Usage of ARLINGTON FOREST property should be consistent with the overall character of the FOREST which was thoughtfully designed as a community of single family homes. Traditionally respected aspects of such communities are
Property usage that generates noise, traffic, and unsightly support and recreational equipment is inconsistent with ARLINGTON FOREST. Renting to eseeveral individuals which may result in a "boarding house" status highlighted with four vehicles in front of a house (instead of two in a driveway), substantial commercial use, or granny flats used beyond their original intent creates the "urbanized" condtion owners sought to avoid by living here.
Relationships, cordial ties between and among neighbooors, link a neighborhood to assure security and peace. The ties are strengthened by block parties, cooperative projects like yard sales, citizens association support, annual banquets, etc. At the same time, the privacy, even anonymity, people value is honored. Disruption caused by noise from pets, vehicles, machinery would be diminished since each of us is aware of the person next door. Ugliness resulting from abandoned vehicles, dilapidated progerty, and careless parking would be non-existent for the same reason.
Maintenance, practicaly speaking, is care. It need not involve hundreds of dollars — it sometimes involves no money but only our energy: shoveling snow, raking branches, carrying trash cans out of sight, regular lawn cutting, weeding grass strips, and considering adjacent sidewalks and road space as part of our property. Adequate standards of maintenance involve each resident, owner or renter.
Rental properties are integral to a community like ARLINGTON FOREST. It has occasionally been the case that a rental property can be distinguished from an owner/resident property when absentee owner and renter forget that they are both part of the community. A blighted property is not only a financial loss but it may also become a psychological one from which the whole community may suffer in time.
Change is inevitable but it is often overlooked that change can be controlled. Through the Arlington Forest Citizens Association and civic participation, excessive traffic and commercialization can be stopped.
With careful consideration of our goals, change within the neighborhood can also be managed for the benefit of all. Homeowners planning to change their lots with fences, sheds, additions, or taking down trees would survey their land from all angles, keeping in mind how the proposed changes affect neighbors and a neighborhood known for its leafy cool and quiet in summer as well as wooded privacy in winter.
With these goals in mind, the manual is a neighborhood's contribution to safe-guarding itself.
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