ARG or ARGHHH!

ARG or ARGHHH!

Power corrupts.  Absolute power corrupts absolutely.  And then there are ARBs (Architectural Review Boards).  Now, before I go too far, let me acknowledge that individuals that serve on these community committees are unpaid volunteers.  They should be applauded for both taking a part in the oversight of, as well as working to maintain, the integrity of their communities.  I recognize that.  However, service is a cruel mistress (or double-edged sword or two-way street – feel free to pick your own analogy).  If you are going to assume the obligation, you need to be answerable to the responsibilities.

With that as a set-up, let’s discuss the issue.  Even with good intentions, I have seen on too many occasions reasonable requests for improvements and modifications denied by ARBs under the auspices of non-conformance with Architectural Review Guidelines.  If it is not in or contemplated by the guidelines, it is disapproved.  OK.  Let’s stop right there and repeat the name of their governing document.  It is the Architectural Review GUIDELINES.  It is not called the rulebook or the hard and fast, unyielding cast in stone criteria.  In Wiktionary, on-line, the synonym for “guideline” is “rule of thumb”.  Maybe we should rename these documents as the Architectural Review Rules of Thumb.  Unfortunately, I have seen, more times that I can remember, ARBs making decisions based on the strict interpretation of the ARGs (Architectural Review Guidelines – appropriately shortened to the acronym ARG!).   What these committees often miss is that the ARGs were never meant to act as hard and fast rules.  They are always, and I truly mean always, meant to serve as a directional guide for the aesthetic integrity of the community.  As the community grows and matures, these ARGs (I really do like typing that) are supposed to grow and mature with the community, not to act as a detriment to good ideas.

If individuals understood how ARGs are put together, maybe they would be more understanding of the intent.  See, no one ever seems to ask how they were created.  Wait!  You want to know how the ARGs are typically created?  I thought you would never ask.  I will proceed with a scaled down explanation.  As a community is planned and as development begins, either the development or the property management team, in conjunction with exceptionally expensive consultants, will brainstorm as to the thematic nature of the community.  Once a community theme is developed, they will often, though not 100% always, create ARGs, also sometimes noted as a pattern book for the community, detailing all the elements necessary to maintain a degree of aesthetic integrity for the community.  There is also almost always a clause in these documents that states that anything the Developer does in the community will be in conformance with these ARGs.  Do you know why this clause in inserted?  It is because the Developer creates the ARGs before anything is done in the community.  That means that there is a good chance that either a) the Developer has not thought of everything, or b) the Developer may have made a mistake that they want to correct. 

Think about these facts for a second.  ARGs are established before anything is developed in the community.  They are specifically noted as GUIDELINES.  The Developer can make changes at will.  And yet, when the homeowners take control of enforcement, they often adhere to strict enforcement as opposed to seeking the broader intent of what was intended.

I know I may be acting a bit harsh here.  As I stated at the beginning, individuals serving on these committees should be applauded for their efforts.  However, the next time a controversial item is brought before the committee for approval, please take the time to seek to understand the intent of the ARGs before rendering an opinion that will truly make your neighbor say ARGHHH!

Until next time…

Keep kicking the dirt!