Category Archives: Local Government Influence

City Councilman objects to his own developer-controlled HOA

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities debgoonan@icloud.com Today’s post reveals another reason for the waning popularity of HOA-governed communities: Local politicians now have their very own HOA-horror stories to tell. After decades of local governments blessing or mandating HOA-governed common interest communities, it was just a matter of time before the politicians got caught in the snares of their own dysfunctional communities. Owners have no say in Lake Forest HOA Hebron, Ohio city councilman Wayne Continue ReadingCity Councilman objects to his own developer-controlled HOA→

Why won’t Libertarian advocacy groups speak out against HOA abuse?

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An Opinion By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Last month, IAC published a post comparing cities and HOAs that rely heavily on fining their residents to generate cash for their communities. Today’s post follows up with an important question. Why do Libertarian-leaning think tanks express contempt and outrage about local government’s Eighth Amendment violations against its residents, yet completely ignore the same behavior committed by HOAs against its residents?   City fines homeowner $30K, files Continue ReadingWhy won’t Libertarian advocacy groups speak out against HOA abuse?→

Why can’t City help homeowners in developer controlled HOA?

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Homeowners in the Pine Grove subdivision in Stockbridge, Georgia are so fed up with their developer-controlled HOA, they lined up to complain to their City Council at a June meeting. By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities debgoonan@icloud.com.      Construction began in the Pine Grove subdivision a few years before the 2008 recession, when the original developer, Knight Builders, declared bankruptcy. According to a report in the Henry Herald, several different real estate investment groups Continue ReadingWhy can’t City help homeowners in developer controlled HOA?→

With no active HOA, who should pay for bridge repair on private road?

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities debgoonan@icloud.com What will it take to rebuild safe access to a private 9-home community with no active homeowners’ association? It’s a neighborhood problem that has been brewing for at least 15 years. The issue: for decades, nine secluded properties on the northern end of East River Road were served by a private road crossed by Baker’s Creek Bridge. But 4 years ago, when it developed gaping holes, the city Continue ReadingWith no active HOA, who should pay for bridge repair on private road?→