QUESTION: A Stone Oak POA newsletter recently had an article that addressed the "simplicity" of adding rain-harvesting systems to our yards as a means of reducing water consumption while maintaining adequate watering of our landscaping. Are the conditions, restrictions, and process for installing such systems by Springs owners/residents truly in the "simple" category?
ANSWER: Yes, especially since our CCRs reflect the provisions on rain-harvesting systems installed by residents at their home that were included in the multitude of Texas state laws addressing HOA topics that were adopted in 2011, with the law addressing rain-harvesting systems effective on June 17, 2011.
Like all external improvements planned by Springs owners, the process must begin with the submission of an Architectural Improvement Request Form to ProComm for consideration by the HOA's Architectural Review Committee before the project is begun, with the review by the ARC based on the criteria provided in our CCRs, especially in the following relevant Article:
ARTICLE XIX
WATER, SEWAGE, AND RAIN-HARVESTING SYSTEMS
. . .Rainwater Recovery Systems may be installed with advance written approval of the Architecture Review Committee subject to these guidelines. All such Systems must be installed on land owned by the property owner. No portion of the Systems may encroach on adjacent properties or common areas. Other than gutters and downspouts conventionally attached to a dwelling or appurtenant structure, all components of the Systems, such as tanks, barrels, filters, pumps, motors, pressure tanks, pipes and hoses, must be substantially screened from public view from any street or common area. Screening may be accomplished by placement behind a solid fence, a structure or vegetation, by burying the tanks or barrels, or by placing equipment in an outbuilding otherwise approved by the Architecture Review Committee. A rain barrel may be placed in a location visible from public view from any street or common area only if the configuration of the guttering system on the structure precludes screening as described above with the following restrictions: the barrel must not exceed 55 gallons, the barrel must be installed in close proximity to the structure on a level base with the guttering downspout leading directly to the barrel inlet at a substantially vertical angle, the barrel must be fully painted in a single color to blend with the adjacent home or vegetation, and any hose attached to the barrel discharge must be neatly coiled and stored behind or beside the rain barrel in the least visible position when not in use. Overflow lines from the Systems must not be directed onto or adversely affect adjacent properties or common areas. Inlets, ports, vents and other openings must be sealed or protected with mesh to prevent children, animals and debris from entering the barrels, tanks or other storage devices. Open top storage containers are not allowed. Harvested water must be used and not allowed to become stagnant or a threat to health. All Systems must be maintained in good repair. Unused Systems should be drained and disconnected from the gutters. Any unused Systems in public view must be removed from public view from any street or common area.
These monthly "Test Your Knowledge" CCR messages intend to remind residents of The Springs of the Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CCR’s) that apply to all Springs residents solely by our election to 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 resident who has misplaced your copy of the CCR’s, or are a new resident 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 By-Laws at the Consolidated Bylaws and CCRs section of this website, located in the Pages & Links tab.
