Thursday, August 28, 2014

Bill addresses watering in homeowner associations - SFGate

Bill addresses watering in homeowner associations - SFGate: SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Homeowner associations would be prohibited from requiring residents to pressure-wash their driveways or other areas when droughts are declared locally or across California, under a bill sent to Gov. Jerry Brown.

Republican Sen. Jim Nielsen of Gerber says some homeowners are caught in bind. They face fines under state regulations that prohibit washing driveways, as well as fines from their associations if they don't follow its rules.

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Government already regulates many private sector industries. The community association industry fine machine is now getting a greater degree of regulation.

Monday, August 25, 2014

Drought debate: Homeowner fined for replacing grass with drought-tolerant plants - Inside Bay Area

Drought debate: Homeowner fined for replacing grass with drought-tolerant plants - Inside Bay Area: SAN RAMON -- Fran Paxson figured to get a little credit and admiration when she replaced the old lawn around her suburban San Ramon home with drought-resistant plants.

Her public water supplier is even rewarding her with a rebate.

But her homeowners association -- drought and a new state law be darned -- is punishing her with a fine.

Paxson's plight is turning up the heat in the conflict between the aesthetics and the thirst of water-hungry green lawns as California struggles through a third year of drought.

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Another perennial story in the litany of bad press for Privatopia: enforcement actions over flying flags, holiday lights and this recurring story of HOAs at odds with local governments over watering restrictions.

Sunday, August 24, 2014

Fox sets up plan to create utopia

http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/fox-gambles-on-big-bold-and-expensive-vision-of-utopia-1201288541/
Well, if anybody can create utopia it would be Fox. Rupert Murdoch has it all figured out.