Most Important Committee? Most Dreaded?

In the September 2025 Summit Scoop Board President Danny Trapp reported, 

"The Modification Committee is one of the most important committees that preserves the integrity of the community and the value of our homes. Please follow the modification process when making changes."

While it is one of several important committees, is it really one of the "most important"? I guess it depends on how it is run.

Is it run with a feather or with a hammer?

Many homeowners don't understand the purpose of the Modifications Committee. They don't read the Governing Documents (CC&Rs, By-Laws, published Guides, including the PRM and the Committee's own Guide) before they purchase their home or before they commence a project involving the exterior of their home.

In the Summit's HOA, the Modifications Committee is chaired by Tanisha Holmes (Board VP), and committee members are William Hill (currently listed as Director and Board Treasurer) and Stan Haines. It should have more homeowners on the committee.

This Committee receives Forms 201 for exterior changes and is mandated by its own Guidelines to handle them in a certain manner.

Is the Modifications Committee more important than the Board of Directors?

Read the final paragraph in the Summit Modifications Committee Guidelines (Art. III, §22 Detached Structures (Sheds) - Page 15)

"Note: The Modification Committee reserves the right to allow or disallow the construction of the detached structure for reasons not covered in this guideline. These are just guidelines and not meant to be hard fast rules for construction of a structure. This is a guideline for the homeowner who may be considering the construction of a detached structure on their property. The Modification Committee has the final say in what is or is not allowed." (emphasis added)

When was that Note added to the Guidelines? Was it in the original Guidelines or was it added later?

Is that "Note" how a house up the street from the office got painted blue and how its detached garage (over-sized shed) got approved for blue?

The guidelines are NOT "just guidelines". They are the limits of authority of the Modifications Committee. The Committee must not have the "final say in what is or is not allowed."

If a homeowner disagrees with a decision of the Modifications Committee and the disagreement is based on the CC&Rs, then the homeowner can appeal to the Covenants Committee, where a decision is made.

This is the source of a major disagreement at the Board level right now.

If the homeowner disagrees with the decision of the Covenants Committee, then he can appeal to the Board of Directors. 

The Board should not interfere with this process.

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