Preserving our Precious Views – Read how the View

Preservation Committee pursues this goal:

The View Preservation Committee’s primary function is to respond to view blockage complaints and judge whether or not an unreasonable view impairment exists. It then recommends either removal, trimming or that no action be taken. If a view blockage is confirmed, a letter requesting trimming or removal is sent to the owner of the offending tree or shrub. If the Committee decides the view is not sufficiently impacted, the complainant is informed of the Committee’s decision by letter.

These scenarios are what happens when everything goes smoothly. Unfortunately, the following conditions can slow down the process considerably:

1. Weather:

The Committee cannot judge a view blockage if there is no view that day due to fog, overcast,

etc. The site visit must be rescheduled to the next Committee meeting (the third Monday of each month). In the past this has happened three months in a row resulting in major delays for complaints moving through the system.

2. Homeowner not present:

Unless arranged ahead of time, the Committee cannot enter a backyard if no one is home. The homeowners should also be able to point out the specific tree or trees which are impacting their view. A photo is not sufficient to make a determination.

3. Trees not properly identified:

It is the homeowner’s responsibility to determine the exact location of the tree or trees in question. A Homeowner Request Form must be filled out for every address with an offending tree or shrub. If the tree is on community property, its location should be described as specifically as possible. The Committee passes on its recommendation to the Landscape Committee which makes the final determination.

4. “Vegetation wars:”

Some residents use landscaping to carry on neighborly “feuds.” The Committee has visited several properties repeatedly for the same issues. The Committee takes every complaint seriously, but going back to the same properties, sometimes over five times, is an unproductive use of the volunteers’ time.

The following rules apply to the Committee’s responsibilities and guidelines. All tree trimming or removal recommended by the Committee is based on complaints by residents for specific trees. If there has been no complaint, a tree may grow beyond the rule’s parameters.

4112 Pad Level Plantings 05-16-06

No tree or shrub growing on private property at pad level shall be allowed to exceed the height of the highest elevation of the nearest adjoining roof segment, unless such height does not unreasonably interfere with the view from another lot. In areas where an unreasonable lateral view obstruction is involved, plantings at pad level are limited to a height of three (3) feet, or the height of side yard walls or fences in the lateral view lines at the view end of the viewing house.

4301 View Preservation Committee 03-21-00

The Architecture Committee consists of two divisions, one of which is the View Preservation Committee, which has authority to require any homeowner to remove, trim, top or prune any tree, shrub or hedge on his/her property which it believes unreasonably impedes the view from any lot.

4302 View Preservation Complaints 03-21-00

The View Preservation Committee shall respond to and evaluate all homeowner requests regarding blockage of views caused by any growing plants or trees. Any view blockage complaint that involves common area plants shall be coordinated with the Landscape Committee and, where appropriate, the Board of Directors.

4122 Trimming Precautions 07-01-85

Homeowners having their trees or shrubs trimmed should bear in mind that trees or shrubs should be trimmed sufficiently below the stated maximum height so that normal growth will not require re-trimming more frequently than once every six (6) months.

4113 Slope Planting 03-21-00

No tree or shrub growing on a slope shall be allowed to grow higher than three (3) feet above the top of the slope or bank unless such height does not unreasonably interfere with views from any other lot. No planting shall be permitted to remain on any slope which might damage or interfere with established slope ratios, create erosion or sliding problems or interfere with established drainage functions of facilities.

—Kathy Jones, Chair