Windgate II Architectural Guidelines

 

The purpose of this booklet is to explain the Architectural Guidelines for the Unit Owner when it is found that changes need to be made to the Unit.  A Unit Owner cannot make any structural additions, alteration or improvement in the Unit without the prior written consent thereto of the Board of Directors, unless the item is an automatic approval.  The Board of Directors must answer any written request by a Unit Owner for approval of a proposed addition, alteration or improvement with in forty-five (45) days after such request is received, and failure to do so within the stipulated time shall constitute a consent of improvement.

 

Nothing shall be done in any Unit or in, on or to the Common Elements which will impair the structural integrity of the Condominium or which would structurally change any Building or other improvements except as is otherwise provided in the Bylaws, provided, that interior partitions contributing to the support of any Unit or Building shall not be altered or removed.

 

The following guidelines are presented in an easy-to-use format for your reference. Please consult your Condominium Documents, Resolutions and Rules and Regulations for more specific details regarding Architectural Guidelines.

 

If you wish to submit a variance request to the Board of Directors and do not have a request form, you may contact the Association Office and request a form to be mailed to you, or you may find one in the back of your Association Unit Owner Documents.

 

If an item is marked with a symbolž, it is pre-approved. This means the Unit Owner may proceed with installation before the variance paperwork is signed by the Board of Directors, provided the guidelines are followed. If an item is marked with a symbol4, a variance request must be approved by the Board of Directors before work begins.

 

The items that do not have a symbol do not require a variance request, but have specific guidelines for Unit Owners to follow.

 

 

 

Attic Ventilators ž – Attic fans/ventilators may be installed in townhouses and top floor units provided that the hood fan installation complies with the following standards:

 

1.      The fan hood must be the same color as the roof shingles. If metal, the fan hood must be pre-finished or installed with two coats of gutter grip primer and three coats of exterior oil base paint to match the color of the roof.

 

2.      The center line of the fan hood must be three feet from the roof ridge.  For units without chimneys, the fan hood must be centered in the width of the roof.

 

3.      The fan hood must be mounted on the rear of the unit.

 

4.      The distance from the roof to the top center of the fan hood must be no more than 10 inches (i.e., the fan hood itself cannot project more than 10 inches above the roof.)

 

5.      Fan hoods are not allowed on end units; however, gable fans may be used.

Doors

1. Front Doors 4 - Replacements must be a replica of the original door installed by the developer/builder. The Unit Owner will be responsible for matching the paint of the door to the original color.

 

2.    Rear French Doors 4 - Must be replaced with the same appearance to the doors originally installed.

 

3.  Storm Doors ž

     A. Front - Must be full-view (glass from top to bottom) with or without a kick plate and must be      white or the same color as the door.

 

     B. Rear - Storm doors for the back French doors must be full view (glass with mullions from top to bottom.) with or without a kick plate and must be white.

 

Doorbells ž – Doorbell push buttons (electric) may be installed outside a resident’s Unit.  The button must be attached to the wood frame of the door.  The overall size, including bezel, may not exceed 1” x 3”.  

 

Door Decorations ž – Decorations, such as wreathes or religious ornaments, etc., may be installed in a non-permanent manner. Door decorations must be of a reasonable size and design.

 

Fence Lines - In order to maintain the appearance of the common elements of the condominium, it is necessary to control the visible areas below the fence line of the patios.  The following rules will eliminate unsightly practices while permitting Unit Owners maximum flexibility to use their patios.

 

  1. The following may not be placed under, outside or inside

    (if visible from outside of the fence) of patio fences:

 

A.    Firewood;

B.     Plastic or metal fences or wires;

C.    Wooden fences (unless approved design);

D.    Any plastic or metal border; and

E.     Any material which is not placed in an orderly, professional and aesthetically pleasing manner.

 

2.      In order to define flower beds, confine small animals or for similar purposes, the following are approved:

 

A.     Pressure treated wood laid in a professional manner, but only in a horizontal orientation (not vertical or at an angle). Wood must be at least 4” x 4” across. If the wood constitutes a retaining wall with a soil thickness of 4” or more, it must be installed with a proper technique for retaining walls.  No outside stakes or supports are permitted.  The outside will       be stained to match the fence, at Association expense during the regular staining interval.

 

B.  An approved wooden latticework fence with vertical and horizontal slats only. This must   not      be       painted or stained with a bright stain order to permit the association to stain the latticework to                  match the fence on the outside during the staining operations.

 

 

C.  A brick retainer wall with a professional appearance. Where a wall is not required, the beds may be defined by a row of loose bricks, but only if laid horizontally (i.e., not askew) or at a 45° angle with a saw-tooth top.  Brick installations must be       carefully done and maintained as required by the Unit Owner to maintain a professional appearance.

 

  1. Installations meeting all the requirements of paragraph 2 will not require a variance.  For other installations, or when in doubt, a variance should be requested from the Board of Directors by submitting a written request (with a drawing or picture) detailing the proposed installation.

 

  1. The Association will not be responsible for maintaining any installation, but may stain wood installations to match the association fences.

 

Firewood: It is necessary to follow the storage guidelines closely to protect and maintain the limited common elements on which the firewood is stored.

 

1.   Wood may be stored on balconies and patios up to an amount that does not exceed 64 cubic feet (1/2       cord).

 

  1. All wood must be stacked on a metal rack or pressure treated wood rack designed and constructed for the storage of firewood.

 

  1. The rack must provide that all of the stored wood is a minimum of four (4) inches from the supporting surface.  No portion of the woodpile may be touching the patio fence, balcony railing, or the building wall.

 

  1. If wood is covered, the tarp must be water repellant and neutral in color.  

 

  1. A maximum of one rack four feet wide, four feet tall, and two feet deep is allowed on any deck or patio.

 

Flowerboxes ž – Flowerboxes shall not exceed 1’ x 3’ (width X length) and may be installed over porch railings or affixed (in a non-permanent manner) only to the 4”x 4” posts on the interior of the patio fence in accordance with the Windgate II.

 

Pull-Down Attic Stairs - Pull-down stairs must not exceed 22” x 53” x 8’9”. Attic joists are typically 221/2” apart. Joists may not be cut to facilitate installation of stairs.

 

Satellite Dishes ž

 

1.      The satellite dish to be installed must meet all requirements stated in the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The installation must also conform to any and all pre-existing Rules and Regulations, including Architectural Guidelines, as set forth by the Condominium Documents. 

 

  1. A satellite dish may be placed in a Unit, on the rear patio of a Unit, or attached to the chimney of a Unit. Unless approved in writing in advance by the Board, no part of the satellite dish or related system may be attached to any part of the exterior of a Unit other than the chimney.  All wiring for the satellite dish should be masked or installed in a manner so as to be as inconspicuous as possible.

 

3.      A Unit Owner wishing to install a satellite dish must submit to the Board a completed Variance Request Form accompanied by a drawing of satellite dish location.

 

4.      The Board reserves the right to request alteration of the location of the satellite dish to a less visible area provided that the satellite signal is not obstructed or reception impaired.  It is preferred that the satellite dish be positioned inside the rear patio fence and not visible from the exterior of the fence. If placed on the chimney the satellite dish should be positioned on the side of the chimney that faces the roof of a Unit.

 

5.      The Board may request that the dish be camouflaged with landscaping, paint or by other means in order to disguise the dish from the exterior of the Unit. Any requirements of installation set forth by the Board shall not delay the installation of the satellite.

 

6.      The satellite must be removed prior to the sale or vacation of the Unit, by the Owner/Resident who installed such satellite dish. Any damage resulting from the satellite dish or its installation must be repaired by the Owner or Resident of a Unit and the property must be returned to its original condition.

 

7.      Any maintenance or repairs required to the Unit, Limited Common Elements, or Common Elements arising from the satellite dish or its installation shall be the sole responsibility of the Unit Owner and must be addressed immediately upon notification by the Board.

 

8.  The Unit Owner shall ensure that the satellite dish is maintained in a state of good repair and appearance at all times that it remains on the property.

 

Security Bars on Basement Windows –

 

Security bars may be mounted on the inside of the basement windows.

 

Signage:

 

     1. For Sale/ For Rent Signs - If a Unit is for sale or rent, one sign  may be placed in a front window and one may be placed in a back window.

 

2. Open House Signs- Open house signs and directional signs pointing to open houses may be posted in the Common Areas of the Condominium on weekends and holidays during the hours        that a Unit is open for viewing.

           

Water Heater Replacement - Each Unit Owner and/or Resident shall provide to the Board of Directors all information concerning the existing water heater installed within the unit, including but not limited to, the manufacturer’s name, model number and the date of manufacture.

 

Upon installation of a new water heater the unit owner shall be required to immediately provide this information to the Board of Directors. All information should be directed to the Board of Directors at the Association Office, 2733 S. Walter Reed Drive, Lower Level, Arlington, VA 22206.

 

 

 

Window Replacement 4- According to paragraph # 6 of the Declaration of the Condominium Documents all windows are within the dimensions of the Units and therefore the responsibility of the Unit Owner to replace.

 

All new window installation must be comparable in style to the original window style. Windows must be double-hung styling with contoured/ sculptured mullions and white in color.

 

The following is a list of window manufacturers that can provide the approved window style. There are others. It is the responsibility of the Unit Owner to contract an installer that will provide one of these styles or a likeness thereof. The Association does not endorse any of these companies, but only lists the name for the Unit Owner’s convenience.

 

Napco Window Systems – www. replacement windows.com

Thermal Specialties and Installation Co. -www.TSIcompany.com

Soft-Lite Windows - www.softlitewindows.com

Great View Windows - www.greatviewwindows.com

Prism by Simonton - www.simonton.com

Vytex Windows – www.vytexwindows.com

Vinyline Windows - www. replacement windows.com

 

 

UNIT OWNER RESPONSIBILITY

 

 The Unit Owner is liable for all costs associated with the necessary repairs caused by damage to a balcony or patio, its supports, to a fence, or to a building, i.e. window replacement, due to the all architectural changes. This is in accordance with Article V, Section 5, paragraph B of the Bylaws of the Windgate of Arlington, II Association Documents.

 

 

 

WINDGATE II CONDOMINIUM

GUIDELINES FOR COMMON AREA PLANTINGS

 

Any owner of a unit in Windgate II may make additions to the Association’s common area plantings provided that the following guidelines are adhere to:

 

  1. Spring/Summer annuals and seasonal bulbs may be planted in an existing common area bed immediately adjacent to individual units from April to October without prior approval of the Building and Grounds Committee or the Board of Directors.  All annuals must be removed from the beds by October 31; otherwise, the Association’s landscaper will be instructed to remove the annuals.

 

  1. Any perennial, shrubs, trees, or permanent additions to the common areas must be approved by the Building and Grounds Committee and the Board of Directors prior to installations.  The resident or owner must complete a variance request and submit it to the Association office, to be presented to the Board of Directors at the next scheduled meeting. A drawing of the proposed plantings, labeling each species of plant or tree must be submitted with the variance request form. No food crops such as corn, tomatoes, etc., may be planted.

 

  1. Once approved and then planted, the plants and/or trees shall become the property and responsibility of the Association to maintain, prune, remove when dead, etc.  The owner or resident who originally submitted the variance is encouraged to assist in the maintenance of the plants until they are established.

 

  1.  No new common area beds may be created nor shall any existing beds be enlarged without the prior approval of the Building and Grounds Committee and the Board of Directors.

 

  1. The use of planters for annuals and/or perennials is permitted on the common areas with the following provisions:  The planter must be a natural color (shades of white, beige or brown), designed for exterior use as a planter, and the planter must be placed on the front stoop of the unit or directly behind and abutting the rear patio fence of the unit.  If placed on the front stoop, the planter must be of reasonable size for the area (i.e., in proportion to the size of the step or stoop on which it rests).  If placed on the common area behind the fence the planter must be no longer than the section of fence it abuts and may not protrude past that respective unit’s fence, and the planter may not exceed 2’ in width or diameter.  The appearance of the planter must be maintained in good condition by the resident of the unit.  The Building and Grounds Committee and the Board of Directors reserve the right to require a resident to remove any planter not in use or in poor condition from the common area at any time.

 

  1. Any plantings previously installed in any common areas, with or without prior approval, shall be subject to these guidelines.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Policy Resolution Reference Index

You will find all items listed in the booklet addressed specifically under Policy Resolutions of your Unit Owners Documents.

 

         Policy Resolution #94-2: Architectural Guidelines

  Attic Ventilators, Doors, Doorbells, Door Decorations, Flower Boxes, Pull-Down Stairs, Storm Doors,

  Security Bars

 

Policy Resolution #92-2: Storage of Firewood

  Firewood

 

Policy Resolution #83-1: Regarding Bottom of Patio Fence Lines

  Fence Lines

 

Policy Resolution #01-1: Guidelines for the Installation of Direct Broadcast Satellite Dishes

  Satellite Dishes

 

Policy Resolution #91-2: SIGNAGE

  Signage

 

Policy Resolution #00-3: Water Heater Replacement

  Water Heaters