Design Guidelines
Vermilion Estates has been planned as a unique place where active adults and intimate lake-side neighborhood come together.  The purpose of the Design Guidelines is to create a group of attractive homes that blend naturally into the native pine forest.  Diversity of architectural design is encouraged while at the same time preserving the natural beauty of the area.  The roads, marina and common property shall be maintained by developer and eventually the ownership association.  Extra Services such as interior/exterior maintenance, maid service cleaning or rental may be contracted for independently through the developer/ownership association.

Construction Assistance:

Vermilion Estates building policy is that each property owner may choose their own architect and builder.  Bob Greenly, a partner in Vermilion Estates, is a licensed Minnesota & Colorado building contractor.  Bob has been building custom upscale homes for many years.  Bob is a quality craftsman and has many relationships with architects and builders that specialize in vacation property.  For those that might be interested in having Bob assist in designing and/or building their Vermilion Estates home, references and examples will be provided.

Site Planning:

The design of residences at Vermilion Estates is to be integrated with the unique vegetation, topography and aspects of each home site.  It will be the intent of the design review committee to maintain maximum views from every lot.  Structures will need to fit appropriately within the given landscaping.

Home site Analysis Diagrams will be provided to assist in understanding the features each home site has to offer, such as spectacular views of Vermilion or the towering timber.


 
Architecture
Residential design will evoke the Northwoods building tradition evolved from the rustic forms of pioneers, the style of highly developed log structures, post and beam or frame construction that uses more refined craftsman detailing.

Home design is to respond to the land in order to blend with the gently sloping terrain, reduce grading impacts, and minimize tree loss.  Techniques used to reduce overall massing; such as using roof dormers to accommodate second story functions, and stepping building masses to follow existing slopes are to be employed.

Roofs
Roofs should be the most dominant element of each residence.  Roof forms will primarily be steeply pitched with large overhangs, stepping with the terrain. 

Building Materials
Building facades will be of high quality, textured natural materials punctuated with compositions of windows.  Approved materials include real or high quality artificial stone, timbers, logs or 1/2 log with or without chinking, wood siding, vertical board and batten, and wood shingles.  Use of transparent stains with colors selected from natural tones that blend with landscape will allow the natural hue and texture of these materials to stand out.

Metals such as brass, copper and wrought iron are encouraged to be used in typical arts-and-crafts forms for fastenings and decorative purposes.

Building Height
No more than 25% of any roof system shall exceed 35' from the ground.  The intent is that one building will not block the view of another.  Building roof forms and skylines will be fragmented with foundations and roof lines stepped to follow existing slopes.

Landscaping
The primary goal of the landscape design of each home site shall be to blend with its overall setting.  Landscape improvements shall incorporate, rehabilitate and enhance existing vegetation, utilize primarily indigenous species and minimize areas of intensive irrigation.

Driveways & Parking
Driveways should be designed to minimize the impact to the existing landscape.  Driveways shall be a maximum of 12 feet wide, except where they provide a turnaround at a garage. The driveway-parking-garage layouts need to minimize the visibility of garage doors and off street parking from the street and from the major views from adjoining property.  Driveway access points are limited to one per home site.

Exterior parking of recreational vehicles is not allowed.  Overnight parking is not allowed on Vermilion Estates roads.

Fire Safety
Wood shake roofs are required to be fire retardant and wood burning fireplaces require ash catching wire netting above the chimneys.

Accessory Units
Accessory units, caretaker units or "mother-in-law" units are allowed subject to design review and St. Louis County approval.  The design can either be integrated into the primary residence or be a part of a detached garage.  No freestanding structures are allowed.

Address Markers
An identification sign/address marker for the home site will be provided by the developer for the owner to install during construction.

Miscellaneous
One 18" satellite dish per residence is allowed as long as it is dark in color and is -substantially screened from adjacent roads and neighbors.  Hot tubs, pools, water features and dog runs may be approved as long as they are substantially screened from adjacent roads and neighbors.

This is only a summary.  Please refer to the complete guidelines for a detailed explanation.  Information presented here is preliminary and is subject to change by the developer without notice.
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