Missouri Supreme Court rules against attorneys fees for Boone County homeowners association

The Missouri Supreme Court affirmed a Boone County Circuit Court’s decision to deny attorney fees and litigation expenses to a homeowner’s association.  The circuit court properly applied Section 18(d)(2) of Arrowhead Lake Estates Subdivision’s Declaration of Covenants, Easements, and Restrictions by considering whether it was deemed appropriate to award Arrowhead Lake attorney’s fees and costs, […]

Branson fire crews respond to condo fire at the Branson Landing (MO)

Multiple fire crews responded to a commercial structure fire Friday morning at the Branson Landing.    According to a Facebook post from Branson Professional Firefighters Local 152, the fire happened around 7 a.m.  Crews were able to contain the fire to the top floor of the building that housed condos.

Homeowner seeks solution to sewer problem (MO)

A California resident trying to sell his rental property in Terre Du Lac seems to be in limbo as he says the homeowner’s association has stymied the sale of the property until sewage improvements are made.    Read the article………………………………..

Missouri statute stops homeowner associations from banning political signs (MO)

Homeowners associations have rules stopping people from putting any political signs on their lawns but a Missouri statute says that’s not allowed. The statue makes those homeowners association rules unenforceable.  “In some respects, we have conflicting guidelines here and we just have to go with the one that’s enforceable and the fact is that our […]

St. Louis grand jury indicts McCloskeys on gun charges, tampering with evidence (MO)

City attorneys for St. Louis refused to charge nine protesters who were ticketed for trespassing after members of the Portland Place trustees said they did not want to press charges against them.  Following Tuesday’s hearing, the McCloskeys’ attorney said his clients own the sidewalk in front of their home and that they, and other members […]

Fire damages condo in Branson (MO)

Firefighters battled a condominium fire early Sunday morning in the Pointe Royale area.  According to a statement from Branson Professional Firefighters Local 152, there were no injuries, and all occupants were out of the building when firefighters arrived on scene shortly after 3:30 a.m.   Read the article………………………………..

Multiple Lawsuits Filed Regarding 154 Homeowners Association Board (MO)

Two lawsuits have been filed this month against the 154 Homeowners Association, which is involved in three suits related in some fashion to the makeup of the board of directors.  Former 154 Homeowners Association board member Jerry Coalter filed a suit against the association last week after he was removed from the board by other […]

Meadowlake Subdivision Is Officially Part of City (MO)

After years of trying, the Meadowlake Farm subdivision is now a part of the city of Washington.  On Monday night, the city council voted unanimously to welcome the 61-lot neighborhood, located off Pottery Road and south of Highway 100, into the city limits.  The vote put the finishing touches on a project that City Administrator […]

Branson condo owners offer free place for medical workers to quarantine (MO)

Some Branson condo owners are offering a free place for medical workers to stay, so they can have a comfortable quarantine.  “I wouldn’t say it’s a vacation or a stay-cation, but it’ll help ease what they’re going through,” Condo Owner Christopher James said.  James and his wife Rachel are offering up their condo spaces throughout […]

City Approves Deals With Meadowlake – If Annexation Moves Forward (MO)

The city of Washington approved three pre-annexation agreements to prepare for the Meadowlake Farm subdivision to join the city.   The subdivision, located off Pottery Road and south of Highway 100, is just outside the city limits. All 61 lots have applied for voluntary annexation after years of discussion with the city.   Read the article…………………………….

City Gives Nod To Entry Gate On Private Street (MO)

The Kirkwood City Council gave the “OK” to the Sommet at Old Big Bend Homeowners Association to construct a 24-foot electronic gate across the entrance of their subdivision.  Sommet Place is a private street, terminating at Old Big Bend Road, which stretches between Big Bend Road and Craig Road, east of Interstate 270.   Read the […]

Sewer Line Deal Reached With Property Owners (MO)

The Meadowlake Farm subdivision could soon join the city limits of Washington.  The subdivision, located off Pottery Road, is just outside the boundaries of the city. In years past, the city has expressed interest about in annexing the property.    Read the article………………………

ICYMI: Subdivision doesn’t get break to fix its streets (MO)

The Jefferson County Council narrowly decided against setting a precedent in its two-year-old program that allows the Public Works Department to take over maintenance of private subdivision streets in unincorporated areas.  The council voted 3-3 with an abstention not to amend an ordinance that would have accepted the Harmony Hills subdivision just south of Arnold […]

Investigation underway after morning condo fire in Columbia (MO)

Authorities are investigating what caused a Columbia apartment building to catch fire on Saturday morning.  The Columbia Fire Department responded to Smithton Condo Apartments around 8 a.m. for reports of a fire. Upon arrival, crews saw heavy smoke coming from the building, according to a news release.     Read the article………………………

City inspectors return to controversial condo complex (MO)

City inspectors ordered the old Trinity Lutheran Hospital at 30th and Baltimore streets boarded up this week — for the sixth time in six months.  The old hospital is connected to the Park Reserve condos.  “Who wants to live next to this?” Park Reserve resident Joe Heyen said, pointing to a mess near his condo. […]

Frustrations building as fire alarm violations still aren’t fixed at midtown condos (MO)

Frustrations are building for people living in a midtown Kansas City condominium complex where several fire code issues still haven’t been addressed.  The developer of the Park Reserve Condominiums, Wayne Reeder, and the Park Reserve Homeowners Association are in a tense back-and-forth over who should be responsible for fixing the fire alarm and sprinkler system. […]

Developer speaks out about fire code violations at Park Reserve condos (MO)

A Kansas City developer is speaking out about fire code violations at the Park Reserve condominiums more than a week after several residents came forward with major concerns about their safety and home values.  Residents claim the developer, Wayne Reeder, has neglected his obligation to sustain their home values and safety since 2011, when Reeder […]

Jefferson County residents concerned over dangerous potholed road (MO)

Jefferson County residents are having to maneuver their way around dozens of deep potholes on the main road in and out of their community near House Springs.  The road is called Ruth Drive, it`s a private road and authorities say it`s putting people`s safety at risk.     Read the article……………….

St. Louis condo owner alleges black mold in common area caused illness (MO)

Three residents of a St. Louis condominium allege black mold in the common area caused illness.  Patricia Nejmanowski, et al. filed a complaint on Nov. 15 in the St. Louis Circuit Court against McPherson Place Condominium Association, et al. alleging premises liability and negligence.  According to the complaint, the plaintiffs purchased a condo on McPherson […]

Titeflex wants Chapel Ridge Condo Association’s lawsuit over lightning strike moved moved to federal court (MO)

A Massachusetts-based company facing a northwestern St. Louis suburban condominium association’s product liability lawsuit, stemming from a lightning-caused fire last year, wants the case to be heard in federal court.  Defendant Titeflex Corporation, whose parent company is Smiths Group International Holdings, filed its notice of removal on Nov. 21 in the U.S. District Court for […]

New weapon in campaign sign battle: neighborhoods can’t ban them (MO)

If your homeowners association says you can’t put campaign signs in your yard, you can now say ‘no’ to them.  The General Assembly passed a law earlier this year that homeowners associations cannot prohibit political signs. However, it seems that not everyone knows about the new rules.  Audrey Shah, a supporter of 50th district Democratic […]

Trustees fire a fastball at former softball star over pitching practice in Ballwin backyard (MO)

On Aug. 6, the Country Creek Homeowners Association sent the Boens a letter saying the trustees had received complaints about “traffic congestion, noise, and balls thrown into neighboring properties …” Signed by association trustee Eric Olliff, the letter asks the Boens to shut down their daughter’s softball pitching clinics.  “We’re just playing catch,” says Mirikitani. […]

A Retirement Community Turned Away These Married Women (MO)

Mary Walsh and Beverly Nance did considerable research in 2016 before deciding to move into a continuing care retirement community outside St. Louis.  They took a tour of Friendship Village Sunset Hills and were impressed by its pool and fitness center, a calendar crammed with activities, the newly built apartments for independent living. They had […]

MISSOURIAN EDITORIAL: Without accountability, homeowners associations run amok

When they function as they’re supposed to, homeowners associations ensure neighborhood standards, property values and goodwill. Because many associations maintain private streets, sewers and water systems through fees homeowners pay, they relieve local governments of infrastructure costs.  But when HOAs don’t function as planned, homeowners pay a heavy toll in court costs, fines, liens and […]

Court says solar panels must go (MO)

A Missouri appellate court rejected a homeowner’s appeal of an order to remove solar panels from property in the Lake of 12 Oaks subdivision.  The Western District of the Missouri Court of Appeals issued an 18-page judgement Tuesday denying all five of Matthew “Scott” Hausman’s appeal arguments. The judicial panel’s review follows a judgment issued […]

Condo managers settle over deck collapse that injured couple (MO)

A St. Louis County couple injured in a 2013 Memorial Day deck collapse settled claims against the apartment complex’s homeowners association, a condominium management company and the unit’s owner for a total of more than $1.4 million. Michael and Mary Macharia sued the Sandalwood Creek Condominium Owners Association, Roy H. Smith Real Estate Co.,

Commission discusses private roads

“There was no record of it in our minutes, but to this date there are nearly 15 HOA organizations requesting that the county take over and maintain their private roads.”      Read more………

Corbin Park developer lawsuit ends, but not the fight about fees

A lawsuit filed against Corbin Park developer Mike Schlup recently settled out of court for $11 million. Tenants who bought condominiums at a project near Lake of the Ozarks accused Schlup of using unqualified workers and faulty construction practices that resulted in damage to their condos.      Read more………