I am not sure what weight precedent carries in these things, but there are two other apartments in the same complex we are considering, one with a fixed canvas awning and the other with a retractable awning. I assume(?) this may increase the likelihood of something similar being approved?
It’s not so much precedent as previous practice. It’s hard for them to “reasonably” refuse permission if they’ve given it in the past, provided you give the usual guarantees about repairing any damage to common property caused via the installation and subsequently through wear and tear.
The only potential pitfall would be if the other awnings were installed without permission and the committee was in dispute with the lot owners – not likely but not impossible either.
I would not be seeking permission from the committee, per se, just an indication of whether or not they were dead set against awnings, with no guarantees sought.
But it sounds like you are on pretty safe ground, as it is.