Design Review Checklist
Purpose
To ensure equal consideration of the Casas Arroyo de Sonoita Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&R’s), elements of the Casas Arroyo Fire Plan, and other authorized decisions made by the Association, appropriate sections of the following checklist will be used by the Architectural Review Committee. Each new structural modification, including new homes, outbuildings, walls, fences, antennas, tanks, trees, equipment, or other modifications are affected. Creative solutions to design problems, over and above the examples cited below, are welcomed. If the recommendations of the Architectural Review Committee are viewed as not rendering fair treatment, or requiring excessive cost or in any way affecting an individual’s rights to build the type of structure he or she desires, a final judgment may be received by addressing a majority of the Board of Directors at a special meeting.
| Lot number__________ | Owner’s Name(s)________________________________ |
| Telephone No.________________________________ Email or Fax: ________________________________ | |
| Architect____________________________________ (Landscape Architect) | |
| Telephone No._________________________________ Email or Fax: ________________________________ | |
| Chalrperson___________________________________ Architectural Review Committee | |
| Telephone No._________________________________ Email or Fax: ________________________________ |
Note to owner: This checklist is designed as a convenience for both homeowner and for the Committee; all elements contained in the CC&Rs, even if not mentioned in the checklist, are binding and should be studied to ensure compliance.
Is the profile of the structure silhouetted against the sky or does it interfere with primary views as seen from existing homes and potential building sites of any other lots? (potential building sites of adjacent lots to be determined by Committee)
Yes_______
No________Interpretation and Examples:
By standing near windows of existing homes, one may see what their views encompass and what angle they would be looking at any exposed portions of the new structure. This angle and distance away would determine how prominently the new structure is silhouetted against its background.
If yes, is a reasonable alternative site or orientation available? (Note: New structures may be required to forego the most appealing view in order to meet this condition.)
Yes_______
No________Interpretation and Examples:
A 360 degre view of the landscape is probably not possible from a new structure on any of the remaining Casas Arroyo lots. Privacy is a high priority in a cluster development where lots are close to each other; therefore homes are typically tucked into folds of topography, with the ridgeline below the skyline as formed by ridges, or tops of trees on ridges. It will not always be possible to completely hide a structure from all adjacent lots, but every effort should be made to minimize the visual impact of your structure. The Architectural Review Committee admits that mistakes have been made in the past, allowing less-than-conforming structures to be built here. The positive outcome of this requirement will include greater privacy to the new homeowners, less impact from the severe spring winds, and higher resale values.
Does massing and siting of structural elements cause structure to retreat into the landscape (blend into) rather than stand out, as viewed from other homes and potential building sites of lots?
Yes_______
No________Interpretation and Examples:
A single large mass (a large square or rectangle) is more highly visible than breaking up the same square footage into an “L” shape or multi-level structure. The hilly topography of all Casas Arroyo lots may make single level construction much more expensive, with extensive cut and fill and retaining walls being required. A concept that was rejected in the past involved a large rectangular house that projected out 100 feet, supported by 10 foot high pilings (no cut and fill was proposed). Such a structure suggested domination of the landscape, rather than integration. The Committee strongly suggests the use of an architect or landscape architect, who will design specifically for that site and not attempt to force a pre-determined floor plan upon the site.
Do colors of all exterior surfaces retreat into the landscape rather than stand out?
Yes_______
No________Interpretation and Examples:
Colors that are the same as landscape elements such as the tans and browns of grasses and soils, or the dark grays of tree bark work best to recede. Note that color chips selected will almost always appear lighter on a small sample than they will appear in the landscape. A good way to select color is to purchase several color options and actually paint them on a portion of your structure to test the color.
Are colors of different elements of structure harmonious with each other?
Yes_______
No________Interpretation and Examples:
Standard design principles apply here. Too many colors tend to make a design busy and chaotic. The simpler, the better.
Do exterior material textures retreat into the landscape rather than stand out?
Yes_______
No________Interpretation and Examples:
Wall materials accepted by the building code are acceptable as along as other design criteria are met. Roof materials that have been accepted in the past include painted metal (which oxidizes and becomes a flat texture), and ceramic tile. Unpainted “tin” roofs have been rejected in the past because of glare produced by their highly reflective surfaces. Wood shakes and asphalt shingles are nice texturally, but are also an extreme fire hazard, and therefore discouraged.
Are glass surfaces oriented so that they will not project solar glare toward exlstlng homes, roads or driveways?
Yes_______
No________Interpretation and Examples:
An architect can easily analyze annual solar angles to angles of reflection.
Is normal, daily parking and storage for all motorized and non motorized vehicles concealed from neighbors and roadways?
Yes_______
No________Interpretation and Examples:
Garages and carports are the most common means of achieving this goal. Some lots and designs incorporate a nook behind the house that is not visible from adjacent properties or roads.
Are exterior lights limited to one at each exterior entrance to the house and one at the garage, affixed to the wall(s) of the structure (not to patio walls)?
Yes_______
No________Interpretation and Examples:
Security lights are not permitted, unless they meet the standards above. Exterior lights on timers are preferred, but not required, especially for patio lighting.
B. Is lighting down-shielded from the overhead skies and placed so that it does not project into windows of adjacent homes?
Yes_______
No________Interpretation and Examples:
Light fixtures should be selected that project light downward, to protect the overall darkness of night skies, and to eliminate annoying glare from neighbor’s views.
Is effective containment provided for pets that does not interfere with views of neighbors or potential building sites of lots?
Yes_______
No________Interpretation and Examples:
Uncontained animals threaten wildlife and may intimidate or annoy neighbors who walk or jog in the common areas. All animals, including cats, must be contained within the owner’s lot boundaries unless accompanied by an owner. Some homeowners have invested in a buried electronic fencing system for their pets with varied success, depending on the adequacy of training, and the system selected. Other types of dog runs or trolley systems are acceptable if they are well-obscured from neighbors and are harmonious in design with other elements of the structure.
Has provision been made for placement of garbage cans, wood piles, compost piles, tanks, coolers, etc. out of sight of neighbors, lots, and roads?
Yes_______
No________Interpretation and Examples:
Wood piles and garbage cans may be hidden by placing them around angles of exposed facades of a dwelling, or inside a wall or garage, if the first type of concealment is not effective. Tanks usually are concealed by burying or walling around them. Appropriate shrubs may be planted to hide ground-placed coolers and air conditioners, if they are not in an overly prominent position relative to other lots and roads.
Are landscape species native to the area and able to survive after establishment (1 year) with no supplemental irrigation from tapwater in the location selected?
Yes_______
No________Interpretation and Examples:
Trees, shrubs, and grasses that are found in this general area of Arizona grow here because conditions such as water, soils, altitude, and climate are right for them; other species do not grow here because conditions are unsuitable. Even though they are native and are found in this area, riparian trees such as cottonwood, alder, sycamore, and black walnut are not appropriate to plant in Casas Arroyo; these species cannot subsist without their roots having access to groundwater and thus require large supplements from the faucet. Water harvesting and gray water reclamation are encouraged.
Are landscape species (especially trees) selected for height, colors, and form to blend and harmonize with the existing landscape and not block neighboring views when mature?
Yes_______
No________Interpretation and Examples:
Once again, noting the species growing on your lot will help you select colors, textures, and forms appropriate for the site. Trees such as Arizona Cypress have been planted here, but may be two to three times the height of any other trees in Casas Arroyo (70-90 feet tall) when they are mature. A tree of this size will dwarf every feature around it, not harmonize and blend in with the exlstlng landscape.
Is mix for revegetation of disturbed sites composed of native species only?
Yes_______
No________Interpretation and Examples:
Non-natives are expressly prohibited because of some species’ potential for invasive behavior. Even common groundcovers (such as Periwinkle) used as foundation plantings are discouraged because they have the potential for spreading. Lehmann Lovegrass, Buffelgrass, and Bermuda grass are expressly forbidden.
Will chimney or stove pipe have a spark arrestor or equivalent EPA Level II baffling system to prevent sparks?
Yes_______
No________Does structure meet minimum front yard of 10 feet, minimum side yards of 5 feet each and minimum rear yard of 10 feet?
Yes_______
No________Interpretation and Examples:
Front yard is interpreted as the distance from the lot line to the nearest structural element of the side of the house that includes the primary entrance to the house. Rear yard is the side opposite that of the front yard; side yards are the sides remaining.
Note: The following questions pertain to the installatlon of satellite dishes, radio receiving antennas, and other television antennas that exceed three feet in helght.
Is the satellite dish or antenna concealed from the view of neighboring residences, lots, roads and street? Does dish or antenna affect the skyline viewscape of nelghboring residences or lots?
Yes_______
No________Interpretation:
Vegetation is an acceptable screening for satellite dishes and antennas, if it is dense enough to be effective. The Committee will assess each installation on a case- by-case basis. Because the 18″ satellite dish is less than three feet in height, it does not require approval from the Architectural Review Committee, however, the owner shall install the antenna in an unobtrusive location.
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Signatures of Architectural Review Committee members present:
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