Image Up Advertising & Design

22 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | MAY 2017 There was a time we depended on copper wire telephone lines strung on wood poles and connected to each building. But someone dared to ask: Could we do the same thing, maybe even better, without wires? Well, you know what happened — cell phones and Internet service are now commonplace, and wires are obsolete. Procedures, policies, governance and facilities serve us very well so long as nothing changes. But our community is constantly changing. The demands and opportunities of today are quite different than a decade ago, and will be quite different throughout the years to come. Getting from where we are now to where we'll be in the future is an extremely important transition and requires careful planning. We must consider a big picture that includes not only existing constraints but also the opportunities that lie ahead. And we must try to avoid costly mistakes along the way. Thus we ask many blue-sky-what-if questions, even if we don't see how they could happen at the moment. But who knows, maybe something we consider improbable today could be very possible and beneficial later — much like the way copper wires were replaced by cell phones and Internet service. ~ Willis Fagan Community Planning & Transition Committee Architectural review Committee One of the benefits of living in the Four Seasons community and what probably influenced many of us to purchase a residence here, is that Four Seasons is not a cookie cutter development where, when coming home, you have to activate your garage door opener to tell which house is yours. We have the opportunity to landscape and personalize our property to our needs and tastes. But with that privilege there is a need for some control over what is and what is not acceptable. These requirements are documented in the Architectural Guidelines and Standards document that was supplied with your homeowner's package and can also be picked up at the main office. The Architectural Review Committee (ARC) Guidelines have evolved over the years and have been revised, and will continue to be revised, as we adjust to environmental requirements and social "trends." Many of the requirements in the Guidelines are there to prevent future conflicts with your neighbors. That small tree will eventually become a big tree so property line setback is a requirement to prevent future conflicts on foliage overhang protruding into a neighbor's yard. Wall heights, front patio extensions, patios, landscaping, water fountains, lawn art etc. are examples of some of the areas that are covered by the ARC Guidelines. (See Guidelines and Standards for complete list.) The mission statement of ARC is "to preserve and improve the appearance of the community and to ensure continuity in design and does not seek to restrict individual creativity or personal preference." However with individual creativity and personal preference it must be taken into account that a newborn baby is the most beautiful thing in the world to its mother but the neighbors and friends may not share that opinion. After a homeowner submits their Exhibit A "Property Improvement Application" and Exhibit B "Signed Neighbor Notification Statement," the ARC committee will review the proposed plans for compliance to the Guidelines. Homeowners are encouraged to attend this review so that the details of their plan can be explained and clarified if required. Additionally, the homeowner has an opportunity (if original application is not approved) to present their case for reconsideration. The ARC encourages homeowners to check potential contractors' references and track records with neighbors that have used them, only use licensed contractors, and make sure any required permits are obtained and signed off by the city. Anyone is welcome to attend the ARC reviews (8:30 am on the first and third Wednesday of the month) to ask questions about your future plans or to see how the process works. ~ Gerard Bonnar The mission statement of ARC is "to preserve and improve the appearance of the community and to ensure continuity in design and does not seek to restrict individual creativity or personal preference."

• Cover