Frisco subdivision’s HOA goes medieval over trucks parked in driveways

chretienne, says:

I'll bet they just want this one guy to move and have made up the rule for him. I doubt they seriously believe that two pickup models are really that different from one another. Sure, it's possible that they really are that stupid, but I think the explanation that they've singled out this guy for other reasons is more likely.

momzilla, says:

Not necessarily, chretienne. The rule was already in effect, so what happened here was that he wasn't granted the exception that others were. He may just not be influential enough.

My mom lives in a community with an HOA from hell. So far, their lunacy hasn't specifically impacted her home. However, she's one of those justice-oriented people, and is retired so has enough time and orneriness for activism.

I'll get y'all an exclusive interview if she ever ends up arrested. So far, she's been satisfied with mostly just giving her friends with HOA headaches those mooning gnomes for their gardens and raising hell at the meetings. I wouldn't trade moms with anyone.

Clay213, says:

Why move into a place with an HOA if you aren't going to play by the rules?

xdavidwattsx, says:

And people wonder why Frisco winds up on the butt end of jokes. Eff that place and that HOA.

Billusa99, says:

From DMN: Greenwood said. "It's hard to imagine how an HOA would try to dictate what type of vehicle you can drive and park in your driveway"

First of all, they aren't telling him what to drive. Second of all, the article states there are many others with pick-me-up trucks who follow the existing rules. Lastly, he bought a truck and expects them to change the rule, just for him, because it's new.

It's good for press, and its makes for great comments, whereby people here can get their harangues off and slam Frisco (as it so richly deserves). But, bottom line, the guy is a complete friggin' idiot for trying it.

He'd have better luck changing his name to Don Quixote and going in search of a windmill.

xdavidwattsx, says:

In all honesty, I can really understand people not even knowing the rule. Who would ever expect your HOA to forbid Ford trucks in your driveway? It's so asinine that I really thought this was an article from the Onion when I first read it.

cheez, says:

It's already been said, but you know what you are getting into when you move into the neighborhood. The guy sounds like an idiot for not reading the rules or reading them and thinking they didn't apply.

I'm not sure why he doesn't just pull his truck in the garage, get a new vehicle to park in the driveway or move. Those seem like the three options available, unless he wants to keep paying fines while fighting "the man".

Full disclosure: I live in Frisco in a subdivision with an HOA and follow the rules.

DC, says:

But they're fancier.

xdavidwattsx, says:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedconte...

Link to his pickup truck in his driveway. Coincidentally, one of the nice Ford trucks I've seen.

Still can't seem to post images and the Markdown link above doesn't seem to clarify.

DC, says:

Fancier...and probably not driven by Mexicans, right Bill?

Billusa99, says:

Ha!

Pavel... your analogy about moving and not liking a neighborhood, instead of changing to make it better, are completely offbase for this situation.

He bought in an HOA. You get every damn rule before you sign and close. He chose to buy. He broke the law in his HOA. He can attempt to have the rule changed -- those steps are in all HOA rules, too.

But, he can't play it in the press as a poor begotten tread-upon person, and expect to win, when all he really is is a stupid homeowner with a big-ass Texas-truck attitude who thinks the HOA rules he signed on for don't apply to him.

momzilla, says:

The only Escalade on my block is driven by a Mexican family. But we're nice to them anyway. Maybe they didn't know better, being recent immigrants and all when they bought it.

DC, says:

Oooo, fancy Mexicans! Where's that 40 ounce Fred guy, he ought to be weighing in about now?!

jtmbls, says:

Kids in your yard??? You're in Texas, that's what guns are for!

eldeguello, says:

We too have an HOA gone wild. We live in Flower Mound, TX and under the control of the Wellington HOA jurisdiction which is run by control freaks that enjoy telling home owners what they can and can’t do on their property. They control every outdoor aspect a home owner has including the color of their grass – it must be Wellington green and cut appropriately to their standards.

They are control freaks who bask in the fact that in one year they sent out over 2000 infraction notices and who have just recently passed new restrictions that the home owners never voted on – they just passed it because they could and they wanted more control which they got. These property managers were never approved by the homeowners, they were appointed by the developer.

The HOA takes in over $1,000,000 yearly and to my knowledge there has never been an independent, unbiased audit of the books. Makes one kind of wonder about their motives.

Realtors’ in the area who list and sell homes in Wellington should advise their clients before closing that this HOA is run more like a Gulag than a suburban, family residential community and that things aren’t likely to change any time soon. If you’re a Masochist you’ll just love it here.

momzilla, says:

Realtors aren't going to warn potential buyers about that type of thing. For one thing, they are being paid by the seller.

You could try getting together a mob dressed in war paint and feathers and throw teabags into the community pool.

jtmbls, says:

OOOh! Or spray paint the grass Wellington Orange!!

eldeguello, says:

That’s correct, Momzilla, however, if emails and letters were sent out to all the realtors in the area and copy appeared in local papers and other media places, the residents with homes for sale may get off their duffs and start taking an interest in THEIR HOA. IMO, the problem is anyone who tries to undermine their absolute ruling authority is cut off at the knees. They are cunning and ruthless and for the most part the stupid Texas laws on HOA’s are on their side. We've seen them smirk because of this. Crank up the fire and keep the bellows pumping, play as ruthless as possible within the law and see what burns. There’s a lot of temptation when collecting $1,000,000 plus yearly with no oversight or adequate protection against wrong doing on someone’s part. When the fox is in control of the hen house that’s not good for the fowls.

The laws in Texas need to be changed where the power is with the residents and not with a small group of control freaks.

xdavidwattsx, says:

Realtors are technically paid by the seller but they are supposed to be working in the interests of the buyer - even if they means giving them heads up about the undesirable aspects of said neighborhood.

That said, I am fully aware of HOA's before I buy a house and is why I choose not to live in a neighborhood that has one. Most of them suck.

jtmbls, says:

And every other branch of government for that matter. Let's face it, this country was founded on the idea of self-government but is anyone here really doing that? The only people who are truly getting their wants and needs met by the HOAs or any other "rule-makers" are people like that Avi the Dog guy. So, unless you just want to quit your job and whine all day every day, don't expect much.

jtmbls, says:

Try Journalist.

eldeguello, says:

"Lord Acton's dictum" This is what happens when organizations don’t have checks and balances in place – absolute corruption. As with any great sin, follow the money. Most HOA’s control large amounts of money, those who control the money don’t wish to relinquish their power to control the money. To control the money they must ruthlessly control the people who contribute to the fund. Follow the money – they don’t make it easy, it takes determination and funds to secure the search. The sin can be found.