No, actually we don’t… and most other HOA’s and neighborhoods don’t either. Dogs barking, loud music, etc are governed by the City of Brandon. We understand they can be a nuisance, and we’re not trying to pass the buck. However, we simply do not have a covenant that addresses it.

Feel free to call the City of Brandon Police Dept and request that Animal Control address the matter of a barking dog.

NOTE: The City of Brandon DOES have a noise ordinance, including for animals. It’s been our experience that Animal Control does address complaints about dogs barking unnecessarily. It’s also our understanding that Animal Control may only work during weekdays, during normal business hours. However, they should pass along a complaint if you call after hours.

Yes, Legacy Subdivision IS in the City of Brandon.

Rankin County School District, as follows:

K – 1st: Rouse Elementary – Click Here
2nd & 3rd: Stonebridge Elementary – Click Here
4th & 5th: Brandon Elementary – Click Here
Middle (6th – 8th): Brandon Middle School – Click Here
High (9th – 12th): Brandon High School – Click Here

Water: City of Brandon

Electricity: Entergy

Gas: CenterPoint

TV/Phone/Internet: Comcast, AT&T, DirecTV, Dish Network

Legacy is a neighborhood of 108 lots/houses, with beautiful homes ranging in size from 2,500 square feet to over 5,000 square feet. Most of the homes are in the 3,000 to 3,500 sq ft range and have lots of approximately 1/3 acre. All of the homes are at least 3 bedroom, with many having 4 or even 5 bedrooms. All homes have a minimum of a 2-car garage, with many having a 3-car garage.

In our local market, Legacy is one of the nicest, quietest, and well-kept subdivisions around.

On I-20W, take Exit 59, East Brandon, to Hwy 80 (Government St). Once at the bottom of the exit, turn West (left) and drive approximately ½ a mile. You should see the entrance to Legacy Subdivision on your right, just past Brandon Baptist Church on your left.

On I-20E, you can also take Exit 59, which is the East Brandon exit. At the bottom of the exit, turn West (right) and drive approximately ½ a mile. You should see the entrance to Legacy Subdivision on your right, just past Brandon Baptist Church on your left.

If you’re coming from downtown Brandon, head East on Government St (Hwy 80). After you pass the intersection and red light at Louis Wilson Road, keep heading East for about ½ a mile, until you see the main entrance to Legacy Subdivision on your left.

NOTE: There’s another entrance to the subdivision, which is Eastwood Drive (also intersects with Government/Hwy 80), about a ¼ mile to the west of the main entrance.

Legacy Homeowners Association (HOA) is a group of 7 volunteers, typically homeowners in the neighborhood. The HOA is in charge of maintaining all common ground in the neighborhood, including landscaping and flower beds at the front entrance, and in the island circle in the middle of the subdivision. Legacy HOA maintains records of all their meetings, which typically take place once per month. They also host an Annual Homeowners Meeting. While the HOA bears the responsibility of enforcing the Covenants in the neighborhood, it also oversees the following committees (also made up of volunteers from the neighborhood): Hospitality, Beautification, Decoration, and Architectural Design (ARC).

There are typically 7 volunteers who serve on the HOA Board. However, it is possible for a Board Member to serve the position of more than one officer.

Absolutely! We’d love to have new people involved. All you need is the desire to improve the neighborhood, the commitment to attend meetings, and have at least a little common sense ☺

No, not at all. There are other ways to get involved. First of all, anyone may attend a Legacy HOA Board Meeting. So please feel free to attend any meeting, or all of them. Ask questions, provide input, we want to hear it. We also have a few committees that you can be a part of, which is the next question in this list of FAQ’s.

 

Hospitality, Decoration, Beautification, and Architectural Design (ARC). If you’d like get involved in one of the committees, just contact a Board Member for more information, or send an email to the HOA, or come to a meeting and express your desire. We’re always looking for great people to get involved.

The Legacy HOA Board typically meets on a monthly basis. On rare occasions, this may change in the event of a scheduling conflict or other reasons. For instance, we don’t have a meeting in November because our October meeting is late in the month, and our December meeting is early in that month.

We try to post all our meetings on our Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/legacybrandonms/), on our website (http://legacyhomeowners.com/calendar/), as well as mentions in our email newsletter.

Yes, our monthly Board Meetings and our Annual Homeowner Meeting are all open to the public. There’s usually an opportunity at each meeting for open discussion. However, if you have a concern you’d like to address, or an appeal to make, we ask that you request to be added to the agenda for an upcoming meeting. You may make an agenda request by sending an email with the details of such to the HOA Board.

Sure, we follow the traditional Robert’s Rules of Order for our meetings (just like most Boards do). There’s usually an opportunity at each meeting for open discussion. However, if you have a concern you’d like to address, or an appeal to make, we ask that you request to be added to the agenda for an upcoming meeting. You may make an agenda request by sending an email with the details of such to the HOA Board.

You may make an agenda request by sending an email with the details of such to the HOA Board. The Board typically allots 15 minutes for an agenda item, depending on the discussion.

Just a lot of love ☺  Official answer: NO, the HOA Board is not compensated in any way. The only time a Board Member is provided funds is for a direct expense, such as a reimbursement or something similar.

Yes, the HOA typically has an Annual Homeowners Meeting in April each year. This is the meeting whereby Board Members are elected, and a recap of the previous year is discussed. ALL homeowners are encouraged to attend. However, homeowners are welcome to attend any monthly Board Meeting, as well.

Yes, you may cast your vote via proxy. Keep the following things in mind, when voting by proxy:

  1. Your proxy vote must be notarized and dated no more than 90 days prior to the voting event taking place.
  2. The proxy vote must be signed by a bonafied homeowner of the respective property.
  3. Should we receive more than one official vote from the same property (such as a spouse or co-owner), only one vote will count. If all votes cast on behalf of the same property are not cast with the same result, no vote will count for that respective lot. Example: two proxy votes are received for the same lot, from different owners. One vote is a “yes” and one vote is a “no”. In this event, no vote will be counted.
  4. Proper proxy votes must be received by the HOA no later than the day BEFORE the official vote takes place.
  5. Proper proxy votes must be sent to the HOA as originals, with original signatures. Photocopies or scans are not acceptable.

Should you need a copy of a proxy ballot for any HOA vote, please advise the HOA and a proxy voting ballot will be provided to you.

Only ONE vote per household may be counted toward any HOA vote. Should there be any disagreement among the additional owners of any lot, no vote will be counted for that lot.

The HOA’s Annual Assessment is the amount that is due each year. This amount is typically billed in January of each year and should be paid (received by the HOA) no later than the last day of February each year.

Sure. The HOA’s financials are a matter of public record. In order to review the financials, please attend a Board Meeting, and we’ll be sure the records are made available. It may be a good idea to let the HOA know in advance of the meeting, so the Board can be sure to bring the requested materials.

The HOA also tries to provide monthly expenses and other information via our email newsletter that is sent out regularly. The HOA also brings more thorough financials to the HOA’s Annual Homeowners Meeting.

 

The HOA has a myriad of expenses, including but not limited to: electric bill (lighting on common ground), water bill (irrigation on common ground), decorations, regular lawncare and landscaping (this is a large part of the budget), annual preparation of the HOA’s tax return, printing of documents, quite a bit of postage (including certified mail), professional and legal fees as needed, neighborhood projects, any events, etc.

Assessments, fees, fines, or any payment due to the HOA may be made by mailing a check or money order as follows:

Legacy HOA
PO Box 2217
Brandon MS 39043

We also accept online payments via credit card, on our website.

NOTE: Please do not pay anything directly to a Board Member, or leave a payment at their residence. If it is too late to mail your payment and have it arrive by the due date, feel free to pay the amount online (on our website). Online payments are posted effective with the date paid online.

Yes, there is a $25 Late Fee, which may be applied any time a payment or balance due is not paid on time. Regarding the actual Annual Assessments due each year, they are due no later than the LAST DAY OF FEBRUARY each year.

Please understand, such payment must be RECEIVED by the HOA by the last day of February, regardless of the postmark (same way nearly all bills are paid). A $25 Late Fee will be applied on March 1st of each year, for any unpaid Annual Assessment. After that, a MONTHLY $25 Late Fee may apply.

NOTE: Please do not pay anything directly to a Board Member, or leave a payment at their residence. If it is too late to mail your payment and have it arrive by the due date, feel free to pay the amount online (on our website). Online payments are posted effective with the date paid online.

 

A Special Assessment may be imposed whenever an expense has been incurred, or the HOA Board anticipates it may be incurred. If and when this occurs, the HOA Board has the right to assess a Special Assessment that will apply to all lots in the neighborhood.

Legacy Subdivision has several documents related to Covenants, including Amendments over the years and the original Covenants. All of these are filed in the Rankin County Chancery Clerk’s office in downtown Brandon. So the official docs are available there, in the Chancery Clerk’s office. However, we’ve also done our best to post our Covenants, ByLaws, and other important documents in the Documents section of our website. You can find the Documents section of the website by CLICKING HERE.

There’s a variety of reasons, but the primary one is COST. IF we attempted to gate our neighborhood, keep in mind we have more than one entrance. Not only that, but we also have more than one physical street that makes up our primary entrance off of Hwy 80. So gating that main front entrance would involve a total reconfiguration of the front entrance and/or multiple gates and fences. All of this would be quite costly.

Additionally, there’s another entrance via Eastwood Drive. Keep in mind, Eastwood Drive is not actually a street in our neighborhood. As such, we would need permission from the City, and possibly from the homeowners that own property on Eastwood behind our neighborhood. We’d likely have to provide ready and free access to Eastwood Drive, which would pretty much defeat the purpose of using gates all together.

On a final note, IF we chose to spend the tens of thousands of dollars to gate our neighborhood, we would then be 100% responsible for the streets, repaving and surfacing as needed, as well as the curbs, drains, sidewalks, and all signage. Currently, the City maintains these items. Regardless of how someone may feel about the condition or maintenance of any of these items, it is doubtful that our neighborhood would ever want to bear all the risks, costs, and responsibilities of all these items.

NOTE: A very similar neighborhood in Brandon recently gated its subdivision. Currently, that neighborhood has HOA Assessments of $325 PER MONTH.

Yes, we have a very nice newsletter that is sent out via email. There’s a signup form on the homepage of our website, as well as on our Facebook Page.

Currently, Monday and Thursday mornings are the pickup days for our neighborhood. They typically pickup pretty early in the morning, usually around 8am or 9am, so you may want to put your garbage out early on those mornings, or the evening before.

NOTE: Please do not leave your garbage cans out, except on the days of pickup and the evening before.

Yes, sort of. The City changed its policy on this effective August 16th 2017. Here’s a link to their new policy, HERE.

Download the 2017 Limb and Debris Requirements by clicking on the image below.

The City picks up this type of debris on the SECOND DAY OF PICKUP of the week (Thursday, in our neighborhood).

Here’s some highlights of this City policy for Limb Pickup:

  • Limbs shall be no larger than 5 feet long & 8 inches in diameter.
  • Individual limb piles shall be stacked to a maximum of 3 feet in height.
  • Individual limb piles shall be no larger than 60 pounds
  • Limbs shall be bundled neatly and placed next to garbage at curbside (do not place in street or on/in front of storm drains).
  • There shall be no construction material within limb piles for pickup.
  • Limbs & debris will be picked up on the second pickup day of the week.
  • Limbs placed at curb not in compliance with these standards shall not be picked up. Code enforcement will contact residences with compliance issues to resolve.
  • Trees and limbs cut by a contractor are the responsibility of the contractor to remove per city ordinance – Section 66-45.
  • Small diameter branches and trimming can be placed in a trash container.

Requirements for Leaf Pickup:

  • All yard debris including leaves, grass, and garden debris shall be bagged. Brandon has discontinued use of the vacuum roadside leaf service.
  • Bags and/or bundles shall be placed at the curb, a few feet from your trash cart, by 7:00 AM on the morning of your second scheduled collection day.
  • Leaves or debris shall not be placed in the street or near a storm drain per city ordinance. Code enforcement can issue citations for debris placed directly in the street or gutter. Leaves and debris placed in the street or gutter ultimately get carried by stormwater into our lakes where the nutrients contribute to algae growth.
  • Debris determined to be left by professional landscapers will not be collected.

The Architectural Review Committee (ARC) is a committee of volunteers that review items presented to them by homeowners.

Anyone who wishes to change the look of their property, add an out-building, deck, new landscape design, pool, or any structure on the property should get approval from the ARC BEFORE beginning the work or project.

Below are SOME (but NOT all) example questions that involve seeking ARC approval. If you answer “Yes” to any of the questions, below, then you may need ARC approval.

Do you have plans to place an out-building on your property?

Do you have plans to add a kids’ playhouse or other play equipment to your property?

Do you want to put an above-ground or in-ground pool on your property?

Do you want to add a new bedding of plants to your yard?

Do you want to add a fence or any kind, anywhere on your property?

Do you want to add a deck or outdoor pergola to your property?

Do you wish to change the color of the exterior look of your property?

Do you wish to add an addition to your dwelling or additional garage?

Do you wish to add a pool house?

Do you wish to add a structure or screening to hide an area on your property, such as pool equipment?

Above are just SOME examples of why someone may need ARC approval. If you are seeking ARC approval, you MIGHT not have to attend an Legacy HOA Board Meeting, as we typically can take of most requests via email and the ARC Committee members coming to visit with you.

Legacy HOA has an ARC Submission Form that allows the homeowner to submit the details of their proposed project, along with any sketches, pics, and details. This Legacy ARC Form will then send the homeowner a copy of the submission, as well as send it to all the members of the ARC.

You should expect a response from the ARC within 5 business days. The Legacy ARC Form is on our website, or you can CLICK HERE.

There is a really easy to use, detailed webform on our website. CLICK HERE to connect directly to the Legacy ARC Form.

Oh yea, definitely. If the project necessitated a City Permit, it’s definitely something that also requires ARC approval. Keep in mind, ARC approval and a City Permit are two different things. Not all ARC approval items require a City Permit, but likely ALL City Permits also require ARC Approval. If you’ve already obtained a City Permit for a project, BE SURE to submit your project and plans to the ARC BEFORE you start on the project. Otherwise, it’s possible you may do something, and spend money on a project, that is not compliant with the neighborhood and the HOA may be forced to require you to remove it. Please play it safe… get ARC approval on any project.

CLICK HERE to connect directly to the Legacy ARC Form, so you can submit a project for approval.

Yes, this is subject to approval by the ARC. Should you wish to erect a flagpole with an American Flag on it on your property, please do the following:

Please submit your proposal to our Architectural Design Committee (ARC), as any accessory, landscaping, or addition to the property must have ARC approval. You may do so by sending the complete proposal to ARC@LegacyHomeowners.com or by filling out the webform for such on our website, by CLICKING HERE: By using that webform, you may also upload any drawing, sketch, diagram, or pictures.

In your proposal, please be sure to include the following:

  • Drawing or sketch of the property and where you’d like to erect the pole.
  • Proposed height/width and material of pole.
  • Depth that pole will be planted in the ground, and how it will be secured/anchored (dirt? concrete?).
  • Dimensions of proposed flag.
  • Will there be any other flag(s) flown on the pole, other than a current American flag?
  • What material will be used to raise/lower the flag (rope, chain, etc)?
  • What is the timeframe that the flag will be flown (day, night? Certain times of year, or year-round?)?
  • Does the owner know and understand proper protocol for flying an American flag on a pole, including but not limited to:
  • A damaged flag should not be flown and should be disposed of in a proper manner.
  • Such a flag should be properly flown at half-mast when deemed by the US Government or the State of Mississippi.
  • Such a flag should not be flown at night, unless the flag is illuminated (thus, the flag should come down at dusk each day).
  •  If the pole and/or flag is to be illuminated, please provide details of the illumination, including light placement and hours for such.
  • Should the flag pole fall down for any reason, will it land on anyone else’s property but your own?
  • Any other specifics that you think are important.

NOTE: Proposal should be submitted by the homeowner of the property.

Legacy HOA is aware of the Freedom to Display the American Flag Act of 2005, which is LINKED HERE.

It is also understood that you should adhere to any statutes or ordinances that may apply from the State of Mississippi, Rankin County, and City of Brandon. While Legacy HOA encourages and embraces patriotism, we must also conduct proper due diligence. It may be important to note The Flag Act of 2005 provides the right to display the flag, but we must all be careful and thorough regarding erecting a pole to do so. Many in our subdivision “display” the American flag, such as via a 4-foot pole that is mounted to the façade of a dwelling.

Yes, it’s called a Damage Assessment. The amount may vary based on the violation. The HOA tries to be very consistent in applying a Damage Assessment, but each instance may require Board discussion and approval.

Not really. The Covenants are what they are, and every homeowner should make an effort to know the basics or check the Covenants before a violation occurs. For ease of viewing, we have our neighborhood Covenants listed on our website, on the Documents page, HERE.

The HOA does make an effort to provide courtesy notices with nearly all Covenant Violations. However, in certain instances, such as repeated offenses by the same property owner, a notice of violation and Damage Assessment may be sent to the property, without a prior courtesy notice.

If you have any questions or concerns about a Covenant, please feel free to reach out to the HOA Board.

This depends on the violation, and how long is reasonable for the particular issue. For instance, if it’s grass cuttings that need to be removed, the homeowner may be provided 3 days to resolve. If the entire yard needs cut and edged, the owner may be given 3 days or 7 days, depending on how bad the lawn looks (as you may imagine, giving 7 more days for a terrible looking lawn is probably too long). If the issue is a fence that needs to be replaced, or an out-building that needs to be moved or replaced, the owner will likely be provided with 30 days to resolve.

When determining the amount of time provided to correct a violation, the HOA Board considers many factors including what previous similar instances were provided, whether or not the homeowner is a repeat offender of the same issue, how long it may take to correct the issue, and what is fair to all parties. While it is the intent of the HOA Board to err on the side of caution regarding the time provided to correct a violation, keep in mind that some homeowners will push the limit and use the exact amount of days provided or add a day or so. With this in the mind, the HOA has to do what is best for the entire neighborhood, when determining time allowed to resolve.

Yes, absolutely. The appeal process is to notify the HOA Board of the intent to appeal, ask to be added to the agenda for the next HOA Board Meeting, then come to the meeting, and present your case. Be sure to bring any and all supporting materials that you feel may assist your case and the decision making process of the Board. If you cannot attend the next scheduled HOA Board Meeting, then ask to be added to the Agenda for the following Board Meeting.

Keep in mind, making an appeal for an issue does NOT stop you from being fined with a Damage Assessment or incurring a Late Fee for failure to pay any balance due. Otherwise, a homeowner could easily state their intention to appeal, but conveniently not be able to attend a Board Meeting for 6 months. In such a case, the issue remains the same, including Damage Assessments and any applicable Late Fees, until such time that the homeowner can properly come to a Board Meeting to formally appeal. Should the homeowner win the appeal, any funds paid by the homeowner will be reversed appropriately.

Could there be a way to appeal without having to attend a Board Meeting? Yes, but only in extreme circumstances, and on a case-by-case basis ONLY. The HOA Board does not wish to be difficult or punitive with this, but if we simply said “sure, you can just send us an email and make your appeal that way”, then no one would ever bother to come to a meeting to make an appeal. Keep in mind, it is always best that a homeowner be present for an appeal. That way, the homeowner can properly explain and the Board can ask questions and better understand the situation.

Yes, actually there is. Why wouldn’t you want to properly maintain it on your own? ☺    This is a sticking point with nearly all HOA’s, as well as homeowners who have enough care for their home and neighborhood that they properly maintain their lawns. It ALWAYS looks better, for the neighborhood, for all the homeowners, and certainly makes the neighborhood more inviting, if everyone properly cares for their lawns… including proper edging and weed-eating.

Additionally, it’s not fair to all the other homeowners who take care of their yards, to have that one house in the middle of all the others that stands out because their grass is growing 6 inches into their sidewalk, over their curbs, and it looks like they cut their grass only when they have to. Legacy Subdivision is a fine neighborhood, with some fine properties, and even finer homeowners. Please, let’s all do our part and properly maintain our lawns.

Yes, garbage cans may be placed at the curb ONLY on the days of garbage pickup and the evening before. Please do not leave your garbage cans out on other days.

According to our HOA’s covenants and Architectural Design Guidelines, each house is required to have the same mailbox installed. The proper mailbox has been known to be available for purchase from Copper Sculptures in Flowood (Ph: 601-992-995) as well as on Amazon, by CLICKING HERE.

You can also review a PDF DOC regarding our mailbox requirement here:  Mailbox Requirements Doc

No, we don’t. This is similar to the dog barking question above. This can be addressed by the City of Brandon, if desired. Feel free to call the City of Brandon Police Dept and request that Animal Control address this matter.

NOTE: The City of Brandon DOES have a leash law for all animals (yes, even cats). It’s been our experience that Animal Control does address complaints about dogs not being on a leash. It’s also our understanding that Animal Control may only work during weekdays, during normal business hours. However, they should pass along a complaint if you call after hours.

No, there is not. We understand this is often misunderstood, and many think the HOA should stop a 4-wheeler or golf cart from riding in the streets of our neighborhood. The problem is, quite simply, the HOA has NO authority to prohibit it. If a 4-wheeler is driving erratically, dangerously, on common ground, etc then yes, the HOA can say something. But if the item is being driven on the public streets that belong to the City of Brandon, then it’s a City issue aquí.

It’s also worth noting that the City apparently does not allow 4-wheelers or golf carts on the City streets. However, if we expect the City to enforce that, and thus remove grown individuals from driving 10 or 15 mph in our streets, then the same can and should be said about scooters, hover boards, razors with a powered motor on them, etc.

There are 3 primary concerns about street parking. First, a vehicle should NEVER block a sidewalk. Sometimes, a driver thinks they’re doing the right thing by straddling the sidewalk, thus taking up less space in the street. The problem with that is it blocks the sidewalk, prompting children and others to walk/run in the street. The City of Brandon definitely frowns upon a vehicle straddling the sidewalk, and it’s our understanding they will ticket such a vehicle.

The second thing is street parking is not allowed as per our neighborhood covenants, as well as a violation of a City of Brandon ordinance. It’s our understanding the City enforces this ordinance by ticketing a vehicle that is parked on the street after 10pm.

The third thing is monitoring and being fair and reasonable. When the HOA notices or is notified of a vehicle parked in the street, we do NOT immediately rush to serve the homeowner with a notice. Instead, we monitor the location by determining if it’s a habitual offender, or if it’s just overnight guests for a couple days, or even if there’s other, more pressing reasons why the vehicle is parked in the street. Other such reasons may be:

  • There’s been a death in the family and family members and guests have arrived for a temporary period.
  • There’s been an evacuation on the gulf coast or in a neighboring state, prompting family or friends to temporarily stay at a home in our neighborhood.
  • There’s work being done on the property that necessitates a vehicle be parked in the street for a temporary period of time, such as a garage addition or work being done on the driveway.
  • A birthday party or other gathering is occurring, that requires temporary parking on the street.
  • A caregiver or housekeeper is visiting temporarily.

The HOA reviews any instance of street parking and considers all these factors, before enforcement is levied. If you have a situation that you feel necessitates temporary street parking, please feel free to notify the HOA (such as sending an email), so we’ll know what’s going on. We understand this may not be “cut & dry” to some, but the only other alternative would be to fine every single car, no matter how long the vehicle is parked in the street. No one, including the HOA, wants us to do that. We want to be as fair as possible with this, and use common sense and fairness to everyone.

Yes, currently a home may rented under the following conditions:

  • The entire property and house is rented, not just a room or some type of sublet.
  • A written lease is required and must be supplied to the HOA for approval.
  • The lease must be a minimum of 6 months in length.

NOTE: “For Rent” signs (or signs to that effect) may not be erected or displayed anywhere on the property. ‘

Yes. You may send an email to the HOA Board (LegacyHomeownersAssoc@gmail.com), or, the best way is to fill out the Legacy HOA Contact Form on our website. From that webform, you can provide the details of the possible violation, and you can even do so anonymously.

Please note, if you submit a possible violation anonymously, we obviously will have no way to follow up with you regarding the possible violation cialis precio. That seems obvious, but some may submit something that’s not a violation at all (such as a dog barking or a golf cart in the street). And then when the HOA does nothing about it, they may think we’re dropping the ball. So please understand, if you submit something anonymously, there’s no way to follow up or explain anything later on.

Yes, there is. As per the Covenant Amendment filed on 11/28/2012, basketball goals are allowed. Here’s the wording from the Amendment:

Portable basketball goals may be located in front of the dwelling and must be approved by the Board of Directors/Architectural Review Committee prior to placement. Portable basketball goals should be placed between the sidewalk and the side or front of the dwelling and located in such a manner as to minimize the impact on adjacent lots. Portable basketball goal supports, backboards, rims and standard nets (no metal nets) must be well maintained and in such a fashion that they do not detract from the neighborhood. Portable basketball goals must be properly filled with sand or water and the pole must be metal. The portable basketball backboard must be commercially manufactured out of materials which will not weather, warp, or disintegrate and should be predominantly white, beige, clear or light gray in color (florescent colors are not permitted) and only a shooting square may be painted on the face of the portable basketball backboard. Portable basketball goals are not permitted in cul-de-sacs or on the street edge and only one portable basketball goal is allowed per dwelling.

Yes, they may be amended. In order to amend, there must be a written instrument (document) signed by a minimum of 2/3’s (67%) of the neighborhood. Such signatures should be authenticated. The easiest way to authenticate is to have all the signatures notarized.

No, there is not. We, the HOA, can reach out to the police. However, the homeowner who witnesses the action is also capable of doing that. We simply do not have an HOA covenant that addresses it.

In theory, yes. In reality, probably not. Keep in mind, the first thing we’d need is the land or space to build the pool. It’s doubtful that we have the land to do so. And even if we did, some people may want one, but the people next door to the proposed site may be against it.

The other obvious issue is the sheer costs. A neighborhood pool has an immediately upfront expense, but there are also other expenses that aren’t so obvious:

  • Significant increase in liability insurance.
  • Maintenance and upkeep of the pool.
  • Some type of cabana or out-building would be required, with running water and toilets (health code requires a public pool to have an available bathroom).
  • Parking – would we have no parking and everyone walk to the pool? Or would we have 4 or 5 parking spaces, like most pools have? If so, that requires more land.
  • Fencing and security (would we get a lockable gate, or key tags and give them to residents?).
  • The logistical issues of handling the usage of the pool, who would manage it, how many guests are allowed, etc.

Nearly all subdivisions that have pools, they were built by the developer… not usually by the neighborhood. The total costs of adding a neighborhood pool, along with the required land, bathrooms, security fencing, etc could cost $200k to $300k. This is obviously not in our budget anytime soon.

A playground may cost less, but still requires land, which we simply do not have. The good news is our neighborhood is wonderful, and one of the finest in our entire market, just as it is.

Yes, we do. Here’s what the covenants say about trailers:

No structure of a temporary character, and no trailer, tent, storage building, shack, barn, outdoor clothes line or dryer, swimming pool filter system component, fuel or similar tank, playhouse, shed or other building shall be erected, used or maintained on any Lot unless same shall be screened from public view or screened from the view of another Member from his dwelling or yard in a manner approved by the Architectural Review Committee.

Here’s what the covenants say about boats and such:

No all-terrain vehicle, motorcycle or boat shall be kept on or within a Lot or other part of the Property except fenced within the rear of the Lot behind a dwelling screened from public view. The Architectural Review Committee may from time to time on a case-by-case basis permit deviations from the strict enforcement of this prohibition to accommodate the reasonable requirements of a Member. All vehicles shall be currently licensed and maintained in operating condition, so as not to cause or create hazards or nuisances by excessive noise levels, exhaust emissions, or appearance.

So here’s how the HOA views these items. We use the same kind of discretion and thought process for boats and trailers as we do with street parking. It is the intent and desire of the HOA that we monitor and be fair and reasonable with everyone regarding boats and trailers. When the HOA notices or is notified of a boat or trailer, we do NOT immediately rush to serve the homeowner with a notice. Instead, we monitor the location by determining if it’s a habitual offender, or if the item is due to a work in progress, or is a boat there because the owner is stocking it to go to the reservoir and it’s over the weekend of Memorial Day. We take into considering the following:

  • Is the home’s roof being replaced or is the entire front landscaping being replaced, and that’s why a trailer is in the driveway with shingles on it for 5 days?
  • Is it the 4th of July and a boat has been in the driveway for 36 hours and then it’s gone?
  • Is there a boat in the driveway for a day and the owner was outside cleaning it, and then it’s gone?

The HOA reviews any instance of boats and trailers in this manner. Do you have a need, due to work being completed at the property, for a trailer to be parked for a while? Please contact the HOA and let us know. If it makes sense, there likely will be no problem.

However, there’s always the chance the HOA’s desire to be fair and reasonable will be taken advantage of. We also consider the following:

  • Has the boat or trailer been there 3 out of the last 6 weekends?
  • Has the property owner been sent multiple notices about the issue in the past year or so?
  • Is the owner taking advantage of the situation and leaving in the driveway too long?

The HOA wholeheartedly believes this approach is the most fair and reasonable for everyone. However, taking this approach also means we may have to check on the situation a little bit, otherwise there’s no way for us to know how long something has been in the driveway. Also, the fact that a trailer or boat may be hooked to a vehicle in the driveway has no relevance at all. If the boat or trailer is there, and it’s visible… then it’s there and it’s visible.

We understand this may not be “cut & dry” to some, but the only other alternative would be to fine a homeowner every single time a trailer or boat is on someone’s property for even 5  minutes. No one, including the HOA, wants us to do that. We want to be as fair as possible with this, and use common sense and fairness to everyone. If anyone has any questions, suggestions, or concerns about this policy, please let the HOA know.

Yes, as one of the HOA’s last resorts. A lien is filed when a homeowner fails to pay a balance that is due. At some point, when a balance has not been paid, the HOA has no choice but to protect its interest by filing a lien on the respective property. Doing so carries a $250 Lien Fee, for the time and cost of preparation as well as the filing fee with the county.

Typically, the HOA assesses 3 Late Fees on an unpaid balance before filing a lien. However, there are circumstances that may accelerate that, such as a property that is being listed for sale (the lien may need to be filed much sooner, before it’s sold), or other legal reason. The HOA has an officially adopted Collection Policy, which may be reviewed HERE.

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