Planning a Summer Home Project in Bluestem? What Residents Should Know Before Exterior Work Begins
Summer often brings a renewed interest in home projects, from replacing a weathered fence to creating a more comfortable backyard gathering space. For Bluestem residents, however, the first step in many exterior improvements happens before materials are purchased or contractors begin work.
Homeowners planning changes that affect the outside appearance of their property must submit a written request to the Architectural Review Committee, commonly called the ARC, and receive approval before starting the project.
The review process is intended to protect homeowners’ property rights and help maintain the community’s established appearance and standards. Beginning an exterior modification without approval could result in the homeowner being asked to remove the improvement.
Which Bluestem Home Projects Require ARC Approval?
The application covers a wide range of exterior home improvements, including projects that may be especially popular during the summer months.
Tier I projects carry a $50 nonrefundable application fee and include replacing or updating doors, fences, gates, roofs, gutters, siding, exterior paint, windows and shutters. Landscaping projects, including plant additions, removals, fountains, yard art, French drains and irrigation work, also fall within the $50 tier.
Tier II applications cost $100 and generally apply to removable structures, including outdoor storage buildings and play structures.
Tier III projects carry a $150 application fee and include permanent improvements such as driveway or sidewalk extensions, generators, flagpoles, outdoor kitchens, patios, pergolas, lanais, in-ground pools, spas, room additions and solar panels.
Only one project may be submitted with each application.
What Documents Should Homeowners Include?
A complete Bluestem ARC application generally requires more than a description of the proposed work. Depending on the project, homeowners may need to provide a materials list, manufacturer specifications, dimensions, photographs, design renderings and an engineered lot survey showing where the improvement will be located.
Exterior painting applications should identify the proposed colors for the home’s main body, trim, front door, garage door and shutters. Fence and gate applications should include the proposed location, dimensions and materials.
Landscaping applications should include a survey marking the proposed changes, along with the plant species, sizes, materials and a photograph or design rendering.
Permanent and removable structures require similar documentation, including a survey, specifications, materials and dimensions. Room additions require architectural and engineering plans.
Pool applications require additional details, including the pool’s location, equipment placement, drainage route, property access point and the distances between the pool decking and surrounding fences. Pool installations also require architectural and engineering plans and a $1,000 refundable deposit.
Complete Applications Can Help Prevent Delays
Residents planning a summer exterior project may want to allow enough time for the full review process before scheduling contractors or deliveries.
Applications that do not contain all required information may be delayed and can be automatically denied. When an application is determined to be incomplete, the homeowner will be notified of the missing information and given 10 business days to provide it.
If the requested documents are not submitted within that period, the application will be denied. A new application fee would then be required for another submission.
Homeowners can also request an expedited review within 10 business days by paying an additional $200 expedited review fee.
CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION FORM
How to Pay the Application Fee
Application fees, deposits and expedited review fees can be paid through the homeowner’s Vantaca portal or through Alliance Association Bank’s online payment system.
A copy of each payment confirmation should be included with the completed application. Homeowners paying multiple fee types, such as an application fee and a pool deposit, should submit confirmation for each separate payment.
Approval Does Not Replace Permits or Local Requirements
ARC approval addresses the community’s architectural standards, but it does not replace permits, inspections, building codes or other governmental requirements.
Bluestem homeowners remain responsible for confirming that their projects comply with all applicable ordinances, codes and permit requirements. Work should not begin until written ARC approval has been received.
For families hoping to complete a patio, landscaping upgrade, pool installation or other exterior home project before summer ends, submitting a detailed and complete application early can help keep the process moving and reduce the risk of avoidable delays.
Residents should review the full application carefully before submitting their plans and stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for additional Bluestem community updates and homeowner resources.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
