HOAleader.com - Tip of the Week - January 30, 2009
Published: Fri, 01/30/09
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No Koi Pond for You! HOA Architectural Committees Gone Wild
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Architectural committees can be some of the more contentious
aspects of homeowners association governance. We recently spoke
to Sharon Glenn Pratt, an attorney who advises homeowners
associations and the principal at Pratt & Associates in Campbell,
Calif., to get advice about how to run architectural committees
wisely.
First of all, Sharon told us, "You can't just have committee
members saying, 'I don't like the looks of this, so it's not
approved.' ... The committee has a duty to rely on experts."
Case in point? A proposed koi pond. "I had one situation
involving an owner who wanted to add a koi pond," she explained.
"Committee members said that since nobody else had a koi pond,
they didn't think that owner should have one, either. They
weren't basing their decision on things like the detrimental
affect of the pond's appearance or the fact that it could
require the association to expend money to maintain."
Sharon advised committee members that they'd better base their
rejection of the koi pond on better reasoning or approve it.
For more information about good governance when it comes to
architectural committees, see our just posted article:
http://www.hoaleader.com/members/220.cfm
Best regards,
Matt Humphrey
President
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Recent articles posted at HOAleader.com:
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HOA Governance: All You Need to Know about Architectural
Committees
What exactly do architectural committees do? Do you even need one?
Here's the skinny on architectural committees.
Click here to read full article:
< http://www.hoaleader.com/members/220.cfm >
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State Law Survey January 2009: What's New and Important for HOAs?
Florida HOA Legislation to be Proposed by March ... Advisory
Council Gets Feedback on Condo Law ... National Pool and Spa Law
Takes Effect ... Virginia Manager Licensing Takes Effect
Click here to read full article:
< http://www.hoaleader.com/members/219.cfm >
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HOA News Around the Nation
Board Members Lose Defamation Suit ... Condo Reformer Arrested
for Bribery ... Bylaws Battle Heads to Court ... OA Files For
Bankruptcy to Avoid Paying Attorneys' Fees
Click here to read full article:
< http://www.hoaleader.com/members/218.cfm >
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A Guide to Creating HOA Bylaws
If your association is so brand, spanking new that you don't even
have bylaws yet, here's what you need to know about creating
bylaws.
Click here to read full article:
< http://www.hoaleader.com/members/217.cfm >
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Best Practices for Working with Your Maintenance Crew
Avoid the stress caused by a poorly run maintenance crew by
following these 6 steps.
Click here to read full article:
< http://www.hoaleader.com/members/216.cfm >
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