Fellow homeowners:
Make no mistake: Mendocino is on an upswing. This year we are focusing on the landscaping:
- eliminating the worst vestiges of the drought
- starting a transition to a more natural, less sculpted, "soft" look
- adding new trees to the bald spots
- encouraging more diversity and character in the front yards
Some homeowners are happy with the basics that the HOA provides while others want more but are unsure what they can and cannot do. The good news is: you can have the front yard of your dreams.
All you need to do is submit your landscape design to the Landscape Committee (LC). The LC will run it by the HOA landscaper to make sure your plants can be maintained at no additional cost. Some homeowners even use a landscape architect to help them with the design.
Your new front yard will still be maintained by the HOA landscaper.
To facilitate more front yard diversity and character, the Board has:
1) put together an approved plant list (available from MMS upon request) that you can use as a gudeline, and streamlined the approval process;
2) set up a Homeowner Landscape Gallery here to provide inspiration and to showcase the best of Mendocino's landscaping;
3) adopted a reimbursement program as follows:
If the HOA needs to replace dead/dying plants in your front yard, it will obtain an estimate from the HOA landscaper and then offer you the option of designing and installing your own front yard and getting reimbursed 75% of the original amount.
For example, the HOA estimates that repair and replacement in your front yard will cost the HOA $200. You can either let the HOA do all the work or get $150 and do a complete makeover.
For details please see Mendocino Landscape Reimbursement Policy on the right or contact MMS.
Slav
