Sunshade in common area

Started by JenA1 • 4 replies • 681 views

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JenA1 (Hawaii)
Posts: 1

Posted:

Aloha from Maui I live in a beautiful community where it’s sunny and beautifully groomed last the heat could Be terrible! i’m a single mom of two children and most of the community is above the age of 50. There are a lot of issues that are going on within our community but most of all our community pool area is basically quiet and destitute most of the year because nobody uses it . There are so many crazy rules that drive families out despite the fact that they have a playground right next to the Pool area. The playground gets so hot that my kids burned their bottoms on the slide so they don’t want to go most of tIme. My dad owns the unit so his concern is only getting shade near the eating areas or laying down areas by the pool but my biggest concern is getting shade over the playground area. . Currently I’ve been trying to get the association on board with adding umbrellas or sunshades but it appears that they have no interest in doing anything about it . You would expect that the older community would be interested in providing shade from the sun but they have no interest whatsoever . in the housing regulations it says nothing about whether we can bring our own umbrellas or shading so one time I asked the board if it was OK to bring my own umbrella and the president said yes the next day I brought my umbrella and there were three property management workers intimidated me to take it down despite me telling them that it was approved . Since I’m getting so much pushback I figured I might as well start a petition and do this the right way .I’m curious if there are any laws that state that there has to be shade to protect the community from harmful rays or if there is anything that can help move this forward so much

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

Well you can go back to the President/board and tell them what reaction you got from the MC workers. Why? The MC is a HIRED contractor to the HOA. They should be doing what the HOA tells them to do. Not the other way around. Maybe time that relationship is defined better and lines established.

Not sure how much an umbrella or sunshade would really offer. Considering it's not going to cool down a slide at 3 PM if it's been in the sun all day. Plus it's well known that playground equipment doesn't get used in full sun. I live in Alabama, you can forget using playground equipment after 10 am.

A pergola may be a better option than sunshade. It's a bit sturdier and more permanent. Although may get someone idiot or kid to climb on it. It should offer some relief from sun exposure.

Former HOA President

GeorgeS21 (Florida)
Posts: 3,808

Posted:

Maybe some more specifics re the umbrella and ownership status ...

How large was the umbrella?
Were you placing it over the equipment in some fashion?
Are you on the deed? (if not your father will need to speak with the Board)
Have you attended Board meetings to bring the topic to their attention? (you will need to be there with your father unless you are on the deed)

To your point about "laws" to require shading ... don't think that would reasonable.

MarkM19 (Texas)
Posts: 1,459

Posted:

Jen,
Don't bring problems to the board. Bring solutions for them to consider. Sale Shades are fairly cheap and only requires a few poles strategically placed in concrete and it really defuses the Sun.

How many other families have children in the community that would benefit from this shade? Remind the board that structures sitting in the direct Sun age twice as fast as those protected from it. Reserves matter to most board members.

If you really want change help them help you. You need to ask the MC if it can be placed on the agenda 1 week ahead and have a complete package with pricing included. If it is not complete you can expect questions and delays from the board. Be prepared if they have rebuttals.

If you are allowed to speak during the HO forum at the beginning of the meeting have a solid Elevator speech prepared. Short and Sweat and to the point. Make sure your Dad attends since he probably holds title to the property.

LetA (Nevada)
Posts: 2,679

Posted:

Is this in an age qualified community? Not much will be done for "families" in an age qualified community.

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