The Architectural Committee
The three committee members are elected at the Annual Meeting by the WOMA membership. Anyone may serve on the Architectural Committee, although we do like to have full-time residents as majority membership.
What the Architectural Committee Does For You
Conformity to Covenants and Restrictions
Part of our Committee function is that of Code Compliance and Enforcement. Keeping our built and unbuilt properties in tidy and well maintained benefits the entire community and preserves property values. So if you get a Violation Letter from the Committee... it is simply a neighborly reminder to not forget your home on the mountain.
Effective Oct 16, 2017 WOMA no longer grants Variances to Setbacks. Polk County Zoning Ordinance supersedes Article V of WOMA Covenants and Restrictions. You must apply for a Setback Variance to Polk County Planning and Zoning Office and appear before the Board of Adjustment; it will add about 60 days to your planning factor. However the Architectural Committee may testify on your behalf if the rationale is reasonable and has standing.
Want to landscape? We want to help. Especially if it involves Cutting Trees. Erosion Control and Invasive Species are two of our Greatest Concerns from a Mountain Management perspective.
When you build you disturb the natural flow patterns of water, this disturbance can have a "Significant impact" on our small wet weather tributaries to Horse Creek and the Ponds and your neighbors property which may be downhill from you. The Committee takes a very hard look at Erosion Control. We use the Best Practices (download above) as outlined by the State. Any new Construction requires an Erosion Control Plan.
Want to Build a New Home or Re-Paint Exterior, Add a New Deck, Add a Parking Area, Cut Trees, Make Exterior Changes?
This is when you download a New Construction Application (below) and submit with drawings for Committee approval. Do you want to see if the changes you are making require Architectural Committee approval? Then download (below) the Compliance Matrix for the Covenants and Restrictions. This matrix is easy to read and allows quick reference. Naturally the original C&R is the source document and prevails in the event of a typo or omission in the Compliance Matrix. Also read the WOMA Design Guide (below) for relevant construction information and minimum home livable square footage allowable.
No Metal, Chain, or Linked Fences?
Metal Fences capture Forest Debris, as illustrated to the left. In this image you see about 15+ years of neglect to keep fence line clear of debris. This is contrary to FireWise Communities Best Practices and it inhibits the free traffic flow of Wildlife. The Architectural Committee is most reluctant to approve metal fences.