Monte Vista Paint Guidelines
All homeowners shall receive architectural approval before repainting their homes. If you need help in determining your correct paint colors, please contact the HOA manager or use the approved paint list of Dunn Edwards Colors (click on the link below).
Monte Vista Approved Paint Colors
Dusk-to-Dawn Outside Light Maintenance
The outside lights on the individual homes are controlled by photoelectric sensors. These sensors are what make the lights come on automatically after dark. It’s fairly common for the sensors to fail after a few years. Please make sure that your light is working properly, and if it is not, please take the necessary steps to ensure it is working properly.
The dusk-to-dawn light is located on the far side of the garage door. It is NOT controlled by a switch within your home.
The following three steps may be used as a guide for addressing issues with your dusk-to-dawn lights:
Step 1: Check the bulb after dark by trying a new bulb.
Step 2: If a new bulb does not fix the problem, the photocell switch controlling the light is probably bad. The photocell switch is usually located high (about 8 feet from the ground) on the wall around the corner from the light it controls. The photocell switch is replaceable. Two Dusk to Dawn Light Control replacement brands are Amertac (Ace Hardware) and Westek (Walmart). The cost is under $20.
Replacement of the photocell requires turning off the power at the breaker box, using a ladder to access the switch, removing the cover plate, detaching the old switch (by disconnecting the wires), replacing it with a new switch, replacing the cover and turning the power back on. Changing the switch is normally done during the day, so to check if the replacement works, cover the sensor with a piece of black tape and wait for about two minutes to see if the new switch works (there is a time delay before the light comes on).
Step 3: If you do not feel comfortable replacing the switch yourself, please hire a contractor to do the work for you. You may also contact your neighbor Bill Sievers at 520 561 0846; he has volunteered to help out any fellow homeowners.
Thank you for helping to keep Monte Vista safe. Keeping the community well-lit enhances the neighborhood’s safety and helps visitors (for example, pizza delivery, and fire department) find addresses since the lights are usually above the house numbers.
Exterior Maintenance
One of the ways we keep our neighborhood looking good is to manage the areas of our property seen from the street. Some of the things we can do are:
Weeds
Weeds are a problem year-round but worse after any rain. If you catch them regularly before they go to seed, they become less of a problem with time. Also, they are much easier to pull right after a rain.
Certain weeds such as Bermuda grass are extremely hard to eradicate by pulling or digging since they spread underground. A careful, limited application of Round Up is warranted for this type of weed. Right after a rain is the best time for application.
Buried weed barrier material is not recommended. It is harmful to the soil and looks shabby as it eventually works its way to the surface.
Those of you who have a frontage on Cardell Circle are responsible for keeping the curb strip area weed free in addition to any front yard space. This includes the crack at the curb-pavement interface where weeds tend to grow.
By taking regular care of your weeds before they mature, you are also helping your neighbors since weed seeds can be scattered by wind and birds.
Shrubs and Trees
Shrubs need not be trimmed severely on a regular basis and in formal geometric patterns, but they should be kept from overhanging each other and sidewalk areas. You should trim out any dead material. Completely dead shrubs need removal. Frost sensitive shrubs will benefit from being covered on freezing nights.
Trees are excellent for providing shade and privacy but also come with a commitment to keep them from encroaching on neighboring property and being maintained in a healthy condition. Also, the normal debris from trees needs to be removed on a regular basis from your front yard, sidewalk, curb strip and street gutter areas.
Gravel
Gravel makes an excellent ground cover for visual appeal and inhibits weed growth. Its usage comes with certain expected management practices so that gravel and soil is not constantly moving where it is not wanted. Gravity, rain, and pets can move it around, so finding ways to keep it in place is important.
In a flat area such as curb strips the recommended use of gravel is to dig out any dirt down at least 1 from the surface and then fill it with gravel even to or very slightly below the surface. This works best for weed control and keeping the gravel in place. Piling gravel above the surface of sidewalk areas is a recipe for a constant mess of gravel on the sidewalk and in the streets.
Those of you who have areas that slope toward the sidewalk have the additional problems of gravity, rain and pets more easily moving the gravel toward the sidewalk. I suggest you look around at what your neighbors have done to effectively manage that problem. Many have used rocks and edging material. See what is working the best.
Cement Block Walls
Our homes are separated by cement block walls. Cement block is a strong material but does require care to last and maintain a good appearance. The mortar holding the blocks together can break down and sometimes needs refreshing between loose blocks or caps. Tree roots can put stress on the walls to crack them.
The worst problem with concrete block walls seen in the development is damage due to excessive water exposure from irrigation or poor drainage. Entire walls have had to be replaced due to this problem. If you notice a white material on your blocks (called efflorescence) it is a sign of too much moisture affecting the blocks. Erosion of the blocks near ground level is a definite sign of water damage.
Stucco and Wood Exterior Surfaces
Our homes are over twenty years old. The exteriors are largely stucco with some wood features including front doors. Painters recommend repainting your stucco every 8 years and wood surfaces at least every 4 years. Western and southern exposed surfaces will weather the fastest. When homes are not repainted in a timely manner stucco cracks are likely to develop, and costly water damage can ensue. Wood damage from lack of needed recoating can also be severe and costly to repair. The management company may notify owners whose homes appear to need painting, but it is basically your responsibility to take action before problems occur. An ARC needs to be submitted and the color approved before repainting. See the approved color chart for your home elsewhere in this website.
Roofs
Our roofs are near flat. A slight slope is built in to enable drainage to scuppers. Flat roofs require regular coating with elastomeric material, generally white to reflect heat. Recoating every 4 years is recommended. Some roofs that collect tree debris should be cleaned when necessary to prevent scupper blockage and subsequent water pooling on the roof which could cause severe damage.
Windows
Windows throughout the development are generally double paned with aluminum frames. The double panes enhance the insulation properties of the windows to heat and cold. If the original seal between panes is broken the window will discolor and some of the insulation value will be lost. The management company will notify homeowners whose discolored windows are visible from the streets or alleys.
When seeking replacement or repair be sure to submit an ARC to the management company. Any replacement needs to be a reasonable match to the style and color of the original window.
Window Screens
Window screens have a limited lifetime, especially those with fabric screen material. When viewed from the street they show excessive signs of wear from the sun or pet damage the management company will notify the homeowner.
Patio Covers
The same maintenance responsibility applies to patio covers, especially those observable from the street or a neighbor.