Architectural Review

What recourse does a resident have if the ARC review committee approves items that do not meet the architectural standards of the community. Example: Garage coach lights. The community has very specific coach lights on the homes that have coach lights. However, the ARC review committee (which is our board of dirctors) have approved a different type of light, which is nowhere close to the standard, on one of the homes.

We recently had to give permission for different coach lights because the original lights are no longer made, and the size globe that fits them is no longer available also. Could that perhaps be the issue?

I imagine there is no language in your docs. that say all repairs or replacements must be of the exact same type of this-or-that.

But they do likely say any changes/additions/alerations, etc. must be pre-approved... which it sounds like they have done.

Based on the OP's information I don't see any violation(s).

As others have stated, finding exact replacement of some items over time will be increasingly difficult as manufacturers change product lines to keep up with trends.

In a nutshell: In Florida you must have published ARC guidelines that spell what is specifically allowed or disallowed if such rigid guidelines will be upheld. If nothing is specified then anyone can propose what they like and be approved.

If you are unhappy you'll have to get involved in the communuty but its likely too late to TRY and reverse the light design/style issue.

I appreciate all of the replies. The lights in the community are still available, so that is not the issue. The issue is that that the (former) president totally disregarded the documents with respect to architectural standards. Just like he allowed a brown pool cage where all of the community is white and it states white in the architectural guidelines. If the lights had been anywhere near to what the original ones look like, that would also make a difference. Actually, the household with the lights took them down (even though they didn't have to) because they did realize how they were nowhere close to the standard. However, the (former) president continues to encourage them to put them back up because he approved them. So, maybe this explains what the real issue is!