Purpose
This policy is a user-friendly process document that serves all SMVE homeowners, yet guards against possible destruction of the Sonoran Desert protected by county, state and federal statutes. Legally the SMVE Board of Directors has a fiduciary responsibility for the proper and efficient management of the Common Areas as written in the SMVE CC&R’s.
Policy
To carry out the Board of Director’s responsibility, the following policy is established:
Upon request, where vegetation (trees) is encroaching on a homeowner’s property, that portion of the vegetation, as necessary, shall be removed so as to maintain the natural shape. Such vegetation will be removed at the Association’s expense by our authorized licensed landscaper as done presently.
Also, this policy shall allow homeowners to request the Landscape Committee to thin, trim or remove offending trees or shrubs growing on the Common Ground maintained by the Association. If approved, this work would be performed under the existing landscape contract of SMVE HOA.
By written request by a homeowner, native trees in the Common Area will be evaluated for thinning or trimming by the Landscape Committee. Such evaluation will take into consideration line of sight, size of the tree/vegetation and distance from the homeowner’s wall. The Association will not condone “topping” any Mesquite or Palo Verde trees.
When approved, the work will be paid for by the homeowner directly to our authorized landscaper. The Landscape Committee will be responsible to perform a post inspection to verify compliance with the policy.
Procedure/Process:
An approval form must be completed, signed by a Landscape Committee member, our Authorized Association Landscaper, and the homeowner before work can proceed.
The homeowner negotiates the cost and date of work with the Authorized Association Landscaper.
When work is completed the homeowner notifies the Landscape Committee for possible verification of completed work.
(April 19, 2005)
Policy Addendum: Tree Thinning/Trimming in SMVE
Approved by the BOD: 12/16/13
Homeowners, with flat graded areas directly behind their rear walls, are permitted to remove weeds and low shrubs within 12 feet of the wall or in the width of the flat area, (whichever is less) in order to establish a fire break.
See also pages 4-26 of the document Sunrise Mountain View Estates Homeowners Association Policies and Updates (2004-2014).
Updated January 2014