How big is an amenity

I read many of the discussions about the possible need to get 100% of the owners to approve removing an amenity. I suppose the percent required is unimportant to this question as 100% is just as hard to get as 50% for the HOA.

The real question is what defines an amenity? We have a small water feature that is in a common area visible to neighborhood streets that has some flowing water and has the footprint of a garage (just a rough estimate). It is barely seen if you drive by because it is only at ground level but it is at the entrance monument to the area. There has been some discussion of taking the water out and filling in empty space with dirt and putting in plants. The actual structure would not change in shape, just in purpose. I realize you would really have to see it to visualize it. This structure in an 800 home community so it is small in comparison.

Do you think just changing it from a water feature to a plant feature constitutes a change in an amenity?

I don't, because I don't consider such a fountain an "amenity."

I consider amenities things that the membership can use in some way that increases their enjoyment of their living spaces, like a pond, a dock, a poolhouse, a club house, tennis courts.

Landscaping features like fountains, statues, fences, not so much.

Just my opinion though.

Seems to me it might be better to take up your suggestion and fill it with plants - which might be prettier to look at anyway.

Robert,

I'm with Mich, Donna and Shelia. And with the cost/benefit breakdown you provided, I'd venture your BOD might even have the power to do the switch on a maintenance basis, assuming the fountain is not mentioned in yor CC&Rs and your budget protocols would permit it. Though polling Membership is always a good thing.