DwightT (Idaho)
Posts: 664
Posts: 664
Posted:
Like many associations, our CC&Rs have a clause that states that real estate signs, or signs of any type, may be displayed in any of the Common areas. We've had problems with agents placing their directional signs all over the neighborhood, including not just in common areas but also on other homeowner's property. We've also had complaints from homeowners about these signs.
In the past when a board member saw one of these signs or was notified about one, he/she would approach the agent and ask them to remove the signs. Usually, while disappointed, the agent was willing to comply and that would be the end of it. We've had a couple though who got belligerent about it and would raise the stress levels for everybody involved. One moved his signs onto the sidewalks and tried to tell us that sidewalks are city property and we can't do anything about his signs in the public way (not true - the City Attorney informed me that not only are the sidewalks part of the HOA common areas, but it is also a violation of City Code to place any signs in the sidewalks).
To clarify these issues we recently drafted a procedure that stated that these sings will be removed from common areas and placed in an area where agents can pick them up. One of our Board members objected to the use of the word 'will' and wanted it changed to 'may'. He feels that by saying the signs 'will' be removed, it doesn't give him the option of approaching the agent if still wants to. I feel that he can still talk to the agent, just inform them of what the procedure will be. If we use the word 'may', then I think we could be setting ourselves up for trouble if a Board member decides that he 'may' ignore his buddy's sings.
I realize that this is mostly a nit-picky thing, but I would like to hear any thoughts that others may have.
In the past when a board member saw one of these signs or was notified about one, he/she would approach the agent and ask them to remove the signs. Usually, while disappointed, the agent was willing to comply and that would be the end of it. We've had a couple though who got belligerent about it and would raise the stress levels for everybody involved. One moved his signs onto the sidewalks and tried to tell us that sidewalks are city property and we can't do anything about his signs in the public way (not true - the City Attorney informed me that not only are the sidewalks part of the HOA common areas, but it is also a violation of City Code to place any signs in the sidewalks).
To clarify these issues we recently drafted a procedure that stated that these sings will be removed from common areas and placed in an area where agents can pick them up. One of our Board members objected to the use of the word 'will' and wanted it changed to 'may'. He feels that by saying the signs 'will' be removed, it doesn't give him the option of approaching the agent if still wants to. I feel that he can still talk to the agent, just inform them of what the procedure will be. If we use the word 'may', then I think we could be setting ourselves up for trouble if a Board member decides that he 'may' ignore his buddy's sings.
I realize that this is mostly a nit-picky thing, but I would like to hear any thoughts that others may have.
