White Oak

White Oak neighborhood has French chateau homes set on large lots that border Gray Plantation Golf Course. The minimum building requirement for this neighborhood is 5000 sq. ft. White Oak is located right in the heart of Graywood and across from the HOA Park.

NEIGHBORHOOD REQUIREMENTS

ARCHITECTURAL STANDARDS

NOTE: This supplement in addition to and not in lieu of the general requirements of the Design Guidelines. Specific areas where variances are allowed are outlined below. Except as amended or modified for the neighborhood identified above, the General Design Guidelines shall apply.

Architectural Standards: Acadian, French Country, French Colonial Style architecture required.
Minimum Square Footage: 5000 sq. feet

Maximum Square Footage: No maximum

NOTE: All square footage numbers refer to air conditioned living space. No variance without being presented to the NCC for approval. All square footage numbers refer to air-conditioned living space.

Minimum 30 inches above curb measured at the top of the street directly in front of the home and the center finished floor elevation of the unit. If in a flood zone, the unit elevation must meet FEMA’s regulations (eleven (11) mean sea level) for minimum elevation construction.

No variance.

No variance.

Approved exterior wall materials include wood, brick, stone, fiber cement or shingle siding. No vinyl siding is allowed. Approved exterior trim materials include brick, stone, stucco, fiber cement or shingle siding. All elevations of a house, which are visible from the street, should utilize the same materials. The use of more than two materials, except in the use of horizontal and shingle siding combinations with a third material, is not encouraged. Siding should produce horizontal lines no less than 4 inches and no more than 6 inches apart.

Porch and covered entry stoop ceilings should be of wood bead board, v-groove or batten design with no visible perforation of joints.

Exterior artificial, simulated or imitation materials shall not be permitted without the approval of the NCC. Refer to specific neighborhood supplement for allowable materials.

The use of the following materials is appropriate:

  1. Brick- All brick colors and mortars must be approved and must be in context with historically based Louisiana style, preferably red or off-red. Natural gray, mixed colored, yellow or white bricks are not allowed. Sample panels are required at the site.
  2. Stucco- Historically based smooth stucco finishes are allowed. Heavy textured or “skip trowel” finishes as well as tabby could be acceptable in proper context.
  3. Stonework- Stone is allowed if constructed as an integral part of the architecture but not as a decorative appliqué or thin veneer. A sample mockup showing color range and installation technique must be completed for approval by the NCC at the site
  4. Wood Siding- All wood siding must be full profile and properly/fully finished.

NOTE: NO PLYWOOD, VINYL OR METAL SIDING ALLOWED ON WALL SURFACES. (SOFFITT AND FASCIA ONLY). BEAMS MUST BE WRAPED WITH WOOD OR HARDI. STUCCO IS PROHIBITED

Neutral colors preferred for siding and stucco homes. Inappropriate use of materials and colors, as determined by the New Construction Committee, will not be allowed, particularly bright colors.

Shutters shall be proportionate in size to the window. Shutters must be operable and tie back hardware is required. Shutters must be constructed of wood or heavy vinyl. All shutters must be submitted for approval.

No variance. All windows must be submitted for approval.

Windows should be of a size and design appropriate to the architectural character of the house. Windows should be approximately a 2 to 1 proportion height to width. Various styles such as a double hung, casement or awning are acceptable if compatible with the style of the house. Examples of acceptable window pane arrangements are 1/1, 2/1, 3/1, 4/1, 2/2, 6/6, or 6/9. There the first number is the upper sash and the second number is the lower sash of the window. These window configurations are required on all facades of the home. Windows may be prefinished aluminum, painted wood, clad wood or other approved material if sized, proportioned and finished to look like painted wood. Window screens are allowed but must cover both upper and lower sashes..

The Graywood recommended jamb trim is 4 inches wide measured from the edge of the trim to the edge of the glass. The 4 inch dimension is normally achieved by adding a brick mold or other trim to the window. In recent years the window manufacturers have produced a standard trim that measures 3 inches wide. Graywood will accept a manufactured window that measures 3 inches as the minimum width. The 6 inch trim reference at the head of the window is amended to 3 inches. Please see picture at end of the booklet for clarification. Non-shuttered windows visible from the street shall have a more decorative head and sill treatment.

All windows will be energy efficient thermal glass, warranted, factory units. Exterior storm windows will not be permitted. All window mullion will be permanent and constructed of full profile (minimum 3/4″ width, minimum 3/8″ projection) mullion bars. Pop out mullions will not be accepted. Mullion grid patterns must remain uniform from window to window. Exceptions must be preapproved by the NCC.

Assorted window styles will be discouraged on an individual home (i.e., cathedral fan arches mixed with the flat spring arches). Different color windows on a home is discourage and must be preapproved by the NCC. In no case will different color windows be allowed on the front or corner elevation of a home. Only custom, feature, view windows will be allowed to remain muntinless. Double hung windows (non TDL) will not be allowed. Windows should be recessed from the wall to provide a shadow line.

Windows should be clear glass. No reflective glass or reflective tinting should be used. Stained glass windows and Victorian style doors are not allowed.

Bright-finished or bright-plated metal exterior doors, windows, window screens, louvers, exterior trim or structural members shall not be permitted.

Arched and half-round windows are to be used only if they are indigenous to the architectural style of the house.

All beams must be wrapped with wood or cement board. Vinyl is not allowed.

No variance. Roof mounted skylights on the front of a primary structure is prohibited.

Roof pitches and overhangs may vary as necessitated by architectural design; however, no flat roofs are allowed as a major structural element. A minimum 5 to 12 slope is set as a standard. Roof overhangs are recommended to protect from the sun, and along with trellises, will provide passive energy conservation. No mansard roofs will be allowed.

  1. All roof stacks, flashings, vents or protrusions from the roof shall be painted deep gray or the same color the roof will be at maturity. Roof stacks and plumbing vents shall be placed on rear slopes of the roofs where possible.
  2. Solar water heating panels shall be reviewed on an individual basis and approval based upon the visual effect to the surrounding area. Generally their use is discouraged.
  3. Roofing materials, depending on the neighborhood, may be architectural dimensional composite shingles, cedar or pressure treated wood shingles or shakes, slate, tile or prefinished metal. Combinations of shingles and metal roofing may be allowed when appropriate to the architectural character of the house.
  4. Roofing colors must be approved by the NCC.
  5. Houses with pitched roofs of a minimum pitch of 9 in 12 and a maximum pitch of 12 in 12 are encouraged. Special cases will be considered by the NCC if in keeping with the architectural character of the house and neighborhood. Shed roofs for porches may have a lower pitch, but in no case will the pitch be lower than 3.75 in 12. Houses may have gabled, hipped, or shed roofs. House gables may be a full return Queen Anne return with the returns preferably capped in copper. Exposed rafter tails are allowed, but the design must be approved by the NCC.
  6. Gable and decorative roof vents shall be in keeping with the architectural character of the house. Ridge vents, if used, must be of the “shingle over” design extended to the outer edge of the roof ridge. Tile ridge caps are allowed over dimensional roof shingles. Soffit venting visible from the street shall be of similar material to that of the porch or entry stoop ceiling and must be submitted to the NCC for approval.
  7. Special metal roofing applications may be considered by the NCC when appropriate.

Each auto space must have its own garage door and the headers must be arched. Door headers must be constructed of brick, wood, or cement board. Vinyl headers are prohibited. Front entry garage doors are not permitted.

All front doors must be wood. Metal clad and fiberglass doors are allowed on side and rear of the residence. The use of sliding glass doors is prohibited.

Chimneys shall be constructed of material, which is consistent with exterior of house and shall not be noted on the plans at the time they are submitted. Stucco or masonry is preferred.

No variance.

Full architectural details are required for all decks and patios. Detailing of all patios and decks must be architecturally compatible with the home. Patios and decks shall be designed to serve as an extension of the house. Rails, pickets and underpinning must be painted white or to match the trim of the house. All deck flooring must be stained (light gray or color approved by NCC). Enclosed risers are required and must be painted.

Views to the underside of decks must be screened with underpinning (latticing or vertical slats, etc.) and/or landscape material large enough to provide screening upon installation. Decks more than 3’ above grade must have underpinning and plant materials.

Porch and covered entry stoop ceilings should be of wood bead board, v-groove or batten design with no visible perforation of joints.

Porch screening colors shall complement and blend with the house (Black or copper is preferred, green is not allowed). Aluminum framing and screen door may be allowed with prior approval by the NCC. Aluminum framing and screen door colors must be black or bronze only. No mill-finish aluminum will be allowed as a framing for a porch.

All houses must have a front porch or covered entry stoop. Decks, patios, and screened porches are allowed off the rear of the house.

Porches shall have a minimum projection of 8 feet. Covered entry stoops shall have a minimum front projection of 4 feet and a maximum projection of 6 feet. No porch shall exceed 12 feet in front projection. Porch floor treatments may include wood decking, brick, brick edged, and divided concrete, stone or tile. Composite materials for deck flooring is accepted, with approval of the NCC.

No variance.

Porch columns should be a minimum of 8 inches square or if round, 8 inches in diameter. Square brick columns are not allowed without prior NCC approval.  Shaped and tapered columns are encouraged, particularly tapered columns mounted on brick, stone, or stucco railing pier.  Column materials can be concrete, stucco, wood, cast stone, or fiberglass.

Railings shall consist of round, decorative or square balusters with appropriate horizontal cap and bottom rails. Intermediate or end railing posts or piers should utilize decorative newel ball caps and moldings.

Porch and deck foundations visible from the street may be a finished pier with recessed wood or brick lattice infill panels.

Decks with wood posts are allowed on the rear of houses. All support posts must be a minimum cross sectional size of 6 x 6 inches nominal. All metal posts must be boxed in wood.

No variance.

Exterior bracket, pendant, pier and/or post lighting, ceiling fans and porch swings shall be consistent with the architectural character of the house and proportioned accordingly. Ceiling fans and porch swings are encouraged on all porches. Light fixtures should be correctly proportioned to the house façade. Gas light bracket and post-mounted fixtures are acceptable. All lighting should be low level, non-glare type and located to cause minimal visual impact to adjacent streets and properties. Exterior spotlights or floodlights must be hooded to eliminate glare onto adjacent properties.

Post or column mounted lights must be drawn and submitted for approval by the NCC.

Not required. Please adhere to the guidelines for underground drainage if gutters are installed.

All downspouts from gutters must be extended below grade and connected to subsurface drain pipe. Drain pipe shall be routed to outfall into natural areas and/or into dry wells. Care must be taken to avoid trenching near existing tree roots. Direct discharge into driveways or splash blocks is not allowed. Landscape/Site Plans must indicate all downspouts and underground drainage.

All home plans submitted for review must indicate the full extent of proposed gutters and all downspout locations and the routing of all underground piping.

No variance. Historical color palette as approved by the NCC.

The use of Authentic Used Brick is strongly recommended.



SITE STANDARDS

Front: 50 feet build to line

Side Setback: 30 feet

Rear Setback: 50 feet

No variance. Any fencing must be submitted for approval.

In general, fencing of yards is not permitted. Small sections of fence or wall will be considered for approval by the NCC in the following circumstances if the wall/fence material is architecturally compatible with the home:

  1. Small enclosures for mechanical equipment.
  2. Short sections of privacy wall/fence in courtyard areas.
  3. Where required for structural, retaining conditions.
  4. Temporary fences must meet certain criteria. Fences used as temporary barriers and for silt collection during construction around vegetation must be sturdy, at least three feet (3’) tall, and easy to maintain.
  5. Fences are prohibited in utility easements, road rights-of-way and all temporary fences must be removed prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
  6. Permanent fences and walls are generally discouraged. No fence or wall shall be constructed unless the owner has obtained written approval of the NCC. Although fences and walls are discouraged, fences to be utilized in connection with single family homes shall be used to define specific spaces such as private gardens, patios, pools and play areas, rather than delineating property lines. Privacy fences and walls in all cases shall be limited to small enclosures around the house.
  7. Generally, fencing should be 3 feet from side and rear property lines to allow for positive drainage.  See specific neighborhood guidelines for restrictions.
  8. Privacy fences that are solid are allowed within 25 feet of the rear of the house. Wood privacy fencing is prohibited.  Open fencing may be used beyond 25 feet but must meet the requirements of items 1 through 9.
  9. Unless required by a Code Requirement, no fence will exceed a total of eight feet in height.
  10. Fences and walls shall be architectural extensions of the house or other buildings and shall be composed of materials and/or colors to complement the house or such other buildings.
  11. Chain link fences generally are not permitted and generally chain link fences will only be permitted within Graywood in very special circumstances (dog kennels) and only after receiving the prior written approval of the NCC. In the event a chain link fence is approved, it must not be visible from any common area, road, golf course or adjacent dwelling and must be black coated and heavily landscaped.
  12. There shall be no property line fences along golf course frontage or lake frontage unless approved by the NCC.  Golf course rear property line fencing must be a minimum of 10 feet from the course.   All fence plans, designs, color, materials, and locations must be submitted and approved by the NCC  prior to any construction.
  13. Fence enclosures around pools should be in conformance with Calcasieu Parish regulations and/or other applicable local, State, or international regulations.
  14. Generally, fences are discouraged on lots with golf course frontage.

No variance. Landscaping value must be at least 5% of the cost of the house including lot. The landscape plan must include an underground sprinkler system for the entire lawn. Location of sod: Front and sides of any unit must have sod that extends from the edge of the landscaping beds to the property line. The placement of sod in the rear lawn must extend 35 ft. from the edge of the landscape beds or building edge. The remainder of the lawn can be sprigged or seeded to the rear property line.

The NCC shall consider each site independently, but shall give extensive consideration to each individual plan’s impact upon adjacent homesites and view corridors. Care must be taken to locate each structure, whenever possible, so as not to infringe upon view corridors, adjacent structures and homesites, and natural amenities of the area. Consideration in this regard includes:

  1. Physical terrain of the site
  2. Views from the site
  3. Views to the site from adjacent lots
  4. Natural amenities
    • existing vegetation
    • existing water and drainage
    • channels
    • golf course
    • parks
    • open space
  5. Driveway access
  6. Height of structures

No bulldozing or clearing of trees shall be commenced until plans and specifications showing the nature, kind, shape and location of work have been submitted and approved by the NCC. Fill shall not be deposited at any location without prior NCC approval. Cuts and fills and drainage should be designed to complement the natural topography of the site. Each lot is responsible for drainage of all surfacewater within the confines of its own lot.

Must be brick, stucco, wrought iron, or a combination of.

Exterior screening of trash containers is required.


No Variance – refer to Architectural Guidelines, Site Standards

No Variance – refer to Architectural Guidelines, Site Standards

Straight entry is not allowed. Curved driveways are required.