During last year’s fiscal season, your board of directors identified places within design review process that can be improved to create efficiencies for the association. They directed your Cohere community life team to develop a design review application fee schedule.
At the March 12 board of directors meeting, your board of directors approved proposed changes to the design review fee structure. The proposed changes are available for member review and comment and will go through final adoption and review at the next general board of directors meeting. Read about the adoption process in this blog post.
What's changing?
If the board moves to adopt the proposed revised policy, fees for design review applications change effective July 1, 2025. Residents incur no fee for the first rear yard modification application submitted. Keep in mind, the rear yard modification does not include deck extensions and must be completed within six months of close of escrow per the Delta Coves governing documents.
Other application fees range from $25 to $1600 depending on the type of design review application being submitted.
Why are there changes?
DCMC contracts an architectural consultant to review and advise on all exterior modifications to ensure compliance with DCMC’s Residential Design Guidelines. This expert ensures the changes will not impact the visual appeal of your home, the homes around you, and the Delta. The new design review fees help offset some of those costs, reducing future impact on association dues.
Why are the dock and deck applications significantly higher than the other fees?
DMB Development — Delta Coves’ master developer — requires insurance review by a qualified agent, day of observation by a professional biologist and representative of the developer, and a post construction review. Current guidelines charge per pile for dock and deck observation fees. Under the proposed revisions this per pile fee changes to a per day fee for deck and dock observation — as outlined within the Lagoon Construction Policy. Building a dock or deck? Read up on the proposed lagoon construction policy changes.
What can residents do to keep their costs minimal?
For starters, residents can submit their rear-yard landscaping application within the six-month period required by the DCMC governing documents. Additionally, completing similar work at once limits the number of applications submitted (i.e. the entire rear yard instead of doing construction in phases). Finally, submitting a complete application lessens the possibility of being denied or having to resubmit with updates.
How can I provide feedback on proposed policy changes?
Residents may submit feedback for proposed policy changes in two places:
- On the proposed rule change page through the online comment deadline.
- In person at the next general board meeting during the member comment period.