Covenant FAQs

Application deadlines are one week prior to Resident Architectural Committee (RAC) meeting dates.  Applications submitted by the deadline will be considered at the following RAC meeting.  RAC members are community volunteers and this one-week deadline allows them sufficient time to review applications and visit properties prior to meetings.  The RAC currently meets virtually via Zoom on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM.  (Holidays may require rescheduling meetings.  There is typically a single meeting in December.)  Meetings are open to the public.  Check the RAC Agenda page for the next application deadline and meeting date.  Agendas are also sent out the Friday prior to each meeting in the WLCA e-newsletter.

For most applications, the time from submission to approval is about 2 weeks.  All applications are reviewed by the Resident Architectural Committee (RAC), which acts as an advisory panel to the Wilde Lake Architectural Committee.  At a RAC meeting, a recommendation is made on each application to approve as submitted, approve as modified, disapprove, or table.  The recommendation is sent to the Architectural Committee Liaison, who makes the final determination.

Application deadlines are due one week prior to Resident Architectural Committee (RAC) meeting dates.  Applications submitted by the deadline will be considered at the following RAC meeting.  RAC members are community volunteers and this one-week deadline allows them sufficient time to review applications and visit properties prior to meetings.  The RAC currently meets virtually via Zoom on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:30 PM.  Meetings are open to the public.  Check the RAC Agenda page for the next application deadline and meeting date.  The agenda is also posted at Slayton House.

It is recommended, although not mandatory, that applicants attend the RAC meeting at which their application will be reviewed.  Your attendance helps prevent delays if the committee has questions about your application.  Also, by attending the meeting, you will know what the RAC recommends to the Architectural Committee Liaison who is required to make a final determination within five business days of the RAC recommendation.  The Covenant Advisor will mail (or email) you a letter stating the decision along with a copy of the application for your records.

Any applicant may, within ten (10) days of receipt of notice of an adverse decision (disapproval or approval with modification), file with the Covenant Advisor a written request to have the matter reviewed by the entire Wilde Lake Architectural Committee.  The applicant’s request may be made via mail or email.  A hearing will be set during a regularly scheduled Wilde Lake Village Board meeting.  The applicant will be notified of the date and is strongly encouraged to attend.  The decision of the majority of the Architectural Committee will be final and binding.

The Covenants require that applications be submitted to and approved by the Architectural Committee prior to beginning any work.  Projects, started before obtaining approval are in violation of the Covenants and are done at the residents’ own risk.  Some unapproved alterations have been removed at the homeowners’ expense.

The Wilde Lake Village Covenant Advisor can be reached by phone at 410/730-3987 (ext. 16) or by email at [email protected]. If you wish to meet with the Covenant Advisor in person, please call ahead to ensure availability.

If you suspect a Covenant violation, you may contact the Covenant Advisor by phone, by mail, by email, or in person.  See the “Contact” page for information.  All Covenant inquiries are treated anonymously.

The Covenant Advisor will inspect the property you have reported.  If violations exist, the Covenant Advisor will contact the homeowner by mail, at least twice.  It is preferable when the homeowner voluntarily and promptly corrects the Covenant violations.  When this is not the case, the Covenant Advisor may request the Wilde Lake Village Board and Columbia Association to pursue a lawsuit against the homeowner.

The Wilde Lake Resale Packet comprises two files, one containing the umbrella Columbia Association documents and the other containing documentation specific to the Village of Wilde Lake. Resale packets may be downloaded or shared free of charge from the WLCA website. Please visit the Resale Packet page to access the files.

WLCA is actively recruiting Wilde Lake residents to serve on the RAC! Read on for additional details and to apply.

What does a RAC member do?

• You review written applications for exterior changes to homes in Wilde Lake – everything from fences to light fixtures.
• You visit each property assigned to you to get a better sense of how the proposed changes would affect the property and its surrounding neighbors. All proposed changes are to the exterior of the properties, so site visits can be done on your own schedule.
• You consistently attend RAC meetings two evenings a month to discuss applications with your RAC colleagues and make recommendations to the Wilde Lake Architectural Committee (WLAC). RAC meetings are currently held via Zoom on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month.
• You enjoy knowing that your efforts are key to keeping Wilde Lake a desirable, attractive place to live!

Do I need to be an architect/urban planner/master gardener?

No – just an interested community member! Prospective RAC members and alternates should be willing to become familiar with Wilde Lake’s Covenants and its Architectural Guidelines and Maintenance Standards, be available for RAC meetings on a regular basis, and have 4-6 hours per month total to consistently devote to RAC activities. RAC members do not evaluate Covenant violations or provide general advice regarding architectural standards or maintenance.

How can I find out more about what RAC service entails?

We suggest that all interested residents attend a regular RAC meeting via Zoom and talk with a current member of the committee before applying. RAC membership is subject to the approval of the Wilde Lake Village Board.

I’m ready to apply!

Wonderful! Contact Lexi Levy Milani at [email protected] or 410-730-3987 x 16.