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Landscape Variance Request

Landscaping is under the supervision and care of the HVMA and its obligation is to maintain the common areas in a manner consistent with original status. Because trees and shrubs die and others prove unsuitable for climate/soil conditions or maintenance needs, changes have taken place over the years and these will continue.

Over the years, residents have planted around their units and the limited common areas. Once these plantings are made, their care becomes the responsibility of the owner. If the foliage of these plantings at maturity touches any of the structures, the Maintenance Staff may be directed to correct the violation at owner expense. The attachment of trellises to any part of a unit is not permitted.

All requests for landscape care or tree and shrub replacement are to be made through the Condo Maintenance Rep.

Trees and Shrubs

The Tree Care Supervisor will make reasonable efforts to conserve native trees and ornamentals originally planted by the developer. Should trees fail, the Tree Care Supervisor will determine whether a replacement of either the original type or of another type is needed or appropriate. If an owner-planted tree should fail and the owner does not replace it, the Maintenance Staff will remove the dead tree, return the area to lawn, and bill the owner.

Tree Care

Tree trimming, topping and pruning, as well as removal of dead or failing trees, will be carried out on a cyclical basis. Work requests concerning trees that pose hazardous or unusual conditions will be honored; but requests for ordinary trimming between cycles will not.

Shrubs and Foundation Plantings

The Maintenance Staff maintains shrub, foundation, or ground cover plantings. Should a foundation plant die, it may or may not be replaced at the discretion of the Pruning Supervisor. Should an owner-planted shrub die, it is the owner's responsibility to replace it or return the area to original condition. Should an owner have made extensive changes in the planting area, the owner becomes responsible for its entirety. The Maintenance Staff reserves the right to replace original plants with types that may be more suitable for conditions of location, soil, or maintenance.

Shrub Pruning

Shrubs will be pruned if they darken windows, crowd in on the structure, intrude on paths, interfere with exterior maintenance, or cause excessive dampness to unit exterior. This will take place in connection with regular maintenance cycles. Work requests are discouraged for this annual program.

Extra Planting by Residents

An owner may change existing shrubbery for something of his/her own choice, or plant additional shrubs, trees or ground cover on condition that the plant foliage at maturity will be a minimum of 18 inches from the unit exterior, and that a variance is obtained. Upkeep then becomes the owner's responsibility. If owners fail to do this, they become responsible for restoring the ground to comparable original condition, and will be billed for it if the Maintenace Staff must do it. Similarly, a new owner becomes responsible for plantings put in by preceding owners. No variance is required for flower planting in existing beds. It is, in fact, encouraged. Important Reminder: Check with your neighbors or local horticulturalists before you plant expensive bulbs or plants since wild animals such as deer and rabbits may feast on your plantings.