Behind the Scenes with the Architectural Committee

Steve Sainton, Chair of the Architectural Committee

Ever wondered what your Woodgate Architectural Committee has been up to lately? I'm Steve Sainton, the chair of the Architectural Committee, and we've been hard at work keeping our neighborhood looking its best—and doing so with patience and purpose.

Here’s a snapshot of some of the key issues the Committee has been tackling on your behalf:

1213 Sycamore – A House in Limbo

We know lots of neighbors have been curious about this home, given that it has been vacant and run down for a long time. To provide some insight, this property has been in probate after the owner’s passing. The City of Carrollton's Environmental Services Director, Cory Heiple, is involved and real progress is currently being made. The late owner’s daughter has been contacted and we’re told by the executor of the estate that lawn care and repairs are underway. The City has given a firm deadline of May 24th—after that, enforcement will be escalated. Our biggest concern here? Keeping the home secure and uninviting to any would-be squatters. More information to come as we keep tabs on this one.

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2901 Cambridgeshire – The Disappearing Garage

This one's been puzzling us for a while. The owners converted their two-car garage into a living space, which goes against our Woodgate CC&R's that require a functional two-car garage. Despite multiple notices (sent over the past year), there’s been no response. It seems a tenant is currently living there, and the home is registered as a long-term rental through July 2025. While enforcement options are limited, the Committee is continuing to send violation notices. Fingers crossed for a change of heart—or at least a proper garage door.

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Garage Conversions – A Tricky Subject

Speaking of garages, we’ve uncovered a few more conversions (about 6-8 properties in total). After consulting with the Association’s legal team, we found that any violations older than four years are essentially “grandfathered in” due to statute of limitations. However, newer changes—like the one on Cambridgeshire—are still on our radar. Our goal is to preserve the integrity and consistency of our homes. More to come on this as it plays out.

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1012 Staffordshire – A Mailbox Mystery

This homeowner recently swapped out his classic brick mailbox (required by Woodgate CC&R's) for a metal mailbox—placed on the opposite side of his property, no less! Apparently, it all stems from a neighborly parking dispute. Despite sending notices, we’ve hit a roadblock—he’s refusing to accept mail from us. We’re still hopeful for a more “by-the-book” solution.

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2913 Mesquite – Skeleton in the Yard

This property has been the subject of numerous neighbor complaints—mostly because of the 12-foot tall skeleton that seems to have outlived Halloween… and Thanksgiving… and Christmas. While previous city involvement led to the skeleton being moved behind the building line, it’s now been officially cited as “obnoxious and offensive” under Woodgate CC&R's. The Committee has sent a formal notice and filed another complaint with the City of Carrollton. While we love celebrating holidays and holiday spirit, we’re just hoping for a little seasonal sensibility.

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A Friendly Reminder: Use the City Portal!

If you spot tall weeds, overgrown yards, crowded streets due to parking, or trash concerns—please don’t wait! The City of Carrollton’s online portal is the most direct and responsive way to report these common issues. While the WNA keeps an eye on overall neighborhood standards, the City of Carrollton is often the fastest route to action for these kinds of complaints.

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Get Involved – We Need You!

All of this to say—your Architectural Committee is here, working quietly and persistently to make sure Woodgate remains a beautiful, well-kept place to live. But we can’t do this alone. We’re actively seeking new members for our Architectural Committee other WNA committees. If you care about our neighborhood and want to make a difference—this is your chance.

Let’s keep Woodgate a neighborhood we’re proud to call home. Thank you for your continued support—and remember, change starts with involvement!