Category Archives: Incorporation, unincorporated municipalities, & Annexation

Sometimes HOAs transform their planned communities into cities

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Homeowners frequently debate whether homeonwers’ associations are “real” government, or merely private organizations. So the topic of incorporation — creation of a new town or city — is often misunderstood. Many readers assume that, if an HOA decides to become a city, the HOA ceases to exist. Usually, that’s not the case. There’s no legal requirement for an HOA (or POA) to disband or dissolve once a city or Continue ReadingSometimes HOAs transform their planned communities into cities→

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Will homeowners support a new special tax district?

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River Place HOA supports establishment of Limited District following annexation to the City of Austin By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities   Austin’s recent annexation of the River Place subdivision has temporarily shifted certain maintenance responsibilities from a Municipal Utility District (MUD) to a Limited Improvement District (LD). In River Place, the HOA and LD serve different functions, as explained here. In short, the LD provides maintenance of recreational areas and facilities and waste removal. Continue ReadingWill homeowners support a new special tax district?→

Recreation districts as an alternative to HOAs

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities   Slowly but surely, homeowners’ associations are beginning shift costs and liabilities for assets and amenities back to public entities, including special tax districts. Today, let’s look at two examples of Recreation Districts (also known as Park Districts) as an alternative to HOA maintenance of amenities.   City commission votes in favor of parks and trails special district Posted: Feb 27, 2018 8:43 PM EST Updated: Feb 27, 2018 Continue ReadingRecreation districts as an alternative to HOAs→

Private property rights should trump developer’s right to control communities

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Why does U.S. housing policy allow developers to control the future of millions of property owners and residents in homeowners, condominium, and cooperative associations?   By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Check out my link below to today’s post from the Admin of the Build a Better Diamondhead Facebook page. Diamondhead, Mississippi, has been incorporated as a city since 2012, but the POA (Property Owners Association) still lives on. And the developer still has control over the Continue ReadingPrivate property rights should trump developer’s right to control communities→

Reality check: HOA managers face decline of their industry, like it or not

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By Deborah A Goonan, Independent American Communities   How many times have we heard representatives from HOA industry trade groups utter the words, “Homeowner Associations are not going away?” But that, dear readers, is nothing more than wishful thinking. Let’s start with the facts. The construction industry is building fewer new HOA homes and condos As explained in a previous post (Are homeowners, condo associations in a period of market decline?), the rate of new Continue ReadingReality check: HOA managers face decline of their industry, like it or not→