should be poured over a base of compacted sand to minimize cracking and heaving caused by frost.

Paving bricks and patio stones can be arranged in very attractive patterns, but do require a specific base. This base is deep, requiring compacted slag and sand up to 12 inches, depending upon the conditions in the soil. This base is necessary to prevent the bricks or stones from settling or heaving as well as providing good drainage of the patio area. The Committee recommends the expertise of a contractor experienced in the construction of this type of patio.

Combination of deck and paver brick patio increases the outdoor living area as well as offering the opportunity for individuality. This type of combination can be quite attractive and will enhance the value of the unit and the development, as well.

PRIVACY FENCES

All co-owners have the right to privacy in the back of their units. In order to provide such privacy, privacy fences are permitted which extend from the rear of a building between adjacent units to a length of at least eight (8) feet and longer pending site inspection and approval by the Architectural Committee. Privacy fences should be supported by posts which are firmly cemented in the ground and should be made from weather resistant materials, such as (CCA) wolmanized pine, cedar, redwood or new composition wood/polymer materials. Privacy fences should be of a horizontal woven board style which is predominate in the Earhart Village Association property. Privacy fences should be natural wood colors and Earhart Brown stain (paint should never be used), and similar colors for the new composition wood/polymer materials.

DOOR COLORS

All exterior finishes (stain, paint, etc.) are required to conform to Earhart approved colors. Approved colors for front doors, including main and storm doors are Earhart brown, Earhart red and Hunter green.

VENTILATION OUTLETS

The location, design and appearance of all additional ventilation outlets from attics, furnaces, bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, basements, etc. which extend to the outside of any unit must be approved by the Committee.

SECURITY SHUTTERS

The installation of security shutters and similar enclosures and appurtenances is subject to approval by the Committee.

HOT TUBS AND SPAS

Hot tubs, Jacuzzis, spas and the like are not permitted on decks or patios or in any limited common area.

The Committee is open to new construction techniques and innovative planning, provided that designs and plans are in keeping with the overall Earhart environment and enhance the enjoyment and lifestyle of our co-owners.

Modifications approved by the Committee are reported to the Board of Directors. In certain circumstances the Committee may defer approval of modifications to the Board together with the Committee’s recommendations regarding approval.

EARHART ARCHITECTUAL COMMITTEE

F, Dewey Tennent, Co-Chair

Michael Gzybowski, Co-Chair

November 2004