Category Archives: Infrastructure maintenance and repair

HOA Realities — living next to a retention pond or wetland

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Have you ever seen a real estate ad for a home boasting its “water view” or a “lake” view? Today’s post is a Buyer Beware message. Unless you’re viewing a home near a recreational lake — a real lake used for boating, fishing, swimming and other water sports — that ornamental “lake” is nothing more than a retention pond. Its primary purpose is to collect stormwater runoff for environmental Continue ReadingHOA Realities — living next to a retention pond or wetland→

Landslide threatens homes in two HOAs in Santa Clarita (CA)

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Two homes have been yellow-tagged and several residents in two HOA-governed communities are on high alert, due to an unexplained landslide in Canyon Country, California. Homeowners speculate that recent heavy rainfall may have triggered the earth movement, which began Monday. By Friday, homeowners of two Terri Drive homes were advised to evacuate, pending a geological investigation of structural damage and the cause of the landslide. CBSLA reports that several Continue ReadingLandslide threatens homes in two HOAs in Santa Clarita (CA)→

How will local government deal with epidemic of crumbling private roads?

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Local governments must work on solutions to repair crumbling private roads, because most homeowners don’t have the equipment, expertise, or money to maintain them. Private roads are a burden for many homeowners associations (HOAs). But the problem is even more acute for subdivisions where no HOA exists.   Ohio: homeowners can’t get in or out of their subdivision after road washed out in a flood Owners of 32 homes Continue ReadingHow will local government deal with epidemic of crumbling private roads?→

PA Twp to amend Zoning requirements for private roads

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by Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Every day I see more evidence that creation of homeowners associations (HOA) — with duties to maintain private roads and storm sewers — benefits developers, not homeowners. Real estate developers and home builders don’t want buyers to know the truth. Local governments have a bad habit of relaxing zoning codes to allow for cheaper construction costs and higher density. In industry lingo, density refers to the number of residential Continue ReadingPA Twp to amend Zoning requirements for private roads→