Treehouse - Wow what a story.

http://www.loudountimes.com/index.php/news/article/childhood_memories_torn_down123/

 

What was the point of putting it in the paper? The family was wrong to build a structure in the backyard without getting approval from the HOA. Before they moved to the neighborhood they were provided with the HOA documents and could not purchase the home unless they signed an agreement to abide by the rules. According to the article, there also was a swingset in the backyard that was unapproved by the HOA until the treehouse issue came up.

It's hard to cut someone any slack, regardless of the current circumstances, when they knew the rules before they began the project. I don't consider myself a reall hard*** when it comes to every individual rule and if you choose to ignore one in the hopes that you'll get away with it - fine. But when you do get called on it, have the grace to accept that you didn't slip it by and get over it.

I'm not a neighbor but if I were and I saw the treehouse I doubt I would call the HOA to report it but if it is discovered during a routine inspection then the jig is up.

 

Certainly an impressive structure. I wonder if it had running water and electric?

That thing must have taken hours to build. It sure isn't your Daddy's tree house. Back in the day we used discarded materials and rusty nails.

 

Why make him tear it down? It's awesome.

 

Because it is not approved and it is HIS choice at this point to tear it down.

 

That is correct. Mr. Keister did not utilize the Subcommittee appeal process, which was made available to him.

 

You got that right, man the comments are strongly against the HOA. I liked the following reader comment

That’s why folks call this area “The Badlands” instead of Broadlands.

Who calls it "badlands"? I'll be honest I had never even heard of Broadlands until I moved here and I l grew up in Leesburg from 1980-2002 and then Ashburn from 2002-2009. I just always thought of it as Ashburn.

...I had also never heard of Brambleton...again it was all Ashburn to me.

I'm going to comment on the LTM article. Just go to some of the older neighborhoods in Leesburg without an HOA. Different fences no uniformity, I hate that.

What is a "Christmas Light Check" that did make the HOA seem a little strict.

 

The point that is conveniently glossed over is that it appears the homeowner chose to take it down based on comments from a forum.
The appeal process with the Modification Sub Committee was not pursued, which could have been appealed to the Board of Directors for a final decision.
Having been a member of the Modification Sub Committee for 10 years and a member of the Board of Directors for 13 years, decisions HAVE been overturned in the past.

The article simply tries to imply "it's all the HOA's fault." Not exactly a fair or accurate representation.

 

You are supposed to have your Christmas decorations down by a certain date.

The comments on the article are really irritating. They act like we are the only subdivision in the state with rules.

 

few things annoy me more than people thinking THEY are special and dont have to follow the rules, that THEY DESERVE a pass for one reason or another. it's one of the worst things about living here- people are so self important and entitled, then blame the rules for their misfortune. if out was an ugly structure the response and tone of the article would have been so so different.

 

The article states that there are no places nearby for kids to play. Apparently there are no tot lots or open spaces in Broadlands. I must have been somewhere else when I drove past about 15 of them.

 

He is also a stones throw away from Hillside Elementary with its' basketball court, ball field, track, open field and playground.

 

I see. Wonder why?

 

Sorry, but most autistic kids can feel very uncomfortable, intimidated and even scared with other kids shooting hoops around them. An open field and track aren't a solution, either. Parents of typical kids JUST DON'T GET IT.

It would be great if just one person on this thread could recommend AUTISTIC-FRIENDLY options. These are not typical kids. They need sensory-friendly play structures. Didn't anyone read every publication over the past week, declaring the rise of autism in this country? The number of kids in Loudoun County, let alone, is astounding.

The p*issing contest between the residents over HOA rules has been rehashed enough. Could anyone be more helpful to the poor kid who's probably still quite a mess about her treehouse?

 

What do you suggest that would be appropriate, Bzy?

 

I say we start off with kindness. Understanding would be helpful. Understanding that ball-fields and tracks are useless to autistic kids. Just the suggestion of that leads me to believe there is little to no knowledge of autism. And if an adult is this ill-informed, then he or she's kids will be even more so. And without that knowledge, i fear for the future of autistic kids. Especially mine.

I'm sure these loving parents have tried everything with their daughter. They are tearing down the treehouse, which was the sole source of this child's comfort. The main concern on this thread should not be about who knew what rules, how horrible HOAs are, or anything along those lines. It should be about what comes next for this family, who believe it or not, will go through some traumatic changes with the loss of this child's refuge of peace and normalcy. Remember, she is not a typical child. She is autistic. And until this community can understand the difference, then it will be an uphill battle for ALL families whose children are on the spectrum.

 

Again it is asked (rhetorically, of course), why wasn't HOA approval sought before the treehouse was even constructed? Furthermore, if tearing it down is going to be so devastating to the child (and I don't question this), then why was the appeal process not utilized?

 

Bzy - I agree with you that wide open spaces, jarring noises etc are often too much stimulation for a child with autism or sensory issues. At the same time I think your statement; "parents of typical kids just don't get it" was a little bit harsh. No child is typical and each child has their own unique challenges/needs.

That said my nephew's autism and social integration greatly improved with daily group & individual art therapy. So much so, that now he rarely uses the "fort" my brother built for him. In my nephew's case his doctors strongly disagreed with building a "fort" for him, because it caused him to further distance himself from the world and socially detach.

But back to the issue of Mr. Keister's tree-house;

As a long time member of the Subcommittee, I honestly wished that Mr. Keister had utilized the appeal process made available to all applications that are denied. I know the Subcommittee waited and we waited to hear from him. We were/are willing to work out a compromise. But Mr. Keister is the one who informed the Subcommittee that he decided to tear the tree-house down. But before he dismantles the tree-house, he requested an additional 7 month extension and then got the press involved.

So we have a homeowner who admittedly did not follow the rules, requested we bend the rules for him, did not use any of the appeals process(es) and then goes to the press in an attempt to vilify the HOA & Subcommittee.