Neighbors,
Our Architecture Review Committee (ARC) has deemed small garden flags inappropriate for our community on the basis that it devalues our homes and has ordered their immediate removal. One of the things that is nice about walks around the neighborhood is being able to see small and tasteful lawn ornaments which usually depict my neighbors allegiances to universities and local schools.
Did you know that the ban of garden flags is not a covenant, it is not a "rule" of our community. Rather, the ban is the personal preference of a (one person) committee on the HOA Board that decided flags shouldn't be allowed. It is believed that eliminating flags is the first step in the process of eliminating ALL lawn and garden art altogether. While there is agreement that there should be some parameters in place for the regulation of said art (to eliminate the possibility of someone having dozens of items on display), it is not agreed that a 100% ban from the Board is warranted. There are residents who have flown garden flags and displayed other pieces in their flower beds that are of value to them for many years. The fact that these items have never been an issue in the past should not be arbitrated today at the whim of one person's opinion.
With this petition it is proposed that garden flags and small, tasteful lawn ornaments be allowed so long as the following guidelines are followed: no more than one flag per townhome lawn and no more than two flags per single family home. Flags should not be faded or torn, should not display any inappropriate images or wording (no wording that infringes on any persons federally protected rights), and shall be no larger than 18" x 12.5" . Lawn ornaments shall follow the same numerical allowance and shall be no larger than 20" x 28" (to accommodate a bird bath).
We live in a community where the Board should be acting to protect our property values by governing items that make a difference such as structures and paint choices. As such, our options for individuality are severely limited. Having a small lawn ornament and/or a garden flag should therefore be allowed, especially given that these items can be removed very quickly and easily and therefore do not devalue the property in the slightest. There are more serious issues in the community that the ARC is failing to address. Many of the yards are not being tended properly, with an overgrowth of weeds and untended shrubbery. The ARC seems to be "majoring in the minors" by putting such a heavy focus on garden flags when so many yards need to be brought into compliance.
Even if you have no plans to plant a garden flag in your own lawn, please consider signing this petition to support the right to have some individuality in the neighborhood and to send a message to our Board that we would like the right to make small and insignificant choices such as this on our own volition.
Please be advised that the current ARC is not generating approvals with the due diligence of past committees, when an approval was given only upon visual inspection with regards to most requests (i.e., paint chips were required for painting requests, fencing lines were viewed prior to approvals for fencing). This ARC chair is giving arbitrary approvals over the phone without ever visiting the resident or property to evaluate.
Updates
April 10, 2017
The momentum is undeniable now. It is clear that our neighbors value personal expression over arbitrary rules.
Reached 100 supporters
April 10, 2017
55 Comments
The "ban" on seasonal yard signs is just ridiculous. There seems to be a fear by some person(s) that, if we fly a tasteful yard flags, that we are on the way to a trailer park. Don't worry until someone throws a used toilet in their yard.
It is very important to have some degree of personal discretion. I suggest ARC avoid the appearance of being arbitrary in it's approvals and relax it's restrictions. I would like to maintain a "pleasant environment".
After thoughtful discussion the thought arose in my mind about someone branding a yellow ribbon for a missing soldier. I think this covers that. We don't know what a flag can mean to a person. It ought to be allowed to an extent.
I would like to see some individualality in the yards. We are already so cookie cutter looking. It would be nice to see some individuality expressed. I also agree that some are better at growing weeds than grass or plant. That really should be a more important issue anyway.
I concur. While there is a need to insure decorations devaluing our property and tainting the esthetics are prohibited, the ban on garden flags is more than a little over the line.
Excessive regulations can make family life in the Cotswolds undesirable.
I see no problem with small garden flags.
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Neighbors,
Our Architecture Review Committee (ARC) has deemed small garden flags inappropriate for our community on the basis that it devalues our homes and has ordered their immediate removal. One of the things that is nice about walks around the neighborhood is being able to see small and tasteful lawn ornaments which usually depict my neighbors allegiances to universities and local schools.
Did you know that the ban of garden flags is not a covenant, it is not a "rule" of our community. Rather, the ban is the personal preference of a (one person) committee on the HOA Board that decided flags shouldn't be allowed. It is believed that eliminating flags is the first step in the process of eliminating ALL lawn and garden art altogether. While there is agreement that there should be some parameters in place for the regulation of said art (to eliminate the possibility of someone having dozens of items on display), it is not agreed that a 100% ban from the Board is warranted. There are residents who have flown garden flags and displayed other pieces in their flower beds that are of value to them for many years. The fact that these items have never been an issue in the past should not be arbitrated today at the whim of one person's opinion.
With this petition it is proposed that garden flags and small, tasteful lawn ornaments be allowed so long as the following guidelines are followed: no more than one flag per townhome lawn and no more than two flags per single family home. Flags should not be faded or torn, should not display any inappropriate images or wording (no wording that infringes on any persons federally protected rights), and shall be no larger than 18" x 12.5" . Lawn ornaments shall follow the same numerical allowance and shall be no larger than 20" x 28" (to accommodate a bird bath).
We live in a community where the Board should be acting to protect our property values by governing items that make a difference such as structures and paint choices. As such, our options for individuality are severely limited. Having a small lawn ornament and/or a garden flag should therefore be allowed, especially given that these items can be removed very quickly and easily and therefore do not devalue the property in the slightest. There are more serious issues in the community that the ARC is failing to address. Many of the yards are not being tended properly, with an overgrowth of weeds and untended shrubbery. The ARC seems to be "majoring in the minors" by putting such a heavy focus on garden flags when so many yards need to be brought into compliance.
Even if you have no plans to plant a garden flag in your own lawn, please consider signing this petition to support the right to have some individuality in the neighborhood and to send a message to our Board that we would like the right to make small and insignificant choices such as this on our own volition.
Please be advised that the current ARC is not generating approvals with the due diligence of past committees, when an approval was given only upon visual inspection with regards to most requests (i.e., paint chips were required for painting requests, fencing lines were viewed prior to approvals for fencing). This ARC chair is giving arbitrary approvals over the phone without ever visiting the resident or property to evaluate.
Updates
April 10, 2017
The momentum is undeniable now. It is clear that our neighbors value personal expression over arbitrary rules.
Reached 100 supporters
April 10, 2017
55 Comments
The HOA should be more focused on untended lawns and large, black, and orange cords running down roads and sidewalks rather than small items of personal preference as to how they influence our property values.
The "ban" on seasonal yard signs is just ridiculous. There seems to be a fear by some person(s) that, if we fly a tasteful yard flags, that we are on the way to a trailer park. Don't worry until someone throws a used toilet in their yard.
It is very important to have some degree of personal discretion. I suggest ARC avoid the appearance of being arbitrary in it's approvals and relax it's restrictions. I would like to maintain a "pleasant environment".
After thoughtful discussion the thought arose in my mind about someone branding a yellow ribbon for a missing soldier. I think this covers that. We don't know what a flag can mean to a person. It ought to be allowed to an extent.
I would like to see some individualality in the yards. We are already so cookie cutter looking. It would be nice to see some individuality expressed. I also agree that some are better at growing weeds than grass or plant. That really should be a more important issue anyway.
I concur. While there is a need to insure decorations devaluing our property and tainting the esthetics are prohibited, the ban on garden flags is more than a little over the line.
Excessive regulations can make family life in the Cotswolds undesirable.
I see no problem with small garden flags.
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The HOA should be more focused on untended lawns and large, black, and orange cords running down roads and sidewalks rather than small items of personal preference as to how they influence our property values.