Here we go, probably to HOA Hell.

The board of GMHA has decided to set up a taxing entity.  A new, local level of additional government. 

 

And why?  They always say it's for the berms.  But there's plenty of money for berms.

I love the neighborhood the way it is, friendly and kind.  I would rather have dead sticks, or gravel,  on the commons than change the nature of the neighborhood. 

It can't be about the berms, or the picnics.  Nobody (I sure hope!) would go to the trouble to institute a taxing entity, with foreclosure power over their neighbors, to pay for picnics. 

Nope. They want a lot more control over their neighbors, and are willing to sacrifice their neighbors peace of mind to get it.

Please don't sign these papers.  Having a Voluntary HOA is a BIG ASSET and selling feature.  The neighborhood is every bit as likely to lose value as gain it after this very threatening legal maneuver.

Dear Neighbor,

      I read your posting and was very interested in your writing.  It inspired me to do some research on the subject of your HOA.  In regards to the cost to maintain the berms.  I did discover that your current HOA board of directors attempted to have the berms and their associated cost put back to the city of Fort Collins (and all of the taxpayers in Fort Collins).  It seems that the city was against this and told your HOA that they must maintain the berm.  This maintenence includes watering and sprinkler repair.  The city has agreed to continue mowing the grass.  This seems like compromise in action.   Your state that their is enough money for the berms.  And there probably is, for a few years.  Except there are other expenses that are required of the HOA that must be paid.  These are expenses that were either required by the original filer of your HOA and your bylaws or by the recent Senate Bill.  These other expenses include but are not limited to tax filing, bookkeeper service and required notification of meetings.

     Dead Sticks or Gravel!!  do you have any concept of the weed patch you would have to the entrance of your sub-division.

     I have discussed these same concerns with members of your HOA.  It seems to me that their concern is to help maintain Golden Meadows.  Not one of the people I talked with seemed to be a control freak that was wishing to become a neighborhood watch dog.  Instead it seemed to be exactly the opposite.  They feeling I received was that they truly wanted to help.  

I am concerned about your comment about "them" wanting more control.  What control do they have now?  Your HOA board members are voted in and out every year by a majority of the home owners.  Even the lowliest government official gets at least a 2 year term.  

I took your request "Please don't sign these papers"  to mean.  Please do not sign this petition until you have read the amendment in full and understand it completely.  Then and only then if you disagree with the amendment, then do not sign the petition.  However; if after reading the amendment, you are in agreement then sign the petition.  

I think a big selling feature of Golden Meadows is its proximity to a well stocked neeighborhood grocery store, a large array of dining establishments and many small neighborly stores.  I do not sense that this amendment will impact the value of the neighborhood.  What really impacts the value of a neighborhood is curb appeal.  This curb appeal comes from pride of ownership.  

Truly after reading the amendment I realized that it will only effect me in a positive way.  Since I consider myself a member of this community, my dues are being reduced from $40.00 to $30.00 and that will remain in effect for as long as I own my house!!!

Thank you for you time and consideration.  And please be an informed voter.    

I totally agree - read it carefully and don't decide, and certainly don't sign, unless you have explored the issue and feel totally comfortable that you understand the nature of the change this will make to our community. If it does pass, may what you said turn out to be true, that it indeed will only affect you, and your neighbors, in a positive way. That it will merely involve a little GMHA dues, and not become an administrative money sponge. And always strive to be an informed voter. Rascals DO get elected to offices; often they are the ones that seek them more strenuously. This new level is awfully "close to home".

The serious element is right above the homeowner signature, where no one who signed will be able to argue that they didn't know. It is the one that says that the Association will have all the "rights, powers, and duties of owners associations as prescribed in C.R.S. § 38-33.3-302 and other applicable provisions of the Colorado Common Interest Ownership Act". As of yet, we have not been entirely subject to that statute, because Golden Meadows predated that very legislation. This sentence, combined with the power to foreclose, will bring all of us in our neighborhood subject to a whole different animal, forever. The Colorado Revised Statutes are online. Look up that single section, and see if you don't agree. http://www.michie.com/colorado/lpext.dll/cocode/2/5feb1/61aaa/61aac/6208e/62409/6240f?f=templates&fn=document-frame.htm&2.0 (If that direct link doesn't, there is a "Colorado Statutes" link on the Colorado Attorney General's page. That's on colorado.gov and easily found if you type the AG's last name, Suthers, in the search field. Keep clicking Colorado Revised Statutes, until you see a list of numbered titles. Then you look for Title 38,and Article 33.3.)