Screened Porch on Townhouse Deck

Has anyone submitted a request to the modifications committee for a screened porch on a townhouse deck? If so, what was the outcome? I have seen this in other communities, but I have not seen it in the Broadlands?

 

no i haven't seen one either and i'm interesting in doing that myself. please post if you find out anything about a screened porch. thanks

michelle malocu

 

None have been authorized to date.

Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

 

i've seen a few along ashburn rd near the school and they look great. Wonder why our HOA doesn't like it...

 

Do they not like it? Have any even been submitted? I've never heard of any.

---------------
Got Broadband?

 

I assumed neilz meant that some were applied for, but not authorized.

 

exactly

Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

 

Thanks all. I applied for one and it was denied: "additions/alterations to attached housing shall be limited to the options available in accordance with approved project standards established by the builder." I guess that means if the builder didn't offer it, then the HOA will not approved it. I am seriously considering writing to the Board of Directors. I think the HOA is a little to restrictive with modifications. If the HOA denies my request to put a shed in my fenced back yard, then I will write the Board of Directors. Although, I am sure it won't help, but I can try it.

 

Can someone articulate as to why just because it wasn't offered by the builder it is verboten? Just because the builder didn't offer it doesn't mean its a bad idea or will be executed poorly.

 

And not only that..just because the builder didn't offer it w/your section of houses, perhaps they will w/the new round of houses.

Case in point: The new townhomes in Southern Walk being built by Van Metre show the option of building an arbor type roof on the deck (not a far cry from screened in). Those townhomes aren't THAT much different (slightly bigger, of course more expensive) than mine. So if they can have that, why can't I?

Besides the builders are so wishy washy w/options (yes, we offer that; oh, I mean no we don't) that it shouldn't matter what they did/didn't offer. They're outta here soon!

 

Steve is exactly correct, each townhouse area has its own rules based on what the builder offers IN THAT SECTION. For instance, the Miller and Smith townhouses along Claiborne, have different options than the Miller and Smith townhouses in southern walk.

There are look and consistancy requirements, take a good look at the back of the townhouses. Each one is staggered about 5 to 10 feet (depending on the section) from the others. If your neighbor builds a large screen porch on his deck, a deck which begins 5 or 10 feet further forward than the end of your sunroom. His screen porch will cover that whole section of your townhouse, and you wouldn't be able to access it for any repairs, etc. That is an impact on your neighbor's property. There is a one foot offset required, but I can't see any carpenter squeezing between that screen porch and the side of the next townhouse to fix anything !!

If you look at the townhouses as mentioned above at Farmwell Hunt, the back of the townhouses are all aligned, no stagger, no impact on the neighbor.


Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

 

I'm sympathetic to those who are in a TH and unable to have a screened in deck due to HOA requirements. Can there be any compromise such as a partial screened in deck, ie, not have the entire deck screened in but partially? I wonder if that would make a difference on the part of the HOA? Alternatively, is it possible and permissible to screen in the bottom rather than the deck itself? I've seen TH's which immediately under the deck have sliding doors and an outside patio area. Just thoughts for consideration here...

 

Steve,

Actually I'm not in a TH but trying to offer some ideas since I can understand how one would like a screened in porch and trying to offer some possible alternatives. Which reminds me, one day while walking through the development I noticed that one single family home rather than having a screened in deck, got one of those tent like structures and had it on their deck giving an illusion of being screened in. Although it did not provide shelter from rain, since it was screened on all sides it would provide shelter from bugs and gave some shelter from the sun shining directly overhead.

 

I do not think that building a screened porch on a townhouse deck impacts neighboring townhouses enough that they should not be allowed; of course, that is not the reason porches are not allowed, but I just don't think the impact is that great. Townhome residents must deal with "community" issues as does any other homeowner.

To a certain degree, how does a screened porch affect a neighboring house any more than a lattice? My neighbor's house sits inward of my house, so my lattices blocks one side of his deck. I believe his neighbor's house on the other side is the same as mine. So, I guess, my neighbor has "tunnel" view. Should lattices be disallowed? If a new community building will block a homeowners view of the sun, do we not allow the building to be built? I guess I do not understand how my building a screened porch on my deck will not allow my neighbor to have a deck built his way.

I am a private person, so a "tunnel" view does not bother me at all.

 

I don't live in a TH but have been at THs with decks, so I know that one person's deck usually butts against the other person's deck.

If your neighbor builds a screen porch on his/her deck, how would you be able to build one on yours? That is, how do the nails or screws get attached on the outside of your screened porch if his/her screened porch is in the way? Or, because he/she builds one first, do you have to pass on your desire to build a screened porch?

Maybe that's why they aren't allowed. [?]

 

GCyr,

Thanks for your point; I understand a little better. However, I do not want to get into the mechanics of building a screened porch, mainly because I do not know how to do so.
I can only speak to what I have seen.

I do not think that the decks should touch one another because there is a 1-foot or 2-feet restriction.

I have seen two screened porches right next to one another. I do not know the difficulty of building them. Nor do I know which came first, etc. Nonetheless, it was done.

 

I'm not a builder and I don't play one at home, so maybe it can be done.[8D]

 

GCyr,

I definitely appreciate your point of view because just recently I totally overlooked the fact that a builder would need two feet of space [on all sides] in order to build me a shed in my back yard. Knowing that bit of information, the size of the shed would be considerably smaller. Now, I am wondering if it is really worth it. But, that is another request that I have to submit to the Committee.

So, in my quest to renovate my home, I have to keep in mind the amount of space it would take to do the renovation.