ARCHITECTURAL GUIDELINES FOR HOMEOWNERS RELATING TO NEW
HOMES, ADDITIONS, AND MODIFICATIONS TO EXISTING HOMES
INTRODUCTION
Article V of Restrictive Covenants for Clemson Downs Property Owners Association (CDPOA)
establishes the Architectural Review Committee (ARC). The ARC is charged with regulating external
design appearance for new construction as well as improvements to existing structures, as described in
these Architectural Guidelines for Homeowners.
Article V, Section 3 of the Restrictive Covenants specifies that before any new construction or
external modification to existing structures is started, the owner is to submit written details of any
proposed project to the ARC for approval as described in these Guidelines.
Article IV, A, Section 2 paragraph 3 of the By-Laws of CDPOA establishes the procedure for the
approval process. The Board of Directors is authorized to approve or reject recommendations of the
ARC. Applications are submitted to the ARC for review prior to making a recommendation to the
CDPOA Board.
Applications are site specific. Similar modifications to structures at other addresses cannot be
used as precedent for approval. Guidelines are reviewed every two years to reflect current needs.
Applications received before the last Thursday of the month will be reviewed by the ARC at their
regularly scheduled meeting. The ARC will forward their decisions in response to all written formal
applications to the CDPOA Board of Directors for final action at their regularly scheduled meeting on the
second Tuesday of each month. Homeowner applicants must not purchase materials, engage
contractors or initiate work before a positive Board determination is made. Applicant participation in
the decision making process must be with the ARC.
These Architectural Guidelines are not intended to constrain the ARC in exercising its
responsibility to fulfill the intent of the Covenants and the By-laws.
If there is any question about the need to obtain approval, a completed application should be
submitted to the ARC in a timely manner. Applications in response to emergencies can be submitted at
any time for prompt resolution. Questions regarding the completion of the Application can be answered
by the Chair of the ARC or any Committee member.
This process insures the continuity of architectural standards that give strong support to
maintaining property values, and facilitating property transfers. Cooperation of all homeowners is
appreciated.
Robert Eflin, Chair; Martha Grigsby, Davis Moorhead, Frank Pauly, Hazel Pittendreigh, Bill Senn
Architectural Review Committee November 2009
ITEM 1 ROOF SYSTEM
Hip or gable roofs are permitted (but not in the same elevation).
6 vertical by 12 horizontal pitch preferred. 5x12 permitted.
Overhangs of 24”required. This measurement is from outside face of wall to outside edge of roof.
Gable or rake overhangs to be 12”minimum.
Shingles are to be in dark tones of brown or gray, according to the trim color. Townhouse
shingles should be the same color within the same building.
All roof mounted appliances or equipment should be located to be as unobtrusive as possible,
consistent with operational requirements.
ITEM 2 EXTERIOR FINISHES
Exterior walls to be clad with rough sawn boards of wood or Hardy Board type material with
8”exposure with overlap.
Soffits to be 3/8” rough sawn plywood with 2” or 3”continuous vent or perforated vinyl in the
same color as the house trim.
Fascia to be metal wrapped 1”x 8” one piece, in the same color as siding.
Exterior walls shall be at least 60% brick in each elevation (excluding windows and doors).
Exterior brick veneer for modifications to be compatible with existing style and color. Selection
of materials for new construction shall conform to existing overall POA colors.
ITEM 3 WINDOWS AND DOORS
Windows to be traditional double hung (preferred) or casements. Painted metal or vinyl clad
windows are permitted in darker shades of tan, brown or gray. Window frames and trim to be same color.
White is not permitted.
Garages to have flush rough sawn finish fiberglass or metal overhead doors. ARC must approve
inclusion of windows in garage doors.
ITEM 4 GUTTERS
If installed, gutters shall be seamless aluminum with 3”x4” downspouts and match exterior trim
color.
ITEM 5 EXTERIOR PAINTING
Exterior wood walls to be painted in shades of tan, brown or gray. Manufacturers color chip is to
be included with applications for new construction as well as modification. Repainting with same color
as existing does need approval by the ARC.
Exterior trim to be painted in darker shades of tan, brown, or gray. Manufacturers color chip is to
be included with applications for new construction as well as modification. Repainting with same color
as existing does need approval by ARC.
Note: If painted metal or vinyl clad windows are used, all components to be in the same color,
and paint or stain shall match.
ITEM 6 DRIVEWAYS
Driveways and walkways to be concrete for all new houses. Replacement of, or additions to,
existing driveways or parking areas to be concrete. Textured surface treatment or concrete painting of
driveway to be submitted with color samples as maintenance item.
ITEM 7 EXTERIOR CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE
Patios, decks, retaining walls, parking pads, walkways or other external revisions are
included in the scope of these guidelines.
ITEM 8 ITEMS NOT PERMITTED
*Frieze larger than 2” wide.
*Glass Brick
*Bay windows in front or side elevations
*Picture windows in front or side elevations
*Stacked window units of any type in front or side elevations
*Nonbrick masonry products
*Shed roofs
*Hip roof and gable roof elements in same elevation
*Columns supporting overhanging roof in front or side elevations
*Storage space with exterior door(s) on front or side elevations
*Free standing buildings other than main structure.
*Fences or screening structures
*Unfinished metal on roof surfaces
ITEM 9 TOWN HOUSE HEAT PUMPS-FRONT LOCATION (BIRCH PLACE ONLY)
This is a specific Design Criteria for the three townhouses with developer-located front heat pump
installations. These units have rough sawn cedar horizontal screens or Hardy type materials and are
grandfathered as to their present designs. These unit screens are to be maintained as designed. If they are
changed, they shall be replaced with brick walls, or the heat pump to be moved to the rear of the structure
and existing screening removed.
ITEM 10 APPLICATION AMENDMENTS
Changes to ARC approved plans for all new construction, additions to existing structures, or
modifications subsequent to ARC approval are to be resubmitted to the ARC for approval.
ITEM 11 SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION
Applications are to be made in the name of the homeowner. If a legal representative of the owner
is the contact point, the application is still made in the owner’s name.
If the application is made in anticipation of sale, any broker or sales agent involved should receive
copies of these guidelines.
Completed applications should be submitted to a member of the ARC by the last Thursday of the
month. This will permit action by the CDPOA Board at their next monthly meeting.
Emergency applications will be considered on an as needed basis.
Work on approved applications can only begin after CDPOA Board action.
Disapproved applications can be appealed to the CDPOA Board through written request within 60
days of ARC disapproval.
Reasons for applications held for further review will be documented and reviewed with the
homeowner by the ARC. Purchasing of materials, engaging contractors, or any initiation of work is to be
withheld until acceptance by the CDPOA Board is complete.
The chair of the ARC will maintain a log of all written applications, with disposition results and
references to submitted samples.
Where applicable, City of Clemson codes are to be followed. Application to the COA does not
relieve owner’s responsibility for code conformance. Application for a building permit with the City of
Clemson will clarify when code provisions are applicable.
Samples to be included with application as appropriate:
Brick selection from distributors sample board;
Paint chip for house and trim colors including manufacturers color code;
Window and Door frame manufacturers identification, or paint chip;
Roof shingles including manufacturers reference;
Concrete finishes if modification to standard poured mix is proposed.
The Application form dated November 2009 is the approved format for submitted applications and
is incorporated into these guidelines.
Revised: November 2009 Architectural Review Committee