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PBCA Architectural Standards Cover Letter
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Portuguese Bend Community Association – Architectural Standards

Portuguese Bend was sacred to the Indians, profitable to the original developers, and is now home to us.

We are a community of individuals seeking a special lifestyle. We do not wish to impinge upon the property rights of our community members, but we do have a shared vision of semi-rural beauty, and the desire to be neighborly.

The founders of Portuguese Bend established a governance process comprised of a Community Association of property owners, with an elected Board of Directors, who in turn appoints an Architecture Committee. The Board and the Committee have the responsibility and authority to preserve the character and attractiveness of our neighborhood. They do this by prohibiting the introduction of structures that are undesirable, inharmonious with the character of Portuguese Bend, or detract from the aesthetic values of our semi-rural community. In the interest of fairness, consistency, and openness, the Board has adopted a set of Architectural Standards – this document.

The Architectural Standards do not deal with issues of safety, construction techniques, or geology – these matters are controlled by the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, rather than by our Community Association. Our Community Association, through its Board and Architecture Committee, deals with aesthetic issues – what can be seen from the street, and from your neighbor’s properties.

The Architectural Standards are, by their very nature, a rather lengthy document, and make for ‘dry’ reading. If you don’t want to read the entire document, please at least read the table of contents, which will allow you to see the range of matters over which the Architecture Committee has jurisdiction. These include:

  • Equestrian criteria – rules to follow if you wish to keep horses
  • Fencing – placement and types allowed
  • Setbacks and layout plans
  • Landscaping
  • What you must do if you wish to make modifications to your property, whether it be your house, existing or new sheds, your yard, fences, etc.

The key point is that no one in Portuguese Bend may make visible modifications to their property without first seeking and obtaining approval of the Architecture Committee. This approval is separate from, and in addition to, any approval that may also be required by the City of Rancho Palos Verdes.

The Architectural Committee does not want this process to be unduly complex, and offers to assist any member of the Community who undertakes this process. We are your neighbors, and want to make this as easy as reasonably possible, while at the same time preserving those elements that make Portuguese Bend such a wonderful place to live.

The Board meets monthly; the Architecture Committee meets at least monthly – and all members of the Association are welcome to attend either or both. Dates for each meeting are posted a few days in advance on the bulletin boards at the gates, and are also available at www.PBCAweb.org.

Respectfully,

Your Board of Directors and your Architecture Committee

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