Are we going to have a neighborhood of which we can be proud?  A neighborhood where neat, well-kept homes ensure that our property values will increase?  The Architecture Control Committee (ACC) is now in place to ensure that the community has a voice in our appearance.

The ACC is established by the Covenants of the Forest of Friendswood and is required to approve all new permanent structures or external changes to existing structures.  If you are planning to add or make any changes to any exterior structure, you must receive approval from the ACC before your project commences.  Please contact Houston Community Management Services (281-333-5173) for guidelines on submission of a home improvement application.  It is important that the application include the detail required to assess the changes.  Where applicable the application should include drawings showing the dimensions and placement of structures on your lot, as well as a description of the building style, color scheme and building materials to be used.  The completed form should be returned to Houston Community Management Services who will then forward it to the ACC for review and response within 30 days.

The members of the ACC do not want to be a police squad.  Please think of your neighbors and our community and give careful consideration to any of your planned improvements. Applications that are well planned and submitted two weeks in advance of the project start date generally will have no problem in the approval process.

The committee met for the first time in early May and currently consists of seven (7) homeowners.  At our first meeting we elected a chair, established a minimum quorum requirement of four (4) members for a valid meeting and decision(s), and decided to hold meetings on a bi-weekly basis with the location rotating among the committee members.

During our review and disposition of property improvement applications we have endeavored to bring a degree of consistency to our application dispositions by establishing basic criteria for the common improvement applications to achieve the committee’s approval.  The Community Association board members have approved the following criteria for property improvements:

Swimming Pools

The pool’s design and location on the property (including equipment) shall conform with all provisions of the community Deed Restrictions and in particular Section 2.27, and City of Friendswood Ordinances and Building Codes.  Associated waterfalls shall not exceed 6 ft above grade in height.

Solar Panels

Refer to Section 2.20 in the Declarations of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions.  Must be below the fenceline.

Storage Sheds

Accessory structures used principally for the purpose of storage (sheds) are discouraged.  Review and approval of such structures will be given on an individual case basis with respect to size, height, design and location on the property.  All applications to the committee must include a complete copy of the City of Friendswood Building Permit Application.

The design and materials used shall be consistent and compatible with the residence.  Metal or plastic units may be installed when their roof peak does not exceed 6 ft above grade.  Wood construction shall be used when the roof peak does not exceed 8 ft above grade.  In no event shall: a) the roof peak exceed 8 ft above, b) the shed size exceed 100 ft2, and c) the shed be visible from any street.

The shed’s design, location on the property (setback) and anchoring shall conform with all provisions of the community Deed Restrictions and in particular Section 2.20, and City of Friendswood Ordinances and Building Codes.

Widening of Driveways

To ensure that the property owner has fully considered possible effects to storm water drainage the committee requests that an application for driveway widening include: a) a complete copy of the City of Friendswood Building Permit Application and b) a signed statement by the applicant acknowledging the City of Friendswood Ordinance requiring removal of the additional surface if the affected neighbor complains about increased storm water run-off on his property.

Fence Staining and Height

Fences may be treated with preserving penetrating oil (e.g., Thompson’s Water Seal).   Acceptable colors for fence staining are limited to Thompson’s Water Seal Sheer Natural Cedar and Sheer Nutmeg Brown or similar colors available from competing products [the specific colors from Behr and Olympic need to be added].  Fences currently stained with other colors will be grandfathered until they are replaced.

The maximum fence height shall be 6 ft above grade.  Homeowners may add a “rot board” if the pickets are shortened by a comparable length.

Mailboxes

Homeowners may install individual mailboxes under the following criteria:

a) The new mailbox and post shall exactly match the materials installed in the community section where the property is located.

b) The homeowner installing the new mailbox has the responsibility to convert the original installation to a single box arrangement.

Screening of A/C Units

A/C units should not be visible from the fronting or side streets.  Acceptable screening can be either property fencing or adequate plantings.

Tall Structures

Homeowners may erect a single martin house in their backyard with a maximum height of 20 ft above grade.  Free-standing flagpoles will not be approved.

Window Awnings

The committee will consider an application for window awning installation when submitted with detailed specifications and sketches.

Window A/C Units

The committee does not support the installation of window A/C units in any structure (e.g. garages, sheds, etc.) when visible by the homeowner’s neighbors, or from any street.

Posters

Displayed posters should be limited to seasonal expressions and political statements.

Gazebos, Play Houses, Play Structures, Shade Structures, etc.

Gazebos, play structures, play houses, shade structures or other similar structures must be submitted to the committee for specific approval.  Roof on play structures must be one earth tone color (green or brown).   No multicolor roofs are allowed on play structures.  All applications to the committee must include a complete copy of the City of Friendswood Building Permit Application.

Gazebos, arbors and shade structures must be architecturally compatible with the main house and must be consistent with the community Deed Restrictions.  Additionally, the structure’s design, location on the property (setback) and anchoring shall conform with all provisions of the community Deed Restrictions and in particular Section 2.20, and City of Friendswood Ordinances and Building Codes.  Palapas or other structures with palm frond roofing material will not be approved.