Are You Freaking Kidding Me?? Can You See Which Photo Has The Trampoline??

The ArrowCreek CC&Rs (Article 4. Property Usage Section 37. Pools, Sports and Play Equipment) currently say “no above-grade swimming or wading pools, trampolines, other sports apparatus, swingsets or children’s play equipment may be placed, installed, erected, or attached to any structure in the subdivision unless such apparatus is approved by the [ADRC] committee…” (As a former English teacher, I know I can diagram this poorly constructed sentence to be interpreted several different ways. How many interpretations do you see?)

The ADRC Guidelines on page 27 say: “Play Equipment: To include but not limited to slides, swing sets, including structures permanently installed or movable must be made of natural materials, (i.e. wood). Slides and other accessories must be brown, green or as approved by the Committee. Skateboard, skate or bike ramps or pipes are not permitted. All types of sports or play equipment including trampolines proposed to be installed which cannot be taken down and stored inside on a daily basis must be submitted for approval. Trampolines must be recessed and comply with all setback requirements. The Committee reserves the right to require additional planting for screening upon a final inspection. A site plan showing location, size, screening and all required graphics and illustrations of the equipment is required for submission.”

and page 27-28 about “Sport Courts and Permanent Equipment:
Sport courts such as tennis, basketball, etc. and permanent equipment are subject to approval and must be naturally screened from adjacent home sites common areas, streets and golf course as well as located such that they minimize their view from these areas. Lighting of such courts is not permitted.

A site plan showing the sport court location shall be provided for the Committee showing any and all proposed grading and screening. Plant materials should be added where necessary to soften the visual impact. Surface colors should be restricted to colors that are not highly reflective.

Basketball standards or any other play equipment or structures may not be installed or attached to the front of any dwelling, garage, or side yard forward of the mid-point of the house. Such items may be installed in rear yard areas so long as the installation is not visible from open space, common area, or the golf course and are subject to approval.”

I think all the homes above have minimal views of their trampolines. This is totally absurd. Are the complainers against kids? The above CC&Rs and ADRC Guidelines sure seem to be against the existence of kids. With so many young families in the ArrowCreek Community it is definitely time to revisit these.

Please help support the effort to bring this trampoline situation to a vote. The proposal is to amend the CC&Rs to allow “aesthetic” trampoline use in ArrowCreek backyards. Please comment below if you have any questions!

Residents should sign this petition because the ArrowCreek Homeowners Association is creating a “family unfriendly” environment that harms our residents’ children and potential “family” buyers. ArrowCreek is not a retirement community. It is made up of a large percentage of families! It will continue to be comprised of family residents for many, many years to come.

Sign the petition here.

Thank you for your support!

Trampolines are already on the published agenda under Other Business [see (7 e) 2)] for the June 7th ACHOA Board Meeting:
To hear or participate in owner comment periods about trampolines, please attend the
ACHOA Board Meeting
Tuesday June 07, 2016
6:00 PM-8:00 PM
Location: ACHOA Residents’ Club
All owners are invited and encouraged to attend board meetings.
06-07-16 Board Agenda

For questions regarding the ArrowCreek HOA, please contact Associa Sierra North at acservice@associasn.com or by phone at 775-626-7333. Thank you.

The petition is as follows:

We acknowledge the function of the Arrowcreek Homeowners Association and we support the CC&Rs. We are all interested in maintaining the aesthetic look and feel of each of the properties in our community. However, we feel the regulation pertaining to trampoline play structures is onerous and needs to be redefined. This rule is creating a “family unfriendly” environment that is neither helpful to the children of our residents and discriminates against a large percentage of would be “family” buyers interested in purchasing a “family” home in Arrowcreek.

The individuals listed in the petition below either own and maintain aesthetic trampolines in their yards for their children’s recreation or they support their neighbors right to include such play structures in their yards. These trampolines are not “eyesores” as has been suggested. Many of them have been in existence for as long as five years with no complaints further supporting this assertion. The residents listed below support any arrowcreek neighbors right maintain aesthetic trampolines on their property.

The rules pertaining to play structures and trampolines in particular are vague. There is no clear definition of “recessed” and “hidden” and the petitioners below believe that the vague definition is being abused and aesthetic trampoline owners are being unduly targeted. The rules need to be updated to align with other allowable property features but relaxed significantly. For example, a well-maintained trampoline that is attractive in its appearance as defined by the manufacturer and regularly repaired and maintained as needed should be allowable in almost all cases. Trampolines that are in disrepair and unsightly should fall under the scrutiny of the homeowners association and these owners should be required to make improvements to the trampoline until it meets the “relaxed aesthetic” requirement.

Aesthetic trampolines provide physical recreation that keeps our children off the couch and off their phones keeping them healthy and happy and athletic. The creators of this document have maintained aesthetic trampolines for years without any complaints from neighborhood homeowners. Attacking aesthetic trampoline owners does not improve property values and could in fact turn away potential property buyers because of the “family” unfriendly policy. Arrow Creek is not a retirement community and will continue to have families for many many years to come who are attracted by its many appealing characteristics including the right to own an aesthetic trampoline.

The purpose of this petition is to encourage the homeowners association board members to call a special meeting of the executive board to put up for a vote for a change to the current rules making the definition more clear and relaxed for aesthetic trampoline owners allowing those who have demonstrated responsible ownership of an aesthetic trampoline to continue to maintain aesthetic trampolines and to allow future aesthetic trampolines by other homeowners. Or, at a minimum we are requesting a variance for those trampoline owners who have purchased trampolines in the past that meet the aesthetic requirement. With this petition we hereby request a hearing on this issue. As many of the owners below will attend the hearing to further make the case for allowing aesthetic trampoline ownership on their property.

See also Allow Aesthetic Trampoline Use in ArrowCreek for the Health and Happiness of Our Children!!!.