HOA halts construction of paralyzed Army Vet's home because

[IDrinkaRum]

of one of 2 reasons: Either the Homes for Troops organization didn't properly file all the paperwork, or because of the "small" size of the house (didn't have a 2nd story) would bring down property values for the surrounding homes

Yeah, remind me, if I ever move to where this Knob Hill Homeowners Association is, I'll let the HOA know exactly why I'm NOT buying in there. Oi.

[bainsidhe]

They actually had the balls to request they add a second story to the home? This HOA is starting to learn that an HOA does not have allmighty decision-making power and the ability to spew whatever nonsense without repercussion. How about the other homeowners sue the HOA for loss of property value over this incident?

No problem making this a paperwork argument, fine. But only if the HOA had kept mum about homeowners expressing concern and had given a few thoughts before speaking publicly. Had they done so, this wouldn't even pass for a 500-word blurb on an opinion page.

[PepperElf]

I have a feeling this will only hurt the property value now because no one will want the HOA or the snotty neighbors

[telecom_goddess]

wait...they want a paralyzed vet's home to have a second story? As in....stairs?

[Giggle Goose]

I have a feeling this will only hurt the property value now because no one will want the HOA or the snotty neighbors

Agreed. If I lived there I would be ashamed of my neighbors.

[Andara Bledin]

I see that the article has been updated and the vet and his wife are seeking to make their home elsewhere. Hopefully, they'll find a place that isn't full of bigoted assholes using whatever means they can to keep them out.

^-.-^

[HYHYBT]

All right... suppose that there *is* something wrong with the paperwork. How believable is it that a non-hostile HOA would, rather than saying so, wait until construction is set to begin and then get a court order against it?

It's certainly possible, but the other explanation seems a much better fit.

[Shangri-laschild]

I could be looking at this the wrong way but it sounds like, if the proper paper work is filled out then even despite their feelings about his house, they are planning on letting it be built. While it sucks that they are sounding snobby, on the other hand I can see it other ways too.

First off, if everyone has to fill out paperwork for new houses being built then getting upset when they don't make an exception for you sounds a little entitled. It sounds like the HOA screwed up by voicing their worry about the house. Other than that, if the paperwork wasn't filled out properly then they (the organization) should have gotten that taken care of. If the HOA is being honest about being willing to approve it once the paperwork is in, then this feels like a case of "they didn't make an exception for us not following the rules even though he's disabled". I am having trouble finding anywhere in the article where it says that they tried to correct the paperwork issue or if they just went straight to "but he's a vet" and didn't bother so if anyone can find where they did still try to work with the HOA let me know. It just seems like it would be a pretty straightforward rebuttle. When the HOA keeps saying that they didn't fill out the proper paperwork, all they would have to say is "yes we did, they just keep fighting it."

Second, while I don't want to live in a neighborhood of snobs, I can also see from the point of view of someone who has dealt with slobby or bad neighbors before and now live somewhere with a HOA so that they don't have to deal with that and so that they don't have to worry about their property values. It sort of seems like the equivalent to me of wanting a fancier environment for dinner and going to a fancy restaurant that has a dress code and quiet atmosphere and then a loud family in sweat pants being let in. I'm not against them in general but I came to eat there to avoid a certain environment. Possibly snobby? Yes. It sounds, if I'm reading it right, like they were not previously living in the HOA area before (or at least not in a house they owned). I get that sometimes it's what you can afford or what is available but if you move into that area it means that you are under the HOA rules to some extent (btw to be clear, I would never choose to live in a HOA neighborhood myself and am not a big fan of them so this is not coming from a pro HOA side).

As far as the second floor thing, it's not him living there so it wouldn't be completely odd and a waste of space. And while their timing sucked and it may have been somewhat rude, just saying "hey could you add a second floor because of property values" is different than "in order to live here you need a second floor or more square footage!"

All right... suppose that there *is* something wrong with the paperwork. How believable is it that a non-hostile HOA would, rather than saying so, wait until construction is set to begin and then get a court order against it?

It's certainly possible, but the other explanation seems a much better fit.

That's assuming they had plenty of time between when the original paperwork was turned in and reviewing it and when the people wanted to start building. I can also see it as just as likely that they weren't prompt in getting this to the HOA. While there are a lot of good charities, and I'm not saying this isn't one of them, there are also plenty of people/charities who seem to think that people will fall in line and bend rules and go along with things because it's for charity.

[daleduke17]

This is why homeowner associations need to be disbanded or have their "power" limited. If I'm building a house I don't want to be micromanaged on what I can and can't have in my yard (flagpole, swimming pool, antenna tower, ornaments, etc), what color my house can be painted and of what style it can be built.

At least they are making the HOA the center of the dispute and not making a huge fucking deal over this being a member of the military. They stated some pertinent info in the story about how he was disabled (just so happened it was in the military) and not him out driving his personal vehicle, getting paralyzed and them throwing into the article that he is in the military.

[Hyena Dandy]

Dale, I'm not quite sure what you mean by the second part of your post. Not that I object, I'm just not quite sure.

[Sleepwalker]

He seems to be saying he's glad that they are attacking the HoA for being general assholes, rather than attacking them by saying what they are doing is ok except when they do it to military veterans, who should be treated better than other wheelchair bound folks.

[insertNameHere]

As far as the second floor thing, it's not him living there so it wouldn't be completely odd and a waste of space. And while their timing sucked and it may have been somewhat rude, just saying "hey could you add a second floor because of property values" is different than "in order to live here you need a second floor or more square footage!"

But the fact is he does live there and it is his house, WTF, so his kids can have an upstairs room he is never able to go into and play with them? is the HOA gonna put in an elevator for him? I mean really if one is unable to use stairs it would make sense if they are BUILDING a house they going to make it the way that benefits their abilities or tastes. telling a paralyzed person they need to put up a second floor is insulting, vet or not!

[daleduke17]

He seems to be saying he's glad that they are attacking the HoA for being general assholes, rather than attacking them by saying what they are doing is ok except when they do it to military veterans, who should be treated better than other wheelchair bound folks.

Yes, that's what I'm trying to get across. Thank you.

Also, how is a one story house going to hurt the property values of a two story house next door, or somewhere else in the neighborhood? I don't get it.

[lobo94]

Someone needs to tell the HOAs to go pound sand.

[daleduke17]

Someone needs to tell the HOAs to go pound sand.

Indeed they can. I looked up an HOA near where my wife's parents live and found their "covenants". Here's a few of the crazy things:

- If you don't pay your dues within 30 days, the HOA can foreclose on your house.
- Only the Board of Directors can remove another board member and the President of the Board can appoint someone (so, the HOA can be controlled by a clique of course)
- Here's a good vague one: "No obnoxious or offensive activity shall be conducted on any lot. The business of Declarant and the transferees of Declarant, in developing all of the lots, shall not be considered noxious or offensive"
- No signs other than name/address signs or for sale signs.
- Really?: Each lot shall be planted with not less than one hardwood tree,
which is not less than two inches in diameter, within one year after a lot is in
possession of a property owner after sale by Declarant

Here's the link: http://www.heartlandhillshoa.org/Covenants2010-web.pdf

And this is one of the less restrictive ones I've seen in that area.