Before we get to the nuts and bolts of Design Review, stop for a moment and think back to the first time you drove through Verrado. What did you fall in love with? Was it the beautiful tree-lined streets? The uniquely designed parks around almost every corner? The variety of architectural styles among the homes?

Chances are, whatever it was you fell in love with, you realized pretty quickly that Verrado had a distinct look and an unmistakable sense of community.

Now fast forward 10, 20, even 30 years from now. What do you hope to see when you drive through your community?

Here’s where Design Review comes into play.

In short, Design Review maintains today and for many years to come, the Verrado quality and community you fell in love with.

The individuality of your home is key to neighborhood character, but let’s face it, we all have different tastes and styles. The Design Review process provides consistency in the quality of all exterior home modifications, emphasizes the natural characteristics of the area, and supports the community vision.

“The vision of Verrado is based on the enduring and time-tested design principles that have created small towns across America. We call them ‘town-building principles,'” says JT Elbracht, an architect and the Verrado Community Association’s Design Review consultant. “For example, the homes at Verrado are designed to reflect the authentic historic-based architectural styles used in this region, yet with the conveniences and technologies of the 21st century. These charming architectural styles, combined with the tree-lined streets and neighborhood parks, give Verrado the character and life of a traditional small town. It is this unique character that makes Verrado distinctive.”

Design Review not only maintains the vision of Verrado, it also protects your home investment. The standards at Verrado are deliberately high to help preserve the value of your home. Elbracht says, “The design guidelines were created and are administered to ensure the community grows with the ever-elusive feel of timelessness.”

So here’s the scoop; if you want to make additions, modifications, or improvements to the outside of your house, you will need to get prior approval from the Design Review Committee (DRC). Exterior modifications include landscaping, a pool, shade structure, solar panels, sun screens, a security door, storage sheds, and outdoor lighting, to name a few.

It’s a collaborative process. The DRC works in partnership with residents to make the experience as smooth as possible for you.

Here are a few tips to consider before you submit a Design Review application:

• Review the Residential Design Guidelines first, even if your vendor feels confident s/he knows them. Then contact the Verrado Community Association if you still have questions. Reviewing the guidelines will give you more realistic expectations when working with your vendor. Even if your modification meets the guidelines, you still need review and approval from the DRC before you begin any work.
• Don’t assume you can make a modification just because someone else did. You may have noticed your neighbor made an exterior modification, but that doesn’t mean it was approved nor that it will work for your home.
• Plan a realistic timeline with your vendor. The DRC typically meets every Monday and has 30 days from the date a completed application is submitted to review and provide a written response to the homeowner. Complete, clear, and thorough applications can be returned much sooner.
• It’s much easier to go through the Design Review process before you make a modification. We have had the unfortunate experience of residents making a modification based on the design guidelines, then having to remove the modification at their own expense.

The Design Review process is really about finding that sweet spot where personalizing your home intersects with the established design guidelines and the greater vision of Verrado.

Your Design Review one-stop-shop is on the Verrado website:

1. Start by checking out the Design Review webpage.
2. Read the Residential Design Guidelines. (Save time! The guidelines are searchable by key term.)
3. Fill out a Design Review application.

Questions? Contact the Verrado Community Association.