GARAGE CONVERSIONS AND CARPORT POLICY
(Policy effective June 1, 2004)
Your board of directors and officers of Sharpstown Civic Association (“SCA”) have reviewed our policies with respect to garage conversions and carports. The purpose of these reviews has been to determine what actions, if any, your association should take with regard to garage conversions and carports and their effect on the neighborhood.
Probably the most important work of your association’s board and officers, all of whom are volunteers and Sharpstown homeowners, is to analyze changes which occur over time and do what is needed to support and enforce our deed restrictions.
Upon completing its review, SCA has developed a resolution on garage conversions and carports. It has been legally-recorded and will be enforced along with our deed restrictions. An overview of that resolution is shown below:
The SCA will recognize existing garage conversions and carports subject to the following conditions:
A. At the time this resolution takes effect on June 1, 2004, existing garage conversions and carports have been photographed and identified with the property where they exist.
B. Those existing garage conversions and carports will be permitted to remain provided that:
(i) The existing garage conversion or carport is not in violation of any provision of City of Houston ordinances or regulations;
(ii) The existing garage conversion or carport is not in violation of any SCA Restrictions;
(iii) The use of the existing garage conversion or carport is not changed after June 1, 2004, when this resolution takes effect. Changes include:
a) Irreparable damage to the structure;
b) Removal of an existing carport; or
c) Restoration of a converted garage to its original use as a garage
NEW CARPORTS
A. Any homeowner who wishes to install a carport, either new or replacement of an existing carport, will be required to:
(i) Submit detailed plans, including information regarding the dimensions, materials to be used, a plot plan showing the location on the lot in relation to setback lines and existing structures, and any required fees to SCA prior to commencing any work on the structure; and
(ii) Ensure all proposed construction complies with existing deed restriction provisions, including but not limited to, height limits, setback lines, masonry requirements and use provisions
NEW GARAGE CONVERSIONS
New garage conversions, which did not exist prior to June 1, 2004, will be approved only under the following conditions:
(i) The garage must retain the appearance of a garage from all exterior views on all sides unless another garage for housing vehicles is constructed contemporaneously with the conversion of the existing garage to living space. Plans for both the conversion of the existing garage to living space and the construction of the replacement garage for housing vehicles must be approved in writing by the Architectural Control Committee of the SCA prior to the commencement of any construction;
(ii) A detached garage may not be converted to a living area under any circumstances;
(iii) Detailed plans, including information regarding the dimensions, materials to be used, a plot plan showing the location on the lot in’relation to setback lines and existing structures, and any required fees must be submitted to SCA prior to commencing any work on the structure; and
(iv) All proposed construction must comply with existing deed restriction provisions, including but not limited to height limits, setback lines, masonry requirements and use provisions.