Grounds  ||  Standards  ||  Improvements

Grounds and Maintenance:

The largest portion of the periodic assessment is for grounds maintenance. This includes the following:

  1. Mowing and trimming of the lawn as required during the growing season. (Not more than weekly)
  2. Periodic removal of weeds from all mulched beds.
  3. Mulch replacement each year immediately prior to the Memorial Tournament.
  4. Two shrub trimmings, Late Spring and Early Fall.
  5. Lawn aeration once each year, if needed.
  6. Fall and spring cleanup of debris and leaves.
  7. Annual tree fertilization and four (4) insect and disease control treatments.
  8. Lawn fertilization and treatment for weeds four (4) times each year, with additional spot treatments as required.
  9. Annual grub preventative treatment.
  10. Periodic pruning of trees.
  11. An on-going community tree removal and replacement program as funds permit.

Tree/shrub replacement to the beds contiguous with (touching) your unit, i.e., decks patios, porches, etc., and trees in your front and back areas (limited common elements)

  • The Assn will remove and maintain at its expense all shrubs and trees in limited common elements, but replanting of all vegetation, including trees, is at the unit owner’s expense with one exception as follows:
    • If the vegetation being removed is first approved by the Grounds Chair and that vegetation provides privacy screening against utility items, e.g., electric/telephone equipment, air conditioner compressors, etc., then the Assn will provide replacement shrub(s) to screen those items as it deems appropriate.
    • Typically the Assn will not replant trees in these beds.
  • The Assn will not maintain or replace any beds or vegetation inside a walled patio.
Sprinkler systems, procedures for approval
  • Any sprinkler system installation requires the pre-approval of the Grounds Committee Chair.
Sprinkler Regulations:
In-the Ground Conventional High Volume Sprinkler Systems

Any Unit Owner, at its own cost, may install a private sprinkler system in each Unit Owner’s own Limited Common Element and within a reasonable area of the perimeter of its Unit as necessary and as approved in advance by the Grounds Committee Chair, with every effort made to keep this perimeter area within three to six feet of the limited common elements if necessary to permit preexisting easements, and the Board may have to approve other alternatives in order to permit connections between the Limited Common Elements (i.e., beds adjoining the unit) of a Unit Owner provided that:
  1. Each Unit Owner (or groups of Unit Owners) may not install any sprinkler heads except in each one’s respective Limited Common Elements and/or Common Elements except as specifically approved by the Board of Directors (at the Unit Owner’s or group’s cost) with the specific condition that such sprinkler may water Common Elements but may not water other Unit Owner’s Limited Common Elements without the other Unit Owner’s specific written approval;
  2. Each Unit Owner shall be responsible to arrange for and pay for the repair of any lawn or other damage caused during installation or any subsequent maintenance or removal of the sprinkler system;
  3. Each Unit Owner shall individually pay for water, maintenance, and any other costs associated with the sprinkler unit if the Unit Owner proceeds to elect to install a sprinkler;
  4. Each Unit Owner prior to installation shall provide an indemnity and hold harmless agreement indemnifying The Village of Muirfield Condominium Association with respect to any problems, accidents, or other incidents resulting from or related to the sprinkler system as the Board of Managers may require, with the individual Unit Owner to reimburse the reasonable legal fees for the agreement or if an initial group of Unit Owners wants to share the costs of preparation of the Indemnity Agreement, they may do so;
  5. Each Unit Owner is responsible to obtain all necessary permits and governmental approvals, before installation, including specific written approval from The Village of Muirfield Condominium Association Board of Directors, and such approval will require the Unit Owner to provide a prescribed time period for installation, a security deposit of $500 to cover possible damage that will be refunded immediately upon completion of the installation if the work has been done and any and all evidence of any damage has been repaired;
  6. If any Unit Owner or group does not obtain specific written prior approval or adhere to the specific approval and conditions imposed by the Board, the Board may have the sprinkler system removed and bill the Unit Owner or group for the costs to remove plus any related legal or other fees and costs associated with such removal, and if not paid by the Unit Owner or group within 30 days after presentment, may also collect interest at the highest rate permitted under state law as well as seek any other remedies available under law or equity; and all Unit Owners with installed sprinklers or those watering with a hose and sprinkler must ensure that all watering is done during times that do not unreasonably restrict the use and enjoyment of other Unit Owners and may be subject to other Rules and Regulations the Board may establish from time to time.

On-the-Ground Micro Sprinkler Systems:
  1. These systems can be easily installed by the unit owner at very little cost compared to an in-the ground system - typically about 5- 10% of the cost of a conventional sprinkler system. Unit Owners might want to consider this type of system when they have narrow limited common elements to water and there is ease of access to hose bibs.
  2. The systems must be installed principally in the mulch beds surrounding each Unit Owner’s units. Grass areas may be crossed under ground only to reach other mulch beds. The piping may be buried shallowly (2” or less in beds) using the mulch for covering if they wish. Some work will have to be performed to re-cover the distribution lines each year as the mulch deteriorates NOTE: If the Unit Owner places lines in grassy areas less that 4” deep they will run the risk of the aeration equipment puncturing the lines.
  3. All sprinkler heads must be placed in the mulch. No heads may be placed in grassy areas.
  4. The proposed layout of the system must be approved in advance by the Grounds Chair. No deposit is required.
  5. The micro systems are more susceptible to damage by the grounds maintenance crews as the heads do not retract into the ground. Keep this in mind when locating the sprinkler heads. The Condo Association will assume no liability for damage to the sprinkler heads or the distribution lines due to damage caused by the grounds maintenance workers or any other contractor working on the Condo Association grounds.

Bids and grounds service providers

  1. A best, reasonable and responsive bidding process is used, not necessarily the lowest bid as past experience has shown that unit owners often are not happy with the results and there is no continuity from one year to the next.
  2. By Resolution at Unit Owner’s Annual Meeting, unit owners decided that the Grounds Chair is only obligated to secure competitive bids every 5 years because it is so time consuming for a volunteer Grounds Chair and Board unless the rates increase significantly or the services provided are not satisfactory and the Board deems it is warranted.

Improvements:

To view the proposed change form page, please click HERE, or click the "Improvements Form" button on the left menu.