1. The Riverwood Homeowners Association employs a professional landscape contractor to provide maintenance to the common ground areas.
2. Landscape maintenance includes the care of some shrubs, plants, lawns, sprinkler systems and some trees, etc. That are Association property. They are not responsible for personal plants that have been planted by residents.
3. No plantings may be made on Common Areas without permission or approval of the Landscape Committee other than seasonal flowers. Specific requests and complaints should be made on a Committee Request form and forwarded through a Driveway Representative to the Landscape Committee Chairperson, or mailed to the Riverwood Homeowners Association post office box.
4. Permission or denial of a request for any changes in common area plantings will be given as soon as possible after receipt. Some costs for changes in landscaping, that are requested by residents, may be paid by the individual homeowner. Denied requests may be resubmitted to the Landscape Committee for referral to the Board of Directors for consideration and actions. Instructions will be provided through the Landscape Chairman to the contractor. Once a planting has been completed in a Common Area, it becomes Association property even though the resident maintains it.
5. White stakes are available from the Landscape Committee for marking personal plants that are not to be maintained by the landscape contractor. Plantings that are so marked will be maintained and/or pruned by the homeowner.
6. Plants and general trees and shrubs in the common areas are pruned and sprayed by the landscape contractor and/or an Arborist. They have the experience and expertise to do this work. Residents are not permitted to prune the Association’s plants unless they have received approval and a white stake.
7. Pruning of shrubs and trees is very important to protect the plant’s health against overgrowth and to keep the plants off the buildings, fences, sidewalks and street. Any plants that brush up against a building, overlap the sidewalks and overhang the roof and gutters are subject to pruning or removal, including personal plants although they may have been marked with a white stake.
8. Patio and courtyard areas are the responsibility of the individual residents, unless plantings or neglect infringe on the enjoyment of the Common Areas, such as vines, etc. growing through the fence.
9. Fences surrounding owner’s patios are the responsibility of the Riverwood Association to keep in good repair. A Homeowner may not plan a tree, vine, shrub, plan or noxious week (such as English Ivy) against the inside of the fence, so that maintenance and painting can be done. If one does cause damage, the cost of the repair or replacement will then be at the Homeowners expense.
10. Trees planted inside fenced patio areas by owners are subject to Association inspection and rules. If they are overhanging roofs and gutters, they will be subject to trimming at the owner’s expense. The Committee will notify owners when growth violates the policy. If the root system encroaches on an owner’s foundation, and the concrete is, or about to be, cracking, it will be removed at the owner’s expense.
11. Trees in the Common Area which overhang roofs and gutters will be cut back to relieve the leaf or needle residue on decks, roofs and gutters. Removal measurements may vary from two feet back to entire limbs being cut. This will be subject to the advice of a qualified tree specialist.
12. Tree removal will be considered only if a tree is diseased, dying, or is about to cause damage to a foundation. A decision will be made jointly by the Landscape and Maintenance Committees and the Board of Directors. Homeowners will be notified as soon as a decision is made. If necessary, a City permit will then be applied for by the Landscape Chair.
13. Stumps may be left in place, or removed at a later date depending on the yearly budget consideration.
14. Commercial Landscape maintenance should not be confused with gardening. Gardening is a much more intensive program, i.e. roses, flowers, vegetable gardens, etc., including specialty pruning such as bonsai or cloud pruning (Pom Pom style). Landscapers are not responsible for taking care of garden areas. Garden areas are to be properly maintained by residents and kept free of weeds at all times, including rose bushes and all other flowers and plants installed by residents.
15. If a resident fails to properly maintain a flower garden that they have planted in the common areas, i.e. in front of the house, the Landscapers will remove the flower garden and place bark dust in the area. The individual property owner will be responsible for the cost of cleaning up the area and restoring it to the normal ground’s appearance. Weeds in flower gardens cannot be treated with herbicide so weeding of flower areas are the responsibility of the homeowner.
16. Vegetable gardens will not be allowed in common areas. Vegetable gardens or plants must be confined within the patio area.
17. We are a large community and the landscapers cannot be expected to provide personalized services to individual homes. Requests or demands from residents to the landscapers make it difficult for them to do their work and to keep the costs for services down. Please do not address, chat or ask questions of the landscape crews or personnel. They must use their time diligently to meet the general landscaping needs of our community. Any remarks or questions can be directed to your Landscape driveway representative.
18. Nothing with a religious connotation may be placed in any of the Common Areas.
19. It is imperative that dog owners clean up their pet’s wastes.
20. These guidelines are not meant to discourage residents from planting flowers and shrubs, with prior written permission, in Common Areas around their homes. They are meant to provide guidance and clarification to minimize misunderstandings by residents and the contractor. Everyone’s cooperation is much appreciated.
