Lake Lincolndale and Lake Shenorock homeowners in Somers voted against a proposition Tuesday that would have created a public sewer district for 989 homeowners in the two communities was defeated 532-418. The controversial and at times divisive issue would have established Somers Sewer District #2 and authorized borrowing of nearly $16.2 million to divert about […]
Neighborhoods use police-linked license plate readers to monitor drivers in Hillsborough County (FL)
Tampa Bay residents are turning to license plate readers to keep an eye on who’s coming and going. A homeowner’s association in Temple Terrace says it’s an effort to keep homeowners safe and plans to install a system linked with police, just in case they have to share the information when a crime happens. Read […]
Lake Charlene residents flooded by Hurricane Sally seek to revive FEMA mitigation project (FL)
Last year, a tiny sliver of property in the Lake Charlene community became a political and ideological battleground. Last month, more than two dozen homes became casualties of that battle. Hurricane Sally caused severe flood damage to numerous homes in the Lake Charlene subdivision last month despite a fully-funded plan in place to improve flood […]
Lake Forest families raise safety concerns about speeders, reckless drivers (AL)
Lake Forest families are pleading for help as they say speeders and reckless drivers are creating a dangerous situation in the large Daphne neighborhood. Diamond Reddick, who lives on Wedgewood Drive, said she and her baby were nearly hit by a speeding driver on Thursday. Read the article………………………………..
Burr Ridge Expands Surveillance Camera Program (IL)
Fourteen subdivisions in Burr Ridge have surveillance cameras that are connected to the village’s police department. On Monday, the Burr Ridge Village Board approved an agreement where a 15th subdivision — Carriage Way — would join the program. The neighborhood is investing $32,000 into cameras at the entrance to the subdivision, according to the village. […]
Ormond Lakes HOA seeks stormwater remedies as Planning Board OKs Ormond Grande project (FL)
The Planning Board unanimously recommended approval for a development order, rezoning and preliminary plat request for the construction of 60-townhome units off U.S. 1, hoping that the project engineer and the Ormond Lakes homeowners association can come to an agreement to solve the existing drainage issues affecting nearby residents. Read the article………………………………..
Austin-area neighborhood could be violating federal law by not allowing census workers to visit homes, legal expert says (TX)
A gated community in the Austin area informed residents it would not allow census workers to visit uncounted homes, a potential violation of federal law according to legal experts. An email sent to residents by the management of the Spanish Oaks neighborhood in Bee Cave said: “Per the Association’s solicitation policy in the Governing Documents, […]
True Teamwork enables Homeowner’s Association to protect delicate waterway (AL)
Managing two ageing adjacent wastewater treatment plants that are nearing the end of their days…… This can be a tall order at the best of times – but how about when discharge is into one of the most diverse and sensitive waterways in the world – home to more species of fish than any other […]
Five HOAs join fight for Cypress Creek flood remediation (TX)
Adamek knows flooding and he knows transportation and isn’t fooled by the pat answers and chicanery he hears at meetings. A retired engineer from General Electric, he works part-time in Washington, D. C. for the Department of Transportation. One of his first orders of business was to put some more strength behind efforts he and […]
Orland Park residents urge village to reconsider plan of planting native grasses around detention pond (IL)
He and other residents that surround Eagle Ridge Pond have signed a petition in hopes Orland Park officials will reverse plans that call for planting native grasses around the pond’s perimeter. Residents say that would affect the aesthetics of their neighborhood. Read the article………………………………..
State pilot brings drainage relief to local subdivision after years-long effort (IN)
Standing water and mosquitoes plague the Willow Lakes East subdivision in White River Township with every heavy rainstorm. Residents of the subdivision and others in the county inspired County Commissioner Ron West to put forward legislation that would allow Indiana counties to step in and help subdivisions that have no other recourse for drainage control. […]
Suwanee works out agreement with HOA for trail access (GA)
The Suwanee City Council recently approved an agreement with the Pierce Point subdivision homeowners association for access and trail maintenance to the Suwanee Creek Greenway. The section of greenway between Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road and Suwanee Elementary School is on land that belongs to the Pierce Point subdivision. Read the article………………………………
Court Holds That County’s Abandonment of Public Road Easement Rights Did Not Violate Brown Act, Was Supported by Substantial Evidence, and Did Not Create Takings Liability (CA)
On August 17, 2020, in Martis Camp Community Association v. County of Placer, __ Cal.App.5th __ (2020) (Case Nos. C087759 and C087778), the Third District Court of Appeal addressed several novel legal claims arising from the County of Placer’s partial abandonment of public easement rights in a road connecting two adjacent residential subdivisions near Lake […]
North Myrtle Beach passes new tow truck rules despite resident opposition, workshop to come (SC)
“You’re talking about a registered agent or owner having to call the police themselves and waiting for the police officer to get there,” said Pam Stanley, HOA manager for Pierwatch Villas in Cherry Grove. “There is no way for us doing that without hiring security, which we can’t really afford to do, honestly. Rents are […]
Ocean City Condo Complex to Rise Above Flood Level (MD)
Chronic flooding at the Ocean Aire Condominiums is so bad at times that stormwater literally surges as high as the windows. But residents living at the condo complex at 43rd Street and West Avenue in Ocean City’s south end won’t be moving out. They’ll be moving up. 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 […]
Subdivision change initiated to help homeowner (TX)
She continued, “Nothing seemed out of the norm. It wasn’t until we submitted a building permit application we were given the news that the city had no record of a subdivision application from 1946. So the city considers our lot and the next-door neighbor’s at 1303 S. Fifth as one large lot.” Under city regulations, […]
Amick Acres flood diversion project nears completion (NE)
From devastating floods to months of recovery, residents in Amick Acres are excitedly waiting for a much needed flood diversion project to wrap up. The $240,000 project is a joint effort between Hall County, the NRD and Amick Acres Homeowners Associations. Read the article……………………………..
Baca Grande POA receives grant to prepare for wildfires (CO)
The Baca Grande Property Owners Association has received a $245,000 2019 State Fire Assistance grant to reduce the wildfire risk within the community, with an emphasis on creating healthier, more fire-resistant common lands. Baca Grande POA applied for the grant in partnership with the Colorado State Forest Service. The Colorado State Forest Service works with […]
Council votes to accept seven private roads as public ways (MA)
A years-long process to turn seven city streets from private ways to public roads is almost complete after a first reading by the City Council on May 21……Onyski said the Devon Manor Homeowners Association and neighbors on Hillcrest Circle all did a lot of the work. “It was a great team effort,” he added.Read the […]
Parkland’s Pine Tree Estates Sues the City Over Ownership, Maintenance of Streets (FL)
A legal battle is brewing among residents of Pine Tree Estates against the City of Parkland, and it’s not getting resolved for a while. Hundreds of homeowners have put together a grassroots campaign to fight the city’s efforts to take part of their land as well as the allure of their Parkland community. Read the […]
Escambia County to review how it became responsible for Innerarity Island’s sewer system (FL)
Escambia County will be re-examining how it became responsible for building a new sewer system on Innerarity Island, after a revelation from the county attorney that the county did not have to take over the project. The Escambia County Commission discussed the project Thursday after the Innerarity Island homeowner association board of directors passed a […]
Co-ops, Condos, HOAs & PPP Loans: Confusion Abounds for Communities Seeking Fed Assistance (NY)
While individuals and businesses across the country and around the globe attempt to maintain some semblance of stability in a world reeling from the medical, emotional, social, and economic devastation of the coronavirus pandemic, identifying and securing assistance from the U.S. federal government has presented its own set of challenges and frustrations. Read the article…………………………..
Neighborhood Associations vs. City Planners
Communities often band together to push for what is best for their residents. They form organizations like HOAs and neighborhood associations, which give them a chance to meet with their neighbors, exchange ideas, start projects, and propose solutions to problems facing their communities. Read the article………………………….
Community Seeks County Water Service (MD)
Residents of the St. Martins by the Bay community are asking the county to connect them to public water. The Worcester County Commissioners have agreed to schedule a public hearing regarding a request from St. Martin’s by the Bay to expand the Ocean Pines Sanitary Service Area. The expansion, which has been petitioned for by […]
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…………………………….
Sheriff’s office, Surfside HOA negotiate for deputy (WA)
The Pacific County Sheriff’s Office and the Surfside Homeowners Association are negotiating details to allow the sheriff’s office to hire an additional officer to patrol the Surfside area. The negotiations come after reserve Deputy Travis Ostgaard — who had been patrolling Surfside — was hired for a non-law enforcement position with the county, and Sheriff […]
Could law enforcement contracts some neighborhoods have with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office go away? (TX)
An item on next week’s Harris County commissioner’s meeting regarding law enforcement contracts is creating quite the stir. City Oaks in south Harris County hired Precinct Seven. The $320,000 contract provides three deputy constables for protection. Read the article…………………………
Accusations Fly Between Rocky Point Neighborhood, Local Government (AZ)
The Las Conchas community in Rocky Point counts many affluent Arizonans among its roughly 2,000 residents. Tensions between the neighborhood and city government over development plans and other issues had been simmering for some time. Then last May, the local government tore down the Las Conchas guard house. The HOA saw that as an act […]
Homeowners’ association voices concerns to Upper Saucon supervisors (PA)
The full complement of officers from the Traditions of America (TOA) at Saucon Valley Homeowners’ Association voiced their concerns to the Upper Saucon Board of Supervisors on Monday night. They asked the board not to approve the release of a portion of the developer’s security deposit held by the township until all conditions, details, and […]
Legal bulletin informs neighborhood residents of their rights after HOA tries to trespass homeowners from facilities (FL)
The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office has now issued a legal bulletin to inform their deputies and people living in the Turnberry Reserve community in Kissimmee about their rights to access HOA common areas. It comes after HOA property management staff were caught on camera twice asking law enforcement to kick some residents out of the […]
Didn’t that used to be a golf course? Pasco plan says you better keep it mowed (FL)
The birdies and eagles at a closed golf course in Hudson have given way to vermin, snakes, mosquitoes and coyotes. That is the unflattering picture John Cybart painted for Pasco County commissioners four months ago when he asked the county to help protect his neighborhood’s property values. Cybart, president of the homeowners association at the […]
FHP terminates contract with embattled HOA after trooper asked to trespass homeowner (FL)
The Florida Highway Patrol has terminated a contract for off-duty patrols inside a Kissimmee community after a trooper was asked to enforce a fake trespass warning to a homeowner. Channel 9 investigative reporter Karla Ray has been following a back and forth legal battle between neighbors and the home owners association management company in the […]
Condo and Homeowner Association Board Members VIP Meetings (FL)
Two years ago, Aventura Commissioner Dr. Linda Marks approached the Aventura Marketing Council/Chamber of Commerce (AMC) about her idea for a new committee. With over 100 associations in Aventura, she noted, “there is a need to provide information on topics that are affecting all association Board Members while encouraging them to share their own expertise […]
Horry County ranks top in the state for HOA complaints (SC)
The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs released its 2020 HOA Complaint Report on Friday. The department received more than 200 complaints in 2019 against 143 homeowners associations across the state. Read the article…………………….
Sun City, other homeowners have recourse: Ways to avoid bad contractors, fix errors
Renovating a home is a major project for homeowners and there is a lot to handle even when contractors do the work. The burden becomes worse when contractors do a poor job. Homeowners have some recourse when dealing with a contractor that does not live up to expectations. All Arizona residents can access the Registrar […]
Dangerous Ideas for Land Use Laboratories #1: Preempt the Single-Family Residence Restrictive Covenant
My point is this: if we are serious about addressing disparities in neighborhoods–and I think sociological studies tell us we should be–then we can’t just address the public system of segregating neighborhoods through single-family zoning. We must also contemplate pre-empting enforcement of single-family residence covenants in HOA CC&Rs through either state statute or local ordinance. Read […]
She bought a home for $1 on a road that might not exist. She hopes you learn from her story (OH)
Riddick won the chance to buy a house for $1 through the HUD Dollar Homes program, an initiative designed to help first-time homebuyers and stabilize neighborhoods. But the key that should have unlocked a future of stability for Riddick instead has left her feeling trapped. That’s because her Northside home sits on a section of […]
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 […]
Lake Conroe to Kingwood: Look elsewhere for help with flooding (TX)
This past week, the two sides marched into battle at a packed public hearing in a Conroe convention center, where each speaker was given three minutes to state his or her case. The crowd included three busloads of residents that David Hartman tailed down Texas 105 from Walden on Lake Conroe. Along the way, they […]
Montgomery City Councilman Wants More Security Cameras in Neighborhoods (AL)
District 7 Councilman Clay McInnis says these cameras are like ring door bell cameras, except for neighborhoods. His goal is to have 30 cameras installed in his district by the end of the year. The Hillwood neighborhood off Vaughn Road already has seven cameras installed and paid for by the Homeowner’s Association. Read the article………………………
Private roadway in Lorain could turn public, with engineering study moving to full council (OH)
The city is looking at engineering needs to take over a private roadway and assess condominiums for the necessary repairs. Council’s Streets and Utilities committee met Monday evening to discuss if the engineering department should investigate construction costs and property assessments to rehab a private drive turned public if nearby property owners agree. Read the article…………………………
Greensboro Admits It Overcharged, Won’t Refund Money (NC)
Imagine you discovered the city had been double billing you for garbage collection. So you contact the city and the city agrees that through a clerical error, you had been double billed and for years paid twice as much as you should have for garbage service. Do you think the city would? (A) Refund the […]
Malta seeks to take over snowy roads in development (NY)
Shoddy snow removal at the top of Travers Meadows development over the past two winters is prompting the town to try to take over the roads so residents don’t have to face a third snowy season of difficult driving and walking. Read the article……………………….
Middleburg Hts. officials troubleshoot Wexford Glen detention pond problem (OH)
A frequently clogged detention pond outlet in the Wexford Glen neighborhood in Middleburg Heights has become a concern for residents living in the 50-home community. Councilman Bill Meany assembled city officials and met with Pat Greco, Wexford Glen homeowners’ association president, at a special Dec. 9 meeting to troubleshoot the problematic pond. Read the article…………………
Treasurer to look at office’s relationship with special tax districts (SC)
Cathy Miller is looking to make changes at the Greenwood County Treasurer’s Office. The former Beyond Abuse director was named treasurer in October and wants to change how her office handles special tax districts, which Greenwood County Council approved creating in December 2014. Read the article…………………………….
HOA Homefront: Who is minding the board? (CA)
Q: Is there an oversight/audit department on a state level that oversees the management of an association? I am finding contradicting and wrong information in the minutes. Q: Is there a governing body that oversees all HOA groups? Ours is not enforcing its CC&Rs. What can we do besides sue them? Read the Q&A………………………….
Colorado metro districts and developers create billions in debt, leaving homeowners with soaring tax bills (CO)
Metro districts are taxing authorities created by subdivision developers, with the consent of the local government, for the sole purpose of selling government-like bonds to finance their projects. Repayment of the bonds is tied to future property taxes assessed to the homes that will eventually be built. Read the article………………………….
Sagamore Hills condo owners fight 500% Cleveland water bill increase (OH)
Some Sagamore Hills condo owners, living in the Greenwood Village neighborhood, are upset and frustrated with the Cleveland Division of Water, and are now facing what they say is more than a 500% increase in their water bills. Read the article……………………….
Sea Gate adrift after local politician’s corruption scandal (NY)
Residents of Brooklyn’s Sea Gate say the state left their homeowners’ association marooned after a $500,000 state grant got washed away in a corruption scandal. They’ve been operating out of a pair of trailers for seven years since Superstorm Sandy destroyed the association’s office. Read the article………………………..