Great Island

Great Island Design Standards (October, 2011)

email - 09/29/2011

The Great Island Design Review Committee restructured the Great Island Design Guidelines, dated August 2002 and amended in September 2006, to make them easier to read, understand and follow. The Pinehills’ document was used as a model.

There were no “rule changes” made while rewriting the document. What was OK before is still OK and what was not allowed before is still not allowed. The document also has fewer pages, a table of contents, and is searchable.

The new document was reviewed and approved by the Design Review and Advisory Committees as well as the Board of Directors.

Original Great Island Design Guidelines (8/26/2002)

Amendments

09/01/2006 - Landscaping in residential yards.
11/08/2006 - Fines for non-compliant landscaping or design modifications.
05/22/2008 - Landscape Update May 22, 2008

Reminders

07/26/2007 - Outside Modifications

"It shall be the responsibility of all Home Owners to comply with all standards and guidelines of Article II of these Design Guidelines, as well as all requirements of the Supplemental Declaration." (IV.A)

Here are a few miscellaneous restrictions established in the Great Island Design Guidelines;

• Walkways and planting beds are to be kept edged to maintain a crisp appearence (II.C.4.a).
• Certain areas have been designated as open space, wetland or preserve on neighborhood plats and shall be maintained as required by regulatory authorities and as described in specific permit conditions and in the Supplemental Declaration. (II.C.2)
• No Home Owner or resident may mow, fertilize, apply pesticides to, maintain, alter or modify any area not owned by the Home Owner, including areas set aside as open space or preserve. (II.C.2)
• No permanent plantings are allowed other that those on the approved plantings list (II.C.3.b).
• Annual plants shall not exceed 36 inches (II.C.3.c)
• A maximum of two (2) statues and artifacts are allowed in your front yard not to exceed 18" in height or width. (09/01/2006)
• Fences are only allowed in the rear portion of your private area and must not exceed 6 feet (II.C.2).
• No roof or window mounted equipment is allowed, including air conditioners, solar panels, etc (II.D.1).
• Swing sets and other non-portable play equipment is not allowed (II.D.4).
• No colored lamps are allowed (II.F.7).
• Stand alone flagpoles are prohibited (II.C.3.h)
• The following structures are prohibited (II.L):
  - Storage buildings or sheds
  - Clothes lines or clothes poles
  - Tents of a permanent nature
  - Above-ground swimming pools
  - A bird or squirrel house exceeding the roof eave in height
  - Artificial vegetation
  - Accessory buildings, including gazebos, greenhouses, and guest houses unless constructed by Del Webb.

Here are the Great Island requirements for design review;

"Home Owners are required to submit plans to, and receive written approval from, the Reviewing Entity prior to performing;" (IV.A)

1. additions, alterations, or modifications to existing homes, 

2. exterior painting, 

3. landscaping, 

4. the installing of pools, and spas and Jacuzzis, and walls and fences, 

5. any exception to or deviation from the Design Guidelines, or 

6. any concrete work, ancillary equipment, signage, and any and all other such on-site improvements not listed in the Design Guidelines.

"Prior to submittal of a request for a permit to be issued by the Town of Plymouth. the Home Owner will obtain the approval of the Reviewing Entity of any plans, changes, alterations or additions inclusive of, but not limited to, those items outlined in IV A. above." (IV.B.1.d)

The Pinehills

The Pinehills Design Guidelines (01/01/2009)

"If homeowners choose not to comply with the requirements set forth above, homeowners may be subject to enforcement in accordance with Section 7.4 of the CCRs and Section 3.21 of the By-laws of Pinehills Landowners Association, Inc."

DECLARATION OF COVENANTS, CONDITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS FOR THE PINEHILLS (10/11/2000)

The following "shall be performed in compliance with [Article V of the Declaration] and the Design Guidelines;" (V.5.1)

1. All improvements shall be constructed and exterior alterations performed upon any Unit Parcel, including landscaping and exterior structures, and
2. [...] all interior remodeling which would increase the number of rooms or conversion of a room into a bedroom.

Here are a few miscellaneous restrictions established in The Pinehills Design Guidelines;

• There are to be no structures within Open Space.
• Removal of trees or limbing of trees may not be done at any time without approval from The Pinehills DRC, regardless of the location of the trees in question. This includes dead trees, trees in buildable area, trees in open space...
• Homeowners may attach one (1) flag mount to their home. The location must be approved by The Pinehills DRC.
• Storm door must be a one piece glass/screen vinyl or wood door and white in color (if vinyl). Storm doors must receive Design Review approval prior to installation.
• Generally, stairs leading from decks to grade shall face the front or side of the house lot only.

NOTE: Effective January 1, 2008 all awnings require zoning approval and a building permit from the Town of Plymouth (per Massachusetts State Building Code, 7th Edition).

Here are The Pinehills requirements for design review;

Design review is required for any work* covered in clauses (i) and (ii) above.

"However, no approval shall be required to repaint the exterior of a structure in accordance with the originally approved color scheme, to rebuild in accordance with originally approved plans and specifications, or for interior remodeling. Any Owner may remodel, paint or redecorate the interior of a Unit without approval; however, construction to the interior of screened porches, patios, and similar portions of a Unit visible from outside the structure and remodeling [...] which increases the number of rooms or converts a room into a bedroom shall be subject to approval." (V.5.1)

*NOTE: Clauses (i) and (ii) above are collectively referred to as the 'Work' (V.5.1). According to the Pinehills Declaration (V.5.2), design review is required for this 'Work'.