QUESTION: We've loved living in the Springs for the past 5 years, but with the birth of two additional children during those years, we'd like to convert our garage to a bedroom. Is that permissible?
ANSWER: Theoretically, yes, but in reality, most likely not. As the CCR Article XXV, Garages, indicates, a converted garage must be replaced by a minimum two-car detached garage in the rear of the lot. Since none of the Springs lots are likely to accommodate such an addition or the required 2-car-wide driveway leading to it, the conversion would not be permissible.
<center>ARTICLE XXV
GARAGES</center>
A garage able to accommodate at least two (2) full-sized automobiles must be constructed and maintained as a garage, for each Living unit. No garage shall be permanently enclosed for conversion to any other use unless a substitute garage for two cars is built and maintained as a garage. Each driveway must accommodate two vehicles in front of the garage for off-street parking requirements. Rear detached garages shall be permitted provided they are constructed in compliance with the requirements of these covenants. Open car ports are not permitted, unless special design circumstances warrant their use, in which case permission must be obtained in writing from the ARC.
These monthly Springs “Ask The HOA Doc[uments]” intend to remind Springs residents of the Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CCR’s) or our By-Laws that apply to all Springs owners and residents solely by our election to be a homeowner and/or live in this community. The purpose of the CCR’s is to maintain specific standards for the good of us all, as articulated in their definition:
“THE SPRINGS AT STONE OAK is encumbered by these Restrictive Covenants for the following reasons: to seek to achieve the best and highest use and most appropriate development of the property; to protect lot owners against improper use of surrounding lots; to preserve so far as practical the natural beauty of the property; to guard against the erection of poorly designed or proportioned structures of improper or unsuitable materials; to encourage and secure the erection of attractive improvements on each lot with appropriate locations; and to secure and maintain proper setbacks from streets and adequate free space.”
If you are a Springs owner or resident who has misplaced your copy of the CCR’s, or are a new owner who wasn’t provided a copy by the previous owners or your realtor, you can view and download (in Adobe Reader (.pdf) format) the complete Springs CCR’s and Bylaws at the Pages & Links area of this Springs website. Look for the “Easy To Read” versions of the documents, as they provide both the original text and all amendments or other changes that have been made to the original document.
