Larry Brocaw Presents Nov 2024 ACC Report to HSVPOA Board

Architectural Control Committee (ACC) Chair Larry Brocaw presented the committee’s bi-annual report to the Hot Springs Village Board of Directors on Wednesday, November 20, 2024.

Brocaw said, “The purpose of the Architectural Control Committee is to protect the general character, appearance, aesthetics, environment, and property values of Hot Springs Village.”

The committee “evaluates all residential and commercial construction, alterations, and additions regarding nature, kind, shape, height, materials, location, and harmony of external design with the surroundings and topography.”

Brocaw continued, “We interpret and administer the Declaration and Protective Covenants of Hot Springs Village as they relate to matters within the purview of the ACC.

The ACC consists of the following members:

• Gary Belair, Board Liaison
• Larry Brocaw, Chair (Architect)
• Brian Whitehead, Vice-chair (Engineering)
• Lanny Beavers, Secretary (Professional Surveyor)
• Clint Blackman, III (Attorney)
• John Hyduke (Engineering)
• Jared Robinson (Home Builder, Retired)
• Jonathan Underwood (Building Inspector)
• Ginger George (Contracts and Development Supervisor – Permitting and Inspections)

Brocaw stated that Jonathan is the newest committee member, added when the Board of Directors allowed an increase of two committee members. “Jonathan is well versed in architecture studies, OSHA, HVAC, and city planning.” Brocaw is appreciative of Gary Belair recognizing the need for an increased committee size and also thanked the Board of Directors for allowing the committee expansion.

The committee still needs to fill a vacancy.

Since Brocaw’s May Report, the committee has completed the following work:

• Permit request evaluations and site visits – 297
• Review of new home designs – 71

Year-to-date totals (January through October):

• Small permits from January through October 2024 are 524.
• New home permits from January through October 2024 are 104 compared to 76 from January through October 2023.

The most significant number of homeowner requests in one meeting was 38 miscellaneous permits and 11 new home permits, which is a total of 49 projects presented.

The ACC gave concept approval for a proposed convenience store and gasoline station development at the corner of DeSoto Boulevard and Highway 5 and a new DG Market development.

“The committee thanks Gary Belair and Tommy Benfield, [Community Support Manager,] for their advice and assistance in clarifying the rules regarding unimproved adjacent property. This will greatly help the ACC in working with property owners.

“In the May 1 report to the Board, I mentioned we had turned down a request for a contemporary home because, in our opinion, placing that design in between two existing traditional homes did not meet the rules as outlined in the covenants and restrictions. The ACC felt the design did not fit the harmony of external design in relation to the existing surrounding structures.”

Brocaw said the property owner was very gracious in working with the committee to redesign the home. Although the home retains some contemporary aspects, it now attractively fits into the neighborhood.

In the future, the committee is looking at possible construction guidelines when it comes to approving new homes that may be built all in a row or in a compact subdivision. The committee is looking for Board advice, and approval would need to come from the Board.

“For example:

• “The same floor plan and front elevation or the reversal of a plan and elevation should not be permitted on adjacent lots in any direction from the proposed lot and would include the lot directly across the street.”
• “Color schemes could be repeated on every other lot, provided they are of different elevations and not the same scheme.”

Brocaw appreciated Committee Member John Hyduke for taking the time while on vacation to visit other Cooper developments. Hyduke obtained copies of their respective standards.

“We continue to learn and hopefully improve the beauty of Hot Springs Village.”

“I believe we have a very professional ACC organization and we look forward to continued assistance for the homeowners in the Village.”

Interested in Joining the Team?

If you are interested in joining the Architectural Control Committee, applications are available here and can be submitted via email to jwhite@hsvpoa.org or in person at the HSVPOA Administration Building, 895 DeSoto Boulevard, attention Julie White, Assistant to the General Manager.