EXHIBIT A COOKE'S HOPE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION FRONT YARD EASEMENT AREA MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR GARDEN MAINTENANCE I. Definitions. For the purposes of these Cooke's Hope Homeowner's Association ("HOA") Minimum Standards for Garden Maintenance ("Standards"), the following terms shall have the following meanings: 1. Front Yard Easement Area means: A. For all areas other than the Galloways: the area from the back of curb or nearest edge of the street (including street trees) to the front of the main facade of the house extended from side of lot to side of lot. Where a lot has frontage on two or more streets, or street(s) and a designated pedestrian walkway, the lot shall be construed as having multiple front yards with the total collective area treated for landscape maintenance purposes as the Front Yard Easement Area or B. For the Galloways: the area from the back of curb or nearest edge of the street to the front of the main facade of the house extended from side of lot to side of lot and shall be construed as including all plant material abutting each garage through to the pad housing the air conditioning unit(s) not otherwise covered under a HOA contract for common area maintenance. 2. Hardscape means all inanimate elements of landscaping located in a Front Yard Easement Area including, but not limited to, stone walls, concrete, stone or brick patios and pedestrian walkways, wooden decks, arbors, water fountains and other forms of masonry work or woodwork. 3. Plant material means all vegetative elements of landscaping located in a Front Yard Easement Area including, but not limited to, trees (including street trees), deciduous and coniferous
shrubs, perennial flowers and ground cover whether utilized for decorative or soil stabilization purposes. 4. Private Yard means that area of a lot not designated as a Front Yard Easement Area. 5. Tree means: A. A perennial woody plant of any size including deciduous shade, deciduous fruit or coniferous, having a main trunk or multiple trunks; or B. A plant or shrub resembling a tree in form and size. 6. Trim shrubs and prune trees means to perform, at a time of year appropriate to the specific plant material, the following tasks in accordance with applicable pruning best practices: A. Remove dead and dying branches; B. Thin live branches to reduce density in order to reduce wind resistance and susceptibility to storm damage; C. Remove live branches to improve the form and shape of plant material; and D. Remove live branches to eliminate interference with structures, house identification numbers, other plant material and use by pedestrians and drivers of streets, driveways, and pedestrian walkways. II. Minimum Standards For The Garden Maintenance Component of the HOA's Landscape Maintenance Requirements. 1. Required Services. Landscaping services required to meet the Standards are to be performed by one or more garden maintenance contractor(s) selected by the HOA. The HOA's service package shall include all of the following components: 2
visits. A. Perform garden maintenance over seven (7) site B. All costs associated with the disposal of all garden waste created in the course of providing the garden maintenance services. C. Site visits corresponding to the following service delivery schedule: (1) On or before the end of March, weather Where the homeowner has elected at the time of contracting to have the service performed with the first service in the Spring, cut back ornamental grasses and liriope; (15 and under) (d) Remove all mulch evidencing mold, material degradation or discoloration, or so tightly packed that it potentially compromises aeration of the soil and water percolation and replenish and/or replace with loosely packed mulch of the homeowner s choice approximating two (2) inches in depth. To prevent bark decay, the contractor shall insure that mulch is pulled back one (1) inch or more from the base of each plant and from the foundation of the home; (e) Where the homeowners has elected to receive an additional Fall mulch application, replenish/replace mulch with loosely packed mulch of the homeowner s choice approximating two (2) inches in depth; and (f) Periodically throughout the year, review all plant material in the Front Yard Easement Area to identify plant material requiring services not contemplated by these Standards. Where additional services are recommended, the contractor shall alert 3
the homeowner and the Property Manager. Additional services shall be at the discretion and expense of the homeowner. Additional services shall be scheduled and performed separately to prevent any disruption in the basic garden maintenance delivery schedule and shall be invoiced to the homeowner directly by the contractor. (2) On or before the middle of May, weather flowers and deadhead; and (3) On or before the middle of June, weather flowers and deadhead; unless the trimming of shrubs and the pruning of trees as defined herein has been specifically excluded from the contract; (4) On or before the end of July, weather flowers and deadhead; (5) On or before the middle of September, weather 4
flowers and deadhead; and (6) On or before the end of October, weather flowers and deadhead; unless the trimming of shrubs and the pruning of trees as defined herein has been specifically excluded from the contract; (7) On or before the middle of December, weather Cut back ornamental grasses and liriope unless the homeowner has elected at the time of contracting that cut back of ornamental grasses and liriope occur with the first service in the Spring (Note: a failure to select among the options shall result in cut back in the Fall); 5
(d) Remove all mulch evidencing mold or material degradation or discoloration and fluff to insure that the mulch facilitates adequate aeration of the soil and efficient percolation of water. Mulch should approximate two (2) inches in depth. To prevent bark decay, the contractor shall insure that mulch is pulled back one (1) inch or more from the base of all plant material and the foundation of the home; Easement Area; and 2. Exclusions. (e) Perform leaf removal in the Front Yard The following services are not covered by the contract offered by the HOA to meet the Standards and must be scheduled at the discretion and expense of the homeowner. A. Over-seeding, aerating and sod replacement; B. Replacement of dead, diseased and overgrown plant material; and C. Periodic thinning and dividing of any plant material including ornamental grasses and liriope. 3. Mulch. At the time of contracting the homeowner may select between two materials options: hardwood mulch or pine fines mulch. Note: A failure to select among the options shall result in the installation of hardwood mulch. The application of pine fines mulch is an additional charge, to be billed directly to the Homeowner by the Contractor. Revised 2/10/2016 6