the arbors: a bit of history · dwelling/landscape relationship: an intricate relationship exists...

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December 2016 17 The Arbors: A Bit of History More than 50 years ago, The Arbors was a family farm owned by then District Attorney Andrew Parks. A windmill powered pump and water tower rose up some 50 feet above ground near 4222 Corton Court. The Duncan Trolley Station serving downtown Pittsburgh and Butler was located just a few hundred yards east of our gate house. The trolley was involved in a fatal accident and a record $1 million judgment, which it was unable to overcome, and closed operations in 1934. The Arbors property was subsequently acquired from the Parks family by a well-known Oldsmobile dealer named Louis Berman who added a two-story farmhouse (later partially lost to lightning) and some horses as would befit a gentleman farmer. During the late 1950s, Sam and Mabel Calig, principals in the Calig Steel Drum business, purchased the farm and really got serious about horses. A well-constructed barn capable of housing some 20 horses was built, a training ring was added and both race and show horses were introduced. Things had now taken on a brand new, and some might say upscale, look. By the early 1980s, the Caligs were ready for Florida. The property was acquired in October 1982 by developer Raymond Smith, doing business as Arbor Ventures. In all, 42 acres were involved and a plot plan showing 90 building lots (scaled back from an initial plan exceeding 100) and 32 common acres was recorded. Architect Alfred Cincala joined developer Ray Smith at the outset and plotted out the community. Bordeaux Lane provided the stem and all the home sites circled in their

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Page 1: The Arbors: A Bit of History · Dwelling/Landscape Relationship: An intricate relationship exists between an Arbors house and lot. This is a subtle but important design consideration

December 2016 17

The Arbors: A Bit of History

More than 50 years ago, The Arbors was a family farmowned by then District Attorney Andrew Parks. A windmillpowered pump and water tower rose up some 50 feetabove ground near 4222 Corton Court. The DuncanTrolley Station serving downtown Pittsburgh and Butlerwas located just a few hundred yards east of our gatehouse. The trolley was involved in a fatal accident and arecord $1 million judgment, which it was unable toovercome, and closed operations in 1934.

The Arbors property was subsequently acquired fromthe Parks family by a well-known Oldsmobile dealer namedLouis Berman who added a two-story farmhouse (laterpartially lost to lightning) and some horses as would befit agentleman farmer.

During the late 1950s, Sam and Mabel Calig, principalsin the Calig Steel Drum business, purchased the farm andreally got serious about horses. A well-constructed barncapable of housing some 20 horses was built, a trainingring was added and both race and show horses wereintroduced. Things had now taken on a brand new, andsome might say upscale, look.

By the early 1980s, the Caligs were ready for Florida.The property was acquired in October 1982 by developerRaymond Smith, doing business as Arbor Ventures.

In all, 42 acres were involved and a plot plan showing90 building lots (scaled back from an initial plan exceeding100) and 32 common acres was recorded.

Architect Alfred Cincala joined developer Ray Smith atthe outset and plotted out the community. Bordeaux Laneprovided the stem and all the home sites circled in their

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clustered courts produced a likeness to a bunch of grapes.And voila! The horse farm became “The Arbors.”

It was not at all difficult to name the lanes and courtsafter French chateaus and wines, with the whole ideaproviding special promotional and marketing magic. In fact,the first major promotional brochure said it all:

“Like the enchanting bouquet of a fine vintage wine,The Arbors invites you to experience a unique pleasure –the pleasure of a lifestyle that’s new and different toPittsburgh.”

Groundbreaking took place in June 1982 and by April1983 when The Arbors had an open house, the majority ofhouses on Margaux, Pape Clement and Rothschild werecompleted. In May 1985, Phase II was started withresidences being built on La Tour, followed by Corton,Dom Perignon and Haut Brion. Construction continued onChambertin, Cheval Blanc, Montrachet, Hermitage andLaTache.

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The Concept of the Arbors

The special architectural and landscape design thatsets The Arbors apart began with the construction of themagnificent brick wall at the front entry. It is clear from thisthat The Arbors is more than a random collection ofarchitectural styles that happened to please the buyer ofany individual lot.

The Arbors is clearly not a neighborhood whereresidents do their own thing and the only thing they have incommon is the road that lines the houses up in a row.

The Arbors was conceived as and remains acommunity where there is harmony. Each neighborreinforces the quality of each other’s house to the pointwhere each resident enjoys the harmonious beauty ofseveral adjoining homes.

Each Arbors resident has sacrificed a degree ofindividuality to enjoy the benefits of continuity of the samequality design criteria which enhances the neighborhood.Each home contributes to the total work of art andarchitecture. That is why residents have bought here andwhy the neighborhood is so attractive. That is why allchanges or additions and all new construction mustmaintain this continuity.

This exterior “theme,” repeated in each home, is whatmakes The Arbors good art, good architecture and goodliving.

The Style of Housing: Homes in The Arborsneighborhood can be broadly classified as Period Houses.They are of a distinctive design but exhibit roots in earlierarchitectural traditions. The style is characterized bycareful massing and proportioning, by careful selection of

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construction materials and by thoughtful emphasis of a fewkey architectural elements.

The typical Arbors home is a carriage house. It allowsoccupants to park their auto (or carriage) inside the home,readily accessible from the main floor, to afford increasedsafety, comfort and convenience.

Period houses fit the description of Queen Anne frontsand Mary Ann behinds. This means that most attention isgiven to the face of the building that meets the public.

The rear, while presentable, is less grandarchitecturally. In this discussion of Arbors architecturalstyle, it is the face of the building and the exposed sidesthat are of greater but not exclusive concern.

Most houses show strong allegiance to one another.Together, their general scale, building plans and siteorientation become interdependent parts of a carefullycrafted, overall neighborhood theme. The effect is similarto the much-admired concept neighborhood, ChathamVillage, located on Pittsburgh’s Mount Washington. Eventoday there are few neighborhoods like this in thePittsburgh metropolitan area or in the nation. It is possiblyrarer than the residents realize.

Low Maintenance Exteriors: Consistency is a majorfeature of the classic Arbors dwelling. The utilization ofmaterials that reduce the rate of weathering is a relevantdesign factor. This construction system consists of brickfacades, mostly devoid of siding, as well as brown metalclad for trim pieces, window frames and garage door faces.

It also involves the utilization of rot-resistant wood andwood-like synthetic decks, etc. Because of this thoughtfultreatment, the appearance of older units in the

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neighborhood is indistinguishable, in most cases, frommuch younger homes.

This built-in resistance to aging has practical value butalso reinforces the impression of uniformity and continuity.

Building Scale: A low silhouette typifies the humblescale of homes in The Arbors. The homes are reminiscentof English-style cottages. The reduced building scale is sosuccessful that visitors often are surprised at the size ofthe interiors of Arbors homes.

Quality Brickwork: The brickwork helps carry thetheme of The Arbors. It is evident in corbels, keystonesand imposts at the base of an arch, in soldier courses overwindows, in mitered intersections over entrances, and inladder corners, etc. Brick to grade is standard and isrequired.

Color Scheme Consistency: A consistent colorscheme is designated as reddish brown for brick and darkbrown for trim, front doors, garage doors and decks. Roofshingles must match the color in use on individual courts.Color is a powerful tool for unifying homes from court tocourt.

Dwelling/Landscape Relationship: An intricaterelationship exists between an Arbors house and lot. Thisis a subtle but important design consideration.

The Arbors was conceived as an innovative clusterdevelopment. The lots were designed to be snug so as toencourage intensive landscaping at the entrance of thedwelling and courtyard center to serve as a lush setting foreach home.

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Beyond the cluster of building lots is an expanse ofcommon open space contrasted by richly landscapedislands, road borders and court entrances. Utilities areinstalled underground to reduce unsightly visual conflicts.

The Entrance Theme: The wall, gatehouse andlanterns at the entrance provide strong clues about thedesign environment of The Arbors and announce to visitorsthat it is a special type of residential village. Without thisdramatic entrance, The Arbors neighborhood would bedistinctly less grand. Thus, it is important to preserve thesefeatures, as it is the individual dwellings within.

Lighting at night establishes the mood of The Arbors. Ithighlights the strong stylistic features of dwellings andlandscaping at night when architectural features are lessvisible. The lanterns that illuminate the brick wall andgatehouse on Duncan Avenue are welcoming to visitorsand residents alike.

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General Rules & Regulations

Table of Contents

PageIntroduction 24

Common Areas 24

Drainage 24

Explosives 24

Garbage & Refuse Disposal 25

Laundry Lines 25

Leasing 25

Maintenance 25

Motorcycles 25

Noise & Nuisances 26

Notice of Sale, Lease or Mortgage 26

Parking & Storage of Vehicles 26

Pets 27

Property Damage 27

Signs 28

Snow Removal 28

Traffic Patterns 29

Utilities 29

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Introduction: In the interest of preserving the positiveimage and nature of The Arbors, rules and regulationshave been established. These regulations are summarizedon the following pages.

Some of the regulations have changed over the yearsas The Arbors has developed to reflect changes andtrends in home design and decorating, while maintainingthe classic features of the neighborhood’s architecture. Inthe case of any discrepancy between this summaryand any enabling legislation, the enabling legislationshall prevail.

The Rules and Regulations are not intended to stiflehomeowners’ creativity and personal style, but rather topreserve and enhance the integrity of the community’sunique concept.

Common Areas: As a safety precaution, youngchildren residing in or visiting The Arbors should besupervised at all times while in the Common Areas,especially areas with vehicular traffic, water or steep drop-offs.

Drainage: No structure, planting or other material maybe stored or erected on the property which interferes withany easement for the installation or maintenance ofutilities, or interferes with, retards the flow of, or changesthe direction of any drainage channel or drainageeasement (1983 Covenants, Article X, Section 1(q))

Explosives: Homeowners should not store explosive orflammable materials or substances in their houses, exceptordinary household products. (1983 Rules andRegulations, Section A.10)

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Garbage and Refuse Disposal: Trash, garbage andother residential waste including recyclable materialsshould be kept only in sanitary containers. All containersmust be kept out of public view except on collection daysand after 5 PM on the day before the collection day. (1983Covenants, Article X, Section 1(h) and Hampton Townshipregulations)

Laundry Lines: Laundry poles and lines outside ofhouses are not permitted. One laundry rack, not more than7 feet high, may be used in the rear of a home on daysother than Sundays and legal holidays. Laundry racksmust be removed from the home’s exterior when not inactual use. (1983 Covenants, Article X, Section 1(k))

Leasing: Houses may be rented or leased only bywritten leases giving the Association third party beneficiaryrights. All tenants are subject to the Rules and Regulationsas though they are owners. The homeowner is responsibleand liable for all violations and damages that might becaused by their tenants. (1983 Covenants, Article XIV)

Maintenance: Except as set forth elsewhere herein,each homeowner shall be responsible for all interior andexterior maintenance, repairs and replacements. If anyrequired maintenance is not performed within twenty (20)days after the Association has given the homeowner noticeto do so, the Association may, at its discretion, performsuch maintenance and assess the charges to thehomeowner. (1983 Covenants, Article X, Section 1(c))

Motorcycles: No motorcycles, motorbikes, go-carts,snowmobiles or similar motor-powered vehicles shall beoperated on any unpaved portion of the Common Areas.(1983 Covenants, Article X, Section 1(o))

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Noise and Nuisances: Homeowners may not permitfamily members, visitors, licensees or lessees to make anynoise that will interfere with the rights, comfort orconvenience of other homeowners including, but notlimited to, loud music, television or radio. (1983 Rules andRegulations, Section A.13) Residents may not carry outbothersome or offensive activity on their property and maynot engage in activities that may become an annoyance ornuisance to the neighborhood or to a reasonable person.(1983 Covenants, Article X, Section 1(f))

Notice of Sale, Lease or Mortgage: If a homeownersells, leases or mortgages an Arbors property, thehomeowner is required to give the Arbors HomeownersAssociation the name and address of the purchaser,lessee or mortgagee of the property in writing. (1983Covenants, Article XV, Section 9)

Parking and Storage of Vehicles: No owner, tenant orguest of any Unit shall park or store any commercialvehicle including any van used for commercial purposes,any vehicle displaying commercial signage, truck (asdefined by the PA Department of Highway Safety andMotor Vehicles and/or by common usage and practice, notincluding light pick-up trucks up to three-quarter (3/4) toncapacity and less than twenty (20) feet in length and usedfor non-commercial purposes, provided such pickup truckdoes not have any appurtenance of a possible commercialnature including, but not limited to, snow plow, saltspreader and “ladder rack”), trailer, boat or otherwatercraft, recreational vehicle (RV), motor/mobile home,house trailer, camper or similar vehicle nor any unlicensedor inoperable motor vehicle (which shall include, withoutlimitation, any vehicle which would not pass applicablestate inspection criteria) and any vehicle without currenttags or registration, on any lot, driveway, parking area,street or common area within the Arbors where it will be

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visible. Contractors performing work for a homeowner orthe Association are exempt from this regulation as itrelates to commercial vehicles and trailers during the timethat the work is being performed.

No owners or tenants shall repair or restore any vehicleof any kind outside of the garage except for normalmaintenance which is defined as washing and waxing only.All other activities other than emergency repairs must bedone in the garage including all cleaning and maintenanceof tools and equipment.

No vehicles of any type may be parked on the streetsof The Arbors other than short-term (generally notovernight) parking for guests of residents. Such parkingshall not impede the passage of other vehicles.

Residents must park only in their garages or driveways.Designated areas for visitor parking are to be used byguests only. Guest parking may not be used by residentsof units. (1983 Covenants, Article X, Section 1(n) and 1983Rules and Regulations, Sections B.1 and B.2 as amendedby Resolution Nos. 2009-06, 2012-02 and 2016-01 & 02)

Pets: No animals, livestock, fowl or poultry of any kind maybe raised, bred or kept in any house, on any lot or in theCommon Areas. Dogs, cats or other household pets areallowed but must be kept leashed when outside the house.(1983 Covenants, Article X, Section 1(m)) No dog shouldbe curbed close to any building or patio. Waste must beremoved immediately by the pet owner. (HamptonTownship & Commonwealth of Pennsylvania regulations)Pet owners must compensate any person hurt or bitten bytheir pet. (1983 Rules and Regulations, Section C)

Property Damage: Homeowners are responsible fordamage to any portion of The Arbors caused by theirchildren or by their guests, invitees, visitors, licensees orlessees. (1983 Rules and Regulations, Section A.12)

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Signs: No signs of any kind may be displayed to publicview on any Common Area, lot or in any unit except thatone sign advertising the property for sale or rent is allowedper lot. The area of the sign shall not be more than 300square inches including all riders and hangers. The top ofthe sign and any supports shall not be higher than 24inches above the ground. Such signs shall be placed in thefront yard facing the court and shall be no closer than 20feet to the court.

The Board has the authority to erect entrance signs,directional and traffic signs and other such signs onCommon Property as it deems appropriate. (1983Covenants, Article X, Section 1(g) as amended byResolution No. 2011-05 adopted September 19, 2011)

Snow Removal: Hampton Township is responsible forsnow removal on Bordeaux and LaFite Lanes, both ofwhich are Township roads. Snow removal on all othercourts is the responsibility of the Arbors HomeownersAssociation and will be done as needed.

Normally, three inches of snow during a 24-hour periodis required before snow removal on driveways andsidewalks takes place. However, because weatherconditions are so variable, occasions where theaccumulation over a period of greater than 24 hours maycause problems for residents, the Board may authorize thecontractor to do additional clean-up as appropriate basedon time and expected duration of snowfall, wetness ofsnow, ambient temperature, etc. Snow removal generallywill not be done until snow has stopped falling, exceptduring snowstorms that are forecast to last for an extendedperiod of one to two days.

No salt will be applied to driveways or walkways due tothe damage salt can cause to such surfaces.Consequently, homeowners are responsible for thesafety of their driveways and sidewalks, not theAssociation. Homeowners who do not want the

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Association to shovel their driveways or sidewalks mustnotify the management company in writing.

Traffic Patterns: Residents, as well as guests, visitorsand home/service contractors, must obey traffic anddirectional signs throughout the neighborhood, particularlyat the entrance and along Bordeaux and LaFite Lanes.Please see the Traffic Pattern map at the back of theDirectory (1983 Rules and Regulations, Section B.3)

Utilities: All utilities must be underground. (2001Architectural Control Standards, Section 8(a)) Water andany other utilities available in Common Areas may not beused in unnecessary or unreasonable quantities. Thehomeowner deemed causing such use will be liable for theamount used. (1983 Rules and Regulations, Section A.9)

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Architectural Rules & Regulations

Table of Contents

PageGeneral 32

Enforcement 33

Awnings & Outdoor Umbrellas 33

Brick 33

Chimneys 34

Decks 34

Driveways 34

Eaves, Soffits & Gutters 34

Entryways 34

Exterior Attachments 34

Exterior Doors & Trim 35

Exterior Lighting 35

New Construction 35

Paint 35

Paint Formula 36

Patios 36

Renovations 36

Roofs 36

Sidewalks & Entrances 37

Television Dishes & Antennae 37

Temporary Structures 37

Windows 38

Window Treatments 38

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General:Residents planning any exterior changes or

improvements must notify the Architectural ReviewCommittee for approval prior to the start of the project.(1983 Covenants, Article IX, Section 2) For majorprojects that involve construction, residents shouldallow 4 to 6 weeks for the approval process to becompleted before work begins.

The Architectural Review Committee of the Board ofDirectors is responsible for ensuring that homeownersabide by these Rules and Regulations.

Members of the Committee will notify homeowners ifthey are in violation of any requirements outlined here anddetermine a realistic timeframe to correct the problem.(1983 Covenants, Article X, Section 3)

In rare instances when a homeowner may fail to takethe necessary corrective action, the Board of Directors hasthe authority to proceed with measures outlined in theDeclarations of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictionincluding monetary fines or injunctive relief. (1983Covenants, Article IV, Section 1, Article X, Section 2 andArticle XV, Section 1)

Homeowners sometimes launch “impermanent”exterior projects that, in the eyes of their neighbors, lackconsistent aesthetic quality. Actions of this kind arediscouraged and usually are handled by individualhomeowners with limited, if any, involvement of theArchitectural Review Committee. Such projects include,but are not limited to: lawn statuary and ornaments, birdfeeders, wildlife control screens and fences, and long-termmotor vehicle parking.

The Arbors prides itself on its reputation as aneighborhood with attractive and consistent exteriors andstrong neighbor relations.

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Enforcement: The Arbors Declaration of Covenants,Conditions and Restrictions, which each resident signs andagrees to upon closing on a property, gives the ArborsHomeowners Association Board of Directors the authorityto enforce decisions of the Architectural Review Committeeregarding violations of the Architectural Standards as maybe defined and modified from time to time.

The Declaration also states that any infraction of theArbors’ rules and regulations can result in a suspension ofthe homeowner’s voting rights (1983 Covenants, Article III,Section 1(c)) and an assessment against the property torecover any expense incurred to rectify the infraction andbring the property into compliance. (1983 Covenants,Article IV, Section 1 and Article XV, Section 1)

Awnings and Outdoor Umbrellas: Awnings andoutdoor umbrellas shall be of a “Sunbrella” or equivalentweather-resistant fabric. They should have scallopededging, a retractable or frame construction and must be inone of the following colors:

4620 Solid Beige4621 True Brown4776 Chocolate Chip Stripe4796 Beige/White Bar Stripe4994 Eastridge Cocoa5760 Tan Stripe

56024 Harwood CocoaAny braid trim should match the color of the awning or beone of the colors included in the white, beige or brownspectrum. (Adopted by Board 11/30/94; revised byResolution No. 2014–01 adopted by Board 04/14/14)

Brick: Brick to grade is standard, brownish red in color(Jefferson Wade Tudor or Continental #594) withgrapevine joint. There are slight variations in these twobrick and homeowners must choose the appropriate brickto match the brick on their house for additions or the brick

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on other homes on the court for new homes. Housingdesigns use corbels, keystones, soldier courses, andinsets and outsets in a Victorian style. (Adopted by Board7/17/01) For all new construction or additions to existinghomes, a sample of the brick to be used must be submittedto the Chair of the Architectural Review Committee forwritten approval prior to the beginning of construction.

Chimneys: Chimneys shall have a brick exterior in theVictorian style. (Adopted by Board 7/17/01)

Decks: Decks must be in the back of homes and shallbe built with high quality rot-resistant wood or syntheticdecking. Decks are to painted or stained Sherwin-WilliamsHolloway Brown or similar dark brown color. Decks andpatios shall be kept free of trash, trash cans, debris andother materials that can detract from the appearance ofThe Arbors. (1983 Rules and Regulations, Section A.11)

Driveways: All homes in a court shall have the samedriveway surface, either concrete or asphalt. (2001Architectural Control Standards, Section 9(c))

Eaves, Soffits and Gutters: A minimum overhang of 6inches is required and shall be painted Sherwin-WilliamsHolloway Brown. (See paint formula on Page 36.) (2001Architectural Control Standards, Section 6)

Entryways: Sheltered entryways and low-walled patiosare common in front of houses. (2001 Architectural ControlStandards, Introduction)

Exterior Attachments: Nothing may be placed on thefront exterior walls or roofs of homes without advancewritten approval of the Architectural Review Committee.This includes, but is not limited to, sculptures, plaques,planters, trellises, weathervanes, antennae, dishes and

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similar objects of any kind. Wreaths may be hung ondoors, but not on exterior walls of entryways. (1983Covenants, Article X, Section 1(e))

Exterior Doors and Trim: All entry doors in each courtshall be of a similar style. All exterior metal doors shall bepainted Sherwin-Williams Holloway Brown. (See formulaon Page 36.) Front doors may be wooden, but must bepainted or stained Holloway Brown or similar dark browncolor. (Resolution No. 2009–06 adopted 11/02/09)

Exterior Lighting: Lighting fixtures should complementthose already existing on each court. They should be in thetraditional style, rather than contemporary. (2001Architectural Control Standards, Section 9(c))

New Construction: Before any new constructionbegins, the builder, owner of the home/lot andrepresentatives of the Architectural Review Committeemust meet to review construction plans and discuss theexterior design elements. (1983 Covenants, Article IX,Section 2)

This meeting will ensure that all plans are in compliancewith these Rules and Regulations and in keeping with TheArbors style. Modifications to the original design willrequire additional reviews and approvals.

Paint: The standard paint for exterior trim on Arborshomes is Arbors “Holloway Brown”, available in theAllison Park Sherwin-Williams store on Route 8. If youattempt to purchase Arbors Holloway Brown at anotherSherwin Williams store they will have to call the store onRoute 8 to get the formula - make sure they use theformula that is on their mixer as apparently they have morethan one formula in their system - or you can simply givethem the formula on the next page to be sure.

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Paint Formula:

Patios: Patios must be made of concrete or otherapproved material and must be kept free of trash, trashcans, debris and other materials that can detract from theappearance of The Arbors. (1983 Rules and Regulations,Section A.11)

Renovation to Existing Homes: Any changes to theexterior of existing homes must be presented to membersof the Architectural Review Committee for approval priorto the start of the project. (1983 Covenants, Article IX,Section 2) Residents should allow 4 to 6 weeks for theapproval process to be completed before work begins.

Roofs: A gabled roof is preferred. A hip roof for themain roof is permitted if offsets are gabled.

The minimum roof pitch allowed is 8/12.The color of the asphalt shingles must match others in

use on the court (brown or gray, for example).New homes in each court must be the same elevation

as existing dwellings. Topographic variations, rather thanbuilding architecture, should account for changes inexterior silhouettes. (2001 Architectural Control Standards,Section 2)

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Sidewalks and Entrances: Sidewalks, entrances andportions of Common Areas intended for use byhomeowners should not be obstructed. During winter,residents are responsible for keeping their sidewalks andentryways de-iced and safe for visitors and deliverypersonnel. (Resolution No. 2009–06 adopted by Board11/02/09)

Television Dishes and Antennae: No satellite dishesor television antennae shall be installed on CommonProperty. Satellite dishes shall be located in aninconspicuous location, usually at the back or side of a unitand shall be no higher than the foundation planting.Satellite dishes may be attached to the unit wall or installedin the ground adjacent to the unit. Consideration shouldbe given to locating the dish where it will not disrupt theview of neighbors. Any mounting apparatus shall bepainted Sherwin-Williams Holloway Brown. (See formulaon Page 36.)

In cases when access to the satellite signal preventslocation of the dish in a preferred side or back locationnear the ground, the unit owner shall work with theArchitectural Review Committee to identify an alternativelocation that minimizes the visual impact of the dish.

Exposed antennae of any kind are not permitted.(Resolution No. 2009–06 adopted by Board on 11/02/09)

Temporary Structures: No structure of a temporarycharacter including, but not limited to, a dog house, trailer,tent, shack, garage, barn, storage building or container orother out-building may be used on any lot at any timeeither temporarily or permanently. Swing sets, gym sets,slides, inflatable pools, basketball hoops or other suchrecreational equipment are also not permitted. (1983Covenants, Article X, Section 1(l) and Resolution 2012-01.)

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Wildlife screens to protect shrubs and hedges arepermitted, but must be as discreet as possible and placeddirectly around the planting. Screens or fences are notpermitted around the perimeter of a property, with theexception of wooden fencing already existing near certainCommon Areas.

Windows and Window Treatments: Casement orsliding windows are required. No double hung windows areallowed. Frames shall be brown metal or plastic covered.(2001 Architectural Control Standards, Section 5)

Nothing shall be hung, projected or shaken, and no dirt orother substance should be thrown, swept or otherwiseemitted from windows, decks or patios of any house.Nothing shall be placed on, in or projected from the doors(other than interior doors entirely within a unit), window orwindow sills including, without limitation, awnings,clotheslines, aerials, signs, air conditioners, ventilators orfans. Only white or dark brown shades, blinds, VenetianBlinds, drapes or linings are permitted if they are visiblefrom the exterior of a house. (1983 Rules and Regulations,Section A.4 as amended by Resolution No. 2009-06adopted by Board on 11/02/09)

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Grounds Rules & Regulations

Table of Contents

Page

Foundation Planting & Responsibilities 40

Lawn Care 41

Lawn Fertilization & Weed Control 41

Spring/Fall Cleanup 41

Trees & Bushes 41

Trimming 41

Special Note – Opt Out from Services 42

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Foundation Planting & Responsibilities: (ResolutionNo. 2009–06 adopted by Board 11/02/09) Foundationplanting provided by builders or added by the homeowneris the perpetual responsibility of the homeowner forrequired care, maintenance and replacement.Homeowners may add to their foundation planting orotherwise alter it as long as it remains consistent with thegeneral landscaping found within The Arbors.

The foundation planting area will include only such non-grassy areas as extends in a generally uninterruptedfashion from the foundation. It is anticipated that this areawill ordinarily not exceed 6 feet from the foundation.

All other landscaping is the responsibility of the ArborsHomeowners Association with the exception of a)foundation planting mentioned above; b) planting areasoutside the foundation area that have historically beenmaintained by homeowners including, but not limited to,planting areas between driveways and c) plantings inCommon Areas planted by any current or previoushomeowner with or without the approval of the ArborsHomeowners Association. Maintenance by the Associationincludes caring for, adding to or removal of landscaping inany area of The Arbors other than the aforesaid areas tobe maintained by the homeowner. Landscaping includestrees, hedges, shrubs, grass, stones and any decorativeitems.

Exceptions to the above can be made only upon writtenrequest to and with the written approval of theAssociation’s Board of Directors. Such requests will bereviewed by the appropriate committee of the Board.Homeowners should contact a member of the Board withquestions or requests for review and approval.

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Lawn Care: Grass cutting is done seasonally on aweekly basis, except during extremely dry or wet periodswhen cutting could harm the lawns. Front lawns are cutwith small mowers and grass clippings will be bagged andremoved. Common areas, side and back lawns will be cutwith larger equipment and not be bagged. Homeownerswho want any of these areas cut with smaller equipmentmay make arrangements with the grounds contractor to doso at their own expense.

Lawn Fertilization and Weed Control: Fertilization,crab grass control, broadleaf weed control, plus liquidweed spraying will be done at Association expense at theappropriate times from early spring to late fall.

Spring and Fall Cleanup: The Association’s lawn-cutting contractor will provide a one-time spring cleanup ofbranches, leaves and other debris that have collected overthe winter months. Three separate cleanups of leaves willbe performed over the course of several weeks in the fall.

Trees and Shrubs: Planting of trees, hedges,shrubs, etc. on Common Areas is prohibited unless priorwritten approval has been received from the Board ofDirectors. Homeowners who receive approval to planttrees, hedges, shrubs or other landscaping on CommonAreas are responsible for the perpetual maintenance ofthose plantings. The responsibility transfers to subsequentowners. (Approved by Board 03/03/08 and 04/07/08) Notrees may be removed from any lot or Common Areawithout written approval of the Board or the ArchitecturalReview Committee.

Trimming: Foundation shrubs and bushes - but notfoundation trees - will be trimmed once each year, normallysometime in late spring or early summer.

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Homeowners are responsible for weeding and mulchingany planting areas on their properties. Those who fail tomaintain their landscaping will receive written notificationfrom the Board of Directors. If the required weeding andmulching maintenance is not performed within 20 days ofthat notice, the Board may perform the neededmaintenance and charge the homeowner for any expenseinvolved. That charge may be enforced as an assessmentagainst the property. (1983 Covenants, Article X, Section1(c))

Residents are prohibited from placing anytree, shrub or brush cuttings, flowers, grass, dirt orany other landscaping materials or by-products onCommon Areas. (Adopted by the Board 5/20/08)Residents are advised that as of 11/02/09, the Township’swaste collector, Waste Management, will take nominalamounts of lawn or yard materials provided they areproperly bagged or tied.

Trees in Common Areas will be trimmed by theAssociation’s experts on a periodic schedule.

SPECIAL NOTEOPT-OUT FROM SERVICES

Residents who do NOT wish to have lawn care, snowremoval or spring and fall trimming and cleanup servicesperformed at their property must submit a notice in writingto the Arbors management company, currently, Arnheim &Neely located at 425 N. Craig St., Pittsburgh, PA 15213.

There is no reduction in quarterly assessments forhomeowners who decline lawn care, snow removal orspring and fall cleanup services.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The following is a list of questions frequently asked byresidents of The Arbors. The Architectural Review Committeeand the Board has compiled this list for homeowners to use as areference. Residents are welcome to contact any Boardmember of the Arbors Homeowners Association or themanagement company, currently Arnheim and Neely, to receiveclarification or a more comprehensive response to specificconcerns regarding rules and regulations pertaining to changes,renovations or projects to the outside of their home.

Q. I’ve heard that living in the Arbors is maintenance free. Isthat true?A. No, the Arbors is not a maintenance-free community.Homeowners are responsible for all maintenance of their homesincluding roofs, windows, doors, brick, trim, decks, patios anddriveways. Homeowners are also responsible for maintainingcertain landscaping as set forth under foundation planting.

Q. Who is responsible for foundation plantings?A. Generally, homeowners are responsible for planting andmaintaining their foundation plantings; this includes flowers,shrubbery, trees and grasses. Foundation beds are typically nomore than 6 feet wide but in certain situations can extendbeyond. It also includes plantings/landscaping betweendriveways and around most utility boxes. However, theAssociation will trim all foundation shrubs and bushes (no trees)once a year.

Q. What happens if a homeowner fails to properly maintainhis/her property?A. The Board may give the homeowner notice that if the defect isnot corrected within 20 days, the Association will undertake tohave the work done and assess the homeowner for all costs.

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Q. What projects, renovations, changes or constructionprojects require Architectural Review Committee approval?A. Residents are required to contact the Chairperson of theArchitectural Review Committee several weeks before beginningany project on the exterior of their home. Residents shouldsubmit their project request in writing and include anyarchitectural or other constructions plans. New lot owners arealso required to submit plans for new construction.

Q. I need a new roof. May I select a color of my choice?A. The color of the asphalt shingles must match the shinglecolor on other homes in use on each court; samples must besubmitted to the Architectural Review Committee for approval.The colors are usually brown or gray.

Q. May I add awnings to the front or side windows of myhome?A. No. Awnings may only be added to the rear of your home.

Q. What are the approved colors for awnings andumbrellas?A. The colors are 4620 Solid Beige, 4621 True Brown, 4776Chocolate Chip Stripe, 4796 Beige/White Bar Stripe, 4994Eastridge Cocoa, 5760 Tan Stripe and 56024 Harwood Cocoa.The fabric should be of a Sunbrella or equivalent weatherresistant fabric type. The awning should have scalloped edgingand be either retractable or frame construction.

Q. What color may I paint or stain my deck?A. Decks should be covered with Sherwin Williams HollowayBrown stain or paint or similar dark brown color.

Q. Does all trim on my house and doors have to beHolloway Brown?A. Yes. The formula for Sherwin Williams Holloway Brown maybe found on Page 36 of the Architectural Rules and Regulations.

Q. I am concerned about some large “native trees” in theback of my home. Who shall I contact about the tree/trees?A. If your concern is a safety issue or the tree is diseased, youshould report your concern to the Management Company who

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will notify the Grounds Committee. However, trees on theperimeter of the property are not routinely trimmed. There isalso an annual landscape survey circulated in the late winterArbors minutes where you may opt in/out of certain services.You may comment on trees in that survey as well.

Q. Where can I locate my satellite dish?A. Satellite dishes should be located along side or behind thehouse and may be installed in the ground immediately adjacentto the house or on the house. Dishes may not be installed in theCommon Area and should be no higher than the foundationsplantings. In cases when access the satellite signal requires thatthe satellite dish be located away from the preferred back or sidelocations near the ground, the unit owner shall work with theArchitectural Review Committee to identify an alternative locationthat minimizes the visual impact of the dish. Any mountingapparatus should be painted Holloway Brown.

Q. What color should my window treatments be whenviewed from the outside?A. Only white or dark brown blinds, shades and other windowtreatments should be seen from the outside.

Q. Are exterior attachments permitted on the front exteriorwalls or roof, for example lawn statuary, plaques, trellises,weathervanes and similar objects?A. Nothing may be placed on the front exterior walls or any partof the roofs of homes without advance written approval of theArchitectural Review Committee and/or the Board of Directors.Wreaths may be placed on the door.

Q. May I hire my own lawn care and/or snow removalcompany?A. Yes. Homeowners should submit a notice to themanagement company, currently Arnheim & Neely, informingthem of your desire and/or complete the spring lawn care surveyand send it to Arnheim & Neely. Please note that there is noreduction in quarterly assessments for homeowners who declinelawn care, snow removal or spring/fall cleanup services.

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Q. How often will my foundation plants be trimmed?A. Foundations shrubbery (excluding foundation trees) will betrimmed annually.

Q. How often is the grass cut during the growing season?A. The grass is cut weekly, weather permitting.

Q. May I install an invisible fence for my pet?A. Yes. You are required to contact the Architectural ReviewCommittee before installation and you will be expected toprovide a drawing of the location of the fence on your property.The AHA is not responsible to any damage caused to invisiblefences by contractors working for the Association.

Q. May I add onto my house? May I make changes to therear, deck, porch or patio?A. Any changes to the exterior of existing homes must bepresented to the Architectural Review Committee for approval. Inaddition, some changes may require Township approval.

Q. What are the regulations for parking cars at my home?A. Homeowners must park only in their garage or driveway.Short-term guests may park in the driveway, in one of thedesignated guest parking areas located on Margaux Court andDom Perignon Court, or on any street or court provided it doesnot impede other vehicles.

Q. Are commercial vehicles, trailers, boats and otherwatercraft, recreational vehicles (RVs), motor/mobile homes,house trailers, campers or similar vehicles permitted to beparked in the Arbors in public view?A. No, other than commercial vehicles owned by contractorsdoing work at a residence or making deliveries.

Q. Are trucks permitted in the Arbors?A. In general, trucks are not permitted in the Arbors. However,pickup trucks not over 20’ in length or over 3/4-ton carryingcapacity are permitted as long as they have no accessories of acommercial nature such as snow plows, salt spreaders, “ladderracks,” etc. attached.

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A. Q. May I install a storm/screen door to the front/back ofmy home?A. Yes, however the color must be Arbors Holloway Brown.

Q. May I build a tool shed in the rear of my home?A. No structure of a temporary character may be constructed onany lot or at any time either temporarily or permanently.

Q. Are exterior lights, such as uplights or spotlightsallowed in front of the house?A. Lighting fixtures should complement those already existing oneach court. Request for changes or additions should besubmitted to the Architectural Review Committee.

Q. When is the trash collected?A. Trash and recyclables are collected weekly and should bekept out of public view except on collection days. Trash andrecyclables may not be put out for collection until after 5 PM theevening prior to collection. The Homeowners Association doesnot administer trash collection; any questions concerningcollection should be addressed to the Township or the currentcontractor.

Q. Who is responsible for snow removal?A. The Township is responsible for snow removal and deicing onBordeaux and LaFite Lanes while the Association is responsiblefor snow removal and deicing on all courts. As a service to theresidents, the Association provides snow removal from drive-ways and sidewalks under certain conditions as set forth onPage 28 of this Handbook. However, homeowners are ultimatelyresponsible for removing snow and ice from their driveways andsidewalks so as to provide safe access to residents and guests.

Q. Will my sidewalk be shoveled?A. Yes, unless the homeowner “opts out” from the service. Saltwill not be used on driveways or walkways. Residents are,however, ultimately responsible for keeping their walkwaysdeiced.

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Q. When will snow be removed?A. Normally, only after 3 inches of snow accumulates. Giventhat each snow event is unique and involves a variety of factorssuch as time of day, day of week and, most importantly,estimated additional snowfall, there are no specific rules forexactly when snow removal will begin. However, in mostinstance snow removal will not begin until after all anticipatedsnowfall for an event has been received and it has stoppedsnowing.

Q. Who may use the Common property?A. All residents and their guests may use the Common propertyof The Arbors. Young children visiting The Arbors should besupervised at all times, especially in areas with vehicular traffic,water or steep drop-offs. Residents should respect the privacyof homeowners who live near the common property, especiallyregarding noise and access to the area that may be alongsidehomes.

Q. When are Arbors Homeowner Association maintenancecharges due?A. Assessments are invoiced quarterly. Payments are due onthe first day of each calendar quarter (i.e., January 1st, April 1st,July 1st and October 1st). Payments must be received byArnheim & Neely, Inc., the management company for the ArborsHomeowner Association, by the last day of the month in whichthey are due. Assessments not paid in full by the end of themonth in which they are due are subject to a $50 late fee plus1.25% interest per month on the unpaid balance.

Q. How are payments received by Arnheim & Neely applied?A. In accordance with applicable law, payments are first appliedto any accrued interest, then to any unpaid late fees, then to anyunpaid costs and legal fees for collection and enforcement by theArbors Homeowner Association, then to any delinquentassessment and lastly to the current assessment. Accordingly, ifyou have not paid an unpaid late fee by the time of your nextquarterly payment, you will be assessed another late feebecause your quarterly payment will be applied first to the unpaidlate fee, then to the quarterly assessment.

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Q. Are garage, yard and estate sales permitted in theArbors?A. Garage and yard sales are not permitted. Estate sales arepermitted but must be approved by the Board in advance. Asecurity deposit is required. See Resolution No. 2011-04 forother requirements.

Q. Are real estate signs regulated?A. Yes. Resolution No. 2011-05 stipulates that one real estatesign is permitted per lot. The area of the sign can be no largerthan 300 square inches, including all hangers. The top of thesign and supports can be no higher than 24 inches above theground. Such signs must be installed in the front yard facing thecourt and can be no closer than 20 feet to the court. Signs mustbe removed within seven (7) days of settlement.

Q. Are swing set, gyms, etc. permitted?A. No. Resolution 2012-01 stipulates that swing sets, gym sets,slides, inflatable pools, basketball hoops (both portable andpermanent) and similar recreational equipment are not permittedanywhere in the Arbors.

Q. What is the address of the Arbors website?A. www.arborsofhampton.com

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