The Change Request Process also known as the Architectural Review Process at West Valley Oaks begins with the initial application and submittal. This submittal can be either for Preliminary Approval Review or for Final Approval Review. The Architectural Review Committee (ARC) acting on behalf of the Home Owners Association (HOA) continues to review all remodeling, additions, and landscape revisions. The following describes the process and outlines the steps to be taken by the Applicant.

No construction may begin before Final Approval has been granted by the Architectural Review Committee (ARC)

Purpose

The purpose of an Application is to allow for review of the proposed changes and to ascertain if the general proposal conforms to West Valley Oak’s architectural philosophy. Preliminary reviews are encouraged so that modifications that might be required by the ARC are taken into consideration before final engineering is completed and construction permits (if applicable) are granted.

NOTE:  Failure to receive ARC Committee approval before beginning construction will result in fines and other sanctions being imposed.

Proposal Review

The Committee will review all required documentation and the application will receive one of the following statuses:  “Denial,” “Incomplete,” “Conditional Approval ‘Subject to’,” or “Approval.”

• If the application is “Denied,” the Applicant must submit a new proposal. No construction permits may be applied for, nor may any construction begin. The applicant is given 30 days to resubmit a new proposal before the application is closed.

• If the application is “Incomplete,” additional information must be presented to the ARC. No construction permits may be applied for, nor may construction begin. The Applicant is given 30 days to present the additional information before the application is closed.  Once closed, the Applicant is required to submit a new application and the corresponding fee.

• If the application is given “Conditional Approval ‘Subject to’ ,” the Applicant may file for building permits and may begin construction, but some matters may require further review by the ARC and/or the Applicant may be required to submit additional information. In the case of new home construction, certain information, such as staked building corners, will be required before construction begins, while other information, such as paint color samples and exterior lighting, can be submitted after construction has begun.  Information such as landscape plans can be submitted after construction has been completed.  A form will be returned to the Applicant listing additional information required, issues not approved, and the dates when requirements must be satisfied. Should the requirements not be satisfied by the deadline set by the Committee, the application will be closed and the Applicant is required to submit a new application and the corresponding fee. The Applicant may not proceed with construction of any aspect of the project before that aspect has been reviewed and approved.

• Final approval may be given if the following required information has been submitted and approved: satisfactory landscape plans, lighting plans, and exterior paint color samples.

Submissions are to be mailed or delivered to the ARC Administrator at the West Valley Oaks office located at PO BOX 1115, Bel Air, MD 21014. Within 30 days following the Committee’s decision, a formal response will be mailed to the Applicant.