Idaho Falls Fire Department spokeswoman Kerry Hammon said two people were outside the condos when they saw smoke coming from the second floor and called 911. An adult inside the home got out on his own safely. “One of the other neighbors reported the condominium quickly became fully engulfed in flames,” according to an Idaho […]
Building healthy Idaho homeowners association communities
When it comes to Idaho homeowners’ associations, a common sentiment is “a community is only as good as the people who live in it.” However, in terms of evaluating an HOA, the true golden rule is “an HOA community is only as good as the people who lead it.” Read the article……………………………….
A new Idaho law allows homeowners to put up political signs in their front yards without HOA approval (ID)
On Saturday afternoon, Waller and her husband, who own a home in Boise, put up a slew of political signs in her front yard, she said, knowing they would get an email from their HOA, which they did less than 24 hours after they went up. However, that rule is now outdated. In March, the […]
Questions linger after Flying Heart ruling (ID)
Though a judge granted the public the right to access the Big Wood River using a road easement in a north-Hailey subdivision earlier this month, several “No Parking” signs put up by local homeowners—and the question of their legality—remain. Read the article…………………………
Blaine County wins Flying Heart Ranch lawsuit (ID)
A judge has ruled that the public has the right to park alongside a road in a subdivision north of Hailey in order to access the Big Wood River, marking the latest development in a longstanding dispute between Blaine County and the Flying Heart Ranch homeowners’ association. Read the article…………………………
Idaho Falls Parks & Recreation Partners with HOA, Installs New Playgrounds (ID)
Children of Idaho Falls have two new areas to recreate thanks to the City of Idaho Falls Parks and Recreation Department and a partnership with a local homeowners association. Located just west of Sand Creek Golf Course, the Dunes Subdivision HOA partnered with the City to install a new playground in Dunes Park. The HOA […]
Defending access is a good use of public funds (ID)
The May 20 issue of the Mountain Express contained an advertisement from Kiki Tidwell, an independent candidate seeking election to the Blaine County Board of County Commissioners in November. While Ms. Tidwell is not challenging pubic access and parking, she argues that the expenditures for legal and other services to preserve access and trailhead parking […]
Outfitter files to join county against Flying Heart (ID)
Silver Creek Outfitters has filed to join Blaine County in its legal challenge to parking restrictions in the Flying Heart Ranch subdivision north of Hailey, according to court documents. Read the article………………………….
Fire crews credit smoke alarm for saving condo units (ID)
Northern Lakes Fire Fighters are trying to determine what caused a condo fire Saturday evening. It happened in the Twin Lakes Village neighborhood. Northern Lakes Fire Public Information Officer Chris Larson told KHQ the owners of the unit were not home when the fire started. They had working smoke alarms that went off and alerted […]
‘No persons other than persons of the White race’: Racist language remains in older homes’ documents (ID)
If you’ve ever purchased a home in an older subdivision in the Treasure Valley, you may have noticed disturbing language in your homeowner paperwork. “No persons other than persons of the White race may reside on the property except domestic servants of the owner and tenant.” Read the entire article……………………………….
Boise neighborhood association approved for walkway, but another HOA may block it (ID)
The city granted $136,000 to Pierce Park Neighborhood Association for a safer walkway for schoolchildren, but the project is on hold until one subdivision approves. Read the article………………………..
County takes Flying Heart to court (ID)
Blaine County made good on its threat to sue a local homeowners association last week when it filed a complaint Thursday afternoon in 5th District Court seeking to restore easy access to the Big Wood River through the Flying Heart Ranch north of Hailey. Read the article…………………….
Blaine County Moves Forward With Lawsuit Against HOA (ID)
At a second public hearing on Tuesday, Blaine County Commissioners voted unanimously to move forward with a lawsuit against the Flying Heart Ranch homeowners for restricting access to the Big Wood River. This decision comes after an unsuccessful attempt to resolve parking issues with the HOA. Read the article………………………..
County to sue subdivision for restricting river access (ID)
The Blaine County commissioners are taking legal action to reopen access to the Big Wood River north of Hailey after landowners in Flying Heart Ranch ignored a staff letter to remove “No parking” signs from a platted right of way on Aspen Lakes Drive. On Tuesday, the board announced plans to sue the homeowners association […]
Religious law firm files appeal after judge overrules verdict on Hayden Christmas display (ID)
A religious law firm is appealing to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit on behalf of a Hayden family after a judge overruled a jury verdict finding a Homeowner’s Association discriminated against them based on religion in regards to a Christmas light display. Read the article……………………
Sun Valley moves to fix Elkhorn Road drainage issues (ID)
After flooding hit portions of the Lane Ranch subdivision last winter, the city of Sun Valley is taking action to deal with a drainage problem along Elkhorn Road. Read the article……………………..
Jury awards $75K to Hayden man over his Christmas light display (ID)
The battle over Christmas lights in Hayden, Idaho is finally over. A jury ruled in favor of Jeremy Morris, who said that his family was embarrassed and ostracized by the West Hayden Homeowners Association. Morris was awarded $60,000 in compensatory damages and $15,000 in punitive damages. Read the article……………….
Trial over Hayden man’s Christmas display begins (ID)
Morris is seeking to have his house de-annexed from the HOA along with $250,000 in punitive damages. The battle over Christmas lights in Hayden, Idaho made its way to federal court Monday in Coeur d’Alene. Jeremy Morris’ legal battle with the West Hayden Homeowners Association started back in 2015 when he moved to his home […]
Lights out: Some neighborhoods put in the dark (ID)
Officials from Asotin County and Avista are figuring out who will foot the power bill for 19 street lamps that fell off the payment grid more than 15 years ago. After discovering lamps in three neighborhoods were operating free of charge, Avista shut off the juice this summer, prompting a flurry of phone calls from […]
Sherman letter: HOAs (ID)
Regarding HOAs from hell, some very big points. HOAs are comprised of every homeowner in a community, not mysterious evil overlords; presumably Judy Thomas, of The Kansas City Star, means the board of directors. Boards of directors are elected at HOA annual meetings. If the homeowners association members do not like the leadership, they have […]
Examining the Lake Kachess project: Homeowners concerned with deeper reservoir drawdown
William Campbell, a board member of the Kachess Homeowners Association, said in a letter to commissioners that coming away from the Feb. 28 meeting there was the understanding that homeowners would meet with only with the three commissioners, as their elected representatives, so they could directly hear property owners’ problems with the projects. Read […]
Exclusive North Idaho Club Owes $1.4M In Taxes
Officials say developers of the exclusive club in Bonner County owe $1.4 million in unpaid taxes. Bonner County Treasurer Cheryl Piehl says the developers of the Idaho Club have until May 21 to settle their tax debts or face an auction. Read more……..
Idaho Senate Bill 1310 to Positively Impact Idaho Homeowner and Condo Associations
In order to address the issue of homeowner association fines in Idaho, Senate Bill 1310 represents the beginnings of a promising effort. This bill, with Senator Rice as the driving force, will streamline existing government regulations, reduce red tape, and minimize bureaucratic waste. Read more………..
The realities of CC&Rs, homeowner associations
agree with Sen. Jim Rice about unwarranted homeowner association fines; however, the issue goes much deeper than that. When community developments are proposed to the county commissioners and city planners, the developers also present the CC&Rs to the community for approval. Once a set portion of the project is inhabited, the developer hands off the […]