But the plan of the trustees is clear. They’ve written a proposal to go before the homeowners’ association for a vote. It would allow the three trustees to declare a home a “nuisance” and issue an undetermined amount of fines that could be collected by placing a lien on the home. The wording is so […]
Fact Finders: What’s the legality of neighborhood security cameras? (MO)
Neighborhoods from Baltimore to Oklahoma City to Oakland are making news this year for installing security cameras that can read license plate numbers. And now we’re getting a question from a local viewer. Mary Ann wants to know: Is it legal for a neighborhood association to install speed limit signage with cameras that record vehicles […]
HOA asks city to take over street maintenance (MO)
Leaders of a Washington homeowners association called on the city to take over maintenance of private streets in their neighborhood and raised questions about how the current arrangement, under which the HOA is responsible for maintenance, came to be in the first place. Read the article…………………………….
With Green Bridge closed, HOA worries about emergency response times, home values (MO)
The recent closure of a century-old bridge in rural Christian County is causing concern among homeowners along Smyrna Road. They say the diagonal route, now severed, is a vital connection between the rural Rogersville and Ozark areas. Read the article…………………………….
Des Peres Alderman John E. Pound Pleads Guilty to $220K Embezzlement (MO)
John E. Pound, an experienced Des Peres alderman, admitted guilt to wire fraud charges, having embezzled $220,000 from a St. Louis condo association. Using his managerial position, Pound orchestrated unauthorized payments to himself over a decade, a federal court heard Thursday. Read the article…………………………….
St. Louis Mom Battles HOA ‘Grinches’ to create Christmas wonderland for her son (MO)
A St. Louis mom aimed to bring a little Christmas cheer to her subdivision and her son. This year, she decorated her front yard and surrounding property with over 100 inflatables and decorations ranging from gnomes, Santas, reindeer, and Disney characters. Read the article……………………………..
Amid short-term rental debates, some HOAs consider limits or bans (MO)
Despite some predictions earlier this year of an “Airbnbust,” bookings and profits are growing for the vacation rental company. With the continued popularity of websites such as Airbnb and VRBO, local governments are developing new laws to regulate short-term rentals. But within cities and towns, a similar task faces another government-like entity: the homeowners association. […]
Another solar panel fight in west St. Louis County heads to court (MO)
Kean is friends with the trustees on the board — he used to be one — so he asked why he was denied. It wasn’t so much about his proposal, the president of the board allegedly told him, but that the trustees were afraid an approval would set off the “wild west of requests, and […]
Judge strips control of downtown St. Louis building from Lux Living owners (MO)
An Alston company owns the majority of Ely Walker condo units, giving him the votes to fill the condo board with employees of his companies. Several independent condo owners sued the Alston-controlled board in 2016 and again in 2021, litigation that is still ongoing. On Nov. 21, the condo owners filed a motion in one […]
For these KC condo owners, the cost of living on the Plaza just rose — by $178,000 (MO)
According to real estate records, each of the condo owners inside Alameda Towers Condominiums — a 20-story building that overlooks the Country Club Plaza that is home to some of Kansas City’s most well-known wealthy families — were notified recently that they would have to pony up $178,000 each for a $10 million condominium repair […]
‘They were basically thrown out’ | Residents at Brentwood condo complex vacated with sudden notice (MO)
The letter came from the community manager, on behalf of Brentwood Forest Condominium Association and Community Property Management, which took over the property this year. The letter said there were plumbing issues at the building a couple of weeks ago and there were cracks in the back foundation wall of the building. Read the […]
Real Property: Restrictive Covenant-Child Care Business (MO)
Where homeowners challenged a grant of summary judgment in favor of their homeowners association based on a finding that the homeowners violated restrictions by providing child care services from their single-family home, the restrictive covenant did not explicitly prohibit business or commercial use, so the judgment is reversed Read the article…………………………….
Power outage leads to major sewage leak at Lake Waukomis (MO)
There’s something in the water, and it’s forced Lake Waukomis to close for nearly a week. A power outage late Thursday night ultimately ended with sewage leaking into the lake……..FOX4 spoke with the city’s homeowner’s association, which say it will advocate for safeguards to make sure this never happens again. Read the article………………………….
Lux Living owners dropped insurance on downtown St. Louis condo building, suit says (MO)
Residents of the downtown Ely Walker Building are accusing the landlords that control it of allowing insurance coverage to lapse on the troubled 174-unit structure. Read the article………………………..
County makes progress to replace ‘bad’ bridge near Arnold (MO)
While subdivision streets must meet certain standards before the county will take them over, Jonas, who proposed the program and coordinates it, has said he wants to bring as many bridges as possible under county control because most subdivision homeowners associations lack the financial wherewithal to maintain, replace or repair failing bridges. Read the article………………………..
KC woman speaks out on bat issue at condo (MO)
A Kansas City woman is speaking out about a problem that she says is driving her “bat crazy.” She’s been forced out of her home multiple times to flee bats – a problem she says the HOA is responsible for. “I’m petrified, I’m nervous. I have panic attacks,” said Kimberly Britton. “I’m afraid to go […]
Homeowners’ Association-Trash Enclosure-Assessments (MO)
Dash v. Taylor (MLW No. 79870/Case No. ED110838 – 10 pages) (Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District, Sullivan, J.) Appealed from circuit court, St. Louis County, Walsh III, J. (Timothy J. Phillips for appellant) (Jay L. Kanzler Jr. for respondent).
Bill brings homeowners’ associations in Missouri under fire
A bill in the Missouri House could allow homeowners from across the state to be freed from the constraints put on them by homeowners’ associations. “If I could afford a helicopter pad for the property I just bought and I couldn’t build it, I’d be suing everybody,” Rep. Donna Baringer, D-St. Louis, said during a […]
Brentwood man jumps out a window to save his life during condo fire (MO)
A fire damaged a set of condos early Friday morning, but a man’s story made the incident remarkable. There were two condos affected by the fire, and neither had working batteries in their smoke detectors, Cottrell said. Read the article………………………..
‘We have something special here in Tomoka Oaks’: Residents, stakeholders weigh in on golf course development (MO)
From the time it was proposed in 1960, Tomoka Oaks was marketed as a community surrounding an 18-hole golf course. And it was, for almost six decades…….Now, nine years later, Davis is among the number of residents within Tomoka Oaks, particularly those whose properties abut the golf course, that wish to see the land remain […]
Despite new state law, Parkville, Mo., neighborhood says homeowners association banning solar panels (MO)
A new Missouri State law, effective January of this year, prevents homeowners associations from banning solar panels. But that’s exactly what one Parkville neighborhood says is happening right now. Read the article………………………..
Kansas City ‘high-rise on stilts’ subject of KMBC 9 investigation after failed fire inspection (MO)
After months of working to uncover details, a KMBC 9 Investigation has uncovered the building failed a recent fire inspection. A reinspection shows the fire department approved a plan by building management to evaluate the exterior support columns to be completed by chemical and structural engineers. Read the article………………………..
O’Fallon Police Department rolls out new position dedicated to ridding neighborhoods of problem properties, feuds (MO)
“One of the first incidents I’ve been assigned to was there’s a neighbor, or resident, that was putting dog feces on the sidewalk,” Young said. “He didn’t want people walking on the public sidewalk behind his home.” Young said the homeowner’s association asked the man to remove the feces after several neighbors complained, but Young […]
Condos & Homes Flooded By Busted Pipes, After Mass Power Outage At Lake Of The Ozarks (MO)
As temperatures plummeted at Lake of the Ozarks on Thursday, Dec. 22 and Friday, Dec. 23, suddenly the lights went off for thousands of homes and businesses in Osage Beach. But more significantly: the heat went off. Read the article………………………..
Fire damages condos along Table Rock Lake (MO)
A fire damaged several condos at a complex along Table Rock Lake on Friday. Firefighters responded to the fire at the Eagles Nest Condo on Indian Point around noon. The fire damaged one building of condos. The high winds created issues for firefighters battling the flames. Read the article………………………..
Grand Haven community clashing with HOA over wild pigs (MO)
Residents at The Crossings at Grand Haven are facing a wild pig invasion. Their HOA, they say, isn’t doing enough to address the issue. Read the article………………………..
Firefighters battle condo fire at Lake of the Ozarks (MO)
Firefighters responded to the Sycamore Pointe Condos around 11 a.m. Investigators do not know the cause of the fire. The fire damaged four units in the complex. Firefighters say the fires were a challenge to put out. Read the article………………………..
Fire damages multiple units at St. Louis Park condo complex (MO)
Several homes within the Wynmoor Condominiums complex at 3200 Virginia Ave. S. were damaged in a fire around 5:20 a.m. Sunday, the city of St. Louis Park says. City officials say seven local fire departments responded to the scene, where three units were fully engulfed in flames. Read the Q&A……………………………….
Kirkwood couple claim complex didn’t secure master keys, leading to $300,000 burglary (MO)
A Kirkwood couple filed suit Thursday alleging burglars stole more than $300,000 worth of property from their condo after their complex failed to secure the master key. Read the article………………………..
A Busted Sewage Pipe Ruined An Osage Beach Condo Pool, And Residents Want The City To Pay (MO)
When the historic freeze of 2021 put the Midwest and Deep South on ice, it also busted a city sewage pipe next to an Osage Beach condo’s swimming pool, filling the pool with sewage. Now, condo owners are asking the city to pay for the repairs. Read the article………………………..
Why HOA Rules Inspire Such Bitter Fights Around KC (MO)
A bitter fight over stormwater management and a duck pond shows what can go wrong with HOA covenants, which an expert calls “some of the strongest documents in our legal system.” Read the article………………………..
City settlement with Ely Walker condo board requires security on site (MO)
The Ely Walker Lofts Condominium Association will have to hire licensed security personnel, install a security camera and begin using a new locking and access system under a settlement finalized with the city Tuesday. Read the article………………………..
Units condemned & hearing scheduled after action taken against Downtown West condo board members (MO)
St. Louis Police say the city attorney’s office gave Ely Walker’s five condominium board members, Anshul Sathyan, Poppy Cao, Bill Richmond, Kyle Hennessey, and Sid Chakraverty, a cease and desist order months ago. However, after residents called 911 for help more than 60 times in 60 days, board members now have a summons for failure […]
Southwest Columbia neighborhood in conflict over R/C planes (MO)
Remote-controlled planes have been filling the sky in the Longview neighborhood in southwest Columbia, causing some residents to take their noise complaints to city hall. Read the article………………………..
Residents plea for help as potholes cause huge problems in Jefferson County subdivision (MO)
It’s no secret that potholes can cause huge problems for your car, but people in Jefferson County say they’re pitching in hundreds of dollars per year to fix their issue and getting no help from their HOA Read the article………………………..
City attorneys take action against condo board members of Downtown West problem property (MO)
That legal action comes after St. Louis Metropolitan Police said the condominium’s board members failed time and time again to keep residents safe. News 4 was at Ely Walker on Sunday talking with residents. Shortly after the story aired at 10 p.m., more chaos ensued. Read the article………………………..
St. Charles residents get results after dealing with stormwater and homes in danger of sliding down a hill (MO)
The residents of Heritage Subdivision near St. Peters battled severe water issues with homes in danger of sliding down a hill. The residents have been coping with many problems that occurred in their neighborhood like stormwater run-off problems. Read the article………………………..
Flood control attempt’s expansion creates a flap in Lee’s Summit neighborhood (MO)
A grassroots effort to beautify a flood-prone area in one local neighborhood is turning into a feud with their homeowners association. Read the article……………………………..
Lee’s Summit homeowners petition attorney general to help save duck house (MO)
More than 400 Lee’s Summit, Missouri homeowners have petitioned Missouri’s Attorney General to assist them in their fight against their HOA to save a duck pool and duck house built in a common area of Raintree Lake. Read the article…………………………..
Celebrate Kindness: woman spreads kindness throughout Plaza condo (MO)
Central Bank of the Midwest is awarding $500 to individuals as part of its Celebrate Kindness campaign. Meet winner Patti Hook and find out why she was nominated. Watch the news report……………………………….
Severe foundation problems force St. Charles family out of subdivision (MO)
Another family was forced to move out of the troubled Heritage subdivision in St. Charles. An emotional Victoria Poletti told FOX 2’s Elliott Davis she had to leave her home after seeing severe foundation problems like deep cracks in the basement floor and cracks in the walls and ceiling. Read the entire article……………………………….
Missouri bill would cut down on HOA solar restrictions
The Missouri legislature passed a bill that would cut down on HOA solar restrictions, exempt some solar installations from sales taxes and more. Renew Missouri applauded the passage of SB 745 as a significant win for solar in the Show-Me State and urged Gov. Mike Parson to sign the legislation as soon as possible. Read the […]
Southwest Missouri senator’s bill would outlaw homeowners’ associations from banning solar panels
A bill advancing through the state legislature would prevent homeowners’ associations from banning solar panels on the roofs of homes. Senate Bill 820, sponsored by Sen. Eric Burlison, a Battlefield Republican, would make it illegal for “deed restrictions, covenants or similar binding agreements” to forbid homeowners from installing panels on their roof. Read the entire […]
Dozens of residents at downtown lofts come forward blaming management and the building’s condo association for lack of safety (MO)
Ely Walker Lofts is one of the many condominium buildings that sits on downtown St. Louis’ main corridor, Washington Avenue. It’s also been the site of a murder, multiple car break-ins, and suspected illegal parties. Now, dozens of residents who have contacted News 4 want answers. Read the entire article……………………………….
HOA looks to shut down backyard pitching lessons in Ballwin neighborhood (MO)
A former college softball player says her backyard field of dreams has turned into an unexpected nightmare. Christie Boen Mirikitani gives pitching lessons in the backyard where she once played catch with her father. Read the entire article……………………………….
Downtown residents fear short-term rentals are causing deadly issues (MO)
News 4 has learned the Ely Walker Lofts has units owned by individual condominium owners and some property companies, one includes STL City Wide. Smith Management Group does on-site management for the property as well. However, the building is governed by the Ely Walker Lofts Condominium Association. A member of that board reached out to […]
Homeowners associations couldn’t ban solar panels under plan in Missouri Senate
The Missouri Senate gave initial approval to a plan Monday that would forbid homeowners associations from banning residential solar panels. The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Eric Burlison, R-Battlefield, would allow homeowners associations to regulate solar panels. But his plan gives property owners the right to generate solar energy on their own roofs. Read the entire […]
Cameras used to capture vehicle license plates in Springfield sparks debate about privacy (MO)
High tech security seems to be the mainline of defense when it comes to fighting crime. That includes recording devices used by law enforcement and now regular people like you and me. Recently a company called Flock Security offered the department use of license plate readers on a trial basis. Read the entire article……………………………….
Condominium fire injures firefighter, displaces residents (MO)
One firefighter was injured and multiple residents were displaced in a condominium fire Sunday afternoon. The Jefferson City Fire Department responded to the report of a fire in a residence on Hobbs Court at about 3:15 p.m. The first arriving fire units found smoke coming from a six-unit condominium. Read the entire article……………………………….
Condo development company brings in illegal immigrants to work in St. Charles County (MO)
The workers detailed how they had to work 11-12 hours per day, six days a week, and were paid cash at the end of the week without taxes deducted. The crew was largely made up of immigrants who came into the U.S. illegally via the porous Mexican border. Read the entire article……………………………….