ACC Bi-annual May 2024 Report to HSV Board of Directors

Larry Brocaw, Chair of the Hot Springs Village POA Architectural Control Committee, reported to the Board Directors at the Wednesday, May 15, 2024 meeting. Brocaw said:

“The ACC started the year with three vacancies and then lost another member when Valerie Shippers resigned. We filled those vacancies with the addition of:

“Clint Blackman III, John Hyduke, Lanny Beavers, and Jared Robinson. Board liaison Mark Quinton moved to another assignment and was replaced by [Board Member] Gary Belair. Ginger George [Contracts and Development Supervisor] was appointed to the voting position for the staff.”

“The committee now consists of the following:

• Gary Belair, Board Member Liaison
• Larry Brocaw, Chair – Architect
• Brian Whitehead, Vice-chair – Engineering
• Lanny Beavers, Secretary – Professional Surveyor
• Clint Blackman, Attorney – retired
• John Hyduke – Engineering
• Jared Robinson – Home Builder-retired
• Ginger George – Staff”

“The Permitting and Inspections (P & I) staff was placed under Public Services and Community Support (Compliance) was placed under the Police Department. This has proven to work very well indeed. [Public Services Director] Ken Unger and [Public Services Associate Director] Matt Broom have added some valuable insight to the committee, [and are quick to respond to issues.] P & I has developed improved procedures and Tommy Benfield, Community Support Manager, is now attending ACC meetings which also improves communication.”

“The May 2023 to May 2024 numbers are as follows:

“Small permits such as sheds, decks, room/garage additions, docks, signage, landscaping and parking areas totaled 582. This averages 24 per meeting and does not include those same requests that come to the committee again with recommended revisions. The most permit requests at one meeting was 38. We had a couple of meetings with 32 permit requests, which is quite a few to handle at one meeting. Many times a request requires more than one visit to the site. 66 requests were denied due to being against the rules or because additional information was needed to clarify what was being done. Many of those were subsequently approved. We are trying our best to work with the community so we can resolve issues without just saying ‘no.'”

“We processed 118 new home permits many of which are still under construction. A permit was denied due to being a conservative design placed in-between two existing traditional designed homes. We were able to work with this owner who then modified the house slightly to fit in harmony within the neighborhood. We also denied a request to build stacked container-type homes in the village.”

“A conceptual contemporary house design with no garage or carport was submitted for possible approval and was denied. Another was denied that included a pergola for a carport. We do get some interesting ones.”

“Working with P & I and Community Support we identified an area where rules become problematic to enforce. For example a property owner was cited for a white picket fence in the front yard. This is against the rules of course. However that fence had been in place for approximately 30 years. It did not seem prudent to require the lady to remove the fence. Such situations have now been labeled ‘legacy’ items. The fence can remain and must be maintained. Approval will not be given to replace the fence. So far only a couple of situations like this have occurred.”

“The ACC put in place the rule approved by the BOD for 420 lb. propane cylinders in lieu of four smaller tanks. The larger tank can be placed adjacent to the house. Two such proposals have been approved so far.”

“We have developed guidelines for metal roofs in the village. We are recommending 24-gauge metal as best and 26 gauge as a minimum and either flat panel standing seam or flat panel batten systems depending on the slope of the roof. Concealed fasteners are required. Exposed fasteners are not allowed. Corrugated panels are not allowed and the color must be matte or low sheen.”

“Going forward:

“We are working with P&I to improve the drawings that are submitted to the ACC for approval. Some drawings have been submitted that are very difficult to understand and some that just did not work. We are recommending computer-aided design (CAD) drawings but are not making it a requirement since small home projects seldom have CAD capabilities. Hand drawings will need to indicate how the project will look with the existing structure with materials and dimensions outlined. The same is true with many landscape projects where the drawings are not adequate. We will be working to get these drawings better”.

“It should be noted that the vast majority of new home designs are submitted with CAD drawings and are very well done.”