The article wasn't as bad as I expected; I know Rusty (Independent reporter) was at the monthly SCHOA board meeting and had heard it wasn't pretty. Seems there's been an ongoing struggle with a home owner on Cumberland (in phase 1) for more than two years and once again neighbors turned out in masse. I won't belabor the claims other than to say the original owners and two daughters now own the home in a trust. The allegations have run the gamut from drugs (not in the article but has been the rumor), to up to 10 people living in the home, to junk all over the yard and a host of other things. The latest incident was a motor home that had sat for too long on the street. The article was gentle in that it didn't mention when SCHOA officials claimed they were doing everything they could, all of the neighbors got up and left; quite angered by what they heard. There were some comments from the board about how much legal standing SCHOA has and perhaps they needed to change the CC&R's. Throw in the remarks about not having the money to take them to court and it was a an exercise in futility for those living near the Cumberland home. I know a little about SCHOA because several of us rebuilt it from the ground up in 06, 07 and 08. A friend who helped shape the organization during those years was in attendance. He took the microphone, unfortunately after the neighbors left, and stated quite emphatically SCHOA has the authority under the existing CC&R's to go to court and enforce them to their full force...up to and including eviction (though they have never taken them that far). He reminded the board of a court case from 1978 where SCHOA set legal precedence by doing just that. There have been similar cases along the way and dozens of legally binding liens filled against owners for failure regarding compliance matters. The reality is it is expensive and a pain in the butt, but there are remedies for cases where owners snub their noses at SCHOA. When we were elected in 2006, we found nearly 80 cases that had been started and virtually nothing done with them. We began a slow and arduous process of cleaning them up. The worst ones we made examples of and those who thought nothing would happen to them suddenly found it important to come into compliance or face rising costs (up to and including going to court). During those three years we also built a soft side to the organization to go with stricter enforcement. Those in need got a helping hand and that program still exists to this day. It was the best of both worlds and residents loved the fact we wouldn't let people off who were thumbing their nose at the roles (and sent money to help those needing help). The real question is, where will SCHOA be in ten years. They are invaluable to the community, but if they don't have the resources to go after people who are blatantly violating the rules, what purpose do that serve? The article claims they are weighing their options, but allowing people to ruin their neighbors retirement isn't one of them.
There's no question Emily, SCHOA is the most unique HOA in the country. When we rebuilt it, it was about creating something very special. The bones were there, we just needed to put some meat to it. There was a time in the 80's and 90's when 60 to 70% of those living here belonged (even on a voluntary basis). They got involved in some things that created a stir and membership dropped dramatically. When we came on board in 2006, we had less than 20% as members. Within two years and a very aggressive PR and marketing plan we grew those totals to near 33%. No idea where they are now, but we know from past experiences, problems like the Cumberland property kill membership; not only in growth but also sustaining it. I've written often about the evolution of age restricted communities. We are unique in that virtually all of the newer ones are single entity governance. There's a reason they evolved to that, and in many ways it's bundled in the problems SCHOA has and will face in the coming years. When you have to exist on the strength of the volunteers and the participation by residents in supporting a free standing organization, it's tenuous at best. Lots more on this topic, but that's for the weeks and months to come.
Bill SCHOA is going forward with collections from bad offenders of the CC&Rs. We have nothing to announce at this time, but should have some good news in the near future. About Cumberland we have been concerned and the fever pitch is being ramped up as I speak. Hopefully things will change for the better for the neighbors who have had to put up with all that has gone on with that place. I guarantee that they have not disappeared from our radar. That is all I can say at this time.
Thanks for the update lem. I'm sure you know membership is always tied closely to solid enforcement. There's no question the importance of what SCHOA does often gets lost in the minutia of all the back and forth between offenders. What we found in the past was once we hit the most egregious violators, the others quickly got in line with doing the right thing. Best wishes in 2014.
