Outbuildings (aka Storage Buildings or Pool Houses) are prohibited in Maumelle Valley Estates as set forth in the Maumelle Valley Estates Bill of Assurance.  Recently, the President of the Board received complaints from homeowners about the construction of these in some back yards.  While many homeowners may believe this ok, the fact of the matter is storage buildings are prohibited (unless constructed to match the home with the same materials).  Regardless of how long it has been there or how long a homeowner has went without repercussions, when a complaint is launched, the Board cannot turn a blind eye.  If the Board does not take the necessary steps to enforce the rules, there might as well not be any.

If you don’t address it, you bless it.

The Board cannot change the guidelines set forth in the Bill of Assurance whether they agree with them personally or not.  It is the Board’s responsibility to ensure compliance with the Bill of Assurance. Below you will find the text of letters sent this week to known violators.

Dear __________,

It has recently been brought to our attention that an outbuilding has been constructed on your (address) property. Outbuildings are specifically not permitted in Maumelle Valley Estates. Outbuildings must be of the same building material and basic design as the primary dwelling and are subject to the review and approval of the Architectural Control Committee. Below are the sections from your property’s Bill of Assurance regarding outbuildings to which you agreed when purchasing a home in our neighborhood.

Section 1 – Architectural Control. No improvements shall be constructed or maintained upon any lot and no alteration or repainting to the exterior of a structure shall be made unless approved by the Architectural Control Committee as provided for in the Covenants and Restrictions. House plans must be submitted, approved, and signed off by the Architectural Control Committee. No identical house plan will be approved or constructed next door or within a visual distance of another house with the same plans.

Section 11 – Outbuildings Prohibited. No outbuildings or other detached structure appurtenant to the residence may be erected on any of the lots hereby restricted without the consent in writing of the Architectural Control Committee. Storage buildings and pool houses, which shall match the single-family residence architecture. No portable storage buildings will be permitted.

The MVE POA Covenants and Restrictions are private restrictions that run with the land for real estate within MVE. The Covenants and Restrictions are separate and apart from any permitting or zoning requirements of the City of Maumelle. The City of Maumelle should not issue, or should not have issued, permits in MVE without the plans first receiving written approval from the MVE POA ACC. Even if the City erroneously issued a permit, such permit does not supersede the MVE POA Covenants and Restrictions.

The Architectural Control Committee requests you take either of the following actions:

1. Remove completely the outbuilding from your property within thirty (30) days of the date of this letter, or

2. Submit architectural drawings within 30 days of receipt of this letter to include a completion time-line suitable to the Committee that will be constructed to the existing outbuilding to match the single-family residence architecture on your property.

Please advise the Committee in writing (USPS or email) your intention within seven (7) days of the date of this letter. Failure to respond to this letter, in writing, in the time requested herein may result in additional action by MVE POA to enforce the Covenants and Restrictions. If you have questions or require advice concerning your obligations pursuant to the Covenants and Restrictions, we invite you to contact a qualified attorney.

The POA email address is maumellevalleyestates21@gmail.com.

Thank you in advance for your prompt attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

John S Holloway, Sr., President