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FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | JANUARY 2023 25 Welcome to 2023. As a small child, I never thought I would see a number that high in the date. I also never thought I would see the technology that we are seeing today. Residential solar is changing almost as fast as it can be installed. ARC is working diligently to keep up with the changes and how they are regulated by our Architectural Review Guidelines. Most of the technology is behind the façade and isn't affected by Guidelines. One of the recent challenges ARC has had to deal with concerns equipment that is mounted on the outside walls of our homes. Before the first home was built it was determined that electrical panels, boxes, and controls should be painted to match the surface it was mounted on. So, when the electrical, cable, and telephone lines were installed, the equipment was painted to match the house. The result is that this equipment blends into the background and doesn't become an eyesore in the community. Solar installations are considered in the same way. The equipment needs to match the surface it is mounted on. Of course, the actual solar collectors on the roof cannot be painted and are treated much the same as satellite dishes. Our experience is that satellite manufacturers as well as solar panel manufactures use muted colors that do not stand out or clash with most house colors. Some homeowners have expressed concern about painting their solar equipment despite reassurances to ARC by the manufacturers that there is no problem with painting the items provided they're painted correctly. To resolve this issue ARC has determined that solar equipment may be left unpainted if it is mounted behind the gate and is not visible from common areas. Of course, the equipment may be installed in a garage, in which case ARC will grant approval regardless of the color. There are new types of solar that are being developed ranging from roof tiles to solar panels mounted on the ground and not roofs. ARC is following these developments and will consider what if any modifications may be necessary to allow homeowners to take advantage of these systems while maintaining the aesthetics of our community. ~ Steve Cooley, cooleyaudit@gmail.com Architectural Review Committee Landscape Committee Happy New Year! It's hard to believe another year has come and gone. As we enter the new year, the Landscape Committee continues their work to ensure Four Seasons remains a premiere resort community. As you may have noticed, beginning in December, Park West crews were busy removing trees. They removed 115 trees, most of which were damaging walls, sidewalks, and patios. Trees were also removed in areas where they were planted too close and could not flourish and grow properly. Most of the areas where trees were removed will look the same, only much cleaner. Water restrictions are still in place even with the cooler weather and less watering. We are working with the San Gorgonio Pass Area Water District to obtain grants for turf removal. We have started some turf removal around Four Seasons Circle and have replaced it with water wise planting. Water wise planting is planting with low water, drought tolerant plants, not desert planting. We are very fortunate to live in California where we have hundreds of plants that bloom, are beautiful, and require very little water. Most of our trees are beginning to shed their leaves and we see them all over the community. Park West does blow and remove the leaves during their rotation each week around the community. It is not possible for them to come daily and remove the leaves. Please bear with the leaves as the trees will be bare very soon. Luckily, this means we will see so much beautiful foliage when spring arrives. The Landscape Committee is always looking for new members. If you are a person who loves to work at creating beauty around the community, you may be the perfect person. Landscape meets the third Thursday each month in the RCN Conference Room at 1 pm. We also walk every Friday during the winter at 8 am. If you are interested, please come and join us and enjoy the exercise while making a lasting contribution to our community. Warmest wishes in the New Year! ~ Kathy Craven, kathycraven@ rocketmail.com

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