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Save Alyssa's Tree House

Discussion in 'Broadlands Community Issues' started by mtkeister, Mar 5, 2012.

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What should happen to Alyssa's Tree House?

  1. Keep tree house up by working it out with HOA

    40 vote(s)
    53.3%
  2. Tear it down and break Alyssa's heart

    35 vote(s)
    46.7%
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  1. shim

    shim shim

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    Well said BzyCookn, totally agee with you. Sorry Alyssa.
     
  2. hokie'81

    hokie'81 Member

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    Perhaps you could design a ground level retreat for Alyssa using the materials from the tree house, which meets the HOA guidelines, and your neighbors/supporters could help. This could be an awesome learning experience for her. Just a thought...
     
  3. PDILLM

    PDILLM Well-Known Member

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    If I closed my eyes and changed a few words this sounds just like my 6 year old!!!
     
  4. kevinq

    kevinq Member

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    In the few days that this thread was active, did you attempt to appeal to the Mod-Sub committee, as was the process identified earlier in this thread? Or are you assuming denials from the Mod-Sub committee and the HOA Board based upon the 50/50 reaction of the forum posters, most of whom are likely not members of either the Mod-Sub committee or HOA Board?
     
  5. MEM

    MEM New Member

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    Did they say absolutely not, get rid of it? Maybe if you did the appeal, they would tell you what you need to do to make it acceptable.
     
  6. LvBlands3

    LvBlands3 New Member

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    Sorry that your daughter will be upset. You must have moved in fairly recently. The rules here are fairly strict and I think almost everyone has been written up for something if you have lived here long enough. I get stressed every spring when we get a lot of rain and I don't have time to get to the grass quickly enough - and you would think that would be minor, but....
     
  7. mtkeister

    mtkeister New Member

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    Wish I could say yes we're new here, but no it's the opposite actually. We moved in beginning of 2003. Problem is, we didn't get written up for anything other than not getting Christmas lights down fast enough in all that time.

    Guess I've been living in a shell, plus I had the crazy notion that it was my backyard. Now that I understand things like "deed restricted community" and "chain of title" my notions have changed. Both the HOA and Loudoun county are further up the chain than me, the homeowner. If I break the rules as stated in the deed, then title reverts to one of them. That's the teeth the HOA has - and what do I the homeowner have? Very little really, other than the "privilege" of paying the huge mortgage payment, the insurance payment, the utility payments, etc. and a place to hang my hat as long as I'm a good boy.

    All you HOA-lovin' people - please correct me if I'm wrong, since at least one person here thinks I have the intelligence of a 6 year old :huh:
     
  8. T8erman

    T8erman Well-Known Member

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    HOA rules are much like the rules of the road. Many people do not like them but break a rule and get caught, pay the fine. It is not a police officer's fault FOR DOING THEIR JOB if someone gets caught speeding and it is not the HOAs fault if someone does or builds something they shouldn't.
     
  9. mtkeister

    mtkeister New Member

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    I agree 100% - fault is completely mine. Just venting my frustration at the situation, that's all. I think this forum is a nice safe place to do that.

    I've decided not to fight for what I want here because I really believe it would be wrong to do so. This started out as a knee jerk to protect my daughter from a situation I caused. U gotta understand - she is my first priority always!

    But partly due to the objections and opinions I received on this forum, I sobered up and started thinking about the adult things again, like contracts and lawyers and money and fairness to my neighbors who actually like being in a community with restrictions.

    I also learned something about myself --> I don't like so many restrictions :rolleyes3:

    So for my next house, I will be very mindful of the community ownership issues before I buy, no matter how fantastic the house is.
     
  10. Ellie

    Ellie New Member

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    Beautiful tree house! I hope you can keep it!
     
  11. Zeratul

    Zeratul Well-Known Member

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    Friendly suggestions - apply to install a Garden shed using the lumber and make it a family project with your daughter and she can decorate the inside.

    Build a bird house, build a Hummingbird habitat (there are a ton of them around) and perhaps add to your deck or patio?

    Just food for thought....
     
  12. hornerjo

    hornerjo Senior Member

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    You really do have a gift for building, that's the best tree house I've ever seen. You should plan a smaller closer to the ground model and see if it would get HOA approval. You could go into business designing these.
     
  13. mtkeister

    mtkeister New Member

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    Thanks all for the alternative suggestions - much appreciated. :D
     
  14. Emerson

    Emerson New Member

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    I can't believe the Heartless neighbors I have in Broadlands. I have lived here for 15 years and have seen it all. Knuckleheads....
     
  15. hokie'81

    hokie'81 Member

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    Heartless? I'm really am sorry you feel that way, seriously. I have seen our neighbors come together to help others in need many times! I feel pretty lucky to live in such a great community.
     
  16. lilpea

    lilpea Member

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    FWIW: As per the Covenants Guidelines, a "garden shed" would also be limited to an 8x10'. And any sdditional decks/patios would also be subject to an additional application.
     
  17. shim

    shim shim

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    I agree the craftsmanship is outstanding. I'd buy one for sure.., but I'm not allowed to have one in my neighborhood. :banned:
     
  18. msflynn

    msflynn New Member

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    I am not sure exactly who you feel is heartless here. The gentleman received a letter that stated he was not in compliance with something he did. This is something that many of us receive, sometime very well aware we did something and other times not. In the end he chose to take down the structure instead or working through the process - this is his choice. Not sure how that makes anyone heartless - he very well may have been able to come up with a compromise that made everyone happy, but we will never know. Only he knows where the best use of his time and energy is and to second guess or point blame is useless.

    Staci
     
  19. mtkeister

    mtkeister New Member

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    Thanks for all the positive comments about the build. I too am very proud of how it turned out.

    But I am enlightened now. This thing may be a "just right" size for me and my daughter, but it is way Way WAY beyond anything else in this neighborhood in terms of bending the rules. It is 140 sqft which is about the size of a child's bedroom. And it is 12 ft off the ground at the base. The "perch" area above is another 8 ft above that. I can't in good conscience press for an exception of this magnitude because of the precedent it would set.

    That being said, I have told my daughter I will make this up to her, so it's time to get creative again. This time, I'm going to work with the committee prior to doing anything. I'm wondering if it would be possible to create an "HOA approved" design.
     
  20. Emerson

    Emerson New Member

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    MSFLYNN - I feel you and many others on this board are heartless. This is not about HOA, rules, neighbors, it is about life, hope, and friendship. Get it?
     
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