WILLOW BEND HOA
ARCHITECTURAL CONTROL · DESIGN GUIDELINES
Willow Bend Design Guidelines
Adopted by the Board 1 June 2019 · Pursuant to Article XI of the Master Declaration (Instrument 106221440) · Meridian, Idaho
These Design Guidelines implement the Design Character established in the Master Declaration for Willow Bend: shou sugi ban (charred cedar) and charcoal-stained street elevations, steel or dark metal windows, ornamental grasses, and turf limited to rear yards. All exterior work requires prior written ACC approval unless expressly exempted below.
1. Purpose and Authority
The Architectural Control Committee (ACC) reviews submittals for harmony with neighboring lots, durability, and consistency with the community’s recorded Design Character. The ACC consists of three to five persons appointed by the Board. As appointed March 2025: Ortiz, Bridger, Cole, and Park. Decisions follow the ACC Notice and Appeal Procedure.
2. Street Elevations — Cladding and Color
- Preferred: Authentic shou sugi ban (charred cedar) or ACC-approved factory-charred wood systems with sealed finish.
- Alternate: Solid-body charcoal stain on cedar, cypress, or ACC-approved composite that reads as deep charcoal/black-brown under daylight. Sample boards (minimum 12" × 12") are required.
- Prohibited on street elevations: Vinyl siding; vinyl-clad windows; T1-11 as a finished street face; bright, pastel, or high-chroma body colors; unfinished pressure-treated lumber.
- Trim and fascia shall be dark bronze, charcoal, black, or natural wood compatible with the cladding. White high-gloss trim on street elevations is discouraged and requires specific ACC approval.
3. Windows and Exterior Openings
- Street-facing windows shall be steel, aluminum, or fiberglass with dark finishes (black, dark bronze, or charcoal). Mill-finish aluminum is not permitted on street elevations.
- Divided lites, if used, shall be consistent across the elevation. Reflective mirrored film visible from the street is prohibited.
- Garage doors on street elevations shall be simple panel or carriage style in colors matching the cladding palette; glossy white is discouraged.
4. Landscape Character
- Front yards: Ornamental grasses, adapted shrubs, mulched beds, and permeable paths. Design for low water use consistent with Treasure Valley conditions.
- Turf: Limited to rear yards. A front-yard turf accent strip, if proposed, shall not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the front-yard planted area and requires ACC approval.
- Parkway / street-tree strips shall retain Association- or City-specified trees; Owners may not remove street trees without written approval.
- Willow-corridor edge lots shall not install fencing or grading that obstructs drainage or damages willow root zones without ACC and, where applicable, Board approval.
5. Fences and Screening
- Maximum height: six (6) feet in rear and side yards; front-yard fencing generally limited to three (3) feet or open metal/wood screens as approved.
- Materials: cedar, charred or charcoal-stained wood, dark metal; masonry columns matching house materials where approved.
- Prohibited: chain-link (except temporary construction), plastic lattice as primary fence, unfinished bright metal.
- HVAC, trash, and utility screens shall match fence or cladding materials.
6. Solar and Mechanical
- Photovoltaic arrays shall be mounted on the rear roof plane when solar access is adequate. Street-plane arrays require a showing that rear/side placement is impractical and use low-profile black or dark frames and black backsheets.
- Ground-mounted systems are discouraged and evaluated case by case for screening and neighbor impact.
- Exterior mechanical equipment shall be screened from street view.
7. Lighting and Hardscape
- Exterior lighting shall be shielded and warm in color temperature (approximately 2700–3000K). No unshielded floodlights aimed at neighboring lots or the street.
- Driveways and walks: concrete, pavers, or permeable systems in gray, charcoal, or earth tones. Bright stamped patterns in contrasting colors require ACC review.
8. ACC Submittal Requirements
| Item | Requirement |
|---|
| Application form | Complete ACC application; Owner and Lot number |
| Plans | Site plan, elevations (street and affected sides), materials list |
| Samples | Cladding/stain sample; window finish chip; fence material if applicable |
| Neighbor notice | As required by ACC Notice and Appeal Procedure (generally lots within 200 feet) |
| Deposit | Refundable deposit as set by Board schedule; held pending completion and inspection |
| Timeline | ACC decision within thirty (30) days of a complete submittal |
Minor repairs matching existing approved materials (same color, same product line) may be processed as administrative approvals. Painting a street elevation a new charcoal formula still requires a sample and ACC approval.
9. Exemptions
Interior work not visible from the exterior; replacement of like-for-like rear-yard plant material; holiday decorations displayed for limited seasonal periods under Community Rules.
10. Enforcement
Work commenced without approval may be subject to stop-work direction, required removal or modification at Owner expense, fines under the enforcement policy, and withholding of deposit. Variances are rare and require a written finding of hardship without material detriment to the Design Character.
Adopted 1 June 2019 · Board of Directors, Willow Bend Homeowners Association, Inc.