APPROVAL PROCESS AND PROCEDURES

2.01 Process Steps:

In order to provide a uniform and systematic review of all proposal designs, plans and construction at Wedgefield, the following sequence has been established:

1. 1. Office manager assigns project cover page. Appendix III-1
   2. Sign a WPA Compliance agreement. Appendix III-2
   3. Formal Application and payment of fees (See Section 2.05) Appendix III-3
   4. Sign work rules. Appendix III-4
   5. Review of all prints, materials and final design.
   6. Site layout, and staking and tree inspection.
   7. Final approval and signing of application for Architectural review- Appendix III-3
   8. Issuance of Wedgefield Building Permit- Appendix III-5
   9. Periodic inspection of site and construction
   10. Final inspection and approval of construction- Appendix III-6

2.01.1 Record retention for ARC Applications and related Associations Documents will be five years. (Rev. 3/19/19)

2.02 Licensed and Approved Designers, Engineers, and Builders:

To ensure that Wedgefield Plantation maintains a high quality of design, all plans for the construction of dwellings and other buildings or structures at Wedgefield must be designed or drawn by an architect, designer, engineer, or builder, or the owner. Structural engineering, if required, must be completed by a licensed/certified structural engineer.

2.03 Pre-Application Research:

The Owner should select his or her designer, architect, engineer and/or builder, and it shall be the responsibility of the Owner to acquaint the building team with the ARC process and design guidelines. The design, construction and other building team members are encouraged to visit Wedgefield for an onsite tour of existing structures prior to beginning the plans. In so doing, the design team can creatively design or choose the dwelling in a compatible manner with the overall goals of the ARC. A member of the ARC can be made available upon request for an initial conference with the design team to explain the guidelines and concepts.

It is also advisable that the Owner obtain a topographic survey of the lot as soon as possible in order that the design team can make a proper site evaluation in accordance with the site planning guidelines that are part of the ARC procedures.

2.04 Conceptual Design and Layout Review: (optional)

In order to facilitate the approval process, the design team may prepare an informal conceptual sketch or photograph of the proposed building design and site layout to the ARC for their general comments and suggestions. The Boards representative will either make recommendations, or encourage the design team to the next step of the approval process.

Refusal or approval of plans, location or specifications may be based upon any grounds, including purely aesthetic considerations which the ARC in its sole and absolute discretion shall deem sufficient.

2.05 Application Submittal and Review Fee Payment:

An “Application for Architectural Review” (Appendix III-3) form must be completed and submitted by the Owner or his or her agent to the ARC before the commencement of any construction activity of any type. This application must be accompanied by payment of all fees (refundable and non-refundable) per the outline below after a final inspection:

2.05.01 Single Family Residence fee consisting of: *(Rev. 7/20/21)(Rev. 5/17/22)

• • A. Trash Control/Damage Deposit…………………..$6,500.00 Refundable
  • B. Construction Road Use Fee………………………….$2,000.00 Non-Refundable
  • C. Drainage Fee…………………………………………….$1,250.00 Non-Refundable
  • D. Administrative Fee……………………………………$150.00 Non-Refundable
  • E. ARC Review Fee………………………………………..$100.00 Non-Refundable

TOTAL FEES: $10,000.00

2.05.02 Other construction requiring use of heavy construction equipment or supplies that may cause damage to the roads. This includes, but not limited to, heavy equipment, concrete trucks, tractor trailers with shingles or sod and large tree removal. (Rev. 7/16/24)

• • A. Trash Control/Damage Deposit…………………$1,000.00 Refundable
  • B. Construction Road Use Fee………………………..$350.00 Non-Refundable
  • C. Drainage Fee……………………………………………$150.00 Non-Refundable

TOTAL FEES: $1,500.00

2.05.03 Other construction including, but not limited to, modification, sheds, decks, fences, non-concrete patios, re-siding, etc, and small tree removal.
(Rev. 7/16/24) (Appendix III-8)

• • A. Trash Control/Damage Deposit……………..$250.00 Refundable
  • B. Construction Road Use Fee…………………$25.00 Non-refundable
  • C. ARC Review Fee………………………………..$25.00 Non-refundable

TOTAL FEES: $300.00

2.05.04 The following projects do not require deposits, but do require ARC approval: exterior color change, satellite equipment, irrigation well, pet area w/o pad, recreational equipment w/o pad, and small tree removal no larger than 8” in diameter four feet from grade (not lot clearing). (Rev. 5/21/13) (Rev. 7/18/17)

Note: The above fees are subject to change with proper notice. Fees for plans not approved shall be refunded.

The above deposits will be held by the Association and will be refunded at the final inspection period less any penalties for noncompliance, damages, and/or implementation not being in conformance to the plans set forth in the approval and permits issued by the ARC. A portion of the landscaping must have been completed prior to the refundable deposit being authorized. Landscaping: Grass (either sod or grass seed that has matured to two inches in height) in the front and side yards and 25 feet of the rear yard or to the property line, whichever is the shortest distance, and plants around the house foundation. The non-refundable deposits will be utilized by the Association for maintenance and other association costs.

Trash refers to any building materials or construction waste, which is unsightly or scattered both on and off the construction site. Damage refers to any damage to the roadways, natural areas, drainage pipes and ditches, or plants in the plantation, as well as those of the adjoining properties whether they are developed or not.

The Owner or agent should include all requested information and payment of fees and deliver them to the ARC or its agent.

2.05.05 Variance:

The ARC may occasionally grant a variance from the requirements of the ARC rules, regulations, procedures, and guidelines. Any property owner may submit a written request of a variance from the requirements for their project. See appendix III-9. The requested variance will include the following information:

An explanation as to why the application of the ARC rules, regulations, procedures, and guidelines on this particular project would create an unnecessary hardship for the property owner. 

1. The variance would not cause substantial detriment to the Wedgefield Plantation community nor to the adjoining property owners. 
   Signature of the adjoining property owners indicating they are aware of and have no objections to the variance.
2. Drawings necessary to clarify the project as needed.

The ARC will consider each variance on a case by case basis and the approval of any variance will not constitute a precedent.

2.06 Design Review and Approval Process:

Prior to the approval of the application, a review of the Owner’s plan and submittals will be conducted to determine the compliance with the design requirements of the ARC.

No approvals shall be issued to any property owner/builder if there are: unpaid fees or fines, an existing Stop Work Order, or any ARC violations.

The Owner or agent should furnish two (2) sets of the required plan documents to the ARC, prior to any on-site work commencing. After the plans have been reviewed by the ARC, the owner/agent will be notified and one set of the plans returned to him with the ARC comments if needed. The ARC will retain the second set of plans until the ARC final inspection is completed and satisfactory. Only after the ARC final inspection is complete, the Certificate of Occupancy request may be submitted to the County.

The plan documents shall include the following:

2.06.01 A site plot plan drawn to scale not smaller than 1”= 20’ which shows the following:

1. 1. Owner’s name and telephone number(s)
   2. Architect, engineer, builder, or designer that has drawn the plans. Include their name, address, and telephone number.
   3. North arrow and scale.
   4. Property lines with dimensions, bearings, and setbacks clearly indicated. (Refer to item 3.02).
   5. Elevations of lot corners, center of lot, edge of roadways, edge of lakes, water level and top of bank location if applicable.
   6. Location of trees 8” in diameter measured at DBH (or approximately 54” above ground level).
   7. Preliminary grading plan showing existing and proposed contours, culvert locations, sizes, inverts and flow directions, drainage, and contour plan showing elevations, cut and fill requirements and any retaining wall or beam locations and heights.
   8. Conceptual landscape plan.
   9. Access to street, drives, parking, walks, decks and patio elevations.
   10. Entry to lot for water, sewer, electrical, telephone and television service.
   11. Building accurately located from property and setback lines. To be indicated as exterior walls with entry and stairs delineated, and roof and deck lines shown.

2.06.02 Elevation drawings, which show the following:

1. 1. All four elevations at a scale of ¼” = 1’ or larger.
   2. Relation of building to grade level.
   3. Height of structure and first floor elevation.
   4. Overall height from grade level to highest ridge of roof.
   5. Descriptions, samples, or literature of all exterior materials to be used which includes, siding, roofing, bricks, and colors to be used.

Note: Submit any and all color renderings, samples, photographs, or models that may be available.

2.06.03 Floor plan drawings, which show the following:

1. 1. Each floor, mezzanine, and ground level plan at a scale of ¼” = 1’ or larger.
   2. Overall dimensions.
   3. Square footage of structure, showing Heated and Total square footage.
   4. Room use labeled.
   5. All walls, windows, and doors.
   6. All overhangs of floors and roofs.
   7. Ground level plan to show foundations, enclosures, driveway location, stairways, and garbage and HVAC enclosures.

Note: The design team is to verify to the ARC that the minimum required square footage (1500 sq. ft.) of the dwelling has been met by calculating the enclosed living area lying above the “100-year flood elevation” as established by the Georgetown County Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance.

Minimum Square Footage: All new home construction in Wedgefield Plantation according to our original Covenants & Restrictions, will have a minimum of 1500 square feet heated floor space. The lone exception to this requirement shall be a heated minimum of 1200 square feet for a single-family home constructed on the following: Robert Conway Lots 1-8 and 55-60 and Daniel Morrall Lots 37-55. The justification for this exception is outlined in a letter from the Crosby Law Firm, LLC dated 4/20/18, subject Non-conforming home size in the “patio home area”. A copy is on file in the HOA Office. (Rev. 10/20/20).

The ARC recommends new construction at (1875 HSF). This recommendation is in keeping with past trends. Most new homes approved and constructed in the past several years have been larger than the minimum stated. The minimum square footage stated does not include areas such as garage, deck, patio or attic.

Please note that the construction of all approved structures must be completed within one year after the start of actual construction. Actual construction must commence within six (6) months of the issuance of the permit. Extensions may be issued with proper ARC approval.

Plans submitted for review approval, or any portion thereof may be disapproved upon any grounds, which are consistent with the purpose or objectives of the ARC, including purely aesthetic considerations.

2.07 Stakeout Inspection:
At any time after being notified by the ARC of the approval of the site plan and proposed dwelling, stakeout of the lot shall be undertaken as follows:

1. The property lines and outline of the foundation of all the structures should be identified by a series of stakes connected by string.
2. Any trees to be removed should be flagged with surveyor’s ribbon or equivalent. “See Section 5.03.”
3. A member of the ARC will inspect the staked out site and his / her report will be part of the final review.
4. Absolutely NO CLEARING will be done prior to the inspection and written approval of the ARC.

2.08 Inspection of the Property
The right to enter into and upon the construction site is specifically reserved by the ARC and/or its agents and representatives to visit all or any portion of the Owner’s property for the purpose of verifying compliance with the requirements of the ARC and the approved submittals and permits. The ARC will notify the Owner and/or their agents by mail of any fault found in the inspection of the property that does not comply. The Owner and/or agents will notify the ARC of the final stage of construction that will allow for a final inspection of the property. After WPA Final Acceptance is complete the Owner or agent will notify the local building inspector for Georgetown County in order that the county may conduct its final inspection and issue the necessary Certificate of Occupancy to the applicant. Refundable deposit is issued after Final Acceptance by ARC and a Certificate of Occupancy is obtained from the county.

2.09 Future Improvement Review:
Any modification, improvement, addition or upgrade of any existing structure which changes the foot print of the structure must be submitted to the ARC for approval. A request for approval must contain the following:

1. 1. Site plan of the proposed location of improvements.
   2. Floor plans of the intended improvements.
   3. Material and color samples to be used.