FOOD TRUCKS! Updates from HOA.

Purpose

The purpose of the Yard of the Month (YTOM) Program is to promote goodwill and reward exemplary lawn and property maintenance in the Riverbrooke neighborhood. The Program will recognize and support Riverbrooke neighbors who demonstrate exceptional efforts to maintain and improve their property in a manner that contributes to the overall appearance of the community at large.

General Criteria

Yard of the Month candidates will be judged solely on the total exterior appearance of their property and front yard as viewed from the street. General upkeep of the yard and property is paramount.

Guidelines

1. The program will be managed by a Yard of the Month Committee of volunteers chaired by a Director who will Chair the Committee and oversee the program. (Until we get a volunteer to chair the committee, the board will chair the committee and judge the yards.)

2. All current Riverbrooke properties are automatically eligible by default.

3. Award winners are selected based on the judging criteria, factors and guidelines listed on this document.

4. The upkeep of the yard can reflect the efforts of the residents themselves or that of a professional landscaper or groundskeeper.

5. An award duration term is approximately a single calendar month and runs until the following month winner has been notified. Durations may vary due to judging schedules and holidays.

6. Recipients receiving awards in the middle of the month shall be asked to surrender the “Yard of the Month” sign once the following month winner has been selected.

7. The same property cannot receive more than one award in the same rolling twelve-month calendar period. At least 12 months must elapse between awards for the same yard.

8. No more than one Yard of the Month recipient will be selected in a single month.

9. Yard of the Month winners must be current with their Association dues.

10. Winners may be disqualified if their property is in violation of any HOA covenants.

11. While an individual's home is being recognized as a Riverbrooke "Yard of the Month," they are expected to maintain their yard in the same manner that allowed them to win the title.

12. Winners must be willing to have photos of their yard taken and published in the Riverbrooke’s Newsletter, Facebook page, and on the Yard of the Month page of the HOA website.

General Judging Factors

With the exception of October (Halloween) and December (Christmas), factors include the overall appearance, tidiness and neatness of the front of the property as evidenced by pruned, trimmed and shaped foliage, edged and defined lawns, borders & flowerbeds, and a visually appealing facade. Judges will utilize the following factors when selecting Yard of the Month candidates:

a. Yard Maintenance

(1) Healthy lawn, neatly mowed and edged

(2) Pruned and trimmed shrubs and trees

(3) Healthy, living plants

(4) Minimum weeds in flowerbeds

(5) Yard free of debris and clutter

(6) Driveway free of oil and other stains

(7) Buildings, fences, porches, and patios on the property are in good repair

(8) Mailbox painted and numbers are displayed uniformity

b. Design and Landscaping

(1) Use of color and texture

(2) Creative, unique curb appeal

(3) Balance appropriate to house and lot size

(4) Overall aesthetic appeal

(5) Pleasing appearance making the property an asset to the community

October and December Criteria

Holiday Yard of the Month candidates for October (Halloween decorations) and December (Christmas decorations) will be judged solely on the total exterior appearance of their property and front yard as viewed from the street after sunset.

October and Christmas Judging Factors

Factors for October and December include the overall appearance of the decorations on the front of the property, overall level of holiday enthusiasm, aesthetic layout and balance, degree of incorporation of the property and structure, and the use of appropriate holiday display items. Judges will utilize the following factors when selecting Holiday Yard of the Month candidates:

a. Design

(1) Use of color and texture

(2) Creative, unique curb appeal

(3) Balance appropriate to house and lot size

(4) Overall aesthetic appeal

(5) Pleasing appearance making the property an asset to the community

b. Holiday Spirit

(1) Use of materials – lights, sounds, inflatables, figures, etc.

(2) Creative use of holiday imagery and symbols

(3) Unique, inventive and thoughtful layout

Nominations

Hopefully the majority of the nominations will come from neighbors, however you may nominate yourself. The board members can also nominate yards. Once all nomination are received, the judges will score the yards based on the above criteria or factors. Send all nomination to rbjsuwanee@gmail.com or go to www.riverbrookeofsuwanee.com/contact-us with full street address.

Award Schedule

Award winners will generally be selected as close to the beginning of the month as possible. The exceptions to this will be September through December to accommodate the Halloween and Christmas holidays. October YOTM will be awarded approximately seven days before the Halloween holiday. December YOTM will be awarded approximately seven days before the Christmas holiday. This will allow time for all neighbors to have decorations in place before the YOTM candidates are selected.

Month Approximate Prize

Date of Award

May First Week $50 Gift Card

June First Week $50 Gift Card

July First Week $50 Gift Card

August First Week $50 Gift Card

September First Week $50 Gift Card

October Third Week $50 Gift Card

December Third Week $50 Gift Card

Awards

All award winner receive an official “Yard of the Month” lawn-sign, to be placed on their property for the duration of their award as well as a gift card of $50. Winner will receive a write-up in the Riverbrooke Newsletter, Riverbrooke Facebook and on the Yard of the Month page of the HOA website.

The Riverbrooke HOA congratulates all “Yard of the Month” award selections and encourages all neighbors to join the efforts of these homeowner’s in keeping their yards and homes beautiful.

Judging *

All residents of the Riverbrooke neighborhood are eligible to be Yard of the Month Volunteer Judges. The Yard of the Month Committee Chair (Director) will serve as a Judge or will designate the Volunteer Judges a month(s) for which they will select and nominate two to three candidates as potential winners.

1. Judges will utilize the Criteria, Factors and Guidelines within in this document to select Yard of the Month candidates.

2. The Chair (Director) will communicate with the current Management Company Representative to ascertain whether any of their candidates are delinquent in their Association dues or are in violation of any covenants or regulations.

3. Judges will advise the Yard of the Month Committee Chair of their selection prior to notifying the homeowner/resident. Judges’ decisions are final following review by the Chair for eligibility.

4. Volunteer Judges will provide the Yard of the Month Committee Chair with the following:

(a) Names of the residents of the property.

(b) Three to five photographs of the yard suitable for Newsletter and website publication.

(c) A short narrative describing the yard and what makes it deserving of the Yard of the Month award.

Summary

The Riverbrooke Homeowners Association is dedicated to improving the quality of living and appearance of our community. We encourage residents to take pride in their homes and neighborhood. In turn, we look to celebrate those who do a superior job in maintaining their yards in such a way that they enhance the overall curb appeal of the entire community.

*Until we get a volunteer to chair the committee, the board will chair the committee and judge the yards.

Very Respectfully,

Your HOA Board Members