It was named the California Water Environment Association’s 2019 “Small Plant of the Year” at the association’s annual conference on April 12……..The facility is on Dove Canyon Road in 4S Ranch and the recycled water produced there serves Olivenhain customers in its southeastern portion. This includes homeowners association common areas, schools, parks, streetscapes and golf […]
Common Area Solar Lighting | Ideas and Benefits for Your HOA or Condo
Solar lighting is an eco-friendly way to light your HOA common areas. The large amount of solar light products on the market can easily overwhelm anyone. Identifying the areas you want to illuminate is the first step to choosing the best solar lighting that will best benefit your members. Let’s take a closer look at […]
Day of Reckoning for Trump Tower and Other Energy Hogs (NY)
Today’s the day. The New York City Council is expected to approve a bill that will require most co-op and condo boards to undertake costly retrofits to reduce their buildings’ greenhouse gas emissions. Known as Intro. 1253, the bill will require owners of residential and commercial buildings larger than 25,000 square feet, including co-ops and […]
Geothermal Heating and Cooling: Is It an Option for Your Association?
Community associations are increasingly looking toward environmentally-friendly options to heat, cool and power their properties in order to reduce their carbon footprint and save money. Wind turbines, solar panels, combined heating and power (CHP), and various other energy alternatives all provide varying degrees of efficiency and savings, while simultaneously ranging in availability and viability depending […]
Xeriscaping | The Perfect Way to Manage Shared Natural Spaces
Creating and maintaining outdoor living spaces for an entire neighborhood can be tough. These natural spaces need to be inviting for a wide range of homeowners and their families, and they need to withstand a lot of wear and tear. Not only do these shared spaces need to be beautiful but they should also be […]
Florida Must Take the Lead When It Comes to Sea Level Rise
There’s a joke about South Florida – there are two things you can see from space. The first is the Great Wall of China and the second is the divide between Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. Neither is really true, and more and more each day our region and our state are becoming increasingly unified. South […]
HOA Homefront: Solar panels on shared condo roofs, yes or no? (CA)
Q: My HOA sent out a proposed policy for owners wanting to install solar power systems installed on a roof shared with other units. I am not anxious to have any contractor mess with my roof or my neighbor’s since we all own it and we are in the middle of a lengthy roof replacement […]
Installing Solar Panels When You’re Part of an HOA (NC)
Living in a Homeowners Association (HOA) community has many perks. Neighborhoods are managed through rules and regulations in order to maintain or raise property values. Generally, whenever a homeowner wants to make changes to their existing home, they need to get approval from their HOA. Yet, with solar panel installation in North Carolina, it’s not […]
HOA Homefront: Shedding light on solar applications (CA)
Q: My HOA sent out a proposed policy for owners wanting to install solar power systems installed on a roof shared with other units. I am not anxious to have any contractor mess with my roof or my neighbor’s since we all own it and we are in the middle of a lengthy roof replacement […]
Michigan Court upholds condo association fines for unauthorized wind turbine and generator
In Oak Valley Estates Homeowners Association v Georgetta Livingstone, Unpublished Opinion of the Michigan Court of Appeals, Docket No. 338292 (January 22, 2019), the Michigan Court of Appeals upheld a monetary judgment in favor of a condominium association, for fines and attorney’s fees and costs, after granting an injunction requiring that a co-owner remove solar […]
Getting smart with latest irrigation tech
For a long time, advancements with irrigation controllers were spurred by the needs of contractors. Today, homeowners’ needs play a stronger role, Porrazzo says. “Homeowners are getting much more knowledgeable and are starting to dictate what products are being put in the home or in the ground,” he says. “Every homeowner wants to have Alexa […]
Trump Tower is one of the city’s least energy-efficient buildings (NY)
As president, Donald Trump has pulled the U.S. out of an international emissions treaty that would fight global warming, pledged his support for carbon-belching fuel sources such as coal and rejected the scientific consensus that the climate is warming because of man-made causes, with effects that will be catastrophic to society and the environment. As […]
As Miami Battles Sea-Level Rise, This Artist Makes Waves with His “Underwater Homeowners Association” (FL)
“It is with incredible pain that I say I know my city is doomed by climate change,” says Cortada, who is the artist in residence at Pinecrest Gardens, a recreation center a few blocks from his home in South Miami. “But as a Miamian, my job is to do everything I can to help us […]
Ice Lake HOA signs water deal (AR)
A contract between the Ice Lake homeowner’s association and the Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District last year may keep the historic lake full. The contract sets into motion the legal process of transferring a water right on Cottonwood Creek which had been acquired by the homeowner’s association, UAWCD manager Terry Scanga said. Read the […]
Memo to Environmentalists: Brace for the Three Ps
…So… what if we could impact climate policy by harnessing the private law influence of HOA decision-making on climate-relevant matters? Borrowing, perhaps, from parts of the Sustainable Development Code already in progress, legal architects could draft a model code of HOA best practices on water conservation, renewable energy use, transportation considerations, and other issues that […]
Shade can ease heat, but one neighborhood finds trees are just part of the solution (AZ)
Don McNeil walks the tree-lined streets of Westbrook Village in Peoria to keep his blood pressure down, but hotter weather limits his daily outings. He suffered several strokes two years ago, which stymied his body’s ability to regulate heat. Since then, he’s become more passionate about rising temperatures due to climate change and heat-absorbing urban […]
HB 6304: HOA’s could not ban or require approval for solar panels, clothes lines or wind turbines (MI)
On September 5, 2018, Rep. Sheldon Neeley introduced HB 6304 in order to invalidate provisions in the governing documents of homeowners’ association that ban “energy-saving improvements” or require approval from a homeowner’s association to install an “energy-saving improvement.” The proposed bill would be extremely problematic for Michigan community association’s for several reasons. Read the article………………
Can your HOA stop you from composting and saving water? What to know about a little-known law change (TX)
With record-breaking heat and drought conditions, gardening in North Texas is a challenge in itself. But in some neighborhoods governed by homeowners associations, gardeners have faced additional constraints when attempting to save water and drought-proof their landscapes. While HOAs offer benefits of increased property values and neighborhood attractiveness, most have landscaping rules that require a […]
Maine Voices: Absent oversight, condo associations can stymie energy-efficiency goals
Condominium associations illustrate the challenges of representative democracy at the local level. Consider a condo association with three homeowners that has to decide whether and how to pay for the replacement of their leaky roof. Or an 11-unit condo that needs to decide who should pay for a new heating system that will be used […]
Goldilocks Approach: Hoping to Keep Grass Green and Water Waste Down (AZ)
Jose Alvarez, a supervisor at R. H. Dupper Landscaping, stood up from changing a sprinkler nozzle on a large grassy field at a homeowner’s association (HOA) in Chandler, Arizona. He surveyed the turf, a patchwork of green and brown. “It looks terrible,” he said. “The sprinklers, they don’t have enough pressure, and they spray, like, […]
The world’s first “high-tech eco village” will reinvent suburbs
A half-hour commute from Amsterdam, a piece of farmland is slated to become a new kind of neighborhood. Vertical farms, along with traditional fields and orchards surrounding homes, will supply food to people living there. Food waste will turn into fish feed for on-site aquaculture. Houses will filter rainwater, but won’t have driveways. A “village […]
Can a Michigan Condominium Ban Solar Panels
Approximately 25 states have adopted some form of a solar access statute that makes it illegal for condominium bylaws to contain a provision that completely bans the installation of solar panels. There are approximately 15 different states that have adopted solar easement statutes that uphold the validity of contractual easements for solar access. A full […]
Exterior Lighting Tips for HOA Communities
If your community is looking for a quick and fairly simple way to improve safety and curb appeal, it is time to consider exterior lighting. Without dark spots and shadows, thieves don’t have places to lurk and your community will immediately reduce its chance of being targeted for burglaries. And as an added bonus, exterior […]
7 Tips To Help HOAs Cope With Drought
When a drought hits, conserving water often becomes a community effort. This includes HOAs who must do their part to both keep up with resident demands for quality lawn care and landscaping, as well as those who are responsible citizens in their communities who try to provide that quality service to their residents without neglecting […]
Boards Need a Guide in the Renewable-Energy Jungle (NY)
Is your co-op or condo board thinking about installing energy upgrades, such as solar panels or a cogeneration system? If so, you’re going to need help navigating the dense thickets of technology, building and fire codes, tax incentives, and government grants. Boards should engage an energy consultant or a Building Performance Institute-certified energy auditor, whose […]
Part of the solution to water pollution (MN)
Landscaping for Clean Water workshops held throughout Dakota County Sick of winter and ready to see some greenery? Dakota County is offering landscaping workshops that will inspire ideas while also benefitting the environment. The Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District has partnered with four local watershed organizations — the Vermillion River Joint Powers Organization, […]
Co-ops and Condos Are Still Major Energy Wasters (NY)
Buildings are the biggest polluters in New York City. That’s the bad news. The good news is that the city’s biggest buildings cut their energy use by almost 10 percent and their overall emissions by nearly 14 percent from 2010 to 2015. Now for more bad news. “The typical large co-op or condo building uses […]
Op-Ed: Stormwater Utilities — An Idea Whose Time Has Come? (NJ)
Stormwater systems must be properly maintained if they are to protect groundwater from pollution and people from flooding Read the article………………..
Solar Panels on Common Area Roofs; Have a Policy Yet? (CA)
The California Solar Rights Act (“Act”), found at Civil Code §§ 714 and 714.1, provides certain protections for homeowners seeking to install Solar Energy Systems (i.e., solar panels) on their properties (“Systems”). The intent of the Act was to prevent associations from broadly banning Systems for aesthetic reasons—whether through an explicit ban, or through onerous […]
Condos look for energy reporting loopholes (ON)
Some condo boards in Ontario are looking for loopholes to the coming requirement to annually report their overall energy and water use, but there are none to be found for the large buildings captured by the new regulation under the Green Energy Act. Owners of multi-residential buildings that house more than 10 units and span […]
What Your California Condominium Association Needs to Know About the New Solar Bill – AB 634! (CA)
As you may have heard, the Governor signed into law new legislation that now changes a California condominium’s associations ability to prohibit an owner from installing a solar energy system on the common area roof. AB 634, which went into effect on January 1, 2018, amended several provisions of the California Civil Code to set […]
Exterior Lighting for Community Associations: 3 Important Benefits
Exterior lighting plays an important role when it comes to the safety, crime prevention, and the aesthetics of a community association. When properly done with just the right amount of lights and wattage, exterior lighting is a valuable tool in keeping members safe from falls and thieves. It is also valuable in relaying to non-members […]
Co-ops and Condos to Get Letter Grades for Energy Efficiency (NY)
When the New York City Council passed a law last week that will require large co-ops and condos to post letter grades reflecting their building’s energy efficiency, some of the earliest and loudest applause came from the Urban Green Council (UGC). This nonprofit promoter of green initiatives had been an ardent supporter of the bill, […]
Community Association – Outdoor and Indoor Water Conservation Tips
Water is a valuable resource. Follow the tips below to help conserve water both indoors and outdoors. Read the article……………
Adding Solar Panels in an HOA Community
Many homeowners are beginning to see the appeal of installing solar panels to their home. As an HOA it is important to consider the benefits and identify ways to work with homeowners so everyone is happy. What your board doesn’t want to do is forbid homeowners from installing solar panels, or end up in a […]
Rainwater Harvesting and Your HOA
Rainwater harvesting is a simple, eco-friendly technique that many homeowners are using to gather rainwater and use it for simple purposes. It’s a great way to water gardens, wash clothing, and take care of many cleaning tasks–or even fill a child’s swimming pool. As a homeowner’s association, there are several benefits to allowing rainwater collection […]
Assessing Your Building’s Energy Consumption: How Green Are You?
Most folks know that turning off lights in unoccupied rooms, taking shorter showers, and turning down the thermostat a couple of degrees can help save energy – and by extension, money. However, helping an entire building or association cut costs and reduce its carbon footprint can be a little trickier, which is why many co-op […]
A Look at Cogeneration: Is It for Your Building?
Many residential properties obtain their power from a local energy supplier. But in recent years, boards and managing agents have investigated, and in some cases, installed “cogeneration ” systems that allow properties to produce a portion of the energy they use on-site. Like most technologies, there are both benefits and drawbacks to converting to a […]
6 Ways To “Go Green” in Your HOA or Condo Association
There are more than 7 billion people on the Earth. We take up a lot of space and use a lot of resources. That makes implementing eco-friendly practices even more critical to preserve the environment and the resources that we do have. Trees can be cut down in the blink of an eye, but they […]
Commentary: Lawns are most irrigated crop
When you think about irrigated crops, what likely comes to mind is corn, soy, and other agricultural crops. But the largest irrigated crop in the United States is not one that ends up on our dinner plate. It’s our lawns. Yes, lawns use four times more irrigation than corn crops in the United States. Read […]
No quick fix for old irrigation system at condo community (NV)
Q: You emphasized it’s better to water longer rather than more often. But what if that’s not possible? Our small condo community has an old irrigation system with everything watered from the same lines. We irrigate for nearly 24 hours. Less than that and small plants really struggle. Is there anything we can do? Read […]
Solar Panels: Let the Sunshine In But Only After Approval (CO)
Colorado law prohibits associations from adopting rules or regulations that effectively prohibit the installation of solar panels on homeowners’ properties, but associations are allowed to adopt reasonable rules governing such installation, which can be based on aesthetic considerations and to prohibit solar panels on common areas. Such rules must also not significantly increase the cost […]
Five Paths to Reducing Your HOAs Carbon Footprint
It’s one thing to want to reduce your carbon footprint in an HOA, but how do you actually go about doing that? Here are five pathways that might help. Read the article………………
Water Shortage Restrictions Override Deed Restrictions
Homeowners associations may not require lot owners to pressure wash their homes, or to water or replace their lawns while there are water shortage restrictions in effect. The Southwest Florida Water Management District (“SWFWMD”), the agency responsible for managing and protecting water resources of southwest Florida, has declared that Modified Phase III water shortage restrictions […]
Issues That Cross State Lines: A Look at Condo Legislation Trends
When it comes to legislation and legal issues that apply to condo associations, co-ops, and other multifamily housing models, the focus is often local—city ordinances, council meetings, and so forth – but there are judgments handed down and bills passed that impact buildings and HOAs on a national level. For boards and managers who want […]
Water Shortage Restrictions Override Deed Restrictions (FL)
Homeowners associations may not require lot owners to pressure wash their homes, or to water or replace their lawns while there are water shortage restrictions in effect. Read the article…………..
Avoid Over-watering in Your Association
With temperatures already on the rise, you may be worrying about keeping our plants watered and thriving. While plants die without proper water, the same is true of plants that receive too much water. It is easy to tell when a plant is dying from lack of water (by becoming dry and brittle), but it’s […]
Legislature says homeowners associations can’t bar rooftop solar (OR)
Homeowners associations won’t be able to deny Oregonians their right to go solar under a bill that passed the Legislature on Wednesday. The bill, HB 2111, which sailed through the House more than a month ago on a 56-3 vote, passed the Senate 19-9. Read the article…………….
Green Initiatives in Condos
Most people these days are making a conscious effort to reduce their impact on the environment. Some activities are so common that they have become the norm. We recycle. We turn the lights off when we leave a room. Others activities, while currently less common, are rapidly becoming more popular, like electric and hybrid vehicles. […]
How to Uncover Savings for Your Condo or Co-op Association with an Energy Audit – Energy Efficiency Part 2
In part one of our two-part series on energy efficiency, we discussed the growing trend of mandatory energy benchmarking for residential mid-rise and high-rise buildings. We also showed you how benchmarking can provide your condo or co-op association with valuable information about your energy usage. In this article, we examine the next step on the […]