What to do when you want to make an exterior modification
The following architectural procedures and guidelines are intended to protect our real estate investments by ensuring that changes to the exterior of the buildings or common elements within the Long Meadow Neighborhood are safe, structurally sound and aesthetically pleasing. At the same time, this process provides homeowners some flexibility in expressing their individual tastes. Detailed information on these matters can be found in the compilation of governing documents for the Association, known as the Public Offering Statement (POS), and specifically, the Declaration of Covenants, Restrictions and Easements. Although you should have received a copy of the POS when you purchased your home, copies are available for a fee through the Management company office at 25, Artillery Park Road, Bedminster, NJ 07921.
It is the responsibility of the homeowner to notify the Committee when a Variance is needed or desired. At no time is work, other than routine maintenance, to be started until the Variance procedure, as described, has been completed. The Long Meadow Neighborhood Association has the right to assess fines if the homeowner does not comply with these guidelines, which are written in accordance with the Rules and Regulations promulgated pursuant to the governing documents of the Association.
RESPONSIBILITY FOR OBTAINING PERMITS
Committee approval of a Variance Request does not waive any requirements established by the State of New Jersey, County of Somerset, Township of Bedminster, or any other governmental authority. The homeowner is required to submit all plans and specifications to the Bedminster Township Planning Board and ensure that all necessary permits are obtained prior to the commencement of the project. Upon receipt of a building permit, the homeowner will advise the Committee of the permit number(s).
The Long Meadow Neighborhood Association Board and Committee reserve the right to enforce the above procedures and change the architectural guidelines in accordance with their authority conferred in the governing documents.
THE FOLLOWING MODIFICATIONS ARE NOT PERMITTED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES
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Mailboxes must be black. There are no exceptions.
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Nothing may be maintained or placed on, in, over or under the slopes and/or common wooded areas.
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Decorations on roofs, including holiday decorations.
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Heavy decorations in or on tree.
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Clotheslines or any appurtenance for exterior drying of laundry.
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Items hung on mailboxes, mailposts or fences.
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Garbage and recycling containers and hose reels in front of or on the side of any unit. The only exception to this requirement are slope-side units with walkout basements who may store these items in front of or alongside units but they must be camouflaged by trees or shrubs at all times.
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Maintenance of landscape of front yard (lawn, trees, shrubs) are maintained by the Association. Contact the office of any maintenance issues.
THE FOLLOWING MODIFICATIONS ARE PERMITTED WITHOUT A VARIANCE
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Porch furniture on porch and in backyards only; must be maintained in good repair and in neat condition by owner.
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Hanging flower baskets and/or stands (with live plants only).
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Flags and flag poles, no longer/taller than 36 inches.
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Wind chimes (provided there are no complaints from neighbors about noise).
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Seasonal wreaths and holiday decorations (these must be removed within 30 days after the holiday has passed).
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Flower pots on porches and steps only; not on sidewalks.
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Welcome plaques, but no larger than 12x24 inches.
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Brass kickplates on front doors; standard size, bright finish only.
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Full-view storm/screen doors; white only.
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Doorbells.
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Long Meadow Neighborhood Association mulches every other year. If you wish to mulch on alternate years, you must use only dark brown, double-shredded hardwood, herbicide-treated mulch.
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Live plantings around mailbox posts no higher than 12 inches as requested by the Bedminster Postal Service.
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Live flowers in planting beds in front of, alongside, and in rear yards.
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Doors and shutters MUST be painted the EXACT color and shade of the original plan.
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All trim must be painted white.
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Lawns in the back and halfway down the side of units must be kept mowed at the sole responsibility of the homeowner. (Feel free to contact the Association’s landscaping contractor, Growing Concern, at (609) 409-2701 to have this area cut at your expense).
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Planting of shrubs or trees is permitted in the rear yard. However, State law requires that the owner call the following number before planting to be sure that you do not interfere with the many underground utilities (800) 272-1000.
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Decorative items in flowerbeds not to exceed a height of 12 inches.
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Maintaining privacy fences is the homeowner’s responsibility. Phase I must use a clear wood treatment only. Phase II must use exterior white paint only.
ANY OTHER MODIFICATION REQUIRES COMPLETION OF THE VARIANCE REQUEST FORM BELOW AND THE BOARDS APPROVAL PRIOR TO THE START OF ANY PROJECT. FAILURE TO COMPLY WILL RESULT IN A FINE AND THE REMOVAL OF THE MODIFICATION.
Any violation of the Long Meadow Neighborhood Association Declaration of Covenants, Restrictions and Easements, with respect to exterior changes to buildings or common elements will require the owner to restore the building and/or common elements(s) to their original condition at the owner’s sole expense. Failure to comply with notice to remove a violation within thirty (30) days will result in fines, penalties (which will include suspension of all recreational privileges) and legal action. Long Meadow Neighborhood Association reserves the right to remove said violation and assess the cost of the removal and penalties to the owner’s unit account.
PROCEDURES TO OBTAIN APPROVAL FOR AN EXTERIOR MODIFICATION:
No one may make or contract to have made any alteration, change or modification (including paint color) to the exterior of buildings or common elements within the community without approval from the Long Meadow Neighborhood Association Architectural Committee (“Committee”), except as set forth herein. In order to make such changes, the owner must submit a Variance Request Form to the Association office (attached) and subsequently receive back from the Association approval therefore.
An owner may request a Variance by submitting a Variance Request Form to the Committee through the Management office. The Variance Request Form must be completed in its entirety and include a detailed, written description of the desired changes. The Committee may request additional information from the owner. The Committee shall have thirty (30) days from the time the Committee deems an application complete to review the application and advise the owner of its final decision. If the Committee does not respond within said thirty (30) day period, the owner has the right to request a hearing before the Board of Trustees. A request for a hearing must be made within ten (10) days of the owner’s receipt of the Variance denial.
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