POA to Consider Changes to Tellico Village Governing Documents
BLUE BOOK UPDATE
The POA Board of Directors voted to amend the Protective Covenants at August’s board meeting. Three areas were added:
- A section on rental properties to require permits for all properties, allow the POA to charge a fee for these permits and to charge the Architectural Control Committee (ACC) to establish rules for rentals and fines to enable enforcement of the rules.
- A section for enforcement of the Residential Construction Handbook (Blue Book) Requirements creating a fining mechanism for violation of rules and regulations in that book.
- A section for enforcement of the Commercial Construction Handbook (Red Book) Requirements creating a fining mechanism for violation of rules and regulations in that book.
These changes only allow the Board to establish and enforce rules in the three areas – they don’t create the rules. The Board, in turn charged, the ACC to create the rules and requirements and establish the details of enforcement. As a result, the Tellico Village ACC has recommended an update to the Village’s Blue Book to provide the details to allow the POA Board to execute the above additions to the Protective Covenants. The Blue Book’s purpose is to establish the rules, regulations and standards pertaining to design and construction of residences and to their use and maintenance after construction. This update keeps the Blue Book in tune with the changing wants and needs of Tellico Villagers, new construction technique, materials and emerging technologies and need of the Village as it grows and matures. The ACC kept the following tenants in mind when writing and proposing the changes:
- Providing a viable framework for the planning, design and construction of new homes, as well as confirmation of conformance with required standards and approvals.
- Accommodating permitted exterior modifications, alterations and enhancements for existing homes and contiguous property as may be requested by resident property owners.
- Preserving and maintaining the environment of the community of Tellico Village and the ambiance and character of its neighborhoods and homes.
- Protecting and enhancing property values throughout Tellico Village.
- Contributing to the continuation of the inherent and natural attributes of Tellico village as a highly desirable community in which to live.
The changes were long in coming and the ACC put a large effort into making the Blue Book the best architectural governing document that it can be. Every Villager should become thoroughly familiar with the Blue Book. Highlights of the recent changes to the Blue Book include:
- Improved definition of exterior changes that require a miscellaneous permit,
- New construction home exterior elevation drawing details and requirements,
- Pool, hot tub and spa rules including maximum size,
- Easement requirements,
- Privacy screening requirements,
- Outbuilding prohibitions,
- Landscaping structure requirements (fountains were struck from Blue Book discussion),
- Limestone prohibition as ground cover,
- Addition of Rental Permits and Rental Requirements (no longer part of home occupation permit),
- Addition of fines to the Table of Violations.
The addition of a requirement for a rental permit separate from a home occupation permit is new to the Blue Book. The rules and restrictions added to the Blue Book should make governing of both long- and short-term rentals easier for the POA to manage.
A second major change is the additions of fines to the Table of Violations. Fines were added to give the POA leverage in enforcing the Blue Book Regulations. The fines are not intended to make money for the POA. Plenty of notice will be given the homeowner, including a personal visit, if necessary, to correct or appeal the accusation of a violation before any fine is levied.
The POA Board of Directors tabled the vote at August’s board meeting to adopt the ACC’s recommended changes until a future board meeting. The reason was to allow all property owners to read, understand and comment on the proposed changes. This is the opportunity for every Villager to become familiar with the Blue Book and the proposed changes and make their thoughts and desires known to the ACC. The Help Spot is an ideal tool for this. The ACC meets every first and third Thursday of every month at 9:00 am in the POA Office’s large conference room. Every Villager should make it a point to attend a few of these meetings to see how hard the volunteer homeowners on the Committee work to keep Tellico Village as good as it is. You may also send any comments on the Blue Book to the ACC – email addresses are on the POA website (Departments/Architectural Control). The Blue Book can be found on the POA website under: Departments/Architectural Control/Downloadable ACC Documents. The changes to the Blue Book can also be found on the following site: Final-Blue-Book-2023-Draft-Amendment-8-1-23-2.pdf (tellicovillagepoa.org)