Rural HOAs

Started by RussellC • 8 replies • 1174 views

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RussellC (Arizona)
Posts: 5

Posted:

I VOLUNTEER FOR MY HOA, WHICH CONSISTS OF 36+ ACRE HOMESITES IN SE AZ. HOMES ARE 1/4 MILE OR MORE FROM EACH OTHER AND COMMON AREAS. WE HAVE THE USUAL BOILERPLATE CCRS LIKE MOST HOAS. OUR BOARD HAS A DILEMMA IN THAT WE FEEL THE NEED TO ENFORCE THE CCRS TO REMAIN FAIR AND CONSISTENT AND DUTY BOUND. HOWEVER, RESIDENTS ARE COUNTRY PEOPLE WITH LOW INCOME AND WANT TO BE FREE TO USE THEIR ACREAGE AS THEY WISH. MOST FOLLOW THE SPIRIT OF AND LARGER ISSUES OF THE CCRS, BUT DON'T WANT TO PAY THE EXTRA MONEY TO SCREEN UTILITY EQUIPMENT, HIDE CLOTHELINES, ETC (THE SMALL STUFF), BECAUSE ONE HAS TO STRAIN THE EYES OR USE BINOCULARS TO SEE THESE INFRACTIONS ON THEIR PROPERTIES. I AM INTERESTED IN HEARING FROM OTHER RURAL HOAS ABOUT HOW THEY DEAL WITH THIS FRONTIER MENTALITY VS. THE NEED TO ENFORCE CCRS.

BarbaraD6 (Florida)
Posts: 347

Posted:

Lower case please,its hard for me to read it.
Barbara

SusanW1 (Michigan)
Posts: 5,202

Posted:

Then you have two choices: 1) purchase a backbone for the Board so it will enforce its own CCRs or 2) hold a Members meeting and discuss whether the CCRs are relevant anymore.

Look to the future - what do you want your HOA to look like in 5, 10, 15 years?

That may help you decide how important the CCRs are.

JohnK3 (Pennsylvania)
Posts: 967

Posted:

Excellent advice, Susan.

RussellC (Arizona)
Posts: 5

Posted:

Susan: Thank you for your response. It is helpful in confirming two approaches that we have considered. The dilemma remains that those owners who want the board to have a backbone are the same ones who say, but don't hold me to the CCRs. I know this is a universal issue. We do plan to have a members meeting to discuss what rules are worth pursuing and which ones don't serve us well. The board is considering hiring an inspector to come onto properties looking for violations, which many owners consider gestapo tactics. Your orientation to looking at the future appearance is particularly helpful.

MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043

Posted:

Russell,

Does everyone in your HOA feel as you do? If so, then perhaps a re-write of the restrictions contained in the CCRs is in order. I would think homeowners would want to keep their property looking nice, whether it can be seen from a distance or not. Keeping the yard weed-free is one thing, mowing the lawn only occasionally and never trimming the shrubbery; keeping junk cars in the front yard; not maintaining the exterior of the home, letting the chickens run around the front yard, etc., etc, is another thing. So, be careful of what you change!

JohnK3 (Pennsylvania)
Posts: 967

Posted:

Russell,

I take it "36+" refers to the size of the lots. Is that correct? If so, how many Members do you have, and what are your annual dues, and what do they cover?

RussellC (Arizona)
Posts: 5

Posted:

Mary: Interesting question: We all grapple with the issue of wanting to maintain property values and aesthetic quality, which means having CCRs and enforcing them. However, many owners want to be self-contained, raising their own vegetables and meat (chicken, goats) and solar, windpower, etc. You seem to have a grasp on desert living, but that also means front, back, side yards become pretty much equivalent. Landscaping is nonexistent. Change of CCRs to correspond better to ranch living is appropriate, but 67% response from a largely non-resident association is problematic (=apathy)

RussellC (Arizona)
Posts: 5

Posted:

John: Yes, each lot is 36-40 acres of desert landscape (mesquite brush & sand). We have 98 members, some own more than one lot. Dues are $160/year/lot and covers maintenance (grading)of 20 miles of dirt roads connecting lots, maintenance of a windmill and water tank in the common area and the usual hoa insurance and management company.

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