Forest Lake Estates - Sunset Lakes

Buying a lot in Forest Lake Estates?

Owner & Resident Resources

Design Review

Design Review Process – Forest Lake Estates

Having your home built in a Sunset Lakes Community will be an exciting and rewarding experience for you. Your residence represents a major investment. The quality of your home and your neighbour’s home will be very important to you, not only to protect your investment but also to maximize your overall enjoyment of your home and community.

The purpose of the Design Review Process is intended to ensure long-term community quality.

Designs acceptable will provide more architectural interest than usually found in tract-designed or production homes.

Designs for every home in a Sunset Lakes Community must be reviewed under the Design Review Process of the developer or its appointee and accepted before construction begins. It is not the intent of the Design Review Process to make judgments as to what is or is not beautiful or to unduly hamper or restrict the owner. Rather, the Review Process is intended to promote individual creativity, encourage owners to thoroughly plan their home and to allow for the coordination of architectural diversity to create a blend of home styles which enhance the neighbourhood. The Design Review Process is supplemental to the requirements outlined in the Covenants and Restrictions for each community which provide the legal basis for reviewing and accepting design proposals.

Design Review Procedure

Step 1: Review existing homes to get an idea of previously accepted designs;
Step 2 Submit a concept sketch and discuss your ideas with a member of the Design Review Committee to make sure you are heading in the right direction;
Step 3 Submit a formal Design Review Application to sunsetakes@rogers.com. Prepare building plans, elevations (of all 4 sides) and site plan (depicting house, driveway, lamps, set back distances, tile bed, square footage, etc.) and submit. At this point, amendments may be suggested
Step 4 Receive written Design Review Approval.

The following are matters that should be considered prior to beginning construction:

1. Roadside Ditches – The grades in the ditches are set according to the approved engineering design and have been installed and inspected according to design. The ditches require a specified slope on the surface to carry off rainwater and run-off. In addition, driveway culverts must be installed according to the drainage and grading design. The grades in the ditches must remain untouched so that the water drains properly and the sub-drains function properly. No additional fill or topsoil should be placed in the ditches and no vehicle should drive over it;
2. Zoning and Permits – This approval does not include or warrant compliance with any municipal zoning by-law, building code, or legal requirement. The onus for such compliance remains with the owner;
3. Grading & Drainage – A grading and drainage plan, which has been approved by the Municipality and registered on title to each lot in the subdivision, applies to your lands. Each unit owner, prior to receiving final approval for his home, is required to comply with this plan;
4. Culverts & Ditches – Please note that your culvert must be installed according to City specifications i.e. the ditch must be left in its original state. No obstructions, changes in the level of the ditch bottom or to the flow of drainage are permitted.
5. Eavestroughs and Sump Pumps – Eavestroughs must be conveyed to infiltration areas. Sump Pump outlets must be directed to driveway culverts.
6. Fill Material – Please note that clean fill is the only acceptable material for homesites in our subdivisions. On rare occasions in the past, contractors have brought in fill from urban sites which contain contaminants. Where this occurs the Ministry of the Environment is advised, and contaminants must be removed at the owner’s expense. This expense may greatly exceed the potential benefit from inexpensive fill material. Contaminated fill could also have a long-term negative impact and could adversely affect the property value of the home and the ability to close at resale. Accordingly, we strongly recommend that you purchase clean fill from reputable contractors & only. Onsite nature clean fill may be available. Feel free to contact Sunset Lakes Developments to see if it is available during your build.
7. Lamp Posts – All lots must have two (2) photocell operated lawn lamps and two (2) pedestals on both sides of the driveway and set back 1.5 metres from road allowance;
8. Changes & Future Improvements – All future improvements, sheds, pools, fences, hedges, retaining walls, etc. require design review approval.
9. Tree Planting and Retention Plan – Please comply with the tree retention plan as per your Agreement of Purchase and Sale.
10. Construction Easement – A portion of your lot (and each lot in the community) is subject to a conservation easement for the preservation of replacement and improvement of tree coverage. It is hoped over time with new planting the quality of the woodland species can improve for the benefit of all. See the Tree Preservation and Planting Manual attached.
11. Exterior Finishing Materials – Must be finished in brick, stone, stucco or wood. Please note that only real wood is acceptable, not a wood composite or imitation wood.
12. Driveway/Laneway – Driveway must be surfaced with asphalt or other approved material within one year from date of commencement of construction thereof.
13. Temporary 911 Address Sign – A temporary address sign is required at commencement of construction.

Please note that the applicants are responsible to ascertain City-approved underside of footing level and to comply with same. Additional information is available on the website at www.sunsetlakes.ca

Design Review Application Form

Covenants and Restrictions

By-law #1