“Grandfathered variance”

Is this some kind of business? It's a bit unclear but assume it's along the lines of a business. If so, is there a sign outside saying what it is? Keep in mind that HOA's are not "anti-home business". They are just not for those who "Put a shingle up" advertising it. Hence why many HOA's have rules such as no businesses or no signs other than for sale/rent.

Now if this has not been causing an issue but for the fact it's a rule violation, then the situation will most likely keep going on. If this is an issue that's been festering for 34 years, then under the new owner they may get notification of the violation.

It may be a situation where you all can work something out. Like making sure there are no advertising signs displayed. That traffic is only during business hours of 7 am to 6 pm. It must be shuttered up as to not cause a nuisance. No reason one can't modify the terms if it makes things a better compromise.

It is a business. There is a large outbuilding in the property that is used as a warehouse. No signs or customer traffic. Deliveries come one time a week during business hours. One employee comes for the work truck each day and leaves his vehicle until quitting time. It’s very unobtrusive, really.
What we are looking to learn is whether the change of ownership can trigger action by the HOA if the use doesn’t change in anyway.

I agree with Janet that CCRs can't generally be imposed on a landowner without their permission if they didn't already exist when the property was acquired.

Unless there was something in the governing documents that said variances expire on ownership transfer, I would think they would continue. Is this actually documented as a variance, or is it essentially just a violation that has been ignored for years? In the latter case, many states have statutes of limitations that disallow enforcing violations that have existed for a certain amount of time. The legal doctrine of laches might also apply.