Posted on 04/03/2006 11:20:58 AM PDT by iPod Shuffle
Entering into contracts is one of the bedrocks of a free society. Don't like HOAs? Don't join one.
We have VERY FEW restrictions to enforce....
The "livestock" issue was one of our stickier ones... (is a HORSE livestock or not? ... it can be argued BOTH ways)
The other is the issue of "mobile homes" in ONE unit.. all the other units allow for them... as well as the other two subdivisions that border on that unit. That unit's restrictions were written close to 40 years ago and each subsequent units allowed for mobiles over a certain square foot - or identifying the dimensions. We finally came to the agreement that todays "modular" homes are not like the "double wides" of yesterday....
HOWEVER ... long before I hit the board at least 5 doublewides were placed in the unit that does not allow them. Precedent allowed them.... we as a board clarified it to allow for modulars... setting up guidelines for the architectural committee... (taken off the trailer that it's moved one... certain type of foundation, etc.)...
Bottom line - we do NOT look the other way when something is SERIOUS - but we also do NOT get all upset because someone has a car they're working on in the middle of 6 lots that makes up 3 acres... We work at a solution for working around antiquated restrictions.
Our restrictions do not address colors of houses... what houses are made of (we actually approved a hay bale house about 10 years ago)... we just have to make sure it follows the guidelines for setbacks. THAT IS IT... especially since we solved the "mobile" issue for that unit.
As president this year I have made it a goal of ours to clean up our own act before we make ANY attempt at trying to "enforce" perceived restrictions... Last year was the year I stepped back - and at our annual meeting it was apparent that last years board did more to upset the neighborhood than to help it... they didn't get our pool open except for 3 weeks last summer... the park got into further disrepair and was rarely mowed... and people were screaming because all the board wanted to do was FUSS at each other and homeowners... Just since October we've been able to get 2 new lights installed at VERY dark corners, move our park equipment to a safer, better lit area, and are on track to open the pool early... all by keeping our focus on the fact that we as a board are there to SERVE... not to ENFORCE.
oh... and it's the boards responsibility to uphold RESTRICTIONS... they are NOT LAWS.. ;-)
What's one of "them?"
How did my parents ever manage to live in such nice neighborhoods without belonging to a HOA? According to some, our neighbors should have had several rusted appliances in front of each their houses.
Perhaps they and their neighbors believed in and practiced quaint American notions such as self-government, pride of ownership, and community?
:-)
Sigh.....who said murder? GO back to your HOA and deal with things in your petty ways. Let those that don't care if someone has a flag pole in their front yard live their lives in peace.
If you can't paint your house pink with purple polka-dots you don't own the damn thing.
heheh ... Doc Im happy for you and your HOA.... keep up the good work.
No problemo. I'll just point and laugh at the funny man's decorations and reflect on the blessings of living in a F-R-E-E neighborhood.
Lucky SOB. I want a place like that, but my wife is a city girl. Just Damn.
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