Below are more of the frequently asked questions that the Community Relations Department encounters regarding the Home Improvement Application process. This is the second part of a four part series.

What if I have questions regarding my application? Who can my questions be directed to? What is staff’s role in the application process?
The Community Relations staff is available to answer your questions by telephone or at the Association’s office on Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The staff acts as a liaison between the Architectural Committee and the homeowner. Staff receives the applications, makes sure they are complete and prepares comments for the Committee. The application is then forwarded to the Committee for a decision.

How often does the Architectural Committee meet? Do I have to wait for a meeting to have my plans reviewed?
The Architectural Committee meets once a month. However, staff sends applications to the Committee on a daily basis and often only large remodel plans and controversial applications are reviewed at the monthly meeting. This process allows the Association to maintain its seven (7) to ten (10) day average for plan review.

What criteria does the Architectural Committee use when considering my application?
The Architectural Committee reviews applications for aesthetic purposes and to determine compliance with the Architectural Guidelines & Standards. Any condition not cov-
ered in the Standards becomes a matter of discretionary judgment on the part of the Architectural Committee. In all cases, the Committee shall determine if the proposed improvement is compatible with the architectural character of the applicable tract and if it is an enhancement to the desirability and attractiveness of the community.

How long will it take to have my plans reviewed? How do I know if my plans were approved or not?
The CC&R’s for the Woodbridge Village Association specify a maximum thirty (30) day review period upon submittal to the Architectural Committee of a completed application and plans, including neighbor awareness and a property rights review (if applicable). The current average review period for Home Improvement Applications is seven (7) to ten (10) days. Homeowners are notified in writing once a decision is rendered.

What if my plans are disapproved?
Homeowners with disapproved plans are encouraged to contact the Community Relations Department. Disapproval letters often contain suggestions from the Architectural Committee for revisions that would make the plans approvable. Staff is available to answer questions and assist homeowners in making revisions and resubmitting the plans to the Committee. Homeowners also always have the option of appealing the disapproved plans to the Board of Directors as long as a written appeal request is received by the Association no more than thirty (30) days from the date of the disapproval.

Who is on the Architectural Committee?
The Architectural Committee is comprised of volunteers appointed by the Board of Directors to review Home Improvement Applications. They must have an appropriate background in fields such as landscape design, architecture, engineering, etc., and be able to interpret blueprint drawings.

What happens after I finish construction/installation of my improvements?
Community Relations staff members conduct final inspections of all approved work to ensure that the improvement was constructed in accordance with the approved plans. Homeowners who have not abided by their approved plans and need to make alterations are notified in writing and given a compliance date for completion of the alterations.

Stay tuned to future issues of Reflections for more answers to frequently asked questions.