MILLSTONE VILLAGE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
ARCHITECTURAL GUIDELINES
The restrictive covenants of the Association of Millstone Village include the following requirement:
“No building, fence, wall, in-ground swimming pool, attached heating panels, or other structure, or basketball goal (whether freestanding or mounted on a residence or garage), freestanding birdfeeder, …shall be commenced, erected, or maintained upon a Lot, nor shall any exterior addition, change or alteration be made to such a structure on a Lot until the plans and specifications showing the nature, kind, shape, height, materials, color, and location of the structure are submitted to and approved by the Architectural Control Committee in writing.”
This requirement is legally binding on all lot owners and should be considered any time you plan to undertake major activities on your Lot. As you can see, virtually any change to your lot is subject to review. The best attitude to take in response to this requirement is “ask before you start”. This will avoid unnecessary confusion and hard feelings.
This handout was prepared by your Association’s Board of Directors to help you comply with this legal requirement. It was also designed to provide you the duly-adopted guidelines the Architectural Control Committee will use to evaluate your plans. Residents are also encouraged to review the entire restrictive covenant document for the Association of Millstone Village. Your specific attention is directed to the following:
SECTION 5. ARCHITECTURAL CONTROL.
(includes information on how to submit plans for review, time limits under which the architectural control committee must make its decision, and fence standards)
SECTION 6. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
(includes information on use of lots, permitted dwelling size, minimum building lines, creating nuisances, temporary structures, outside storage, freestanding poles, signs, antennas, animals, and open burning)
ARCHITECTURAL GUIDELINES
BASKETBALL POSTS: Basketball posts should not be less than fifteen (15) feet from the street and should be constructed of commercial grade material. All posts must be approved by the Architectural Control Committee.
FLAGPOLES: Flagpoles must have a permanent base. Maximum height for a flagpole is twenty-five (25) feet. All flagpoles must be approved by the Architectural Control Committee.
FENCES: Only commercial grade wood, vinyl, or wrought iron fence panels are permitted. Fences may be to a maximum height of six (6) feet. The finish of the fence shall be of natural finish or stained with a natural earth tone color. Plans for fences require prior approval from the Architectural Control Committee. Also:
- Split rail fences with a vinyl coated mesh on the inside are permitted.
- Privacy fences cannot be extended beyond the back line of the house.
- Front yard fences are permitted, but only at the lot corners, with a ten (10) foot maximum extension from the lot corner and must be of open construction with a maximum height of three (3) feet.
- No chainlink fences will be approved or permitted.
- No temporary fences will be approved or permitted.
- All fence posts must be maintained in a high state of repair.
- It is the homeowners responsibility to have their property lines marked and ensure the fence is on their property.
All fence construction, specifications, materials, etc., must be submitted in writing with all necessary sketches, and must be approved in ADVANCE by the Architectural Control Committee.
DRIVEWAY EXTENSIONS: Any driveway extension request will be reviewed on a case by case basis as some properties have more land than other properties. No driveway extension may exceed three (3) feet out past the side/edge of the garage. (You must have the space and not butt up against your neighbors property line). Driveway extensions shall be poured concrete similar to the existing driveway. Plans for driveway extensions require prior approval from the Architectural Control Committee.
SWIMMING POOLS: No above ground pool higher than twenty (20) inches is permitted. Only an in-ground pool is permitted and must be fully enclosed by a fence of approved construction (no open construction). The fence must have a six foot height. Cabanas are permitted inside the fence when used to house pump equipment of the in-ground pool only. The design, materials, dimensions and the location of the cabana must be submitted in writing and approved prior to construction by the Architectural Control Committee.
STRUCTURES: No unattached structure (tool shed, shack, barn, trailer, mobile home, boat, boat trailer, camper, camper trailer, basement, tent, tree house, dog house, dog run, doll house, burn barrel, or other out-building or recreational-vehicle) shall be located or used on any lot at any time nor used as a residence either temporarily or permanently.
LIGHTS: No high intensity lighting may be added to the exterior of the house without prior approval by the Architectural Control Committee.
HOUSE EXTERIOR: No exterior changes or alterations to the house can be made until plans, materials, colors, and specifications have been submitted in writing (sketches) for approval by the Architectural Control Committee. Alterations to the exterior should blend in with the existing dwelling. Patios and wooden decks also require approval. No solar panels, attached or detached are permitted. We do not approve plans or structures that include metal roofing or siding. Fireplace wood must be neatly stacked and NOT stacked on the driveway.
CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND SETS AND TRAMPOLINES: Playground sets and trampolines are permitted in the back-yard only. Sets must be of heavy construction and must be kept in a high state of repair. Plans for such equipment also require prior approval from the Architectural Control Committee.
COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT: No radio of television antenna with more than thirty (30) square feet of grid area or that attains a height in excess of six feet above the highest point of the roof of a residence, shall be attached to a residence on a lot. No free standing radio or television antenna, television receiving disk or dish shall be permitted on a lot. No solar panels (attached, detached or free-standing) are permitted.
OCCUPATION OF A NEW HOUSE: After occupation of a new house the yard shall be seeded and landscaped as soon as possible within a time frame of sixty (60) days, weather permitting. No grass clippings shall be kept on the street at any time after mowing. Trash, garbage or other waste shall not be kept in the yard except in closed sanitary containers or closed plastic bags for more than twenty four (24) hours.
VACANT HOUSES OR LOTS: When a house is vacant for an extended time, the owner is still responsible for keeping the lawn neat and clean and the grass mowed and/or the sidewalks must be kept clear of snow until the house is sold. Any undeveloped lot not in process of being built must be maintained and kept free of weeds and debris. Bald areas are to be seeded with grass to control erosion and weeds.
HOUSEHOLD LAUNDRY: Laundry wash pieces are not permitted to be aired or dried outside the house, including decks or patios. No clotheslines of either temporary or permanent nature shall be erected or maintained.
CATS AND DOGS: The Millstone Community Association recognizes and adopts the Allen County and City of Fort Wayne leash laws.
MAINTENANCE: It is the responsibility of every homeowner and a benefit to the community to insure that every property in well maintained.
TRAFFIC: State law does not allow mini-bikes, go carts, snowmobiles, motorized three or four wheelers, mopeds and scooters on the sidewalks or in the common areas. Snowmobiling is not permitted on any street, lawn, empty lot or common areas in the Millstone Community Village. Regular bicycles are not to be parked on the sidewalks. Regular bicycles can be used on the sidewalks, but walkers have the right-of-way. Parents are responsible to teach these guidelines to their children. We urge all to drive slowly and carefully through Millstone Village.
ENFORCEMENT: The Association, Developer, and Owner (either individually or collectively) proceeding at law or in equity, all restrictions, conditions, covenants, reservations, liens and charges now or subsequently imposed by the provisions of theses covenants. Failure by the Association, Developer, or an Owner to enforce any provision in the covenants shall be in no event be deemed a waiver of the right to do so later.
NOTIFICATION: Anything you would like to know concerning architectural control subjects or any submittal for approval of your project, call a member of the Architectural Control Committee. Hand in or mail your written proposal to the chairperson well in advance of your project. Your written request will be answered in a formal letter within thirty (30) days from the submittal date by the Architectural Control Committee.
Please mail your request to the following address:
Millstone Village Community Association
Architectural Control Committee
1132 OAK BAY RUN, FORT WAYNE, IN 46825
OR MillstonevillageHOA@gmail.com
ARCHITECTURAL-Request-form-PDF