HOA considering restrictions on home-based businesses? (merged)

What's the protocol on voting on an issue like this? Is it all up to the board? Do residents speak their mind and the board takes it into consideration, but it's still a board vote? How do residents weigh in on individual matters?

 

The Board will listen to comments and may take them into consideration, but it is their decision alone.

 

My youngest daughter has been going to Karlene's since the middle of the summer when I was absolutely stuck for a babysitter. I actually hadn't planned on having her in any organized program this year (since she's a December baby) but I was impressed with how well Karlene interacted with the children. The growth and changes I've seen in my child are amazing.

Karlene also was willing to watch my older daughter one afternoon and I can't say how much that meant to me. You see, my child has special needs and we simply don't *have* sitters for her. My husband and I are able to get out together perhaps once or twice a year. We can't just call someone off the Broadlands Community Helpers list for her. Not only was Karlene willing to watch her, but she was wonderful with her.

And, after having to send my older daughter off to one of the public elementary schools here in Loudoun County at age 2 1/2, there's no way I want anything but a home based preschool for my younger daughter. While the ECSE program was wonderful for her, it's so hard to send a little one off to school that way. Just think about putting your kindergartener on the big bus.... and imagine that at such a tiny age.

As a resident of Broadlands, I'm really disturbed by the entire situation. I feel animosity when I pick up my daughter on the way back from a standing doctor's appointment each week. My husband drops her off on his way to work - carpooling isn't an option. We have walked her over a couple of times but it's a half hour with a little one.

You know, we live here in this community too. We're your neighbors - maybe not on the same street, but our kids go to the same school (Hillside), the same religious instutitions, the same after-school activities and the same community events.

I could play NIMBY all day long if I wanted to what with the hospital which was not in the cards when we purchased our house that I'll be able to see from my front yard and the speeders up and down the street going to the new school administration building. But, the point is when you get down to it is that the people being complained about for the most part live right here in Broadlands.

 

I don't think the daycare operator wants to be dealing with this 'fire' either. Her business, her livelihood, is being threatened here. I don't think it's fair to say that just because she is outnumbered, she should be forced to give up her business.

She needs to be in compliance with licensing and existing HOA rules. But it seems like your position is that even if she does that it is not enough. I just don't see how that is fair.

 

Thanks for the background jdhauer. I have been following this thread trying to figure out how I feel and agree mostly with your position. Sounds like Karlene is a good person who made some mistakes when she started out. Obviously she does need to run her business properly with all necessary licenses and not have too many kids. I think she also should be talking to parents and asking them to be as considerate as possible (no speeding, blocking driveways etc.) of the neighbors and especially kids playing. Assuming she does that, I don't see any reason she should be prohibited from having a legal daycare in her home.

Many of us have small businesses and work out of our homes and there is nothing wrong with that. I don't imagine the HOA is going to get involved as long as she is legal and the parents are considerate of the neighborhood.

Skins fan

 

Okay I know that I said I wouldnt post anymore..But...
That is not true that if she complies that wouldnt be enough.
The neighbors and I have talked to Mrs Baker, and asked her to just cut down on the number of children to like 3 or 4 and she said she would bekeeping her number, but can have the parents park down the street and walk to her house. All that would do is cause traffic on another street. So to just think we are trying to cut off her lively hood is plain wrong. I know she is a good person, I dont think someone can just take on a bunch of children all day long without patience and a kindheart, but there are ways to convience everyone. She can be outnumbered all she wants, but if the HOA sees pass that then our outnumbering means nothing.

 

9 two year olds, twice a week = 9 x $189
9 Three year olds, twice a week = 9 x $229
9 Mom's morning out kids once a week = 9 x $85

Total/month = $4527

Cut that down to three or four kids and you have

four kids = $2012

three kids = $1512

Or, over a 10 month school year you're asking her to give up $25,000-$30,000.

 

Mrs. Smith, If she complies with the guidelines you tell her that will be OK in your eyes correct? I'm sorry, but I wouldn't want one of my nieghbors to dictate how I run my business. It seems to me that Mrs. Baker has offered some suggestions that you also find unaccetable. I would like to believe all of this can be handled without the HOA needing to decide that fate of the daycare center. I would think that if you found someone driving too fast, reckless, etc and you told her which car/van she would talk to the parents with your concerns. I hope that you and Mrs. Baker and your neighbors can resolve this to everyones satisfaction.

Enjoy!

 

Okay so you truly think that she is doing this for a full time income. What if she had no kids, or what if no one signed up for the program. I dont think she moved here thinking she was going to be able to make tons of money in guarenteed childcare. Im sure what she makes contributes, but I dont think she did this for the thousands of dollars she could or could not make. And no one is asking anyone to give up anything. And who are you to break down her economical situation, how do you know everyone pays that, or that she even charges for everyone.

 

Okay, so you say because she offered to elminate the traffic on our street and have everyone park in someone elses street, that was "offering some suggestions". And Im sure you must have missed alot of this conversation because there are over 11 homes who have a problem with this, and some of them have even attended her program.. So as I stated this all will be handled to everyones satisfaction at the next HOA meeting. I bought a home where there was an HOA for this reason exactly.
Mrs Baker is not this poor victim under attack by neighbors. When she started this program last year, she had 3 or 4 kids. It was fine.. but by the end of last year into this year she had at least 12 kids 5 days a week, to where she had to hire a helper. So dont come in on the tale end of something and tell me to "work it out".

 

Mrs. Smith,
I have read all of the posts, more than once and I am sorry that you have not been able to resolve the differences with Mrs. Baker. I don't believe Mrs. Baker is correct in all of this and nor do I believe you are "attacking" her. But, by your comments of it was fine when she had 3-4 kids but when her business grew and had to hire a helper in your eyes it was too large for your liking. Both parties believe they are correct and unfortunatly if the HOA has to settle this dispute many other residents will be affected one way or another. That is why I made a comment:
“I hope that you and Mrs. Baker and your neighbors can resolve this to everyones satisfaction.”

I truly hope that you and your neighbors can work this out and the HOA doesn't have to take a vote on restrictions for businesses in the Broadlands. Have a great weekend.

Enjoy!

 

Mrs. Smith, you tone and rhetoric are not gaining sympathy for your cause. You are increasingly appearing quite mean spirited. You have even stated that if she complies with all the rules that "wouldn't be enough" which lends one to believe that this is personal and that you just want it gone from "your" neighborhood. If you are looking for support, this is not the way to do it. Frankly you are coming off as quite nasty about all this, and I am sure you can't be this one sided as a person in real life.

 

I have a child in an in-home preschool in Lansdowne, where the HOA has determined such businesses to be against the covenants. I don't like the idea of being made to feel that I'm doing something wrong, although apparently I am. When I enrolled my child there everything was considered okay by the HOA, with written permission documenting it as such. It's a difficult situation to be in as a parent at the school, I can assure you.

I hope that an agreement can be made between all parties.

In terms of VA Dept. of Social Services, there is not a distinction between "daycare" and "preschool." Most are simply considered a "family day home" and a residential use of property.

 

I have to agree.

 

Are you serious..Can you please show me where I said it would not be enough. I told you Mrs Baker and I talked personally and she would not agree to have less kids, just relocate the parking. Think what you want. Ive been dealing with this for over a year. And when it comes to children and childcare providers anyone who apposes them always comes across mean spirited. Since Ive been a resident for over 5 years, and Ive attended many functions with the majortiy of you, you are so wrong in your judgement and assumption of me. This is a pressing situation I am trying to deal with, and as you can see all others who had problems with this have stepped away from posting, but I wont. This is not a Mrs Smith vs Karlene forum.. Its about Home Based Business,and you should keep it at that.

 

Full time or part time income, $20-$30,000 is quite a hit...especially with our current economic situation.

 

You know what just keep it coming you guys.. Seriously.. Just say what you want throw at me what you want, just keep it coming. A person can only respond solo (for 11 out of 18 homes) so much. .. Eveyone seems to have so much to say about this, but Im sorry how many of you are FernBrook Residents.. My point exactly... Living three streets over and feeling the way you do,, well just doesn't cut it...
Have a very Happy Memorial Day Weekend everyone..

 

I am not a Fernbrook Resident, I am a Broadlands resident. And by bringing this dispute to the Broadlands HOA, it now affects everyone in Broadlands. If the HOA makes a ruling about home-based businesses, it will affect all of Broadlands, not just your street.

There are a lot of people in this community who make a living working out of their home. This issue has the potential to affect every one of them.

 

Here you go:

If she is properly licensed the county allows her to have up to 12 children, and the HOA has no further restriction currently. So you are in fact saying that compliance with existing laws and regulations is not enough.

 

I think many of you need to give Mrs Smith a break. Let everyone know what your opinion is of home based businesses rather than getting on her for the way you perceive her to be communicating. Think about her situation and the others and determine what your opinion will be if this is happening next door or nearby to your home.

This is an important issue having a significant impact to many residents in Broadlands.

A person working out of their home is not an issue with anyone that I have heard at board meetings or seen posted here. The main issue seems to center around traffic and the impact to the neighborhoods. I frankly don't care whether it is a daycare, religious meeting, Mary Kay meetings/events or not but if the situation is bringing in signifcant traffic on a regular basis then there is a problem and the HOA needs to step in with further regulations than a county or state might impose.

Most, if not all, of us moved into a sub-division governed by an HOA with rules and regulations because we were looking for a certain quality of life. We did not move here to have a day care, retail business or training center on our residential streets. There are more than enough suitable locations available nearby to conduct a business that generates significant traffic.