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ARB Application Public Review

ARB NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

At the June 3, 2008, meeting of the Architectural Review Board (ARB), there will be a public hearing on the following topics: (1) Screening of recreational vehicles; (2) Fencing for backyards that abut to front yards; (3) Lockable mailboxes for townhouses and single-family homes.

Residents who would like to comment on these topics should plan to attend this meeting (Still Pond Community Center, 6:30 p.m.).

Energy-Saving Tips

Here are a few easy steps you can take to stay warm and keep your energy bills low —

Get a tune-up! … Just as you do with your car, to improve gas mileage and overall performance, a yearly tune-up of your heating and cooling equipment can improve its efficiency and performance — and offer you more “mileage” from your system. Now is the time to call a licensed HVAC professional to arrange for an annual visit to inspect and tune up your furnace.

Change your filters! … Replace or clean the air filter on your home heating system every single month to keep your system running efficiently and avoid wasting energy. Dirt and neglect are the No.1 cause of premature failure of heating and cooling equipment.

Let the fresh air in! … Take advantage of extended periods of time during the fall when it is not too hot or cold outside by giving your heating or cooling system a break and opening up the windows for a little fresh air. Heating and cooling your home amounts to about half of the average home’s annual energy costs!

More tips from EPA to save energy and help reduce your “carbon footprint” —

Sleep is good! … Check the sleep or “power management” settings on your computer’s CPU and monitor to ensure they go to sleep when you are not using your computer for more than 15 minutes.

Unplug it! … Make an effort to unplug battery chargers when not in use, turn home office equipment off from a power strip, and turn lights and ceiling fans off when no one is in the room. Many products use energy, even when turned off, if they are still plugged in. Small trickles of energy use in your home can drain your wallet — and waste our natural resources.

Beware of Blustery Winds

The blustery winds common during late fall and winter can create challenges during days of trash pickup. A single unsecured trash container can result in an entire neighborhood covered with newspapers, loose litter and other debris. With a little forethought, the amount of miscellaneous trash can be reduced resulting in “litter free” neighborhoods. To avoid a wind-blown mess on your street, follow these tips in preparing your trash and recyclables for weekly pickup.

-- The best possible trash container is a hard-sided unit with a tight lid attached to the container. When using containers, consider using bags inside them to allow for easy disposal and to minimize the scattering of trash.

-- Recyclables should be weighted down inside the container. Blustery winds can blow the lightweight plastic bottles and newspapers into neighboring yards.

-- Watch the weather reports and when high winds are predicted, wait until the morning of the scheduled pickup to place trash or recyclables at curbside.

Wildlife and Your Home

Every fall residents begin reporting more sightings of skunks, fox, ground hogs, mice and rats in the area. To help keep wildlife away from your home, the following tips from the Fairfax County Health Department may be helpful:

-- Remove attractants, such as garbage and pet food, from the vicinity of your house. (Place trash at your curb the morning of pickup instead of the night before).

-- Keep seeds and shells from bird feeders off the ground, as they attract rats.

-- Eliminate convenient den sites such as wood and rock piles, elevated sheds, openings under concrete slabs and porches, and access to crawl spaces under houses. Confirm that the animal has left the site before you block it, so you do not trap the animal.

-- If necessary, contact a local pest control company to remove the animal.

-- Remember, do not approach these animals. Let them move away from you and, if you notice abnormal behavior, please contact the local animal control  authorities at 703-691-2131. For removal, contact a local pest control company through the Yellow Pages. You may also contact the Health Department to report violators at 703-246-2300.

Real Estate Signs

Architectural Standards and Guidelines

The placement of directional, real estate signs will be allowed only on weekends and must be removed by sundown on Sunday evening. Front yard real estate signs must meet County regulations with respect to size, content and removal. Signs may only be placed on the front yard of the property and only one sign per property is allowed. All signs must be removed one week after verification of complete contract acceptance.

Window Air Conditioning Units

Please remember, air conditioning units extending from windows are prohibited. If additional cooling is needed in your house, additional ground air conditioning units may be added or relocated pending an approved ARB application. Applications are available at www.franklinfarm.org or at the Foundation office.

Equipment Storage

Architectural Standards and Guidelines

The storage of lawn equipment, snow removal equipments, barbeque grills, etc., is not permitted in the front or side of yard.  All such items must be stored either in the garage, approved storage shed or back yard screened form view of adjacent properties.  Decks and patios my be used for storage of items such as grills and outdoor lawn furniture, which are normally used in those locations.

Find Your Lot Number

Many forms for the Foundation require the lot number and section number of your house, as well as your Franklin Farm neighborhood.  A quick and easy tool has been developed for you to retrieve this information.  Check it out!

Architectural Review Board Information

Purpose

The Architectural Review Board shall ensure and maintain the architectural integrity and aesthetic qualities of homes, ensure that exterior alterations comply with the objectives set forth in the Covenants, and monitor issues and new initiatives that impact Franklin Farm’s Architectural Standards.

How to Join

Please contact ARB Chairman Teague Tolson.

Meeting Place and Time

We meet the first Tuesday of each month at the Still Pond Community Center at 6:30 p.m. There is also a mid-month review meeting each month -- date and time are listed under "Meeting Dates" above.  

The Franklin Farm Foundation - 12700 Franklin Farm Rd - Oak Hill, VA  20171
Phone:  703-620-6230     Fax:  703-620-9021     E-Mail:  foundation@franklinfarm.org
Map of Franklin Farm      Map of the foundation office at the above address

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