@dac1842: Well, in a way, it does if it directly affects the property values around them, especially in a negative way, or if it keeps a neighbor from selling. 4951

We also have a boat/classic cars etc.  We would love to house them in our back yard.  Storage (which is where they are) is inconvenient AND expensive but it is what you do out of respect to the HOA agreement and the neighbors. 4951

@FreebyrdIII: I was just afraid some were mistaking it for a shop for a side business which, to me at least, would be a much bigger deal. Personally, I wouldn't want a structure that size in my backyard...it pretty much IS their backyard now. But, if they got the okey-dokey from the HOA & a permit, then none of my personal business because I live blocks away. As for the folks wondering how they can approve that while complaining about the weeds in the side yard...good question. I do think they are overbearing on most things while giving leeway on others. Now if I could just get to a meeting to complain about it... 4951

Rather strange the the far back support seems to go into the roof of the house and it looks  like windows on the side so it's some kind of room.I attached an a small extension to the back of my garage for yard equipment and other outdoor stuff, I made sure it did not infringe on the 8 foot easement off of my back fence but I never thought it needed approval as you can't see it from the street. I was halfway into it when our HOA told me to stop. They wanted to see plans, roofing material and the paint swatches. I had planned to make it match in every way to look original so I drew up some plans and gave them the samples. They eventually approved it. After moving most of the stuff out of my garage I converted it into a workshop, insulated and dry walled it and upgraded the electrical. About the only thing I did that the deed restrictions don't allow was to add a wall mount AC unit but it is below the fence line so it can't really be seen and it is very quite. Keeps it nice and cool in the summer and with the humidity controlled it keeps my tools from rusting. The AC unit also has a heat strip so while it won't make it really warm it still takes the chill off when we have temps at freezing or below. 4951

Seems odd that it's ok for this structure yet HOA has problem with wooden playsets in back yards. 4951

I find it kind of funny how people complain about HOA letters and then interfering in their lives/homes, yet want to get involved in this person's business?  Irony... 4951

@allymansfield: I think it is the fact that the HOA sends letters for minuscule things (I.e. Basketball goals, play sets, weeds in a flower bed, long grass after it has rained for three weeks straight etc.)and then allows something like this that clearly does not fit the deed restrictions for the village. I live near this a drive by it every day. I hope it gets better because right now it is rather ugly and very large.
4951

@tatertot58: Understandable. My point is that the HOA'so are pretty useless and everyone hates on them until they see something they don't like then it's all hands on deck to have them step in. Can't have it both ways. 4951

This out of place building doesn't belong here.  BBV has deed restrictions.  I don't believe it was approved by the HOA.  All of the concrete will cause flooding for the nearby neighbors.  It will be difficult to sell the nearby properties due to these homeowners. 4951

Is the owner of the house on the HOA board? 4951

Maybe they got a cease and desist order which might be why it is taking a long time. Kind of hard to believe that somebody would go this deep in and not have approvals, though.
You all realize the HOA can only do so much without incurring lots of legal fees - which ultimately you pay. Even then their only real weapon is a lien on the property which only works when the owner tries to sell the house. Letters about grass are easy for them and it is an effort to keep some level of control or chaos would erupt. 4951

the HOA wants this tree to be cut. they say it is offends them. i don't get it. it's a tree. 4951

Overall I don't have a problem with HOAs but sometimes they can be jerks in the tone of their letters. My wife said she lived in her home in SWH for almost 10 years with never a letter from the HOA but the week after her husband died from cancer she got a rather rude one about "flower beds need weeding."  She was rather annoyed. She wondered if they would have sent the letter if they had known he was lying in pain and getting weaker every day for the last few months and after he died she had to deal with the funeral and suddenly being widowed. If they had know would they have volunteered to weed for her? She laughs about it now and says it must have been for the wrong house as she didn't have any flowerbeds out front! 4951

@Chrisinkingwood: I was really ill for about four months at the beginning of the year. I was under doctors orders to not lift anything over 10 lbs under ANY circumstances and to be essentially on bedrest. Hubby had to run the business and take care of the kids and me. The yard just was not a priority as it was more important to keep me out of the hospital. I was just waiting for a letter. We got a couple about the trash cans being visible but we ignored those. 4951

I've lived here about 5 years now, and when we first moved we didn't own a lawnmower, and just didn't have the money to pay for the service. Maybe we were given a grace period back then, but we never received a letter until the rain earlier this year. What what is, 2-3 weeks in a row, that it rained practically non-stop? Well, we didn't mow until it dried up enough, and then we still left it uncut where there was water in the ditch. And then we got a letter about it. I couldn't believe it. When I drive around I see houses in WAY worse conditions. 4951