High Desert Residential Owners Association Website

What is the Modifications Committee and How Does it Work?

By Valerie Truijillo, Modifications Committee Chair

Now that High Desert Investment Corporation (HDIC) is transitioning to its new location on the west side and our High Desert Homeowners Board of Directors is functioning as a resident board, other responsibilities are changing too. The time has come for forming our own Modifications Committee to process requests for modifications, additions or alterations to existing homes.

HDIC’s “New Construction Committee” used to take care of these requests. Now this responsibility is moving over to the Modifications Committee (MC) which is composed entirely of High Desert owners. The New Construction Committee will still handle new homes being built, at least for now. Changes to existing structures will fall to the Modifications Committee.

Why do we need a Modifications Committee?
This committee is charged with the responsibility to maintain the development, architectural and design guidelines that have been in place since each of us came to High Desert. We have appreciated this beautiful place where we live and it is the Modifications Committee’s task to ensure that any changes are designed and implemented using those same guidelines. Preserving the aesthetic character and values of the High Desert properties is a considerable challenge and one that the committee is taking seriously. Without the MC reviewing modifications, unapproved structural changes could easily begin to create much different neighborhoods.

What has the Modification Committee been doing?
The MC began its work on March 31, 2005 and has been meeting regularly since then--at first every two weeks, and now monthly. Click on the menu buttons to the left to view recent committee actions.

How does the MC decide which proposals to approve and which ones to deny?
The easy answer to that question is the MC follows the “High Desert Guidelines for Sustainability.” However, these guidelines are fairly complex. Each village has unique requirements written in the guidelines. Sometimes specific lots are even subject to definite requirements. On top of that there are unique expectations for estate, premier and builder areas. Added to this mix is the fact that some existing structures or landscaping elements have slipped by and actually do not comply with the guidelines. That presents its own challenges when a neighbor decides to propose a change like the one across the street and it is not in compliance.

That sounds way too complicated; how does the MC take action?
The process is fairly simple. If you want to make a change to your property, contact Property Manager David Janik at the HOAMCO office, 11005 Spain NE. The office location is in the Spain Professional Building, 11005 Spain NE, on the corner of Spain and Juan Tabo. The office phone number is 505-314-5862. Dave will provide you with a one-page application form describing what materials you need to provide the MC.

Residents must submit material by 5 p.m. on the first Friday of the month.

[(See the Events Calendar for dates.) Alternatively, you may click here to download the Modifications Committee Request Form online. Simple projects often can be explained right on this form. More complex projects require more information including elevations when structural additions or other major changes are proposed. Once these materials are received, the request is reviewed at the next MC meeting.

Modifications Committee meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at the High Desert office at the Spain Professional Building at 11005 Spain NE.

If information is not complete or a site visit is necessary, then the turnaround time could be a bit longer than normal. So you see, the process is generally easy and moves along quickly. Nevertheless, once in a while there is a “toughy” that requires considerable study by the MC.

Who are the members of the committee?
The Board of Directors has appointed four members to the Modifications Committee. Two of them are professional architects with considerable background in the field. Their expertise has been invaluable especially when drawings are submitted and projects are structural changes. Another member is a professional landscape designer who lends experience in that arena. The fourth member has substantial experience facilitating groups and working in policy-governed public entities. Each of these members is a property owner in High Desert and volunteers his/her time to serve on the committee. Their commitment to the high standards and wonderful environment of High Desert has led them to take on this considerable responsibility.

In addition, High Desert Investment Corp has provided the MC with some background on past interpretations of the Guidelines. During the first two months of the MC’s work, a member of the New Construction Committee attended several MC meetings to provide a historical perspective. This has given the MC the ability to provide continuity while at the same time understanding the rationale for previous decisions made when High Desert Investment Corp. (New Construction Committee) managed these requests.

Finally, our association’s management company (HOAMCO) is responsible for all records and preparing correspondence. David Janik, Community Association Manager for High Desert, is the HOAMCO representative and is the main contact for High Desert residents who are requesting action by the committee. You can contact David at the High Desert HOAMCO office at 505-314-5862 or e-mail him at david@hoamco.com.