Don't become a Mrs. Kravitz of "Bewitched". Let's stop policing our neighbors and hire someone else to do it.
The Woodlands ‘Architectural” committee has turned into a committee less about architecture and more about code infractions. This is almost impossible to do with such a small committee of volunteers, many who work full-time.
Most communities in Broward County have the right idea: Hire the management company to police your community for covenant enforcement. This takes the responsibility off our neighbors who currently report one another with secret phone calls and emails to the Architectural Committee President or to the city’s code enforcement department. Not to mention the frequent calls to BSO for mild infractions such as parking on the grass or watering the lawn after the designated time, which clearly are not emergencies warranting BSO’s valuable time. Many other communities as upscale as ours do not handle code issues internally. It’s about time that we change with the times.
By hiring the management company to become your section’s “code compliance officer” they essentially become the bad guy and take the pressure off neighbors who are currently doing this. We will also get more uniformity with our rules as there are no personal feelings involved. Everyone is treated the same no matter who they are.
When Ambassador becomes your code compliance officer, serious infractions that are dangerous are immediately reported to the city. This could include an unfenced swimming pool or dangerous equipment left outside. Less serious infractions will involve sending letters to the homeowner who will then get so many days to fix the issue or their issue will be sent to the city.
Patti Fox works hard on our Architectural Committee, which clearly should be a paid position with the time she has to put in as a volunteer with almost 900 homes and constant follow-up. It is too much for one person who basically does all the work while holding a full-time job. It also makes a neighbor like her into the bad guy, as she has to be the one emailing violators or sending the city out for infractions.
I believe Woodlands should follow the path of many other beautiful communities in Broward County who utilize their management company for this purpose. Placing a call during the day to a management company for compliance questions is immediate and their feedback will be consistent.
Let’s have a third party do our dirty work and quit becoming “Condo Commandos” with our own oversight. Consider having your section overseen by your current management company.
Alan Sloane
January 27, 2011 at 9:09 am
Hi Sharon,
Just to let you know that Ambassador does not handle any code, permit or ACC violation issues for Section 1.That is still done through our WHOA ACC Board and Patti Fox. Ambassador handles the daily management and business issues for Section 1.
Alan Sloane
President,Section 1
Sharon Aron Baron
January 27, 2011 at 10:21 am
Thank you for that correction. I spoke to Steve from Ambassador on Tuesday where he mentioned that Section One was paying for full service from them which included a code compliance person. I will update my article.
Adam Berke
January 27, 2011 at 10:23 am
The Woodlands homes are referred to as Mid-Century Modern or Atomic design which is a rarity in Florida. As my wife and I continue to restore our home we make sure to honor the architectural integrity of the home by using materials and designs from the intended time frame of the early 70′s. I am grateful for all of the great photos and advertisements from the early construction and strongly urge the community to keep a catalog of this material for future use.
I would like to see a more aggressive collaboration to keep these homes true to the design intended as is done around the country in better neighborhoods to maintain historical uniformity and resale value. It is a real shame to see homes painted in the wrong palette and adorned with chotchkies. Does anyone share my concerns?
Please reference http://www.atomic-ranch.com or http://www.eichlerforsale.com to see what these homes were designed to look like.
If we hire a third party to police the effort we need to create a standard and I would love to donate my time to the cause.
Sharon Aron Baron
January 27, 2011 at 4:03 pm
Dear Adam,
I love your appreciation of the architecture here! This community was a real find for us as we were looking for a retro home in a sea of Mediterraneans (we’re not even close to the Mediterranean!)
I would love to take photos of your home and show you ours! Please contact me. Also stay tuned, we have a short blurb about us in Atomic Ranch Magazine’s spring issue. BTW, Atomic Ranch is my absolute favorite magazine I started collecting them at issue #8!!!!!
Sharon Aron Baron
Adam Berke
January 27, 2011 at 7:17 pm
Thanks Sharon:
That sounds like a plan. We think of the current transformation as a labor of love and have alot of great plans moving forward. The outside of the home and the japanese garden are next on the list.
Adam
J Smoley
February 1, 2011 at 5:39 pm
Patti Fox volunteered for the job, as did all ACC members.
Unfortunately, Ambassador has a number of issues re their ability to manage.
Just as we should be the eyes and ears for the police, taking responsibility for our own safety and the safety of our community, we should also take responsibility for the appearance of our community.
If you see an obvious violation of our deed restrictions or city code; contact you section’s ACC representative or Patti Fox, via phone or e-mail.
Adam Berke
February 3, 2011 at 7:29 pm
A huge color and architectural violation is taking place on the corner of Woodlands and Bayberry Lane. A pink driveway, mustard yellow paint job including the roof and orange stripes to match.
Somebody do something.
Ben Damian
February 7, 2011 at 6:41 pm
Thank Goodness someone else noticed..I thought I was the only one….That house could be a Showplace…….We waited long enough for it to happen…..Where is the Architectual commitee?
Karen
February 10, 2011 at 1:58 pm
Adam, Ben, A lot of people have noticed “the Big Gold house”. the ACC has reported to Code Compliance, and CC has been there several times. Just don’t know why they haven’t repainted yet. ACC is also changing the Welcome Packages, to prevent this from happening again.
Adam Berke
February 10, 2011 at 7:38 pm
I am glad my sentiments are supported this is a prestigious home on the main Boulevard and it is an eye sore.
A pink driveway? I will quote a neighbor who beleives a “Taco Bell” opened on Woodlands Boulevard only thing missing is the drive thru window.
I am sorry if this offends anyone however these homes should be protected as historical not destroyed by people who have no respect for architecture.
Ben Damian
March 30, 2011 at 11:14 pm
Thank you very much for the reply….I appreciate it
Michael De Lemma
March 27, 2011 at 4:17 pm
i don’t think homeowners are being disrespectful towards the architecture, but perhaps come from other countries, states or have never owned a home or ever made renovations to a home. What is stylish thirty or twenty years ago, may now be considered tacky or an eye sore. When the Woodlands was built, olive green, harvast gold, or copper tone refrigerators were all the rage, as was shag carpeting, wall papered ceilings and doors, or mirrored walls. We now look at this and call it dated or just plain awful. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and it is hard to tell someone that their taste in furniture, paint color choices, or style is not acceptable. Many residents may not be aware that code compliance and a color chart must be consulted with first before choosing a paint color or renovation. That information should be given to all new and established residents. As far as mid-century, that term generally applies to a time period up to about 1969, and the term “atomic” is a new one on me. I did look at the webside you provided and was pleasantly surprised.Thanks for informing us about the atomic-ranch style and archetecture.