Home cinema - HD Antenna and Home owners association issues

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HD Antenna and Home owners association issues

I'll be interested to hear what happened when you visited the HOA
office. You analyzed the problem very well in your first note. I'm
very impressed with the thoughtful, sensitive letter that your HOA sent
to you, and I'll probably Many of the responses gave you good advice on
alternatives to your current location and on the pro's and con's of, as
you said, "being a good neighbor". There were also several responses
that advocated an adversarial approach, and I hope you decide to go with
the a "good neighbor" alternative.

I've been an HOA president for several years, and I've learned a number
of things from that experience. I'm very impressed with the thoughtful,
sensitive letter that your HOA sent to you, and I'll probably save it as
an example of an excellent way to deal with issues, even though our HOA
does not have deed restrictions like those in your area.

Among the things I've learned over the years are that immediate
neighbors usually will not tell you directly when there is a problem.
They don't know whether you will be pleasant and cooperative, or whether
you will be hostile and argumentative. For many (most) people it is
simpler and less risky to just ask the HOA president, board or other
officers to deal with the situation. People think they are paying dues
to the HOA and that is one of the services they should expect. It is a
service that you also expect - now and in the future.

It sounds like you have some reasonable alternatives that would be
within the spirit of what your HOA is trying to achieve. It is highly
likely that you are going to expect the HOA to enforce rules and provide
services in other ways that you think are important. And it is certain
that your neighbors will form an opinion of you influenced by whether
they perceive you acting in a mature way that maintains everyone's
property values, or whether they perceive you as being stubborn and
insensitive and jeopardizing everyone's property values - including your
own.

Bernie

On 5/3/2007 2:08 PM, varioust wrote:
Hi everyone,

This is my first post to the group so I apologize if this is not the
correct place to post. I have been enjoying the threads in this group
and I decided I would post to see if anyone has an idea of what I
should do in this situation. I apologize in advance if I should be
posting to another group.

I have been having issues with my HOA who disparately desires me to
relocate my antenna from the highest point on my roof (where I receive
line-of-sight with transmitters) to a more suitable location (attic,
or where it is not visible from the street). Obviously, I know that
"technically" they can't tell me to do this because of the FCC ruling
in 1996...however, they used what I call the "good neighbor" approach
on me. Listed below is a portion of the e-mail from my HOA president
(and it is long):

""
The Board of Directors is currently discussing the heart of the rule
governing the prohibition of the placement of an antenna in or on a
member's lot or dwelling; that being the true aesthetics involved in a
member using this sort of equipment for their receptive needs. We are
discussing and seeking consultation as to the Board's responsibility
to oversee the requirements or restrictions of placement of such
antennas to stay in keeping with the spirit of rule #18 in our
covenants. But with all "restrictions" we must carefully weigh the
individual member's rights to what is legally allowed against the
other member's rights to a clear and unobstructed view. We will be
discussing the manner in which a member would be conscientious of
their neighbor's property as they would their own and ask each member
that decides to follow this FCC ruling to place their antenna where it
is not visibly seen by the surrounding homes or passersby. After
saying this, in the spirit of neighborliness and citizenship, we are
asking that you consider relocating your antenna. Several other
members have installed similar antennas in their attic crawl spaces.
If the reception there is unacceptable or your attic isn't large
enough to accommodate then we are asking you, for the time being; to
relocate the antenna to the north side of your home's ridgeline to at
least reduce the amount of visibility. The reason we are requesting
this from you is the very reason this was brought to the Board's
attention. It is displeasing to your neighbors. Please consider this
request until the Board can make a final decision as to how it will
regulate the placement of the equipment that our covenants still
conclude as being unsightly.
""

My only response is: WOW! Can anyone give me a good idea of how to
respond to this. Or recommendations on what I should do. Should I cave
in to the "good guy" response, or should I fight this? I don't want
to upset people, but I also think people should be aware that I am
within my rights to have my antenna where it is...so it comes down to
a matter of principle. Any advice would be helpful. Thank you in
advance!

Thanks,

Tyler

HD Antenna and Home owners association issues

My only response is: WOW! Can anyone give me a good idea of how to
respond to this. Or recommendations on what I should do. Should I cave
in to the "good guy" response, or should I fight this? I don't want
to upset people, but I also think people should be aware that I am
within my rights to have my antenna where it is...so it comes down to
a matter of principle. Any advice would be helpful. Thank you in
advance!

Did you put the antenna up yourself or did you hire it done? If the
latter, I would tell the board if they want it moved, they can pay for
it. And then tell them that if the reception is not adequate, they
will pay for it to be relocated back in the original position.

HOAs need to be kept in check. You boad talking about property rights
is laughable. HOAs go against the very spirit of property rights.
"Clear and unobstructed view"... of what? Do you live near Mt.
Rushmore and the antenna is "blocking" the nose of Teddy Rosevelt?
Your antenna has as much right to be on top of your roof as does your
HOA president's car being in his driveway. Perhaps his car is
"obstructing" your view!!

As you can tell, I HATE HOAs. They are the next step in the
destruction of private property rights.

Now, I wouldn't put the tone of the letter the way I wrote this
message, but the message itself would be very similar.

HD Antenna and Home owners association issues

And it is certain
that your neighbors will form an opinion of you influenced by whether
they perceive you acting in a mature way that maintains everyone's
property values, or whether they perceive you as being stubborn and
insensitive and jeopardizing everyone's property values - including your
own.

BS. Right from the HOA President's Propaganda handbook. They throw
the "property values" crap in your face. Hog wash. What affects
property values are interest rates, local economy, and how many busy
body do-gooders are in your neighborhood who believe they know how to
manage your property better than you do.

HD Antenna and Home owners association issues

Bernie wrote:

I'll be interested to hear what happened when you visited the HOA
office. You analyzed the problem very well in your first note. I'm
very impressed with the thoughtful, sensitive letter that your HOA sent
to you, and I'll probably Many of the responses gave you good advice on
alternatives to your current location and on the pro's and con's of, as
you said, "being a good neighbor". There were also several responses
that advocated an adversarial approach, and I hope you decide to go with
the a "good neighbor" alternative.

Despite the thoughtfullness, and sensitivity of the letter (and in my
opinion it was not that thoughtfull or sensitive) the fact remains that the
HOA has no authority in this matter. Its similar to saying your kids have
too long of hair and when they ride their skateboards in the driveway, they
adversely affect the property value. The proper response of the HOA to the
complainers should be the same in both situations "we have no authority".

HD Antenna and Home owners association issues

"Larry Bud" wrote in message ps.com...
My only response is: WOW! Can anyone give me a good idea of how to
respond to this. Or recommendations on what I should do. Should I cave
in to the "good guy" response, or should I fight this? I don't want
to upset people, but I also think people should be aware that I am
within my rights to have my antenna where it is...so it comes down to
a matter of principle. Any advice would be helpful. Thank you in
advance!

Did you put the antenna up yourself or did you hire it done? If the
latter, I would tell the board if they want it moved, they can pay for
it. And then tell them that if the reception is not adequate, they
will pay for it to be relocated back in the original position.

HOAs need to be kept in check. You boad talking about property rights
is laughable. HOAs go against the very spirit of property rights.
"Clear and unobstructed view"... of what? Do you live near Mt.
Rushmore and the antenna is "blocking" the nose of Teddy Rosevelt?
Your antenna has as much right to be on top of your roof as does your
HOA president's car being in his driveway. Perhaps his car is
"obstructing" your view!!

As you can tell, I HATE HOAs. They are the next step in the
destruction of private property rights.

Now, I wouldn't put the tone of the letter the way I wrote this
message, but the message itself would be very similar.

I agree with almost everything Larry Bud says. But do try to remain
civil. A friendly approach is generally better. If you can't move your
antenna without ruining your reception, then politely stand by your
rights under the FCC's rules. But if you can make it less conspicuous
and still get good reception, then why not keep the neighbors happy?

HD Antenna and Home owners association issues

"L David Matheny" wrote in message
...
"Larry Bud" wrote in message
ps.com...
My only response is: WOW! Can anyone give me a good idea of how to
respond to this. Or recommendations on what I should do. Should I cave
in to the "good guy" response, or should I fight this? I don't want
to upset people, but I also think people should be aware that I am
within my rights to have my antenna where it is...so it comes down to
a matter of principle. Any advice would be helpful. Thank you in
advance!

Did you put the antenna up yourself or did you hire it done? If the
latter, I would tell the board if they want it moved, they can pay for
it. And then tell them that if the reception is not adequate, they
will pay for it to be relocated back in the original position.

HOAs need to be kept in check. You boad talking about property rights
is laughable. HOAs go against the very spirit of property rights.
"Clear and unobstructed view"... of what? Do you live near Mt.
Rushmore and the antenna is "blocking" the nose of Teddy Rosevelt?
Your antenna has as much right to be on top of your roof as does your
HOA president's car being in his driveway. Perhaps his car is
"obstructing" your view!!

As you can tell, I HATE HOAs. They are the next step in the
destruction of private property rights.

Now, I wouldn't put the tone of the letter the way I wrote this
message, but the message itself would be very similar.

I agree with almost everything Larry Bud says. But do try to remain
civil. A friendly approach is generally better. If you can't move your
antenna without ruining your reception, then politely stand by your
rights under the FCC's rules. But if you can make it less conspicuous
and still get good reception, then why not keep the neighbors happy?

I see the HOA as wrong in even asking for someone to make concessions or
suffer financially in a matter that they maybe aware they have no legal
right to in the first place. The "friendly" nature of their letter suggest
they are well aware that they have lost the right to enforce their rule and
believe they still have can achieve enforcement thru other methods. There
still exist a hint of we have a rules and you have broken our rules and the
HOA will deal with you, even in their carefully crafted letter.

The HOA's letter should have addressed considerations that the HOA
association was willing to offer to make moving the antenna as little are no
financial burden to the homeowner. Because it is their position it is for
the benefit of others that it should be moved let them pay. I'd be inclined
to ignore the letter and if pressed on the issue ask that any cost to move
and experiment be paid by the association.

HD Antenna and Home owners association issues

**Update**

I sent an e-mail back to the president and responded in a very humble
and civil way. I made it known that I was somewhat offended about the
point of me being unneighborly and uncitizenly if I didn't move the
antenna. I noted that I am a good citizen and that being a good
citizen means you let other people know about their freedoms and
rights and that I thought maybe letting others know about the FCC
ruling on this matter would be more "citizenly" of me. I also noted
that once they revise the covenant to be in compliance with the FCC on
the placement of antennas that the situation will be resolved because
I should then also be in line with the covenant...

I have not yet received a response from them.

When I stopped by the HOA office the other day (during working hours)
the door was locked. I called the # on the door and didn't get much
help as to who has or where the records are for the HOA. Thank you all
for your advice and help on this issue. If I receive a response or
anything else develops, I will keep you informed.

Thanks!

HD Antenna and Home owners association issues

On May 7, 9:21 am, "Elmo P. Shagnasty" wrote:
In article om,
Larry Bud wrote:

As you can tell, I HATE HOAs. They are the next step in the
destruction of private property rights.

And yet stupid sheeple put themselves into the position of being
governed by HOAs.

The sheeple get what they deserve.

And the politicians, counties, and townships have their hand out.
Depending on the development, it relieves those entities from
providing services even though they are still paid for by the owner in
the HOA (in the form of property taxes). So the HOA gets a double-
whammy, paying for property taxes, AND HOA dues that might go to
roads, trash pickup, snow removal, etc.

HD Antenna and Home owners association issues

"If the reception there is unacceptable or your attic isn't large
enough to accommodate then we are asking you, for the time being; to
relocate the antenna to the north side of your home's ridgeline to at
least reduce the amount of visibility. "

I re-read what your HOA wrote to you, and this line caught my eye

"for the time being"... what's that supposed to mean? I suspect it's
the HOA's way of saying "moving your antenna until we can talk to the
lawyer to see if there's away around federal law or if we can fine
you..."