Several months ago the RFC Architectural Guideline Review Committee met to discuss the issue of screened in porches, which are currently not allowed based on the guidelines. During the discussion the eight person committee debated the pros and cons of allowing screened in porches. Following the meeting I (who chaired the committee) had each committee member send me their synopsis and opinion on the topic which I then compiled in to a report. After tallying the ultimate opinions of each committee member, it was decided 7-1 that the current guideline should remain and that no changes should be made. Because the committee had determined in their majority opinion to make no change, I then presented the findings to the board and proposed that based on our 7-1 decision as a committee to make no changes to the guidelines.
After proposing this to the board, there was a minor opposition to the decision. A discussion ensued and it was decided that we would allow the community to provide input on the topic. While we can't make any promises that the decision will be changed, we do encourage community members who have constructive ideas on the topic to post them here, in the comments section, as we do recognize that this is a hot button issue within our neighborhood. Before doing so however, I ask that you review my report to make sure you understand both sides of the argument. You can do so by clicking here. If you would prefer a reply and do not feel comfortable sharing your contact info via this blog, you can contact the board directly at board@rodgersforge.org. Please specify "Screened in Porches" in your subject line.
We look forward to hearing from you.
-Del Schmidt, Architectural Review Committee Chair
Why not let the people of Rodgers Forge decide this issue by voting on a set up page on line to vote yay or nay. I think it should be all residents of RF that decide what we want to do. Whatever gets the most votes decides the policy on this
ReplyDeleteI am in total support of allowing residents to add a small screened in porch to the back of their homes! As long as the plans are presented and the porch doesn't extend to the entire backyard, people should be allowed to make their homes as they wish, within reason. The argument that it will be noisier, is ridiculous. When I drive around the Forge and see a home actually boarded up, chain link fences, and plastic furniture galore, I wonder what the priorities are. The board should focus on homes that need focusing on and allow people to make improvements.
ReplyDeleteScreened-in porches would be great idea. There should be no problem with screening-in an existing porch. Any modification in which a roof is added to an existing open porch, as part of the screening process, should be approved when neighbors to either side provide their approval.
ReplyDeleteI do not understand the rationale that people will spend more time on screened porches in the warmer months and bring noise outside or the rationale that people eat on screened porches and this will contribute to rodent problems. We, like a majority of our neighbors, have a lovely deck on which we spend much time in the warmer months, including most meals. The fact that it is screened has nothing to do with it. Also the rationale about the garden makes no sense. In our north-facing yard it would make no difference at all, shade-wise, if we had a roof and screens over our deck as to whether we or our neighbors could have a garden.
ReplyDeleteThe rationale for not having screened porches seem a bit dubious.
I am in favor of screened-in porches as long as they are made with high-quality materials. The board is able to approve or reject decks for homes that have different layouts (walk-outs vs. raised doors) so there is no reason they can not do so for porches.
ReplyDeletePorches would extend fewer feet from the home than a deck, so the issue of light and air (and air goes through screens anyway) does not seem relevant.
Even though the original covenants say fences can not be more than 3.5 feet tall, the board approves 6' tall fences routinely, which block much more light and air than a screened-in porch -- throughout the entire yard.
Porches are seen as a desirable amenity and if my house has one and I sell the house, I get a higher price and all my neighbors' home values just improved, too.
Also, the board voted in April 2012 to publish these findings in the newsletter and ask for resident feedback and it's now mid July. Any idea when that might happen?
In an upcoming newsletter (didn't make this months proof).
DeleteI appologize for the delay but the last 3 months were the busiest I've had at work in 5 years, my wife and I had our first child and we all just returned from a 2 week road trip. Board stuff was on the back burner for me.
I too was at the meeting in which community input was promised. I am pleased it has finally been done; and I hope RFC, Inc. takes seriously the input. When a matter of some importance to the community is put on the blog it increases traffic to the RF blog, and that is a good thing.
ReplyDeleteHow about you all let us decide? Put it to a community vote. I do not have a screened porch nor do I have any current plans to erect one, but my neighbors on both sides have screened in porches and we all use our back porches for socializing and eating. I do not have any problems with rodents nor do either of my neighbors so far as they've mentioned. I find the board's rationale flimsy at best. If the board provided options and even preferred materials (much like those with asphalt shingles or decks/fences) then there shouldn't be a problem.
ReplyDeleteI beleive tastful screened-in porches should be allowed. It should also be open to a vote representive of the whole community, not just dues payers. It would be simple to check at a meeting to see if they live in Rodgers Forge with a check ouf their Driver's License address. I am still rather unclear on the Boards' reason for not supporting this. Screened-in porches would lead to excessive noise?
ReplyDeleteI think good points were made on both sides of the argument. The real issue for me is the quality of the structure. I agree that many screened in porches look cheap when they are built and only get worse after a year or two of weather. One good snow storm and screens are stretched and ripped. Also, will people maintain them and keep them painted and repair screens as needed, probably not. Just walk down any alley in the forge and the answer is evident, in general the back of our houses get far less attention than the front (including mine) decks, bushes, sheds, fences……are not maintained. I think it would be far more difficult to control the material of a screened in porch than it is for a deck, and thus I have to agree with the committee that screened in porches should not be approved
ReplyDeleteI'd like to tell you about the screened in porch across our alley-our view. I think it was built this way and if not it has to be over 30 years old; the rumor was they were going to make it a sun room by enclosing it. It runs the back of the entire house and is 12 feet deep. As of now, its screens are ripped, the paint is peeling. There’s a small deck off the screened in porch with steps down to the ground. The grill was on their screened in porch and used regularly. The former tenants were cigarette smokers and sat out under cover smoking and talking often into the morning hours and year round. Teen age kids had late night party games on the porch disturbed neighbors into early morning hours and year round. The dog door off the screened porch allows their porch to function as a large covered kennel 24 7 365. We’ve seen an old sofa, bikes, garbage cans ... it’s looked like a storage room. They mounted their flood lights and their satellite dish on the roof of the screened in porch. The home was owner occupied but now is a rental property. I don’t think the porch will look any better now that it’s a rental.
ReplyDeleteWhat happened to buyers being accountable for researching the community history and architectural guidelines prior to purchase? We chose to live here 25 years ago because when realtor Gerry Goodreau showed us Rodgers Forge, and drove us through the neighborhood, he spoke high regard for the community’s covenants, architectural restrictions and strong association leading to a rock stable and pretty community. We learned how covenants and architectural restrictions protect the investment first of the real estate developer and later of the individual homeowners. It would be wonderful if every realtor would inform potential neighbors completely prior to purchase; however ignorance is not excuse and buyers are expected to know restrictions, even though you may never have seen them.
In purchasing in Rodgers Forge – you’ve made a promise to support covenants and architectural restrictions. To those that choose to remain in Rodgers Forge beyond the starter home, 5, 10, 15 years and beyond we’re reaping tremendous benefits of this community, location, schools, and holding property values because we’ve been willing to respect the promise we made when we purchased. No community can sustain the same while accommodating every passing residents wants; the founder knew this when he created and filed his covenants with the county. Setting aside passing wants is a choice we all make once we purchase and live in Rodgers Forge.
We are not in support of loosening the architectural restrictions to allow screened in porches for all the reasons already outlined in the summary and hope residents will remain and continue to maintain and enjoy patios, decks, awnings, using citronella candles or bug lamps; hang some pretty flowering baskets and enjoy~
So that sounds like a problem with your neighbors rather than the porch. Any part of a house can go to hell with bad neighbors. I don't see an adherence to overly restrictive guidelines as a big asset to the neighborhood -- in fact, it limits tasteful renovations that could make the neighborhood more attractive. Obviously, I'm in favor of allowing screened porches.
DeleteThanks for your comment. We never found and don't find covenants overly restrictive. In fact, we're grateful to always have had a governing board committed to upholding covenants and architectural restrictions which has allowed us to focus energy on what we are permitted to improve with our own tasteful touches- investing money and or sweat equity in building our patio, fencing, landscaping, garage doors, awning and the interiors kept us busy with- A/C, windows, plumbing, heating, floors, kitchens, baths, and a game room for teenagers!
Delete^I think you make some good points and giving more consideration to allowing guiding principles to govern may be more relevant than I realized. It's a dense community where indivitual changes impacts several properties attached and across alleys and never can please everyone. Owners come and go but what remains are the guiding principles and covenants.
ReplyDeleteAs people come and go so would a variety 'tasteful' improvements- not in favor of adding screened in porches.
ReplyDeleteI wish the architectural committee would check out # 214 Blenheim Road to see if they got a permit for the large deck they are building and the extensive improvements they are making to the house. Do they have the setback of 37,5 feet?
ReplyDeleteBlenheim is in Gaywood, not Rodgers Forge.
DeleteIf that is so what an advantage to move to Gaywood without restrictions and a beautiful backyard giving onto the tot lot.
DeleteOh, Gaywood has covenants. gaywoodonline.com/new-residents
DeleteI think screened in back porches would be great to have.
ReplyDeleteThis is in response to the specific reasons for denying screened-in porches posted on the RFC, Inc., Blog.
ReplyDelete• Controlling materials and design for screened-in porches will open a Pandora’s Box within the community.
Response: How is this different from what the Architectural Committee already does? They claim to already control everything from doors, awnings, porches, fences, and roofing materials. The reasons stated by RFC, Inc., including requiring “constant maintenance because rain and snow come through the screens” are a real stretch.
• Screened-in porches result in overbuilding the back yards and are more suitable to stand alone homes with generous yards.
Response: If an existing porch is “screened-in” this “overbuilding” rationale is totally meaningless. The “fire hazard” rationale is amazing.
• Screened-in Porches will be a detriment to neighbors’ property values.
Response: Property values are determined by many things, including schools, general upkeep of the neighborhood, and quality of life.
• Screened-in porches and the permanent structures of the roof and framing block light and air to the neighbor.
Response: Screens, by their design permit light and air to pass through. All the other stuff, particularly the vegetable garden bit, seem a bit over the top.
• Privacy issues arise when neighbors’ screened-in porches encroach on our already limited outdoor space.
Response: Claiming to deny a screened-in porch because somebody might make noise seems paranoid and silly. People can make plenty of noise in their back yards, and on their decks already.
• There is a potential for rodent infestation due to people eating meals on the porch and food droppings scattering the floor.
Response: Good grief. Are we to ban barbeques and eating outside based on the same rationale?
• One of the primary tenants of determining value in home appraisals is the “principle of conformity.”
Response: The “conformity” train has long-since left the station. These exist all over the Forge. If there are rational rules in place, residents would feel comfortable abiding by them. Since now the only result of applying is rejection, folks figure they have a better chance ignoring the system; which means there is no control.