Kim Bennett, Rules and Regulations Committee
A homeowners association is a group of community property owners who manage the property and common areas. Owners are governed by rules known as covenants, conditions, and restrictions, or CC&Rs. When new homeowners buy in an HOA community, such as here in SaddleBrooke, they commit to adhering to these rules and paying the required fees. The majority of homeowners who purchase property in an HOA community believe rules and regulations protect and enhance property values and provide safe neighborhoods, while, sadly, a few still think of HOAs as overreaching neighborhood patrols.
But whether you like them or not, all HOAs have rules. And breaking them, even by accident, can have steep consequences.
One goal of your HOA is to provide safe roads. Every community wants its roads to be safe. Association board members and managers know that speeding is a huge threat to residents’ safety. To say that SaddleBrooke is an active retirement community might be an understatement. On any given day, our roads are shared by resident vehicles, construction trucks, golf carts, walkers, cyclists, and beloved pets. That is a lot going on! And driving just five miles over the speed limit has been shown to negatively impact driver reaction time. Whether drivers are mistaken about their speeds, unaware of speed limits, or speeding despite them, studies have shown that driver feedback signs (such as the one installed on E SaddleBrooke Boulevard approaching the Minit Mart) have been shown to improve awareness, decrease speeds, and positively impact driver behavior.
So, despite best efforts, some of us will still find ourselves receiving a traffic citation for speeding. If you know you were speeding, you can pay the fine and chalk it up to a costly reminder/deterrent. If you believe there were extenuating circumstances, you may appeal your case to the SBHOA2 Rules and Regulations Committee by sending a copy of your citation, along with a note of appeal, to our attention at 38735 S. Mountain View Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85739, or by dropping it off at the Administration Office. The committee will review your appeal and let you know whether your appeal is granted or denied. If your appeal is denied, you may request a hearing in front of the committee to present any additional information you may have. If a hearing is requested, you will be assigned a date, time, and location.
Remember, if your HOA says you broke a rule:
1. Address it. Ignoring an HOA rules violation will not make it go away and can actually make the situation worse. If you have received a violation notice, take steps to understand and correct the situation, and if there is a fine, either pay it or appeal it.
2. Don’t take it personally. Remember that the HOA’s rules were created to keep the community safe and comfortable for residents, including you. You agreed to abide by the rules when you bought your home.
3. Communicate. While friendly, face-to-face communication can address minor infractions or warnings, written communication and documentation help create clarity for everyone involved.
4. Get involved. There is a correlation between the level of homeowner involvement and the long-term success of a community. So, if you want to improve your community, volunteer for a board position or attend meetings to see how you can contribute. The SBHOA2 Rules and Regulations Committee meets on the third Wednesday of every month in the Saguaro Room and is open to all residents who want to attend. We hope to see you!