HOA regulations can be draconian





It was with great sadness I read your article about the Wear family and their friendly HOA, which is potentially forcing them to get rid of one of their beloved dogs.

Yes, CC&Rs are supposed to be read and observed by all residents of each community which has such CC&Rs. However, what is clearly happening across our area is an abuse of the very intention of such rules. I’m a recent transplant from the Westside, and while I love the beauty of our area, I’ve been horrified by the totalitarian enforcement of these absurd rules.

In our development, Country Meadows in Oak Park, there is arbitrary enforcement with special privileges afforded owners and special attention (aka fines) meted out to renters. Kids are forbidden from playing in the streets. Cars must be parked in garages. Garages cannot be opened except to come and go. Trash cans must be stored in the garages in spite of the smell and heat they generate in the summer. Frankly, when the rules are observed, our development looks deserted and uninviting.

It’s neat- no cars are in sight and no children visible. As a tenant, my landlord did not inform me of the draconian rules, and it’s been a total shock to me. Maybe he was embarrassed or maybe, as I suspect, he assumed as most of us do that such rules are going to be reasonable and any enforcement fair to all residents.

So, I sympathize with the Wear family and hope and pray that their community rallies around their just cause and overrules and/ or amends the capriciousness of their particular HOA rules. Debra Usher Oak Park


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