MAACC FAQ

Whether you are a member of the Mesa Antero Property Owner’s Association (MAPOA) or not, ANY exterior architectural modification or any structural change must have prior written approval from Mesa Antero Architectural Committee (MAACC). You should note that this approval process generally may take up to thirty days, but in many cases can be reviewed and approved quicker through email. It is highly advisable to not schedule any construction work or purchase any equipment until written approval has been received.

An architectural modification is any change made to the exterior of a home, such as: painting your home a different color, replacing your roof, planting trees, or adding a screened porch, just to name a few.

Most importantly, Mesa Antero needs a basis for treating all homeowners fairly and reasonably. Written guidelines allow homeowners and the MAACC to work from the same criteria. The MAACC wants the paperwork to be as simple as possible for everyone. Guidelines take the guesswork out of the application and MAACC’s decision making. In fact, guidelines not only provide criteria for the current committee to make appropriate decisions, but for successive committee members to make consistent decisions in the future. Without guidelines, applications approved today may result in things deemed unacceptable by new committee members in the future.

Plans must be clear, complete, drawn to scale and prepared in accordance with applicable building codes. Plans shall show all dimensions, sizes, materials, finish colors, plant species, drainage, grading, etc. to provide a full representation of the proposed improvement. Plans must be submitted with the appropriate Major or Minor Application form.

Failure to submit the required plans and application and to obtain the necessary approval from MAACC – for any alteration, modification, or new construction – may constitute a violation of the CC&Rs. Such violation could result in the Association’s requiring the modification or removal of the work (regardless of whether it has been completed) at the expense of the owner. All residents have the right and the responsibility to bring to the attention of the Architectural Committee any violations of any provision or standard that the Association’s Board of Directors or the Committee has adopted.

BE AWARE: If a homeowner fails to submit an application or submits an application after the initiation of a project, they will be required to cease work on the project; file an MAACC Request for Modification, along with a non-refundable LATE FEE of $150.00 per project; and not resume work until approval is granted and the MAACC issues a letter approving the request for architectural change.

The Mesa Antero MAACC committee is a board of volunteers who are responsible for maintaining the aesthetic and structural integrity of the association. The purpose of a review committee is to administer the community’s guidelines by overseeing changes and modifications to property through an application and appeal process designed to balance the interests of individual homeowners and the community, ensuring that guidelines are met, and property values are protected. Ultimately, the review committee has a duty to put the interests of our Mesa Antero community above the interest of individual homeowner members.

While it may seem arbitrary from an individual homeowner’s standpoint, the MAACC looks out for the entire community. Aside from stopping residents from painting pink polka dots on their houses, MAACC’s job is to make sure that the size and style of the project, the type of building materials being used, and the overall look of the new structure all conform to the harmony of Mesa Antero’s design requirements and style.

Not only does this keep the community looking cohesive, but it also helps to keep property values up by preventing individual structures from standing out. It’s also important to note that unapproved projects might legally have to be removed/redone at the owners’ expense, so it’s better to just have approval in the first place.

So, when a homeowner is ready to start a new project, or if the design of a current project changes midway through, plans must be sent to MAACC first to make sure they’re in compliance with the Association’s design standards. If MAACC does find any issues, they will let the homeowner know and try to help come up with other options.

The Mesa Antero Property Owner’s Association appreciates all the hard work residents do to make their homes and community beautiful. Keeping MAACC in the loop keeps the Mesa Antero looking great!

Mesa Antero’s governing documents with regard to architectural oversight and controls can be reviewed in their entirety at: https://mesaanteroacc.org/index.php/filing-covenants/ . You may also find them on the MAPOA website as well. Soon, all our websites will be integrated into one location to make finding documentation and submitting requests easier.

Please note that separate from our Bylaws, Covenants, Conditions, Restrictions and Easements, Mesa Antero maintains Rules & Regulations that have an impact on what MAACC reviews as well.

A key focus of the MAACC Mission is:

MAACC exists to help Mesa Antero Residents build and live in their dream homes. To this end, the MAACC strives to ensure no improvements; including, by way of example and not of limitation, accessory structures, exterior lighting fixtures, brick pavers, stamped concrete, concrete flatwork, buildings, fences (including invisible fencing), walls, greenhouses, roofs, gutters or rain collection and down-spouts, antennae, aerials, microwaves, satellite reception devices, external enclosures (including entry screen and patio screen enclosures), or landscaping (including hedges, trees  and massed plantings) shall be commenced, erected, installed, altered, modified, painted, planted, or maintained on the Mesa Antero properties, including the Lots, nor shall any canopy, shutters, or window coverings be attached to or placed upon outside walls or roofs of any Home or building by any Owner other than Declarant without the approval of the MAACC.

Step 1:  Do your research 

Before you start planning your renovations, take a look at the Covenants for your filing. This will help you understand what guidelines and restrictions exist before you bring your written request to the MAACC. You can find the Covenants here: https://mesaanteroacc.org/index.php/filing-covenants/

Step 2:   Meet with an architect or designer

We highly recommend you sit down and go over the filing’s Covenants with an licensed architect or designer before submitting your proposal. Highlight the sections that relate to your plans to make sure your design falls within the guidelines from the beginning.

Step 3:  Submit Your Application for Major or Minor Improvements 

This should be completed and sent to the board@MesaAnteroMAACC with the appropriate fee and completed request. Your friendly neighborhood MAACC will make sure everything is in order and schedule a meeting (either online or in-person, for review and approval.

Please note: While the guidelines may appear to be open to interpretation, in order to preserve the overall desired look of the community, they must be followed explicitly. Even if you think your plan doesn’t seem like it entails a big change, your neighbors and potential buyers may not have the same opinion. Variances are only allowed under extreme conditions. Homeowners have a right to appeal an MAACC decision and may do so by contacting the Board within 30-45 days after the Board issues its decision based on the recommendation of MAACC. 

Step 4:  Speak with your neighbors

Each situation is unique, but it may be a good idea to talk to someone who’s gone through this process before. They might have insight into what did and didn’t work with the MAACC. We encourage the process of meeting your neighbors to discuss your project with them. This goes a long way in the approval process and continues to generate goodwill and neighborliness within our community.

Step 5:  Be patient!

The MAACC meets regularly to discuss and review applications for architectural modifications and, like you, we live in Mesa Antero and want to make sure it develops as beautifully as possible. We are volunteering our time to ensure our community maintains its beauty and evolves with the times. If your request gets approved, tabled for further review, or even denied, take it in stride. Try to work with the committee to amend your proposal for acceptance.