After 17 years with The Greenbrier Sporting Club, 11 of which have been working directly with The Club’s Architectural Review Board (ARB) as the ARB Administrator, Linda Highlander, along with Jason Brown, Chairman of the ARB, reveal 5 easy steps to a smooth ARB process. Designing and building your dream home is an extensive process, but these simple tips will save you time getting approvals and allow more time for measuring the drapes to match your antique heart pine flooring.
1) Familiarize yourself with the Architectural Review Board Guidelines. Knowing our design philosophy, approved materials, composition, detail, and landscaping requirements prior to meeting with your architect will make for a productive first meeting.
2) Go sit on your homesite. It can be difficult to visualize a home on a vacant property. They suggest you go sit on your homesite for a while and discover what views captivate and inspire you, then make sure you incorporate those views into the design of your home. Get a feel for your property and all the vignettes, vistas, and view corridors it has to offer. Jason will be happy to meet you on-site to discuss site and design elements than can help jumpstart the building process.
3) Use an ARB-approved architect. By using an ARB-approved architect who is familiar with the ARB’s guidelines, you will likely save yourself both time and money in potential plan revisions and re-submissions. These architects are experienced in the submission process, are knowledgeable on what the ARB expects to see during the review, and can foresee and avoid design issues that may hold up the review process.
4) Submit revisions immediately. You and your architect should address ARB-requested revisions during the review process as soon as possible. You do not have to wait until the next board meeting to re-submit the requested changes. They can be sent to us electronically by your architect for comment and/or approval before your next submission.
5) Post approval changes MUST be submitted back to the ARB. Please remember that any exterior changes, including landscaping, made after your Certificate of Completion has been issued must be approved by the ARB prior to implementation. Again, using one of the ARB-approved architects, builders, or landscape designers who know the procedures for these types of plan changes ensures a seamless and efficient process.