Homeowners Assoc says "NO Basketball Hoop"

[Nickk]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? SC

I received the following letter.

It has come to our attention that a temporary basketball goal is being stored at the front of your property at the street and must be moved. According to XXX Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions Article VII, Section 3, "Any camping trailer, boat, and/or similar equipment used for the personal enjoyment of a resident of a lot shall at all times be parked behind the building and shall not be parked at the front or side thereof. Such equipment shall at all times be neatly stored and positioned to be inconspicuous."
It goes on to say I have 10 days to resolve or else I will be fined $25 per day after that.

First, The goal is at the street and not on the driveway because of the upslope of the driveway would make it impossible to have there. We have had it there for 2 years, 4 months. I have a letter from the home builder that at the time of purchase the HO Association said I can have it there as long as it was not cemented in the ground. Lastly, we have many homes with basketball goals at the street or in the drive way. There is a person who drives through the neighborhood two times a month to report violations. I am unaware if anyone else has received a notice for a basketball goal.

My question is does anyone see any relavance to the stated article to a basketball goal (regardless of placement) and if this is how our new board is going to interpret that article, what recourse do I have to keep my children's basketball goal. I also want to let you know this is an average neighborhood- all homes are 1 to 5 years old and were purchsed fro $180,000 to $250,000.

[xylene]

Originally Posted by Nickk

My question is does anyone see any relavance to the stated article to a basketball goal (regardless of placement) and if this is how our new board is going to interpret that article, what recourse do I have to keep my children's basketball goal.

Why don't you just put your ugly backboard away INDOORS when the kids are not using it and then you will be in compliance.

What other violators are doing is irrelvant.

That you think the neighborhood is lower middle class and it doesn't matter if trashy play equipment is in the street also is irrelvant.

If you dislike the HOA rules - move to a non-HOA community, move to community whose rules you like, or work to change the rules in your community.

This is a common rule, and it is because there are people like me who "hate" children and think they should recreate in parks and gymnasiums, not in the gutter.

And those (also like me) who would prefer not to be burdened with the visual pollution of your play equipment stored in the open.

[Nickk]

Xylene,
I am so sorry that the world has left you barren and so bitter. It is sad that you don't have any friends, family or other intrests to keep your obviously small, slight mind entertained. It must be miserable for you to only have the joy of being hateful and mean to others seeking advice and help. I would suggest that as you (god willing) continue to age (I am sure without much grace) that you rethink offering biting comments to that come with no help for improvement (because I am obviously not going to move my $700 "ugly backboard" inside.) I will continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers and hope that someday you will find a friend to keep your afternoons busy instead of taking out your frustration of being all alone in this great big world full of happy people on anonymous individuals like myself.

I would, however, still entertain any other comments from anyone who has any helpful input on either side of this debate.

[Zigner]

I would suggest that you place your (nearly) 2-1/2 year old weather-beaten b-ball hoop inside or in the back yard when it is not in use.
That, or move to a neighborhood that really doesn't care about the junk at the curb.

[Some Random Guy]

Nickk,

If you don't like it, run for the HOA board next year. Or, ignore the HOA, let the fines rack up and wait for them to foreclose on your home.

Otherwise, keep bitterly insulting the posters who have given you valid advice.

[divgradcurl]

Originally Posted by Some Random Guy

Nickk,

If you don't like it, run for the HOA board next year. Or, ignore the HOA, let the fines rack up and wait for them to foreclose on your home.

Agreed. You may be able to fight city hall, but you can't easily fight a HOA!

Otherwise, keep bitterly insulting the posters who have given you valid advice.

You are kidding, right? Did you read xylene's post? The OP's response was certainly no more "bitterly insulting" than xylene's post was.

[xylene]

Originally Posted by divgradcurl

You are kidding, right? Did you read xylene's post? The OP's response was certainly no more "bitterly insulting" than xylene's post was.

I hate basketball. So do lots of people.

I hate children playing in the street.

I pay good tax dollars for parks and gymnasiums so I don't have to worry about kids getting run over or accidentally striking them myself.

Apparently the rules in the posters community were made by people who share my view, and is just mad at the catch all provision "similar equipment used for the personal enjoyment" which trumps a letter from the realtor when they bought the house.

[seniorjudge]

Originally Posted by xylene

Why don't you just put your ugly backboard away INDOORS when the kids are not using it and then you will be in compliance.

What other violators are doing is irrelvant.

That you think the neighborhood is lower middle class and it doesn't matter if trashy play equipment is in the street also is irrelvant.

If you dislike the HOA rules - move to a non-HOA community, move to community whose rules you like, or work to change the rules in your community.

This is a common rule, and it is because there are people like me who "hate" children and think they should recreate in parks and gymnasiums, not in the gutter.

And those (also like me) who would prefer not to be burdened with the visual pollution of your play equipment stored in the open.

Excellent advice.

[rowz]

I got a round of applause by other attendees at a town council meeting when I expressed my displeasure at the proliferation of such hoops in our neighborhood.

The signs "Children at Play" to NOT give them license to do so in the street.

What I do resent is that though I will comply with the laws that require me to proceed at 25MPH in residential zones I do not wna to have to have to sweep widely around arrogant little piss-ants that glare at me or skulk sullenly & slowly out of the road when I come down the street.

Yhe roads are for ALL the people in your town/HOA to use appropriately and legally.
If you wish to provde a place for your children to play a given sport then construct the correct surface for them on which to play basketball on YOUR property.

Believe it or not, its is NOT all about "the children".
Nice example you are setting.

[Nickk]

Originally Posted by xylene

I hate basketball. So do lots of people.

I hate children playing in the street.

I pay good tax dollars for parks and gymnasiums so I don't have to worry about kids getting run over or accidentally striking them myself.

Apparently the rules in the posters community were made by people who share my view, and is just mad at the catch all provision "similar equipment used for the personal enjoyment" which trumps a letter from the realtor when they bought the house.

Please share- is there anything you don't HATE??
I do get your point, however I live on a dead end street in the cul-de-sac and am not interfering with any ones use of the street (my neighbors children also enjoy our basketball hoop often and whenever they like). I never realized so many people hated children- my question is why?
Good news though (for me!!) HO Assoc management co. called and accepted my builder letter and the violation has been droped.
THE KIDS WILL BE PLAYING BASKETBALL TODAY AND FOR MANY YEARS TO COME!!!! ( I requested a written letter from management for any future problems and they are sending it out)
Thank you each and everyone for your kind words and support, I REALLY appreciate it!

[divgradcurl]

Originally Posted by xylene

I hate basketball. So do lots of people.

I hate children playing in the street.

I pay good tax dollars for parks and gymnasiums so I don't have to worry about kids getting run over or accidentally striking them myself.

Apparently the rules in the posters community were made by people who share my view, and is just mad at the catch all provision "similar equipment used for the personal enjoyment" which trumps a letter from the realtor when they bought the house.

Who cares what you like or dislike? None of that is relevant to the legal question at hand. The OP came here for legal advice -- which you gave. The rest of your post was irrelevant -- and then for "senior posters" -- which, I might add, has absolutely no bearing on the correctness, accuracy, or relevancy of the advice given, anyone who spends enough time posting whatever gets to be a "senior member" -- to get all butt hurt when the OP calls them on their rudeness -- or reacts in kind -- is simply ridiculous.

[seniorjudge]

Originally Posted by Nickk

...
I never realized so many people hated children- my question is why?
...

They're little and get in the way.

Then when they grow up, they insist on visiting.

[Nickk]

Originally Posted by divgradcurl

Who cares what you like or dislike? None of that is relevant to the legal question at hand. The OP came here for legal advice -- which you gave. The rest of your post was irrelevant -- and then for "senior posters" -- which, I might add, has absolutely no bearing on the correctness, accuracy, or relevancy of the advice given, anyone who spends enough time posting whatever gets to be a "senior member" -- to get all butt hurt when the OP calls them on their rudeness -- or reacts in kind -- is simply ridiculous.

Thanks! I did think I was coming to a site where people behaved a little more professionally, but to each their own and so sorry if I hurt anyone's feelings. I guess ya gotta have thick skin if you are going to post on this board! Needless to say, I enjoyed the rather unexpected reactions I received and enjoyed the banter of all these grown up "kids"!

[xylene]

Originally Posted by Nickk

Thanks! I did think I was coming to a site where people behaved a little more professionally, but to each their own and so sorry if I hurt anyone's feelings. I guess ya gotta have thick skin if you are going to post on this board! Needless to say, I enjoyed the rather unexpected reactions I received and enjoyed the banter of all these grown up "kids"!

It is consumer based advice.

Don't act so surprised that there is an actual logical and factual basis behind rules like 'don't keep your kids play equipment on the curb.'

[Nickk]

No I am not suprised that you think that you are logical (but actually you are far more emotional tha logical if you read your posts).
What I am suprised at that you continue to spend time posting on this subject and not spending time searching sites like e-harmony, I've heard from their commercials they can find a match for ANYONE!!!!