Image Up Advertising & Design

FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | APRIL 2025 27 Architectural Review Committee ARC is beginning to receive questions about fire modifications that homeowners are receiving from their property insurance companies. We are also getting questions about proposed state laws about fire modifications. ARC uses both the Architectural Guidelines and Standards (Guidelines) and current state and local laws when reviewing all applications. While the Guidelines are part of the CC&Rs, state and local laws are only referenced in the CC&Rs and the Guidelines. Guidelines 1 A. (5) "A permit may be required by the City of Beaumont Building Department and/or other government agencies prior to the commencement of any work … obtaining such permits does not waive the obligation to obtain ARC approval." Most changes required by state and local laws are made known to ARC, but it can take time to get the changes added to the Guidelines. One version of the proposed fire modification, if passed into law, may require significant changes to our current guidelines, which has to do with the fire modification that insurance companies require. That measure will create an "ember- resistant" zone that bans burnable plants, furniture, sheds, and mulch within five feet of homes. While this measure has not passed the California legislature, it is expected to do so soon. Many insurance companies have already made it a requirement to be met before they will issue insurance policies. Should any homeowner receive a request from an insurance company the nature of which requires work that must be approved by ARC — an application must be submitted. ARC will work with the homeowner to meet the requirements of the insurance company. Should — or when — these requirements become law, ARC approval will still need to be obtained. ARC is currently working to develop a process that will make obtaining approval as painless as possible while still maintaining the beauty of our community. All homeowners are encouraged to attend our meetings. They are held on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 8:30 am in the RCN Conference Room. Should you have any questions, please contact me. ~ Steve Cooley, (801) 815- 5302, cooleyaudit@gmail.com Landscape Committee April showers bring May f lowers and the Four Seasons Landscape Committee in partnership with Park West, our contracted landscape vendor, have been preparing for this seasonal change within our beautiful community. While various landscaping projects and proposals for 2025 currently remain under discussion with the Board of Directors or are yet to be implemented until the weather warms up, there is one notable major improvement which is the upgrading and improvement of our irrigation system. This upgrade includes the installation of new modems/smart controllers. The controllers are responsible for monitoring the amount and f low rate of irrigation water, which will minimize water overf low within our yards, sidewalks, and streets. As this is an ongoing project, if you notice water overf low in any area, please contact the front desk attendant at The Lodge as soon as possible so that repairs can quickly correct the problem. Park West continues with their ongoing activities which are scheduled on a weekly, monthly, or annual rotation basis. We are all familiar with their routine mowing, edging, and removing cut grasses. Their frequency of mowing, which has been minimized due to the previously slow grow season, will increase as we move into spring. Other Park West continuing activities include trimming of shrubs, tall grasses, lower branches on trees, tree pruning and/or removal of dead trees with replacements, as appropriate. Weeds are sprayed at planters, tree wells, hardscape, sidewalk cracks, and streets per their rotation schedule. Park West has also been busy installing new plant material to address bare areas, remove existing turf and install drought-tolerant plants, gravel, or mulch in specific areas and maintenance of the trails. Refurbishment and renovation of specific areas are also on the agenda for 2025 pending approval or implementation. Homeowner's feedback is important to the Landscape Committee as we strive to maintain the beauty within our community. Remember, any landscape concerns within our community may be addressed through several venues. Homeowners may: (1) complete a Landscape Service Request form which may be obtained at The Lodge front desk; (2) utilize the Daily Report reporting process including a photo, if possible; or (3) attend a Landscape Committee meeting. The Landscape Committee meets monthly, the third Tuesday of each month at 1 pm in the Rec Center North (RCN) Conference Room. Each homeowner is allowed three to five minutes to address the committee regarding their specific issues or concerns. There is also the opportunity to participate in the Landscape Committee walks which are scheduled for twice a month on Friday mornings. These walks are area specific and intended to identify spaces that are in need of repair or improvements and may result in a proposal forwarded to the Board of Directors for approval and follow-up. If interested in attending any of these walks, please contact Kat Hughes at (951) 769-6358 for the schedule. ~ Katee Morris

• Cover