Overzealous homeowner's association

[Anonymous]

We bought the center lot in a cul de sac next to our home. Our neighborhood consists of about 30 houses. Each lot is about 2 acres. We submitted plans for a wildflower meadow for the extra lot 12 years ago and they were approved. There are 8 distinct beds in the meadow, with mowed paths in between. In the center is a gazebo with outdoor furniture. There are arbors at the entrances with roses on them.

We have had a bit of turnover in our neighborhood, and thus a new assn. president. She has decided that she and the architectural committee are going to set new rules, regarding plantings, etc. The first email received by all was about not having satellite dishes in the front of the home. My husband quickly pointed out the federal law restricting homeowners associations in this regard, and they backed down. Clearly, they have no idea what they are doing.

So I get a call telling me that our meadow does not meet requirements because the flowers are weeds. I point out (followed with documentation), that the plants are not weeds, but natives, and that there is organization and a plan. I also tell them that we had a major issue last year getting landscapers to show up to do work in a timely manner, and that I will not hire illegals to do the job. I did a lot myself, but clearly not enough for them. I offered to have trees pruned this fall, but stressed that the brush cutting that mows the beds to the ground should not occur until late winter. We then overseed with native wildflowers, and let the peonies, iris. And flowering shrubs do their thing in spring, before the natives bloom in summer.

What they want, it appears, is all of the meadow gone,and just grass in its place. Even as a conservative, I recognize this is not the best choice for the environment. We garden as organically as possible. We also do not neglect our property, having put 35K into remaking the beds on our property, and another 15K into repairs on the deck and front arbor, in the past two years. The meadow is simply our way of providing a lovely native ecosystem. Most of our neighbors love it. SO frustrating to deal with this new HOA president. Had to vent

[Anonymous]

Keep fighting and run against her next year.

[Anonymous]

I sure support you in principle, OP, but I do wonder why you felt the need to bring politics into it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Keep fighting and run against her next year.

+1

HOA leaders are the worst. Maybe you can be the first "normal" one. what do your neighbors think about the wildflowers? will they support you?

maybe if they understand the community is supportive of your project, they will back down.

there are lawyers who specialize in HOA matters, if it comes to that.

[Anonymous]

I think when you've put a lot of work into something, you might not see it as an eyesore while someone else would. You have your convictions and the new HOA president has hers. It would be best if you both could be somewhat accomodating to each other as you are neighbors, just with different ideas about what is best for the neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

Hate people who put weeds in and call them wild wildflowers

[Anonymous]

My HOA picks and chooses which regulations to enforce - generally the ones they choose not to enforce are the ones that would necessitate them to actually do something as opposed to sending out their childish newsletters.

I told them that until they choose to apply the regs fairly, they can kiss my ass with what they are arguing with me about, because it affects absolutely no one, compared to how what they are neglecting to do will negatively affect the neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

Honestly your garden doesn't sound that nice.

Also, is it your lot or just a spare lot in the neighborhood? I'm confused.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I sure support you in principle, OP, but I do wonder why you felt the need to bring politics into it.

Because I find it incredibly ironic. And I am a principled person

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly your garden doesn't sound that nice.

Also, is it your lot or just a spare lot in the neighborhood? I'm confused.

Our lot. We bought it. Plans were approved

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My HOA picks and chooses which regulations to enforce - generally the ones they choose not to enforce are the ones that would necessitate them to actually do something as opposed to sending out their childish newsletters.

I told them that until they choose to apply the regs fairly, they can kiss my ass with what they are arguing with me about, because it affects absolutely no one, compared to how what they are neglecting to do will negatively affect the neighborhood.

Courts will back you up. A HOA in Ffx Cty was bankrupted over a friggin Obama sign being 4" too high.

[Anonymous]

If plans were approved, they are going to have a hard time fighting that.
Threaten to get a lawyer (even if you don't really plan to). They know they'll catch hell from the homeowners if they use up HOA money on legal fees.

[Anonymous]

Fight the good fight, OP! Most HOAs are full of brainless drones.

Thanks for helping the bees and the butterflies with restoring some natural habitat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly your garden doesn't sound that nice.

Also, is it your lot or just a spare lot in the neighborhood? I'm confused.

I don't like curly trees, liriope, and crepe myrtles pruned to nubs, but I don't tell my neighbors they can't plant it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fight the good fight, OP! Most HOAs are full of brainless drones.

Thanks for helping the bees and the butterflies with restoring some natural habitat.

Thank you. It's so pretty in there. Nature everywhere!! Tons of goldfinch feasting on seed from grasses and flowers. We cut back in the dead of winter so as to not affect the wildlife