The Highlands at Park Bridge's Declaration of Protective Covenants and Easements (the Declaration) and the Community Wide Standards have been designed and implemented to protect homeowners and to preserve the value of their property through standardization of design integrity and architectural quality within the neighborhood.

All property owners and tenants are subject to the Declaration and Bylaws of the Highland Homeowners Association, Inc. (the Bylaws) and have agreed to comply with them. In turn, they rely on their neighbors' obligations to comply. Most problems can be resolved and unnecessary complications avoided by a thorough understanding of the Declaration, the Bylaws and these Standards. Compliance with the Declaration, the Bylaws and these Standards by all neighbors will permit the Highlands property owners and residents to enjoy living and raising their families in a pleasing environment and an attractive community with sustained property values.

Many different kinds of changes and additions to a property can be made by submitting an application to the Architectural Review Committee (ARC). When you consider altering or improving your property, do not rely on what your neighbors have done or said regarding their property. It may have been permitted under a prior standard, may not have been approved, or it may have been disapproved and require modification.

Purchasers of a previously occupied property are sometimes surprised and disturbed when they discover or receive notice that the previous owner made an unapproved alteration or addition, which has placed the new owner in violation of the Declaration. Any owners who find themselves in this situation should submit an application for approval of the improvements with an explanation of the circumstances. Purchasers of a previously owned property should research existing violations prior to their purchase of a property, as they may be held responsible to correct outstanding violations.

A Declaration of Protective Covenants and Easements for The Highlands at Park Bridge is recorded in the land records of Fulton County and is legally binding upon the owners and their occupants, tenants, and guests in The Highlands. The Declaration establishes a homeowner association to administer and enforce the Declaration, and committees of homeowners to administer and enforce the Declaration, and committees of homeowners to adopt and enforce building and land use standards. Every improvement or change to property must be approved and comply with the Declaration and applicable standards adopted under the authority of the Declaration.

Members of the ARC are authorized by the Declaration to adopt and enforce standards governing property use, maintenance requirements, improvements, additions, and modifications to property. The Board or the ARC reviews applications for modifications, improvements, or additions to properties in their community. The community management company (Advantage Community Management), the Board and the ARC monitors the neighborhood for compliance with the Declaration and these Standards.

The Declaration provides that no exterior construction, alterations, additions, or erections of any nature may be commenced or placed upon the property without the prior written approval of the ARC. Exterior construction, alterations, additions or erections include, among other things, building additions, exterior remodeling, exterior painting (color changes or not), landscaping improvements (other than seasonal flowers), decks, paving, patio structures, lighting, swimming pools, spas and storage buildings.

Walter Reeves - The Georgia Gardener - www.walterreeves.com is an excellent resource to answer your landscaping questions

The Highlands Clubhouse and Entrance is an excellent example of how to properly maintain your own property.