ARC Guidelines

ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE
GUIDELINES

The Architectural Review Committee (“ARC”) was created in an attempt to enhance property values by requiring conformity to certain standards of construction, visual appeal, uniformity and design. Article VI, Section B of the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions Applicable to Brittany Lakes (“CC&Rs”) provide that “No buildings, additions, modifications or improvements shall be erected , placed or performed on any lot until the construction plans and specifications including, but not limited to, the site plan, design development plan, exterior plan, signage plan, landscaping plan, and lighting plan have been submitted in triplicate to and approved in writing by the ARC.”

It is the general purpose of the ARC to approve or disapprove applications made to it for proposed alterations, additions or changes to be made to the exterior of the house and/or lot itself. Landscaping does not require ARC approval unless the configuration of the ground changes (i.e., berms, fill dirt, etc.). See Section 22 of these guidelines for front yard planting bed requirements.

Procedure:

Please complete your improvement request by logging in to your account on your HOA’s website, by visiting https://spectrumam.com/homeowners/property-improvement/ and sign into your account.

This form will walk you through the needed documents and necessary information based on your request type. Providing all requested information and supporting documents with the initial submission makes the overall timeline for approval faster.

The following documents may be needed electronically for your submission. Depending on the project type some or all of these may be requested:

  • A copy of your plat/survey map with the location of the project marked (The plat map can be found with the closing documents of the home). Distances to fencing or property lines should also be included. Arizona allows owners to submit a rendering or photo of the home/lot with this information instead of the actual plat map.
  • Dimensions of the project (width x length x height/peak height) 
  • Materials lists (types of wood, shingles, paint colors, plants, etc.)
  • A color image/ brochure/ improvement sample (i.e., catalog, online photo, 3D rendering photo, etc.) for any items being added.
  • A color image of any paints or stains that will be used.
  • A color image of the current home if you are replacing existing items like the roof/windows or painting the home itself. This may also be needed if you are adding an improvement that needs to match the home.
  • Any additional information that will help the committee quickly review and decide if the project meets guidelines set forth in your governing documents. 

Once you complete the Property Improvement Form, Spectrum AM will receive the form, complete the initial review to ensure all needed documents are received, contact you with any missing or community-specific information, and then submit your request to the association’s Review Committee. 

The ARC has thirty (30) days from the date of receipt of a Request for Home Improvement Approval form in which to respond. In the event the ARC fails to approve an application within thirty (30) days from the date of receipt, the application shall be deemed to be disapproved. If additional information is required by the ARC, the review process will be extended accordingly. Plans for the implementation of the proposed improvement(s) should allow for the time required to complete the review process. Additionally, should your application be submitted after the construction, the ARC is not required to provide approval, and the unapproved change may be deemed to be a violation of the CC&Rs. No construction should begin prior to the approval. You may be required to remove unapproved improvements. 

If an application is not approved, the ARC will state in their letter why such approval was denied and what type of application changes, if any, would alter that decision. If an applicant wishes to discuss or appeal a decision made by the ARC, the designated representative for the ARC should be contacted in writing.

Guidelines:

The following are guidelines adopted by the ARC to specify their standards, requirements and thought processes used in evaluating an application. The guidelines may be amended from time to time as the circumstances, conditions or opinions of the ARC dictate. It should be noted that each application is considered on its own merit and that the ARC may grant a variance from these guidelines and/or from certain provisions of the CC&Rs by written instrument of the ARC. The ARC has the right to deny approval for a similar improvement based on the proximity of a property to a main boulevard or the visual relativity of the site to the overall development. As an example, a home located on the perimeter of the development may be permitted to have a certain styled storage building (with different height), whereas on a main entry boulevard and depending on the configuration of the lot, this same item may not be approved. The intent being to maintain overall integrity within areas of higher visual impact.

It should also be noted that ARC approval is required prior to the installation or construction of the improvement or change. If an improvement is made without ARC approval, the Board of Directors has the legal right to enforce its removal.