Architectural Guidelines

In order to create a living environment and community which is harmonious and provides a sense of identity and continuity, the design process for individual homes should have, as its objective, building forms which are carefully planned additions to the natural setting. Careful siting, selection of colors and materials, and design consideration which extend beyond the building walls to include the entire site are three important means of achieving this objective.

Generally, the relationship of the house to the street should be considered less important that other constraints such as view, topography, trees, breezes, etc. In other words, it is not as important that the house be parallel to the street as it is for the house to be fitted naturally into the site, taking advantage of and maximizing views, unique vegetation, etc.

“Streetscape” is a term used to describe the overall visual effect of a street and is the sum total of the effect produced by the design and siting of individual houses, their harmony with one another, the natural tree cover and supplementary landscaping, and details such as street lights and mailboxes. The objective is to produce a streetscape which unifies the individuality of the many houses to be built providing continuity and identity, yet without sacrificing this individuality.

Landscaping in a manner that strongly “connects” the house to its natural setting, siting houses so that they are staggered in relation to one another, and careful selection of colors are some of the most important considerations to achieve a pleasant streetscape. The most effective streetscape is one in which the houses are sited and landscaped in a way that they blend together and yet still display the uniqueness of the individual house designs. This concept also maximized privacy and the utilization of the entire lot as private living space.

The design of the house itself is, of course, very important. Massing of various elements, such as garages and chimneys, proportions of windows in relation to solid walls, finishes, colors, roof pitch, etc. must be carefully considered. The following list highlights specific restrictions which will be rigidly enforced in Gatling Pointe in order to implement the concepts outlined above:

1. Side entry garages are preferred in Gatling Pointe in all neighborhoods. Front and rear entry garages will be permitted with previous approval of the Architectural Review Board.
2. Driveways must be paved with concrete, brick or exposed aggregate concrete.
3. Walks of exposed aggregate concrete, brick, etc. designed to be an integral part of the house and landscape must be provided from the driveway to the front door.
4. All houses must incorporate a minimum landscape allowance. This figure will be established in advance for each neighborhood.
5. Freestanding storage sheds, workshops, garages, etc. must be designed and located as an integral part of the house, service yard, and landscape design. Structures should be massed with the house and incorporated into the overall design with landscaping, walkways, fencing, etc., and should be of the same style, finished materials and color as the house. This also applies to dog houses, gazebos, playhouses, deck railings, etc.
6. Fencing for dogs and children must be integral to the design of the house. All homeowners are encouraged not to fence their entire backyard. Fencing may not be placed on the property line nor utilized to define the front yard. Fencing should start off the back corners of the house. Fencing of back yard areas or dog runs should not come off the front corners of the house, but extend as nearly as possible straight back from the back corners of the house. Chain link and stockade style fencing will not be approved. Fencing which faces a front or side street must be picket style or finished material, painted the same color as the house or house trim. Back yard fencing not visible from the street may be of treated wood posts and welded wire. All fencing must be approved prior to construction by the Architectural Review Board.
7. A single service area which incorporates heating and air conditioning equipment, electrical meter, gas tanks, and trash areas must be provided and properly located and screened. The service yard should be convenient to a kitchen exit, driveway, and outdoor storage.
8. All exterior wood steps must have closed risers. Brick stoops on the front of traditional houses are preferred.
9. No exposed natural (mill finished) aluminum or galvanized flashing is permitted.
10. Window screens, storm windows, and storm doors must be anodized bronze or painted to match the trim or body color of the house.
11. The minimum roof pitch permitted shall be 8′ in 12′ for one-story houses and 8′ in 12′ for two-story houses. Flat roofs or lesser pitches will only be considered by the Architectural Review Board when they are an integral part of outstanding architectural design. As departures from the norm, they will be reviewed in the context of the total design of the house, its relationship to surrounding houses, and to its site. The minimum roof shingle shall be 300 lb. unless specified differently in an individual neighborhood.
12. Houses must be designed and located so as to minimize exposed foundations. Proper grading of the site so as to “sink” the house into the ground, and siding to grade are acceptable means of disguising awkward foundations.
13. Exposed foundations must be an approved brick. Any other materials are subject to approval of the Architectural Review Board.
14. Masonry materials (brick, stone, etc.), when used as accents, must not look “applied” or used like wallpaper. While appropriate combinations of brick and stone are not. All brick selections must be approved by the Architectural Review Board from samples submitted.
15. Simple “massing” and clean design are desired. Many windows of different sizes and shapes, multi-directional siding, towers, too many materials, “wild” shapes, etc. will be discouraged. The Review Board will discourage use of skylights where they will be visible on the front side of street-facing side of colonial or traditional homes.
16. All houses must have natural wood siding or be all brick or a combination of brick, wood or stucco or some other acceptable combination. However under no circumstances will vinyl or aluminum siding be allowed in Gatling Pointe. All homes must be stained or painted; natural wood siding will not be allowed. Semi-transparent stains will not be allowed. Houses next door to one another should not be painted the same color or a very similar color. Exceptions may be approved in certain circumstances by the Review Board.
17. The color palette for homes will not be limited to a restricted list; but no extremely bright, offensive, or “jarring” colors will be approved.
18. All exterior colors must be reviewed and approved by the Architectural Review Board prior to painting. In order to insure the color coordination of neighborhoods, and to protect the investment of all property and home owners, the Architectural Review Board has the authority to require repainting of a house if approval was not obtained in advance.
19. Houses will not be repeated side by side in the same neighborhood unless the exteriors are substantially different in design and/or color. The decision as to whether a design or color is “substantially different” will be a t the discretion of the Architectural Review Board. Exceptions will be considered for a neighborhood when the overall plan is submitted for an individually designed neighborhood.
20. No specific architectural styles will be imposed except in certain neighborhoods, which will be identified prior to sales. Most architectural styles will be accepted, with the exception of a unique style such as Spanish, Dutch, Alpine, Log, or a combination of those styles. Special exceptions will be considered.
21. Plans must be professionally drawn by an architect or approved design service. No plans drawn by the owner or builder (unless he is an architect) will be accepted for review by the Architectural Review Board. All proposed changes to plans must be incorporated as a part of the drawings – no pencil or sketched changes.
22. On waterfront lots, the use of grass as a landscape material on rear yards should be discouraged. Owners and builders will be encouraged to have “pockets” of natural areas and a natural buffer zone between lots.
23. Chimneys should not be designed so as to appear to “hang” from the side of the house. Chimney foundations should be at ground level.
24. Deck supports visible from the street must be either 6″ x 6″ treated wood posts or 12″ x 12″ brick piers. 4″ x 4″ Treated wood posts may be used if they are concealed by lattice screening. All decks must use lattice or brick to conceal piers.
25. Textured asphalt (See 12) (such as G.A.F. Timberline 300#) or wood shingles will be required in all neighborhoods. Certain neighborhoods will have specific roofing requirements, which will be identified in advance.
26. We will actively encourage the use of E-7 energy savers with the gas package options.
27. Plans submitted to the Architectural Review Board must be accompanied by a site plan at a minimum scale of 1″ = 20′, complete with topography and proposed grading. Tree surveys are recommended by not required.
28. A four-step review process will be utilized in Gatling Pointe as an aid to buyers and to insure compliance with these requirements:
    1. Preliminary: At an early stage during the design process (before beginning working drawings), schematic designs (including floor plans and all elevations at a scale of 1/4″ – 1′) should be submitted so that any changes required or suggested made by the Architectural Review Board can be easily incorporated into the final working drawings. A preliminary site plan must also accompany this submission so that setbacks can be confirmed. This step will save lot owners and offers an opportunity to avail themselves of the expertise and advice of the Review Board. With changes incorporated from this preliminary review, the final review becomes more routine.
    2. Final: This submission should consist of the final working drawings of how the house is actually to be built, incorporating any changes required by the Architectural Review Board. A final site plan and a complete list of exterior materials and colors should accompany this submission.
    3. Stakeout Review: A member of the Architectural Review Board will accompany the owner or builder to the site to review the stakeout and approve the flagging for clearing. Each corner of the house should be clearly marked and the entire clearing (including the driveway) should be defined with flagging tapes. Any other clearing (for view, etc.) should also be clearly marked.
    4. Final Compliance: The exterior of the house must be built substantially in conformance with the plans for this form to be issued. Approved colors, proper treatment of the driveway, provision for the service yard, and other requirements of these restricts must also be complied with.