LANDSCAPING
Design Guidelines
All homes were constructed to meet a minimum aesthetic standard for functional landscape treatment. Each landscape treatment was designed to enhance the man-made and natural environment by developing a high level of community aesthetics and preserving the best characteristics of the natural environment.
Landscape Requirements
a. Foundation landscaping is required for all homes.
b. Front yards must present an attractive appearance, emphasizing and reinforcing the major entry and the architectural design of the home.
c. The rear yards of homes adjacent to areas of high community exposure from streets require landscape treatment commensurate with that of the front yard.
d. Each lot must have sufficient shrubs and hedges to provide screening of air conditioner units and all other mechanical equipment on the lot such as utility meters, irrigation controls and backflow valves.
e. Street trees and/or front yard trees are required and must be maintained on all lots. That is, if such a tree is removed, in most circumstances it must be replaced.
f. When trees are removed from turf areas of a residence, the stump must be removed/ground out and the area returned to turf, When trees are removed from plant beds and other areas stumps must be cut flush with the ground.
g. On lots with areas of existing heavy native vegetation, owners are encouraged to leave these areas undisturbed and in their natural state. MC approval is required for changes to areas left in their natural state.
h. All yard areas not in planting beds must be grassed and provided with an underground irrigation system that has 100% head coverage, except in specific neighborhoods where NCC Architectural Guidelines do not require such irrigation with original home construction.
i. Irrigation systems must be kept operational and used to comply with the maintenance requirements outlined in Cedar Creek Handbook.
j. Large mulched areas shall not be considered planting beds nor an acceptable alternative to turf grasses.
k. The Modifications Committee shall determine the location and degree of opacity required of all areas to be buffered and/or screened. It shall be the responsibility of the applicant to prepare a landscape and/or screening plan that shall achieve the MC’s directives.
Materials and Workmanship
a. Plant material for landscaping shall equal or exceed the standards of the American Association of Nurserymen. The sizes for plant material given in this section shall be the minimum size at the time of installation and height requirements shall be as measured from ground level after installation.
1) Shade trees shall be a minimum of 1 ½” - 2” in caliper.
2) Ornamental trees shall be a minimum height of 6 - 8’.
3) Evergreen trees shall be a minimum height as follows: Pines: 6’-7’; Spruce and Juniper: 5’-6’.
4) Evergreen, broadleaf and deciduous shrubs generally have a minimum size of 5 gallon container stock. Perennials can be 1 gallon container stock.
5) Sizes of all other plant materials not falling in the above general categories must be approved by the Modifications Committee.
b. All plant material should be installed in accordance with the current standard practices of the American Association of Nurserymen.
c. All planting beds must include some type of ground cover. Dark colored hardwood (or other approved material) mulch is the required product; but, if mulch will not work because of proven slope issues, stone or rocks may be approved. When stone or rocks are desired, a comprehensive landscape plan with samples and colors must be submitted for consideration. Note: Large areas of mulch, stone or rocks will not be considered an acceptable alternative to turf areas.
d. All plant beds must be outlined with an appropriate hard or trenched ”V” edging for ease and consistency of maintenance.
e. No synthetic or artificial plant material such as, but not limited to, trees, shrubs, flowers, vines, groundcovers, or lawns shall be used.
f. The use of indigenous inorganic materials (i.e., rocks, gravel) as an accent in the landscape shall be allowed only with an approved design concept for areas where organic material will present maintenance or logistic problems.
g. Any berming must be smooth flowing, carefully formed and fine graded to blend into the surrounding landscape. Architectural berms with straight lines and crisp angular changes in direction are discouraged, and the height of berms should vary to avoid a monotonous appearance. No proposed berming can impede or create surface drainage problems.
Saving Trees and Native Vegetation
a. Cedar Creek is abundant in existing forested areas and heavy native vegetation. It is essential that all landscaping be especially concerned with the preservation of the natural Cedar Creek environment.
b. Ideally existing natural vegetation should be incorporated into any new landscape plan.
c. An approved modification request is required before removing or pruning any tree over four (4) inches in diameter
Unauthorized Tree Removal
The removal of trees without prior approval is prohibited. Unauthorized tree removal is subject to significant fines based on damage done to every tree. The destruction of one small tree could result in a $250 fine. The destruction of more trees or more mature trees could result in fines in excess of $10,000. Fines will be levied and collected in accordance the established sanction policies posted in the Documents section of The HOA website.
X. PRIVATE TRAILS
a. Any homeowner desiring to construct a private “trail” or “path” from his or her property through any common area in order to connect with the Cedar Creek trail system, park areas, Swim and Racquet Club, tot lot, lake or any other Cedar Creek amenity, must obtain Modifications Committee approval.
b. Design guidelines are listed in the NCC Architectural Review Manual. The manual is available on the eNeighbors website, or a copy of the applicable sections can be obtained from the HOA on-site property management office in the Swim and Racquet Club.