Recently, Matt requested a workshop for his yard. You’ll notice in the letter on the right, from the Architectural Committee, that there had been two previously approved workshops. The request for this particular workshop was a verbatim copy of one of the previous requests, which the Architectural Committee had retroactively approved.
The Architectural Committee denied Matt’s request, but interestingly it also set a new precedent: ask for forgiveness, rather than permission.
Yes, you read that correctly. It appears that the process now is that you erect your shed/workshop/outbuilding/etc. first, then you’ll be allowed to keep it.
That’s what I did with mine. In fact, I did it before I even knew this was the new procedure. My shed has been in my back yard for almost three months now, and I haven’t heard a peep from the Architectural Committee about it.
I think it’s also worth mentioning that while the Architectural Committee says in this letter that “sheds are not permitted,” this is, in fact, untrue. According to Article 5 of the Restrictions:
No building, fence, outside lighting, screen plating, or other improvement shall be erected, altered, or placed on any lot unless building plans, specifications, and site plans showing the location of such improvements have been submitted in advance in writing to and approved in writing by the Architectural Committee as to conformity and harmony of exterior design and exterior materials with existing structures in the area and as to location with respect to topography, lakes, golf courses, and neighboring structures, subject nevertheless, to the proviso that in the event no suit to enjoin the erection of a building or the altering of existing buildings has been commenced prior to the completion of the work, such approval will not be required and this covenant will be deemed to have been fully satisfied. (emphasis added)
As you can see, sheds are allowed. You either need to get them preapproved by the Architectural Committee, or erect them before you get sued.
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