What Would You Like to Discuss...

Suggest topics you would like to see created as a single focus Posting. There is simply one rule....be constructive.

Master Development Infrastrucure

Frustrated by a lack of progress, it was encouraging to hear that homeowners were independently pursuing the details associated with the Master Development infrastructure in search of a explanation that made better sense. Of course it's not their job to do so but it certainly helps the overall process and suggests the importance of the infrastructure to the community. I encourage those that have this type of information or contacts to post the details. This will provide the community with a more representative understanding of the issues, timing and also assists with directing further questions or concerns to the appropriate organization or individual. Any feedback for the more common Master Developer issues listed below?

• Entrance lighting status?
  
• Monument status?
• Park status?
• Current number of homes that have closed escrow?
• Long-term plans for entrance ground covering?

Parking

This is the topic that seems to have most at a minimum expressing their opinion. The following is an "everyday" interpretation of the parking rules followed-up by "One Perspective".

Garage Parking: CC&R's require that all garages be kept free of storage and cannot be be used in such a manner that prevents cars from being parked within the garage. The CC&R's further state that once a garage reaches intended capacity the driveway can be used for additional parking. The recent level of enforcement for this particular regulation seems to be in response to the number of homes using the garage space solely for storage with resulting cars in the driveway and streets long-term. Yes, exceptions based on vehicle sizing can be obtained however the circumstances are verified to ensure the variance is warranted out of necessity and not preference.

Street Parking: It's true that the city will not tow your operable vehicle from the street nor can the HOA insist or request that city authorities enforce HOA standards. The HOA's authority to enforce this parking violation is rooted in the binding contract that homeowners signed for both the LTCV & City in the Hills Master Association. This doesn't mean the HOA super cedes the authority of the city but rather possesses the authority to impose and collect fines based on the HOA violation. Should the homeowner pursue legal intervention, under most circumstances, the State will defer to and uphold the binding contract and imposed fines.

Common Parking? To my knowledge, there are no plans for common parking within LTCV. I find this a reasonable topic to broach based on the parking regulations, intent to enforce, and general level of concern expressed by homeowners. If interested, Contact Catherine Gross or initiate at the next HOA meeting to determine the possibilities.

HOA Enforcement Authority: The HOA wields its authority through warnings, fines, liens and even foreclosure on habitually offending residences with delinquent accounts. Ultimately conformation comes by way of "hitting you in the pocketbook" until it's in your best interest to comply, successfully achieve rule change, or move. Doesn't make it right but rather reality that HOA collect on levied fines and even foreclosure is common in communities who intend to uphold and enforce their CC& R's, rules and regulations.

One Perspective: It seems that Mrs. Weiss-Gross and Mr. Zavala are genuinely receptive to the concerns being expressed regarding the parking situation. Nothing suggests to me that their motives are anything other than doing what is in the best interest of the overall community. I encourage all of us to listen to what they have to say, constructively participate in the processes and ultimately help shape the "spirit" of CC&R enforcement by being respectful and concisely participative. The Board's typical approach or response to handling peoples situational feedback suggests to me that they are both willing to re-review "challenged" violations and also re-consider their methods of enforcement to improve the overall process, degree of homeowner comfort and involvement. I would be surprised to find enforcers of this HOA strictly calling out violations that are obvious temporary exceptions based on move-in status or in times of traditional community, holiday gathering, etc. And if this does occur, interact with them for clarification and determine what can be done moving forward. Nothing in life remains "turn-key" and therefore requires effort.

"Homeowners" Flyer

Below is a copy of Lordon's notice circulated to each residence within LTCV on Monday, September 24, 2007 in response to the Homeowner flyer.
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LTCV/City in the Hills HOA

It has been brought to the attention of management and your Board of Directors that there is a letter circulating throughout the community. Management and your Board would like to take this opportunity to clarify what appears to a misconception. Lordon Management works at the direction of your Board of Directors. Our purpose is to enforce the C.C. & R.'s and the rules and regulations that were put in place by developer and the previous Board of Directors. Lordon Management had no role in adopting these rules. Our primary purpose is only to enforce. We work solely at the discretion of the Board. Lordon's job is not one that is performed without the Board of Director's prior consent. We do not arbitrarily fine homeowners. Lordon Management is only the vehicle which the fine letter is delivered. You are fined by the HOA/Association.

With that said, there are procedures to follow in order to make rule changes. If you as a homeowner feel that one or more of the rules are unfair, you need to submit either in writing or in person at a monthly meeting your request for the proposed change to the Board or Management. You do need a petition or a majority to ask for change. The Board will then take it under advisement. If your duly elected Board feels the rule should be changed, the change would then be adopted subject to membership and civil code dispute procedures.

In the case of change to the C.C. & R.'s the Association would need to seek legal counsel to make sure these changes could be made. In some instances even the lenders would need to give approval. A ballot would then be drafted by the Attorney and distributed to each homeowner in the community. A super majority of the homeowners and the developer would be needed before the change could be adopted and recorded.

Every homeowner has a voice in the community. Asking for change does not have to be in the form of a petition or adversarial . If you have an idea, present it to Management or the Board. We want your involvement. This is a brand new community and there will be a period of adjustment and many changes.

We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you at the monthly meetings.

Regards,

Catherine Gross-Weiss
Lordon Management
On behalf of the LTCV/City in the Hills HOA
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Below is a copy of the notice circulated to each residence within LTCV on Friday, September 21, 2007. This notice is not affiliated with this blog but rather being posted to understand through feedback the varying perspectives that exist. What are your thoughts?
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Homeowners

Are you having problems with the HOA rules and regulations? It has come to the attention of several of your neighbors that most of us would like to change some of the rules and regulations governing our neighborhood.

What we propose is a democratic vote on all existing and future rules and regulations. In this way, we can insure that we all enjoy our neighborhood while keeping it clean, but still being allowed to live our lives without feeling pressured or getting fined by Lordon Management for a violation of a rule we had no say in.

If you are a new homeowner, just moving in, please review your CC&R's and the homeowner rules carefully, as many of the rules and regulations may shock you, and you will get fined or called to "hearing" for violating a rule you find unconstitutional.

We would like to hold a homeowners meeting without Lordon Management involvement, so that we can discuss without pressure the desire to live in a democratic society where all laws are governed but also voted on by the people as is our right.

The best way to get Lordon Managements attention will be with a petition signed by us, the homeowners. We will meet for a meeting in front of the D.R. Horton model homes on September 24th at 7:00pm at which the petition will be present. Please note that in order to have the rules put to the vote we will need a majority of homeowner signatures, so you will need to sign the petition in order to assure our vote. If we do not receive such, no vote will be put through and the home owners will continue paying fines for everyday practices.

Who To Contact....

LTCV HOA President: Chuck Zavala.
Contact Information Pending Approval

Lordon Management: Catherine Gross.
(626) 967 - 7921 x 3355 / cgross@lordonmanagement.com

DRH Customer Service Director: Caryn Wiser.
(805) 577 - 7100 / cwiser@drhorton.com

DRH Onsite Customer Service Rep.: Hugo Rodriguez
(661) 857 -3732 / e-mail unknown.

LTCV HOA Meeting

When: September 25, 2007
Where: Canyon Hills Church
7001 Auburn St, 93306
Time: 7:00 P.M.