Frequently Asked Questions

The Villages at Maxwell Creek Architecture Committee wishes to thank the many, many homeowners who work within the guidelines of the Covenants. Each of us working together helps to maintain the high standards within the community. These standards, along with the numerous common areas, open spaces, and other amenities within the neighborhood continue to make our community a highly desirable place to live.

Following are some of the most commonly asked questions of the Architecture Committee.

What are the Covenants?

The Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions is a legally binding document applying to all homeowners within the master-planned community of the Villages at Maxwell Creek.

I do not have a copy of the Covenants; how do I receive a copy?

It is required that a copy of the Covenants be provided to a homeowner at closing when a house is purchased. An electronic version of the Covenants is available on the HOA web site. If a hard copy is needed, homeowners may contact the secretary for the Board of Directors. There is a $25.00 fee for a hard copy.

How do the Covenants affect me?

The Covenants control many things with the Villages at Maxwell Creek. Some items are: upkeep of the property of homeowners; Improvements to the property of homeowners; Uses of the property of homeowners; and upkeep and maintenance of the Common Areas within the Villages at Maxwell Creek. The Covenants aply to, and protect, all homeowners.

How do I report a maintenance issue (yard, sign, fence, debris or drainage problem in common area, being most common)?

To report any maintenance issue, please contact any member of the Architecture Committee. Eventually we will have a form available on the web site.

How are the Covenants administered?

As established in the Covenants, the HOA has the authority to inspect and enforce the restrictions detailed within. The Board of Directors has final approval on all actions, however it generally delegates inspection and enforcement to a committee of volunteers consisting of residents of the neighborhood. Most importantly, all improvements and / or changes to properties within the Villages at Maxwell Creek must be approved by the Architecture Committee prior to any improvement and / or change commencing.

How do I obtain approval?

Plans for construction, changes, and / or improvements must be submitted to the Architecture Committee prior to any work commencing. The review procedures followed by the Committee are posted on the HOA web site. The review procedures list what is needed by the Architecture Committee and where to send plans.

Will by plans be approved as submitted?

For major projects, the Architecture Committee works with homeowners to make adjustments to plans which would bring the plans into compliance with the Covenants. This prior review prevents costly expenses to a homeowner should a non-reviewed project be found to be in non-compliance with the Covenants.

Besides construction and / or improvements to properties, what other restrictions are in the Covenants?

It is recommended to review the Covenants for a complete list, however below are several common items that are often asked about:

• No excessive signage, with exemptions for standard size "for-sale" and "open house" signs used during the sale of a home. Vertial free-standing flagpoles are not permitted. Contact the Architecture Committee if you have specific questions.
• Boats and trailers are never permitted to be parked on any street with the Villages at Maxwell Creek, at any time. Continued violations may result in towing of the vehicle, as well as a special assessment being filed against the violator.
• Yards, bushes, and other foundation plantings must be continuously maintained. The Architecture Committee receives numerous complaints on yard upkeep.

If I independently survey my neighbors and other homeowners in the neighborhood for their approval to make an architectural change to my residence, then that's legal, right? After all, the Association is made up of homeowners living in the neighborhood.

Unfortunately, that is not the case. Final authority for all decisions in the neighborhood rests with the Board of Directors of the Association.

How do I contact the Architecture Committee?

Correspondence with the Committee must be in writing, addressed to "Villages at Maxwell Creek / Architecture Committee" at the U.S. postal address specified in the HOA Contact information. For questions only, contact the chairperson of the Committee as noted on the website or most recent newsletter.