MUIRFIELD PROPERTY HANDBOOK

SECTION 2: DESIGN STRATEGIES

The Neighborhood and Home Site

Muirfield Village is divided into many neighborhoods or courts, each with its own distinct setting, architectural home style and personality. The neighborhoods were created after a detailed study of the unique natural qualities of each section of land. The architecture varies from neighborhood to neighborhood. Most feature an interior courtyard or cul-de-sac which provides intimacy and individual character. The style, color, trim, window treatment or finish types used in one neighborhood may not be appropriate or acceptable for another area of the village. There are four primary neighborhood atmospheres:

Golf Course Neighborhoods
Most have views of the golf fairways. Each home adjacent to a fairway must blend with the golf course environment while not encroaching upon it. Views of the course must be constant and may not be blocked by landscape or structures. Most homes surrounding the Muirfield Village Golf Club are required to use heavy-weight cedar shake roofing.

Wooded Neighborhoods
The natural stands of trees provide rustic enclosure and privacy for homes. These areas are to be preserved as 'natural', which does not allow clearing or manicuring the vegetation.

Ravine Neighborhoods
Characteristics of a ravine area may include trees, bushes, creeks and outcroppings of rock. Since erosion is the process that created the ravine, special consideration must be taken to protect the natural environment from further erosion. Sloping land often suggests multi-level homes, tiered landscaping, retaining and seat walls and walk-out basements.

Open Land Neighborhoods
Landscape enhancements are needed to enhance homes in these neighborhoods. Strategic placement of trees and other plant materials on these basically level lots is critical.

Before building or remodeling, it is important to identify the natural qualities of the site and work with them. Save the trees, rock outcroppings, and scenic views. The land at Muirfield varies from level to very steep. Recognize the slopes and drainage patterns. These elements should blend with the site and enhance its natural features. Plan the home and alterations to work with these elements with a minimum of disturbance to the existing grades and contours. Avoid the temptation to fill them. When construction occurs, protect trees and natural areas. Get all plans for construction approved before commencing any exterior project. Consider earth mounding, retaining walls and stepping slopes when developing plans for homes or additions where elevations change. These elements should blend with the site and enhance the finished appearance. Grading portions of lots shall be kept near the existing grade and shall not exceed 4:1 slope.

Drainage:
Drainage issues can be completely solved before initial construction or remodeling if the master grading plan is followed. Each neighbor receives water from above him and deposits water on those below. It is essential that each property maintains the proper grading to allow a natural flow of water from one lot to the next. Storm water from buildings and pavements on each property shall be directed by pipe or swale to the nearest storm sewer or natural waterway. Storm water originating from the natural watersheds of adjacent properties shall be accommodated and transmitted through the site to an existing outlet. Muirfield Association requires silt protection measures to control storm water and sediment during and after construction. Elevations are indicated on the master grading plan at the Association office and on file at the City of Dublin Building Department.

Building Setbacks and Side Yards:
Building setbacks are defined on the plat or deed of each phase of Muirfield. It is the intention that homes have varied setbacks, not 'lined up' as in a subdivision, and be carefully sited in more random order where trees and topography indicate.

Side yard setbacks will be a minimum of 7.5’ unless otherwise approved. Certain phases of Muirfield Village have more restrictive front, side and rear yard setback requirements. The original concept for Muirfield neighborhoods encouraged a vista where one property flowed into the next without regimented tree lines or blocking views with shrubbery. Avoid a 'closed in' attitude. Privacy can be achieved by strategically planting trees, shrubs and bushes in clumps or groupings to create privacy and screen undesired views. Think about where windows will be placed; avoid windows that 'look into' neighbor’s windows.

Driveways:
Driveway access from the street should be easy and direct while not making the garage doors overly important. The ideal driveway connects strongly with the front entrance making it easy for a person to use the front door. It is idyllic for the driveway to be part of the entry garden, partially enclosing it with shrubs or a wall creating a real ‘auto entrance’. Curved driveways and side-load garages set back from the face of the house are ideal. Garages should be placed so that the doors do not dominate the home. Side-load garages, garages set back from the main face of the home, or courtyard garages help to minimize the impact from the street.

Special driveway paving is encouraged, using brick, pavers, textured concrete or a combination of pavers and concrete. On sloping lots, consider ‘sunken’ or cut-in driveways. On flat sites, mounding may be considered to help driveways blend with their sites. When planning to replace or enlarge a current driveway, always check city requirements as driveway dimensions are restricted by the City of Dublin.

Parking Spaces:
The deed provides for a minimum two-car covered parking facility plus additional off-street parking for two cars. The parking areas should be screened with plantings or gently mounded earth. When upgrading your driveway consider necessary parking. Allow ten feet in width and 20 feet in length for each vehicle. For side entry garages always allow room to easily back the car out and make the turn back towards the street. This will allow you to pull forward into traffic.

Use existing landscape to your advantage allowing the driveway to weave through and around the landscape. Planting ornamental flowers or short bushes along the edge of the driveway will not only soften the look of the hard surface, but will also create a natural border. Add curb appeal with color and textured plantings. The driveway design can add beauty to your home in general and the yard in particular.

Any vehicle stored at the exterior of the property more than 5 days is considered a nuisance and must be stored wholly inside a garage or off-site. Campers, boats, trailers, RV’s, water craft, etc. are prohibited to be stored at the exterior of the property more than 24 hours. To avoid being considered nuisances, they must be stored wholly inside a garage or off-site.

Streets:
No two Muirfield neighborhoods are alike. Broad landscaped boulevards lead to individual neighborhoods. All driveways exit on residential streets. Streets are designed to take full advantage of the qualities and natural contours of the land. Careful siting of each home in relation to its neighbor and coordination of landscaping helps create pleasant environments. Most of the streets in Muirfield Village are city streets; only streets located in the Estates and the Country Club Estates are privately- owned and maintained by the Association. Problems with on-street parking, potholes, snow removal or speeding vehicles should be directed to the City of Dublin, Streets and Utilities Department at 614-410-4750, or the Dublin Police Department at 614-889-1112.

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