• Association Teminology
• General FAQs

Five Star Questions

1. What is the HOA? As a resident at The Farm, you are now a member of The Farm Homeowners' Association (HOA). The HOA maintains the roadway landscaping, establishes trash removal service, and provides snow removal for common area sidewalks, has an active social committee for various events, monitors design covenant enforcement, and collects dues, which are currently $37.00 per month. Hammersmith Management, Inc. administers the daily operations of the HOA. Please visit The Farm website to find answers to your HOA questions, or contact Client Services at Hammersmith (303) 980-0700.
2. Who governs the HOA? The HOA is governed by a Board of Directors which is made up of five volunteer homeowners. The Board consists of a President, Vice-president, Treasurer, Secretary and Director(s). Each are elected on a staggered three-year term. The Board meets the third Tuesday of each month at Fox Hollow Elementary.
3. What are the Design Guidelines? The Design Review Board enforces the Design Guidelines, Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions. Hammersmith administers the DRB policies and processes architectural applications. The Design Guidelines promote design excellence in the community by implementing common standards and rules. The Design Guidelines are available online. See Design Guidelines.
4. What is the DRB? In order to maximize aesthetic benefits to the neighborhood, the Design Review Board (DRB) must approve all landscaping plans, fence plans, and any exterior changes to your property prior to installation. The DRB strictly adheres to the Design Guidelines. See DRB.
5. What is a Design Review? The DRB meets twice monthly to review applications and make recommendations to homeowners based on their submitted plan. It is here that an application will be approved or denied. Design Review applications and instructions can be obtained from The Farm website and must be submitted to Hammersmith. See See DRB.
6. When do I need DRB approval? The DRB (DRB) must approve all exterior additions or changes to your property prior to installation. Allow about 30 days for plan approval before scheduling work.
   Landscaping must be installed by specific dates which depend upon your closing date. Some modifications have been made to these dates to accommodate the ECCV water restrictions.
   Home improvements, specifically all exterior changes to your property, including additions, decks, patios, sheds, hot tubs, painting, roofing, trampolines or play equipment, etc., must be approved and comply with the Design Guidelines prior to installation.
   Further information is available later in this article under DRB.

General

1. Is The Farm included in the City of Aurora or Centennial? Neither, The Farm is in unincorporated Arapahoe County.
2. How do I reserve a softball field? Softball and soccer fields located near Belles and Beaus are property of The Farm. Please contact Hammersmith or see http://www.thefarmhoa.com/ for a permit application and set of rules for the use. Organized teams must obtain a permit.
3. How can I reserve the gazebo in Central Park for events? Call Hammersmith to request use of the gazebo they maintain the gazebo calendar. Use permit and Instructions.
4. When will the entire project at The Farm be completed? All parks and open spaces have been turned over and accepted by the HOA, except the West trail, which requires additional work. Most home construction is expected to be completed in 2006, though there may be some custom home sites remaining.
5. When is the trash picked up? Monday is Trash Day. Pick up to your area will be delayed by one day if a holiday, such as New Years Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, fall on a Tuesday or Wednesday.
6. Where do I get a trash toter and/or recycling bins? Call or e-mail Hammersmith for initial trash set-up if you have purchased a newly constructed home. Recycling containers are available for a small additional charge, call Allied (formerly BFI) directly at 303-286-1200 to arrange delivery of your re-cycling bins. Large item pick up is available for a small additional charge, call Allied for details and to arrange pick-up.  Allied picks up the 96-gallon toter from each home and one additional reasonably sized item.  See the Trash information under Community Services for more details.
7. What schools will my children attend, and will buses be provided? All schools are in the Cherry Creek School District: Fox Hollow Elementary, Liberty Middle School, Falcon Crest Middle School, and Grandview High School.
   For information on these schools visit www.ccsd.k12.co.us; for links to their academic calendars, visit www.ccsd.k12.co.us/dist_info/calendars.html. For bus information, please call the Dept. of Transportation at 303-693-0160.
8. How do I log a complaint or address a concern? You can email specific landscaping concerns or violations you have observed to Hammersmith. Anonymous complaints are not accepted, but your name will be kept confidential. Complaints which can be verified by the management company, will be checked on the next inspection date before the violation is issued. If the complaint cannot be witnessed (dogs running loose, for example), you may have to decide whether you want to forgo your anonymous status in order to escalate the violation beyond the warning stage. (Your rights in the United States include being able to face your accuser). Noise complaints and neighbor-to-neighbor disputes are not the responsibility of the HOA. Please contact Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office at 303-795-4711. You can file a violation notice on this website under “Report A Violation”.
9. Are there any social activities? The Farm has a social committee with a budget to plan various activities. See calendar and event signs in The Farm. Our biggest annual event is the Summer Barbeque Picnic in August.
10. When will the bike path along Orchard be completed? APRD has responsibility for this, but has not established a timetable for completion.
11. Are we included in the Arapahoe Parks and Recreation District? No, the tax increase and inclusion in the APRD was voted on in April 2005. It was decided by a vote of the homeowners (710 to 189) not to join the district. Homeowners may still use The Trails facilities, subject to non-resident fees and access.
12. Who replaces the pet pick-up bags at the parks? The landscaping company is responsible for checking the stations and replacing bags as needed. Call or e-mail Hammersmith if you notice a problem.

Pools & Sub-Associations

1. What are sub-associations? Sub-associations are limited HOAs, separate from the master HOA (The Farm), that maintain certain facilities within specific neighborhoods. All neighborhoods are under the Master; however, not all neighborhoods are under a sub-association. Some neighborhood builders did not elect to build a community pool. Homestead (Filings 1, 2 and 5), and Hillcrest (Filing 7 and 8) have their own sub-associations, created solely to operate the pools and maintain the small landscape areas within these neighborhoods. The master association (the HOA) does not control the activities of sub-associations, and only residents within these neighborhoods are entitled to use the facilities. The master association and all sub-associations are managed by Hammersmith Management.
2. Am I in a sub-association? If you live in Hillcrest - Filing 7 or 8, you are automatically a member of the Hillcrest sub-assocation, must pay dues, and have access to the facilities. See Hillcrest. If you live in Homestead - Filings 1, 2 or 5, you are automatically a member of the Homestead sub-assocation, must pay dues, and have access to the facilities. See Homestead.
3. What are the sub-association fees and when are they due? There are sub-association fees in addition to HOA fees. The fee for the Hillcrest sub-association (Filing 7 and 8) is $85 per quarter. The fee for the Homestead sub-association is $32 per month. The master and the subs are separate legal entities and maintain separate accounts. Therefore you must pay The Farm and your sub-association dues with separate checks and enclose the appropriate coupon for each payment.
4. Why are only certain residents allowed to use the pools? The community pool in Homestead (Filings 1,2,5) is available only to homeowners in that neighborhood as a sub-association. The community pool in Hillcrest (Filings 7,8) is available only to homeowners in Hillcrest and the Willows. Homeowners in these neighborhoods are members of separate sub-associations and pay extra fees to use the facilities.
5. Is there a pool that ALL RESIDENTS at The Farm are allowed to use? No, the closest indoor community pool is located at the Trails Recreation Center. For information on cost and hours of operation see http://www.arpd.org/, The Farm owners have non-resident status and dues when using The Trails.
6. When do the pools open each year? The two pools usually open Memorial Day weekend and close after Labor Day.
7. If I am not in a sub-association, can I still use the pools? No, only residents within Homestead, Hillcrest and Willows neighborhoods are entitled to use the facilities.

Homeowners' Association (HOA)

The HOA is managed by Hammersmith Management, therefore any questions or comments should be addressed to Client Services at Hammersmith Management, (303) 980-0700, 12200 E. Briarwood Ave., Centennial, CO 80112. The Farm specialist is Michael LaPointe.

1. When and where are HOA meetings? HOA board meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of every month at Fox Hollow Elementary School, and an annual meeting is held every November. Any homeowner can attend the Board Meeting. Board meetings may be rescheduled, however, so it is best to contact Hammersmith Management to confirm the time and place.
2. Who is on the HOA Board of Directors? There are five members of the Board, all elected by the homeowners within The Farm. See Board Members.
3. How am I notified of important HOA information? Hammersmith will send out notices by mail on a regular basis to keep you up to date on new policies, news and events. In addition, a newsletter is published periodically and a calendar of events is available online. See Community Calendar. Finally, key news items are posted in an online newsroom. See Newsroom.
4. When are HOA newsletters published? The Farm HOA newsletter is published online in color. See Newsletters. Or by mail.
5. How can I contact the HOA and other homeowners? Use the Contact Us link online to e-mail messages to the general mailbox, the HOA president, or an HOA board member. See Contact Us. Experience live discussions with other homeowners by visiting the bulletin board. See Bulletin Board. Finally you may call, fax or mail to Client Services at Hammersmith Management, (303) 980-0700, 12200 E. Briarwood Ave., Centennial, CO 80112. There is also a community directory on this web site.

ASSESSMENTS

6. How much are Homeowner Association fees? The HOA dues are $37 per month.
7. What do the HOA dues cover? Your assessment pays for weekly trash service through BFI, maintenance of the landscaping for parks and community areas, social events, and management of the daily operations of the HOA.
8. How can I make my payments? Homeowners may pay their dues monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, etc.; as long as the payment is received by the 20th of the first month of that period. Dues should be mailed to the lock box address on the labels with the coupons provided before the beginning of the year. If you misplace your coupons and labels, send the payment to Hammersmith with your address and association and/or sub-association noted. If you are interested in setting up your monthly payments by EFT, please contact Hammersmith Management to request an EFT form or download one at ____.
9. How can I pay sub-association dues? If you are a member of the Hillcrest or Homestead sub-association (see Pools & Sub-Associations), the dues for the master (The Farm) and the sub must be paid with separate checks and the appropriate coupon for each must be enclosed with the payment.
10. When are HOA fees due? Homeowner fees are due monthly on the 1st of each month. There is a 20-day grace period to allow for mailing problems, etc. A payment is considered late if not posted to your account by the 20th of the month and a $20 late charge will be added.
11. What if I am late on a payment? If a payment is not posted by the 20th, a $20 late charge will be added to the next bill. If payment is still not received, a $20 late charge will be added each month thereafter until the balance is paid.
12. How can I check my account status? There are two ways: 1) call Hammersmith, 2) check your account online at Check my Account.

Design Review Board (DRB)

All exterior home improvements must be approved by the DRB as required by the design guidelines. The DRB is comprised of seven homeowners at The Farm. Submit Design Review applications (available online) and plans to Client Services at Hammersmith Management, (303) 980-0700, 12200 E. Briarwood Ave., Centennial, CO 80112. Attn: Michael LaPoint

1. When do I need DRB approval? The DRB (DRB) must approve all landscaping plans, fence plans, and any exterior changes or structural improvements to the property prior to installation. The following information can also be found in the Design Guidelines, which are available online:

Landscaping must be installed within certain time frames to ensure the aesthetic quality of the community. As specified in the Design Guidelines, front yard landscaping must be completed within three months of the property closing date. However, if the closing date is between October 1st and March 31st, then front yard landscaping completion can be delayed to July 1st. Side and rear yard landscaping must be completed no later than October 31st if the closing date is between January 1st and July 31st. If the closing date is between August 1st and December 31st, the side and rear yard landscaping must be completed no later than July 1st of the following year. An application and landscape plan must be submitted and approved by the DRB prior to installation. See Landscaping Standards.

Note: Due to the ECCV water restrictions, the Board has temporarily amended the landscape requirements. All homeowners are still required to submit a landscaping plan and be approved, and are required to install trees, shrubs and landscape by the dates stated above. Seed and/or sod must be installed during dates designated by ECCV. For details, please visit The Farm website. See Landscaping Standards.

Because good fences make good neighbors, all fences must be 3'6" open-rail as outlined in the Design Guidelines (the required gate design is also pictured in the Guidelines). An application and fence plan must be submitted and approved by the DRB prior to installation.

Home improvements, specifically all exterior changes to your property, including additions, decks, patios, sheds, hot tubs, painting, roofing, trampolines or play equipment, landscaping changes, etc., must comply with the Design Guidelines. An application and plan must be submitted and approved by the DRB prior to installation.

2. What should be included on my landscape application and plans? Depending on the specific lot size and location, each homeowner's landscape plan will be unique. See Landscaping Standards. However, some basic elements will be common to each plan and must be included to prevent delays in the review process. It should:

· Meet the requirements stated in the Design Guidelines
· Be drawn neatly and legibly on large paper and be to scale
· Delineate the size and shape of the entire lot and footprint of the house
· Symbols should be drawn to represent the location of each tree and shrub
· Labels should identify the type and size of each plant species .
· Show setbacks from property lines.

3. How many trees must my landscape plan include? The type, size and number of trees required by the Design Guidelines differs for each filing. Trees are very special to The Farm. Each neighborhood has a specific tree designated as its street tree. Street trees must be 2½” caliper and be planted about 4’ from the sidewalk. If your home has a parkway (a strip of grass between the sidewalk and the street), a pair of street trees must be installed directly across the sidewalk from each other. The number of street trees (or paired street trees) is determined by your lot size. Please consult the Design Guidelines.
4. What are the fees for new landscape applications and plans? $75 is paid at closing for Design Review and approval of landscaping and associated elements such as decks. (See #17 for other DBR fees).
5. When will my landscaping be approved? The DRB approval process takes up to 30 days from your submittal date (the date Hammersmith receives your application and plans). All homeowners are encouraged to submit a landscape plan as far in advance of their due date as possible. It is suggested that you submit your plan at least 60 days before your landscape due date to allow enough time for your plan to be reviewed and approved (which may take even longer than 30 days if the initial plan is denied), and to complete installation before your deadline. Avoid fines by planning ahead and meeting your deadline. See DRB.
6. Can my landscaping, decks, hot tubs, etc. be pre-approved before signing a contract? Yes. Pre-approvals can be obtained through the same process as all other DRB submittals. Submit requests to Hammersmith.
7. Can I change my landscaping? You can change or modify your landscaping as long as changes are consistent with the Design Guidelines. Applications and plans must be submitted and approved by the DRB prior to installation.
8. Are perimeter fences provided? No. However, an open rail fence, 3'6" in height, is allowed along property lines in the rear and side yards. As stated in the Appendix to the Design Guidelines, fences will use a standard open face detail. For pet control, you may install welded mesh on the inside of the fence on your property. You may not install chain link fencing. The DRB may permit privacy fences surrounding or shielding patios and decks on a case-by-case basis. Applications and plans must be submitted and approved by the DRB prior to installation.
9. Can I paint my fence? No. Pigmented painting, staining, or treating wood is not allowed. If you would like to seal your fence you may do so, but must use Behr's Natural Seal (NFW) Natural Waterproof Wood Sealer and Finisher.
10. Are gardens permitted? Vegetable gardens are permitted with approval of the DRB. They must be located in the rear or side areas of your property so that the garden and its accessory area are screened from the view of adjacent homes and public areas (50% must be hidden). Tall plants, such as corn and sunflowers, are discouraged. Applications and plans must be submitted and approved by the DRB prior to installation.
11. Are swing sets, trampolines, play equipment and permitted? Yes, with the approval of the DRB prior to installation. Play equipment must be located in your rear yard and set back a minimum of 5 feet from your property line. In order to prevent an undue disturbance to your neighbors, the play equipment should be predominantly muted, earth tone colors and cannot exceed 8 feet in height unless otherwise approved by the DRB. Please store toys and other play equipment used in the front yard out of view when not in use. Play houses larger than 30 square feet and taller than 6 feet are discouraged. Trampolines, frequently a cause of noise disturbance to neighbors, also require screening with trees and/or tall plants.
12. What are the requirements for basketball hoops? The DRB will consider requests for free-standing, pole-mounted basketball hoops in the front yard along the side of the driveway, or in side and rear yards subject to proximity to property lines and neighbors houses or landscaping. Garage-mounted hoops may be approved subject to the color of the backboard. Portable hoops are permitted and are required to be stored from view when not in use; they may not be placed in the street at any time and must be kept behind the sidewalk so that their use does not obstruct pedestrians. Portable hoops must be stored out of sight completely during the winter: from October 1st to March 31^st.
13. Are dog runs permitted? The DRB allows dog houses and/or dog runs on a case by case basis. Applications and plans must be submitted and approved by the DRB prior to installation.
14. Are hot tubs permitted? Hot tubs and Jacuzzis must be approved by the DRB; they should be integrated in the design of a deck or patio and must be located in your side or rear yard. Location of privacy fencing (if requested) must be shown on the plans. A hot tub or Jacuzzi cannot be immediately visible to adjacent property owners and cannot create an unreasonable amount of noise. Applications and plans must be submitted and approved by the DRB prior to installation.
15. How do I get a DRB approval? Submit the Design Review application, detailed plans, and payment of review fee (except landscape installation fee paid at closing) to Hammersmith Attn: Michael LaPoint for processing and submission to the DRB. See DRB.
16. What happens if I do not get a DRB approval? When you purchased your home, you agreed to the covenants as part of the deed to your home. Design guidelines are complicated and you could inadvertently install an improvement, which does not meet the covenant requirements. In such cases, you will be required to make modifications or remove the improvement at your expense. Violations of the Design Guidelines are subject to fines and to legal enforcement through the courts. Appeal of DRB decision can be made to The Farm Board of Directors. Save time and avoid frustrations by planning ahead: first get an approval; then make your improvement.
17. What are the Design Review fees for submitting and application and plans? Following is a list of common improvements and the associated DRB fees: $100 - Additions and Patio Covers; $50 - Patios/Decks, Sheds and Hot Tubs; No Charge - Painting, Roofing and Landscaping Changes. The DRB fees for other improvements not listed will be determined upon review, since the complexity of some reviews cannot be estimated in advance. See DRB.

How long does it take to get DRB approval? The approval process takes up to 30 days from your submittal date (the date Hammersmith receives your application and plans). Not all plans are approved upon the first submittal and re-submission requires additional time. Plan ahead and be sure to include all the necessary supporting material.