SWS2 HOA

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Description	On Tue, Aug 12, 2025 at 8:35 AM Tom Ronksley <tironksley@yahoo.com> wrote: Hi Don My neighbor Tim Coleman asked me if the POA would permit a "garden structure" that he saw at an Expo show. Attached is a flyer on what he's asking about. He says there are better pictures at the website shown on the flyer. The structure is basically a cedar-constructed greenhouse with nylon netting instead of plastic or glass. Inside he'd have raised beds also made of cedar. The netting has large enough openings to allow bees and insects in but keep critters out. The structure would replace his current garden in his yard between the house and lake. Per the following paragraph from our Bylaws it looks to me like this would NOT be an allowed structure. But maybe something I don't see would allow it. 5.6: All structures must be of substantial construction and all exterior walls, facia, trim and rail materials must be of a natural wood siding, stucco, stone, brick, or vinyl-siding of no less than .038 mil. Under no circumstance shall T1-11 or aluminum siding be approved for any structure. What do you think? - Tom
Final Disposition	Resident removed application request.
Comments	Ok, thanks for the update. On Sat, Aug 16, 2025 at 1:51 PM Tom Ronksley <tironksley@yahoo.com> wrote: Just talked to Coach. He half-expected our answer so no problem. He said the guy selling the structures warned Coach that he's had customer whose HOAs would not allow his structure, so we're not alone. - Tom On Friday, August 15, 2025 at 01:24:37 PM EDT, Gary Easton <garyeaston@gmail.com> wrote: Sounds good, thanks! On Fri, Aug 15, 2025 at 1:22 PM Tom Ronksley <tironksley@yahoo.com> wrote: I doubt that Coach will want to submit the Application just to get it Disapproved. Let me share with him that we would deny the Application based on Section 5.6 and see where it goes. Never know with Coach. Tom On Friday, August 15, 2025 at 12:35:55 PM EDT, Gary Easton <garyeaston@gmail.com> wrote: All, The best course of action for denial would be to reference Section 5.6 as everyone agrees that plastic netting does not fit the meaning of "substantial construction". Tim will need to submit a signed Construction Application and Agreement form to start the disapproval process. Don F., can you please take care of getting Tim that form? Thanks. B/R, Gary On Thu, Aug 14, 2025 at 11:33 PM Don Fronczak <fivezaks@verizon.net> wrote: Would need to confirm with Spotzy which would be on Tim. But I don't believe "zoning approval" means re-zoning from residential to agricultural. I suspect it's a review to ensure placement location meets county requirements. If we are to deny it, we need to be able definitively point to specific paragraphs as the reason The challenge is that there is ambiguity in interpretation of the two paragraphs in question. (5.6 and shed paragraphs). County is vague on whether a netted garden is considered a shed, something Tim should be determining. 5.6 calls for "substantial" construction, whatever that means and goes on to describe the types of materials allowed on exterior walls, which this structure, in reality, does not have. So we have a conundrum. Don F Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Ephesians 4:2 (NLT) > On Aug 14, 2025, at 7:33 PM, Gary Easton <garyeaston@gmail.com> wrote: > > > Maybe if the greenhouse is large enough to warrant having the land re-zoned from residential to agricultural????? Just a guess The folks at Spotsy would have to explain that. > > On Thu, Aug 14, 2025 at 5:16 PM Tom Ronksley <tironksley@yahoo.com> wrote: > > I don't see any issues with the cedar raised planters by themselves. We have some that are plastic for flowers. Coach would not want those by themselves, though, it's the netted structure around them that he wants. > > How does the need for "zoning approval" apply in this case? > > Tom > > On Thursday, August 14, 2025 at 11:53:19 AM EDT, Don Fronczak <fivezaks@verizon.net> wrote: > > > https://www.spotsylvania.va.us/FAQ.aspx?QID=499 > > <image0.png> > <image1.png> > <image2.png> > > Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. > > Ephesians 4:2 (NLT) > >> On Aug 14, 2025, at 10:53 AM, Gary Easton <garyeaston@gmail.com> wrote: >> >> >> No >> >> On Thu, Aug 14, 2025 at 10:52 AM Don Fronczak <fivezaks@verizon.net> wrote: >> >> LOL, I guess concrete makes it a "substantial" structure. >> >> Does Teresa have netting? >> >> Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. >> >> Ephesians 4:2 (NLT) >> >>> On Aug 14, 2025, at 10:19 AM, Gary Easton <garyeaston@gmail.com> wrote: >>> >>> >>> I did a little digging on the Internet, and discovered that greenhouses may fall under the auspices of being classified as a shed, and sheds aren’t allowed. And, being classified as a shed, Virginia, may require a building permit. It would be best if coach reached out to that company and see what they say. >>> >>> As far as the raised cedar beds, they exist in our development already in another form, but they’re not cedar, they are concrete block. Our neighbor Teresa has at least one of these concrete block raised beds at their home. >>> >>> >>> >>> On Thu, Aug 14, 2025 at 10:06 AM Don Fronczak <fivezaks@verizon.net> wrote: >>> >>> I guess it could also be denied under 5.6 because it doesn't meet the "must be of substantial construction" clause >>> >>> What are everyone's thoughts on Gary's suggestion of cedar boxes only? >>> >>> >>> R, >>> Don >>> >>> Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. >>> >>> Ephesians 4:2 (NLT) >>> >>>> On Aug 13, 2025, at 9:29 PM, Don Fronczak <fivezaks@verizon.net> wrote: >>>> >>>> Oops, accidentally hit send. One other item. I seriously doubt a temporary structure like this would require a county permit unless it's in the RPA >>>> >>>> Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. >>>> >>>> Ephesians 4:2 (NLT) >>>> >>>>> On Aug 13, 2025, at 9:24 PM, Don Fronczak <fivezaks@verizon.net> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> Here are some of my thoughts. >>>>> >>>>> I could see an interpretation of paragraph 5.6 that could be interpreted in a way to deny the request. Specifically, the walls are a netting material which is not one of the materials listed in Para 5.6. >>>>> >>>>> However, I think 5.6 was meant more for permanent structures. Not sure I'd consider this a permanent structure. It's a couple of wooden boxes, wooden posts and some netting. Easily removable. However, even if we consider it permanent, there are several permanent structures within the community that don't meet paragraph 5.6 specifications. I.e., gazebos. >>>>> >>>>> Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. >>>>> >>>>> Ephesians 4:2 (NLT) >>>>> >>>>>> On Aug 13, 2025, at 11:32 AM, Tom Ronksley <tironksley@yahoo.com> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Gary - >>>>>> >>>>>> Size would be about the same as a one-car garage >>>>>> >>>>>> Yes, would abide by the setback distances. >>>>>> >>>>>> In my opinion, there's a good reason for that paragraph 5.6 in the bylaws. A temporary type of structure like a greenhouse or what Coach is asking about can more easily turn shabby looking than a permanent structure that someone has more invested in. So as his neighbor I would not be in favor of it. >>>>>> >>>>>> I don't know if it would require a County building permit or not. >>>>>> >>>>>> Coach was just asking informally before getting more serious about pricing and doing the Application so I can just pass on to him our opinions once Don weighs in. >>>>>> >>>>>> - Tom >>>>>> >>>>>> On Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at 09:45:15 AM EDT, Gary Easton <garyeaston@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Hi Tom, >>>>>> How big is this greenhouse? Would it's location bide by the property setback distances? What's your feeling on this because you are his direct neighbor? And the Gilbert's on the other side, they would have to be contacted for their opinion. Will he need a Spotsylvania County building permit? >>>>>> >>>>>> Also, Coach would have to submit a Construction Application & Agreement >>>>>> >>>>>> 1.6: Upon receipt of the Construction Application and Agreement, including all required attachments, the Committee shall review the Application and report its finding to the Applicant within twenty-one (21) calendar days it is in receipt thereof. The proposed construction or improvement shall be reviewed for full compliance of these Protective Restrictions and Covenants. In the event approval is denied, the Committee shall state the reasons for denial and shall offer its recommendations for compliance and subsequent approval. Following written approval of an Application by the Committee, the Committee shall return one set of the attachments to the Applicant and shall deliver a copy of such written approval to the Spotsylvania County Building Department. Following issuance of an official Building Permit, as issued by the County Building Department, Applicant shall provide the Committee with a copy thereof for the association files. >>>>>> >>>>>> My opinion is Tom is correct in his thinking regarding the POA rules. If it was just a few elevated cedar beds, I would be ok with that But, being a greenhouse, I'd vote NO. >>>>>> >>>>>> Tom, do you want to pose these questions to Coach informally to see if he wants to pursue this, or do you want Don C. to assemble and send these documents to him via USPS? For an approval or denial, it has to be in writing......... >>>>>> >>>>>> Don F., your comments?

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