A new fence, fresh paint or a change to the yard can improve how a home looks and functions. For homeowners in Bluestem, the association's current architectural rules should be checked before making changes that affect the home's exterior appearance. The application posted in Bluestem's MNN document library describes an Architectural Review Committee (ARC) process, but the form itself has a blank association-name field; residents should confirm with Inframark that it is the form currently used for their property. Planning for that review before purchasing materials or scheduling a contractor can help avoid work that must later be changed to meet community requirements.

The ARC application posted in Bluestem's document library requires one project per application and lists Vantaca as one payment option. If Inframark confirms that the posted form applies, it asks homeowners to identify exactly what they plan to change, pay the applicable fee and provide evidence that the fee was paid. An application is more than an informal notification that construction is underway.

What Projects Does the Posted Application Cover?

The application lists exterior appearance changes and specifically lists doors, fences and gates, roofs and gutters, siding and painting, windows and shutters, landscaping, outdoor storage, play structures, patios and pergolas, pools and spas, solar panels, generators, driveways and more. The form also includes replacement or updates to existing features. Because the complete current Bluestem rules were not available to check, matching materials alone do not establish whether a project is exempt. A homeowner replacing a fence, changing exterior finishes or planning yard changes should therefore check the application requirements before beginning. Separate improvements should be described in separate requests, rather than combining unrelated projects into a single submission.

The ARC needs project-specific information to evaluate what will be built or changed. Homeowners should be ready to provide a clear explanation of the project, dimensions and placement where applicable, proposed materials and colors, and supporting plans, photos or product details relevant to the improvement. A fence proposal, for example, may require information different from a painting or landscaping request. The actual instructions in the current application govern which supporting items must accompany each project.

Are Any Bluestem Projects Exempt?

The available form does not establish a general no-approval exception for exterior repairs, matching-color repainting or small landscaping changes. The current Bluestem declaration and architectural guidelines were not available for this review, so any exceptions in those documents must be confirmed with management. Residents should not treat any of those as exempt without confirmation from community management. Work confined entirely to the inside of a home, with no exterior appearance change, is outside the exterior-change scope described by this ARC application, although any other applicable requirements still need to be considered.

Where to Find the Working Bluestem ARC Application

Homeowners can open the Bluestem ARC Application PDF hosted by My Neighborhood News. The posted library copy is accessible from My Neighborhood News. Read the entire form before submitting, complete the owner and property details, identify one project and provide the required description and supporting evidence. The form lists Inframark Vantaca and an association bank site as payment options, but does not identify where to send the completed application. Confirm the current submission method with community management before sending the form and attachments.

If this form is current for Bluestem, it lists a $50 fee for replacement or landscaping requests, $100 for removable structures and $150 for permanent structures. It also lists a $1,000 refundable deposit for pool installation and an optional $200 expedited review fee for a ten-business-day review. Applicants should confirm the applicable tier and any current fee updates with Inframark. The application requires payment confirmation as part of a complete submission. Homeowners should confirm the current fee and payment instructions directly in the application process before paying, preserve the confirmation and attach it as instructed. Missing information can delay consideration. Under the posted form's procedure, incomplete submissions receive a 10-business-day opportunity to correct deficiencies before denial. That cure period is not a substitute for submitting complete plans from the outset.

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Why Written Approval Matters

An application is not the same as approval. Homeowners should wait for an affirmative written decision before starting exterior work and keep a copy of the approved proposal. If a contractor later proposes a different material, layout or color, residents should check whether the change requires another review. Undertaking work without the required permission may result in compliance issues, added expense and a need to alter or remove work that does not satisfy the neighborhood's requirements. No particular fine or enforcement deadline is assumed here; those depend on the governing documents and the facts of the violation.

ARC approval also does not replace applicable building permits, easement restrictions, safety rules or contractor obligations. For Bluestem homeowners, the most useful first move is simple: review the posted ARC application and confirm its current applicability, gather the project-specific materials and fee confirmation, and seek clarification before work begins if any requirement is unclear.

By Johnny Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Johnny Krenek has been connected to community news since childhood, growing up alongside the family business his parents founded—Krenek Printing. Today, he serves as Vice President and lead developer for My Neighborhood News, where he drives the digital experience and supports the team across a variety of technical and operational roles. He is passionate about building tools that help connect neighbors and strengthen communities.

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