Category Archives: Local Government Influence

Kansas homeowners deal with defunct HOA and foul smelling ponds

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Retention-pond

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities With technical assistance from city officials, homeowners in one Wichita subdivision will share costs to be rid of a foul smell from neighborhood ponds. As reported on KAKE, the unpleasant odor is caused by a combination of stagnant water, organic debris, lawn fertilizer run off, and dying algae blooms. The Dell was developed in the 1950s, and, at one time, had a homeowners association to adjust pond levels and Continue ReadingKansas homeowners deal with defunct HOA and foul smelling ponds→

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HOA asks City for Thanksgiving street parking ban, homeowners not happy

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Cars street parking

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities How would you feel if your city council and police joined forces with your HOA board to create a parking ban on public streets in your neighborhood? Sounds unbelievable, right? But it’s really happening in one Texas association-governed community. NBC Dallas Fort Worth, Channel 5 news reports that the Allen Police Department has worked with City leaders to pass a parking Ordinance, at the request of Star Creek HOA. Continue ReadingHOA asks City for Thanksgiving street parking ban, homeowners not happy→

Owners with no HOA, public sewer, face $11,404 tax assessment

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Sanitary sewer Sewage cap

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Owners of twenty estate homes in the Greenbrook Manor subdivision, located in the Village of River Hills, recently learned they might have to pay a $11,404 special tax assessment to the city, to pay for a new sewer lift pump. No, Greenbrook Manor is not a planned community, and there’s no homeowners’ association (HOA). Although homeowners obtain their water supply from private wells, the Village of River Hills operates Continue ReadingOwners with no HOA, public sewer, face $11,404 tax assessment→

Could Prop 13 ‘split roll’ encourage new non-HOA development?

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Bungalow home small tiny

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities CA voters may consider Prop 13 ‘split roll’ tax increase in 2020 In 1978, California’s voters passed Proposition 13, a ballot measure that has significantly limited property tax increases ever since. Under Prop 13, a property owner’s tax assessment is limited to one percent of a property’s taxable value at the time of purchase. In addition, annual property taxable value (assessed value) cannot increase more than 2% per year, Continue ReadingCould Prop 13 ‘split roll’ encourage new non-HOA development?→

Charlestown IN eminent domain lawsuit update, implications for HOA residents?

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Balance of power scales of justice with people

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities City of Charlestown officials are attempting to downplay an Appellate Court ruling in favor of the Pleasant Ridge Neighborhood Association Corporation. Since 2014, Charlestown Mayor Bob Hall has been making grand plans for redevelopment of Pleasant Ridge, a neighborhood of small homes, most of them owned or leased by low-income residents. Developer John Neace, of Pleasant Ridge Development, LLC, acquired 100 neighborhood properties, many of them in poor condition. Continue ReadingCharlestown IN eminent domain lawsuit update, implications for HOA residents?→