Category Archives: Development Districts / Special Tax Districts

Reader seeks affordable solutions to pave HOA private roads (VA)

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Problems and solutions sign blackboard

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities   QUESTION: I read your article about private roads and the need for out of the box solutions for the problem. I very much agree. We have a very small HOA, less than 50 homes, in northern Virginia. There are several private roads that provide access to about half of the lots. The other lots are on the main state road. The cost of paving our road in this Continue ReadingReader seeks affordable solutions to pave HOA private roads (VA)→

HOAs consider infrastructure tax districts

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Road bridge iron railing

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Across the U.S., homeowners  are considering tax districts to help them make essential repairs to their HOA infrastructure. Volunteer-led HOA boards face the difficult task of finding affordable solutions to deal with their busted dams, silt-filled lakes, crumbling roads and bridges, and obsolete wastewater systems. It’s an increasingly common problem in association-governed common interest communities, especially as infrastructure breaks down or wears out with age. Most HOAs are relatively Continue ReadingHOAs consider infrastructure tax districts→

City says no trash pick up unless owners create HOA

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Garbage trash recycling cans bins

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities The purpose of the Urban Service District (USD) was to expand Metro Services,  that were available to residents of Nashville, but not outlying suburban neighborhoods. Those services include trash pick up, curbside recycling, street lights and the addition of liquor stores. In exchange for inclusion into the USD, homeowners would agree to pay higher property taxes for new public services. Two years ago, the representatives of 20 Districts in the Continue ReadingCity says no trash pick up unless owners create HOA→

Colorado developer plans new 900-home community with no HOA

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Craft Homes LLC community will be established as a Metropolitan Special District By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities   Is Colorado developer Tim Craft actually thinking outside the HOA box? Yes, according to a report on Denver 7 News. Craft says his new 900-home community, Independence, will be financed by a Metropolitan Special District (MSD) rather than a homeowners association (HOA). (Note: In the Denver area, a $300,000 new home is considered “affordable.”) No HOA, Continue ReadingColorado developer plans new 900-home community with no HOA→