By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities
More good news this week, and updates on some earlier posts on IAC. The following three updates remind readers that going public about code violations from your City or HOA often leads to solutions.
Condo residents finally have fire safe building, developer replacing fire alarm system (MO)
Last month, as reported on three local television stations, condo residents were taking turns on overnight fire watch, while waiting for their developer, Wayne Reeder, to fix fire code violations.
The Kansas City Fire Department was getting ready to evacuate all residents, when Reeder stepped in at the last minute to begin making repairs.
Park Reserve condo owners, fed up with years of leaks and mold problems, stemming from a faulty sprinkler system, took their problem to local TV reporters.
The news stations uncovered a years-long history of similar problems with the developer’s other properties in the Kansas City area.
Now KCTV5 reports that Reeder is finally replacing the fire alarm system, and paying for a service to monitor the condo complex overnight until the building is safe.
Still no word on when, if ever, owners will see the south portion of housing project completed, along with all the fancy amenities buyers were promised ten years ago.
We also learn in this report that Park Reserve was once used as a hospital. So this is a case of a developer retrofitting an old building and turning it into condos.
Source:
Smoke clears in fire safety dispute at Kansas City condo (video)
Betsy Webster, Maggie Holmes, KCTV5
Updated Apr 10, 2019 | Posted on Apr 9, 2019
HOA relents on threatened fine for #LightingItUpBlue for Autism Awareness Month (CA)
Lisa McBride, the mother of a 19-year old son with autism, and a long-time resident of Discovery Bay’s Lakeshore Gated Community, was shocked to received a notice of violation from her HOA for “Lighting it up Blue” this month.
According to reports, McBride has been using blue light bulbs on her front porch every April for several years, to raise awareness of Autism. She never heard from her HOA until this year.
Shortly after World Autism Awareness Day, McBride received a letter in her mail from Tony Abad of Willis Management Group Inc., threatening a $100 fine if she did not remove the blue lights within 7 days.
Undeterred, the northern California teacher posted the violation notice on social media. Her story was quickly picked up by a local newspaper, East Bay Times. Within days, KCBS radio interviewed McBride, who was happy to report that her HOA manager agreed to allow the blue lights after all.
But McBride says she was also told that, although he made an exception n this case, the HOA still won’t allow colored lights for holiday celebrations.
Sources:
Blue porch lights to support autism bring trouble for East Bay homeowner
Autism Month show of support led to trouble with Discovery Bay HOA
By JUDITH PRIEVE | jprieve@bayareanewsgroup.com | Bay Area News Group PUBLISHED: April 9, 2019 at 5:41 am | UPDATED: April 10, 2019 at 7:37 am
Discovery Bay Mom Wins HOA Battle, Leading To Increased Autism Awareness
KCBS RADIO: ON-DEMAND
Volunteers help neighbors with home improvements, so they can avoid jail time (OH)
You might recall that the City of Lancaster (Ohio) threatened Anna and Bill Crawford, retired military veterans, with a $1,000 fine and 6 months in jail, if they did not repaint their 100-year-old house within 30 days.
The couple lives on a small military pension, and, at ages 69 and 74, they find it hard to climb a ladder to reach the third level of their home. After Anna was arrested and spent one night in jail, for missing a court date, The Columbus Dispatch picked up the couple’s story.
The day that the Dispatch published their article about the Crawford’s plight, Gina and Logan Matos, owners of Turn Key Remodeling, offered to help. They’ve reportedly organized 100 people willing to volunteer their time and donate $60,000 in building materials to improve the Crawfords’ home.
Over the next three weeks, the Matos will oversee installation of new vinyl siding, windows, doors, and an overhaul of the front porch. A local landscape company will also help spruce up the yard.
Now that’s community service!♦
Source:
Lancaster community steps up to help veteran couple with home repairsThe Columbus Dispatch, By Sheridan Hendrix
Posted Apr 2, 2019 at 2:16 PMUpdated Apr 3, 2019 at 7:15 AM