Community Updates

Storm Damage

Many of us woke up to broken fences and perhaps some roof damage. Homeowners need to be aware of and follow the HOA Guidelines when making repairs.

Please read the following BEFORE you begin your repairs!

The pertinent sections of the current ACC Guidelines for cedar fencing are: 12.1.0 General; and 12.2.0 Wood Perimeter Fencing. Once the emergency fence replacement is completed homeowners must submit a fence application so that there is a record of the fence replacement in their file. Note, the pickets must be cedar, not cedar-colored wood, or pine.

Minor and emergency roof repairs do not require specific MC approval, but can only be temporary. Final, permanent repairs must meet Guidelines as specified in Section 1.10.0 of the current ACC Guidelines.

Here is the link to the current ACC Guidelines: https://www.crest-management.com/Communities/CommonWealth-Civic-Association Scroll down under the Governing Documents to the Architectural Guidelines and click on the “+”.

Here is the link for online modification applications: https://crest-management.com/EMRLogin?ReturnUrl=%2FPortal%2FHomeownerDashboard

Here are the pertinent sections of the current ACC Guidelines covering roofs and wood perimeter fences.

1.10.0 Masonry and Roof

1.10.1 The exterior finish of each residential unit shall be at least fifty-one percent (51%) brick, stone, or other masonry. The garage shall be excluded in computing this percentage.

1.10.2 All residential units and garages shall be roofed with composition shingles and no roof shall be composed of wooden shingles.

1.10.3 Composition shingles must weigh at least 230# per square and have a stated warranty of at least 25 years. Shingles must have a laminated design. Three-tab shingles are specifically prohibited except for use as a starter and cap rows.

1.10.4 Acceptable colors are weathered wood or black. A manufacturer’s brochure with samples of roof colors must be submitted to the MC indicating the shingle weight, warranty and color. If a brochure with roof samples is not available, an 8”X10” sample must be submitted in addition to the brochure/information regarding the shingles.

Samples submitted with applications will be checked against reference shingles kept in the Clubhouse. If the sample closely resembles the color of a black or weathered wood reference shingle it will be considered for approval.

1.10.5 All roofing must be maintained in such a fashion that it does not detract from the neighborhood. Minor and emergency repairs do not require specific MC approval, but can only be temporary. Final, permanent repairs must meet Guidelines.

1.10.6 All roofs must meet any applicable Government codes and it is the property owner’s responsibility to insure they do so. Additionally, any permits and contractor registrations are the property owner’s responsibility and must be obtained prior to beginning work.

1.10.7 Ridge venting is encouraged to improve ventilation, reduce attic temperature and reduce cooling costs, but is not required.

1.10.8 “Alternate shingles” will be considered and may be approved by the MC in advance of installation. Such shingles must be designed primarily to provide heating or cooling efficiencies greater than conventional composition shingles, provide solar energy capture capabilities, or provide enhanced storm resistance. Once installed, any such shingles must resemble the shingles used or approved to be used on other structures within the Association, be more durable than and of equal or superior quality to the shingles used or authorized to be used on other structures within the Association, and match the aesthetics of properties surrounding the owner’s property.

12.2.0 Wood Perimeter Fencing

12.2.1 Materials permitted:

-Pickets – 1X6 Cedar, clear or #1 grade with relatively few tight knots, dog eared; fastened with galvanized nails

-Posts – 4X4 treated yellow pine

-Rails – 2X4 treated yellow pine; three (3) rail construction required.

-Rot Board (optional) – single, 1X6 treated yellow pine or 2X6 treated yellow pine with a beveled edge. If rot board option is selected, it must be installed along entire side of any lot line perimeter fence subject to public view. Individual panels being replaced using rot boards are not permitted.

12.2.2 Dimensions

-Finished fence must be six feet (6’) in height, with or without rot board

-Posts will be a maximum of eight feet (8’) apart

12.2.3 Other

-No painting, staining, or varnishing of wood perimeter fencing is permitted.

-Non pigmented wood sealant is not permitted.

-All cedar fencing visible from the street or common area shall have all pickets nailed on the street or common area side of fence.

-All cedar corner fences or fences which face restricted reserve shall have all pickets nailed to the “public” side of the fence.

-“Good Neighbor” fencing is defined as a shared fence characterized by alternating eight foot (8’) sections: pickets/pickets with rails and posts/pickets/pickets with rails and posts, etc.

-“Good Neighbor” fencing is permitted as a shared fence line for the side yards and back yards not visible to public view.

-The alignment of the top of the perimeter fences should parallel the natural/general slope of the lot. Minor ground level irregularities along perimeter fences subject to public view should be mitigated by adjusting picket length or adding soil fill.

-No trim boards are permitted. Fence must consist only of one (1) rot board and pickets or pickets only.

-All fence posts must be set in concrete.

-Non pigmented wood sealant is not permitted.

-All cedar fencing visible from the street or common area shall have all pickets nailed on the street or common area side of fence.

-All cedar corner fences or fences which face restricted reserve shall have all pickets nailed to the “public” side of the fence.

-“Good Neighbor” fencing is defined as a shared fence characterized by alternating eight foot (8’) sections: pickets/pickets with rails and posts/pickets/pickets with rails and posts, etc.

-“Good Neighbor” fencing is permitted as a shared fence line for the side yards and back yards not visible to public view.

-The alignment of the top of the perimeter fences should parallel the natural/general slope of the lot. Minor ground level irregularities along perimeter fences subject to public view should be mitigated by adjusting picket length or adding soil fill.

-No trim boards are permitted. Fence must consist only of one (1) rot board and pickets or pickets only.

-All fence posts must be set in concrete.

January 1, 2020

Several updates were made to the neighborhood last year to keep the Commonwealth looking fresh and attractive to current and prospective residents.

• The city has agreed to share the cost of installation of lighting at each of the ten monuments throughout The Commonwealth. (December 2019 – installation ongoing)
• Rim lighting at the Commonwealth Clubhouse and at the main building at the Briarwood Pool. (November 2019)
• Energy efficient LED lights installed inside and outside the Clubhouse. (October 2019)
• Tennis Court reservation system came online. (October 2019)
• Replaced dead and missing landscaping throughout the community (September 2019)
• Replace a picnic table, two benches and two trash cans in the green area opposite the Briarwood playground (September 2019 – installation ongoing)
• Replaced two thermostats for the Clubhouse (September 2019)
• Replaced five broken umbrellas at Briarwood Pool (July 2019)
• Installed new bike rack at the Briarwood Pool (July 2019)
• Removed dead wood on trees throughout the community (July 2019)
• Installed new alarm system at the Clubhouse (June 2019)

In The Pipeline!

• New monument for Sutton Forest subdivision
• Planting 30 live oak trees that Fort Bend County is giving to The Commonwealth
• Upgrades to tennis court lighting (both courts)
• Updates to the Commonwealth Clubhouse
• Stocksbridge Bridge repair
• Clean the pool restrooms weekly starting March 2020
• Replace Briarwood Pool drinking fountain