On 4/5/2009 6:02 AM, Jangchub wrote [in part]:
On Sat, 04 Apr 2009 16:26:34 -0800, I previously ranted [also in part]:
Try living in a tract with a mandatory owners' association. Under the
CC&Rs (conditions, covenants, and restrictions) recorded on the
individual lots in the tract when the land was subdivided, the
association's architectural review committee might have more authority
than any government planning or zoning commission.

People who live in sub-divisions with HOA's know that before they move
in. A piece of paper is signed at the closing called deed
restrictions and HOA restrictions. It's a contract. I wouldn't move
into one of those if it was the last house. I'd buy a yurt first.

The tract near me that I described is NOT a condominium development.
It's a tract of large, single-family homes on public strees, each home
with its own, individually-owned lot.

The problem is that the disclosure of CC&Rs that is presented at closing
never describes the personalities of the members of the association's
board or architectural review committee. Some boards and committees
have members who are rational and willing to see value in variety.
Others have members who really should be rulers of small (or even large)
kingdoms and who insist on uniformity.


Fortunately, I don't live such a tract; but there are several very near.
In one, you can't plant a deciduous tree -- even in your back yard --
because the leaves might blow into a neighbor's swimming pool. You
can't leave your garage door open while working in your garden. And you
can't have any play equipment (e.g., swings) in your back yard if it
extends higher than the wall (not fence) around your property.

That's absurd. What type of shade trees can people grow?

When I go there, I see a lot of palms.

--

David E. Ross
http://www.rossde.com/.

Don't ask "Why is there road rage?" Instead, ask
"Why NOT Road Rage?" or "Why Is There No Such
Thing as Fast Enough?"
http://www.rossde.com/roadrage.html