New HOA starting

First off we live in East End Arknasas(about 30 mins from Little Rock) when we moved here 3 yrs ago, there were only so many houses done, the rest of the community hasn't even start at that time now the are new roads and house and people, recently there has been one home that has been broken into durning the day and a truck had somethings taken from it..( they should have locked there doors)..anyway; Some of of neighbors have decided to start a watch(which I am all for) but now they have decided to start a HOA and some want it and some don't( that is the 1st Prob) Most of our thinking who don't want this is that those who want it, just want to be able to make rules to make them happy, and plus why should we have a HOA and pay dues when we don't live in a Golf comm. or a lake comm. and there is no neighborhood playground and pool, and there will never be because the developer is still building and he owns all the land and lots out here, plus the builder gave us a list of "bylaws" when we signed our contract to build our house, also hopefully not stepping on any toes and I mean not disrepect, but we live in a neighborhood with only 3 minoritys in it and I know for a fact that the people putting this all togather has not spoken or included them in any of the planning or have given them any paper work explaining what the neighbor is wanting to start up.. So I guess my question is we are having a meeting theis Saturday to vote yes or no on this and I was wanting some input to take and share with the group.. just for the record I am not completely against the HOA but the way the are doing it. They haven't even said how much dues would be, just hey we want this now Vote..
Thank you for any help.

Melodee,

I sure hope that these folks who want to start a HOA for your developement, know how much work and expense they will be getting into. Just because a couple of homes have been broken into, what do they think being in a HOA will do to prevent further crime?

The very first thing that I would do is to have a good conversation with the Developer. You said that he gave yo bylaws. Right there almost states that he will have you formed into a HOA otherwise, he would not have bylaws already written. So my advice is to talk with the developer first. TAKE NO VOTE!! It will not be binding anyway so just try and slow these people down until you get some real good information as to the plans for this developement from the Developer.

Melodee,
Another very important thing that I would check into is to go to the web site for the "Clerk Of Circuit Courts" for your County. On there you can do a name search. Key in the name of your Developement and if there are any papers filed by the Developer, they will be there. If you have trouble, call them and ask for the information. This will be the most valuable piece of information that you can take to your meeting. You may already have a HOA set up by the Developer and he just has not proceeded yet because it sounds like you are far from being built out( all or most lots are sold and built on)

Melodee,
I think Donna and Gerald are really into the center of what you should do first and from what i read they are telling you, to find out a lot more than you know right now before you take sides or publicaly (this site) label some of your neighbors that may not take this kindly.
So take their advice and answer their questions about what you know as opposed to how you feel.

DonnaS - It sounds like you're right, and there is miscommunication, or lack of communication, or maybe even misunderstanding on the owners part. I'll never forget in my HOA/COA where the owners rallied together and called for a meeting with the Developer and Board due to 6 months of nothing since the 1st Transition Election meeting. It was standing room only, you could have sold popcorn and made a huge profit. What theatrics. The thought never crossed our minds to form our own HOA/COA. I guess we are very conservative and formal folk, compared to some, here in Tri-state New Jersey area.