Owner Guidelines for Maintenance of Common Element and Limited Common Element
Because of budget constraints, the Copper Tree HOA cannot keep up all necessary care and maintenance for a fully healthy property. Due to this issue, the Landscape Committee’s Guideline allows for an owner, if that owner is ble or interested, to enhance the Common Element related to their unit.
The Guideline Allowances in the Common Element:
Soil replenishment and nourishment which enables plants to thrive. This includes decorative bark/mulch. In the interest of consistency, the bark/mulch color will be DARK. No red, light brown, natural, etc. The maintenance of such should not interfere with a neighbor’s property and the streets are to be kept clean. The border of the common element for a unit is governed by the footprint of the fencing dividing the property from the neighboring property. If there is no fence, one would look at the seam where the common wall is located to determine the border.
EXCEPT FOR ANNUALS AND SMALL PERENNIALS, ALL PLANTING REQUESTS RELATED TO THE COMMON ELEMENT MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE LANDSCAPE COMMITTEE FOR APPROVAL.
Approval must be obtained for the planting of all shrubs, bushes, trees. When purchasing a young plant, strict consideration must be given to the size of the plant at full growth. There are areas of over-growth in the community and there is an expense in both the short-term and long-term of handling this overgrowth. When planting these items, allowance must be made for root, height and width growth. Plants at full growth must grow without interfering with fences, streets, walkways. Note that these growth allowances must also be considered when planting in a unit’s Limited Common Element.
Points to Consider and Restrictions:
All new plantings will need consistent watering. Please consider this before planting as the Landcare company is informed to remove any dead, diseased, or unsightly plants not cared for properly.
All plantings in the Common Element will be maintained by the Landcare company hired by the HOA. Do not plant items that need individual attention. All plantings of the Common Element become the property of the HOA by the definition of Common Element. Other than annuals and perennials, a request must be submitted to the landscape committee in order to remove a healthy plant or tree.
Do not use invasive/noxious plants such as ivy, bamboo, or a restricted plant listed on the MCCA Landscape website. Ivy and other various ground covers were planted in the community years ago and remain for now. In general, these areas are able to be edged by the Landcare company. Do not plant additional ground covers. Should a newly restricted planting need to be removed, the owner will bear the responsibility and costs to remove the planting. Roses will not be cared for by the Landcare company. All roses must be maintained by the owner. Do not plant climbing roses that will cover fences. While a rose is not considered restricted, a request for planting roses must be submitted to the Landscape Committee for approval.
Visible yard art is not allowed in the Common Element. Irrigation installation and major hardscape is to be approved by the Landscape Committee and HOA board.
Regarding the Limited Common Element:
The Limited Common Element is within the owners’ control, including maintenance commensurate with the maintenance of the common elements handled by the Landcare crew. Restrictions are held to the MCCA rules regarding noxious/invasive plantings. Smaller shrubs and trees are recommended which can be easily maintained by the owner. Height of any planting is not to be above the roofline. Root growth cannot interfere with the foundation of the unit.
Planting of a unit’s Limited Common Element should not interfere with a neighbor’s Limited Common Element and growth of all plantings must be held within the footprint of the individual Limited Common Element. An owner will be asked to cutback overgrowth that interferes with another owner’s ability to enjoy their Limited Common Element.
Developed 2023