Someone recently purchased a home in Hot Springs Village and decided they didn’t like the view from their dining room window. In a configuration not generally found in HSV, the view was to the backyards across the road. A roughly 20-30′-wide strip of common property at the end of those backyards would have provided some blockage of the backyard view, depending on what had been planted there roughly 20 years ago.
Over the years, however, many of those property owners had removed vegetation from the common property area to incorporate that area into their own backyards. “Ann N.” (alias) – the new homeowner – demanded that the common property be re-vegetated to her own specifications. The POA would not meet that demand since any past records or photos that could be found suggested the area had been in the un-vegetated state for many years and of greater importance, the POA does not plant common property to the specifications of an individual property owner.
Ann N. was very specific in the plants that she wanted the POA to put in the common properties area. “There needs to be a long row of Mature (large) Green Giant Arborvitaes. There should be hardwoods mixed in. There has to be a privacy screen created by an evergreen that stays green through all 4 seasons.”
She took her demands to a number of departments within the POA. One of those departments responded with a promise to “re-vegetate” without specifying what that would look like. Overall, Ann N. did not like the response from any of the departments and became aggressively more demanding and less willing to understand how our Governing Documents rule many POA decisions. Ann N. has elected to slander a POA Board member who tried to help her better understand the situation. She has misrepresented/misinterpreted our governing documents to suit her own needs. She is currently waging a campaign on social media. All of this because Ann N. does not like the view from the dining room window of her new home and wants the POA to pay to improve her view, apparently not understanding that the “POA” is you and me – and our dollars for her view improvement. The POA staff will not be bullied nor slandered and will continue to follow our governing documents as they were written to protect the interests of ALL Villagers.
Submitted by Pam Avila, Hot Springs Village POA Communications/Revenue Growth Specialist
From HSVPOA to the Resident Who Chooses to Post on Social Media Using a False Name
From the POA to the resident who chooses to post on social media using a false name….. We are very aware of your comments using an alias on social media. Unfortunately, your comments have not only mischaracterized what has transpired to date regarding a common property issue; but have also needlessly slandered a volunteer Board member who went out of his way to try to help you, a new Village resident, better understand HSV history and governing documents as they relate to your situation.
Neither the volunteer Board members nor POA employees will respond to threats. In addition, possible mistaken comments by a staff member that contradict POA policies and standards also don’t justify your actions. An erroneous comment to revegetate an area is ambiguous at best and certainly doesn’t align with your demands. Lastly, you are certainly within your rights to continue with your campaign, but rest assured, the POA staff and Board will take every measure available to us to provide all the facts to all POA members, including publishing every email from you associated with this issue.
As a resident, it would benefit you to understand that there is a clear appeal process when a dispute or issue cannot be resolved. For the record, as of today, you have made no formal appeal to either the Common Property Committee nor the Board of Directors. You’ve attended zero meetings of either group – an opportunity that would have enabled you to speak individually with committee or Board members as well as gain a better understanding of how each group functions for the betterment of all residents. In addition, you’ve pursued on social media your goal of having your demands met by mischaracterizing/misinterpreting our governing Documents and their implementation. We can only guess that the mischaracterization is intended to give credence to your demands.
How this proceeds from this point is up to you.
Submitted by HSVPOA
Unfortunately she is not the only new member that has has bullied their neighbor or the POA to get their way. I have known long term members leave because of “bullies” that moved next door.
Good Job POA. This lady is a totally wacko. Perfect example of a Karen that thinks it’s all about her and to heck with every one else. Maybe there will be a new For Sale sign go up soon
That’s right Peggy, I mean really, this Karen couldn’t see the view behind her house before she purchased, nobody’s fault but hers, she’s a definite Karen!
I have read Ann N.’s posts and it is unfair to to claim that she is not telling the truth. It is an unfortunate situation that NEVER should have taken place. We do not need to point fingers or blame but It definitely needs to be corrected.
It is not unfair. She has posted a lot of misinformation. What is unfair is for Ann N. to post misinformation to property owners in an attempt to get her way. Ann has relentlessly bullied people. I have screenshots. – Cheryl
Whoever wrote the POA response deserves a gold star for being so tactful. Maybe “Ann N.” should start buying live Christmas trees and asking POA permission to plant them in the common property strip. Just a suggestion.
Thumbs up POA!! Another example of a belief of “they” should fix this. Fortunately, we live in a property owner based corporation that has fiscal responsibility not a local government with tax based pockets and limited requirements of accountability other than responding to every squeaky wheel that has a self focused agenda that costs everyone. Thank you POA for standing firm on our position.
I agree with Lynn. Did she not look out the window or did her real estate broker advise her incorrectly? To expect the POA to beautify a piece of common property to one person’s liking is absolutely ridiculous. Seems like more people are expecting the POA go over and above what they are suppose to. She ought to be glad the water system didn’t have another break.
Hello ??? Did she not look out the windows before buying her home ? Seriously … that’s on her. She should have been a more discerning shopper !!
Exactly, she had opportunity to look out the window and see the view herself.
Way to go Board. Well written response.
It is a shame POA has to deal with this foolishness. No basis for the complaint, no excuse for the behavior
With a threat or slander against the POA or a representative of the Village the offending party should be reported to outside authorities for mental and character disorders. A person as this could possibly be a threat to residents and employees. As this owner has recently moved in the problem should be handled quickly.