Over the last couple of weeks the 159 families that live in our subdivision received multiple emails from the board of our home owner's association regarding compliance to our deed restrictions. Based on the number of words that were capitalized and/or italicized for emphasis, the undertone to these communications was, "You know who you are, now shape up!" "Neighborly pressure" was encouraged to motivate those who fail to stow garbage cans out of sight or repair the peeling paint on mailboxes. The most recent email was focused on "menacing" dogs who run to the fence and bark at passersby as they use the neighborhood bike trail.
My menacing dog Murphy is an occasional offender of that restriction.
An argument can be made that deed restrictions are a necessary evil; they help to keep our property values up and provide a peaceful and attractive environment for residents. If that's the case, I'd like to add a few new ones:
-Owners of dogs that bark 24/7 should remain in the yard while their pets are enjoying outdoor time. (Guy who lets his dogs bark non-stop all day, every day, this means you!)
If the barking in the house annoys you it probably annoys your neighbor too.
-Christmas decorations must be removed before Valentine's decorations can be displayed. (Yes, we have an offender in the neighborhood.)
Christmas lights are appreciated in December, not so much on Easter Sunday.
-Unsightly yard ornaments are not allowed in areas that can be viewed from the street. (This includes, but is not limited to, garden gnomes and cement geese dressed in seasonal costume.)
Perhaps you could use the money you'd spend on costumes to buy flower bulbs instead?
-Residents are not permitted to raise their voice or otherwise berate small children who accidentally step on one's lawn. (Newsflash Mr. Crabby Pants, grass is meant to be stepped on.)
Deed restrictions and neighborhood associations can be helpful in preventing the need for neighbor to confront neighbor about a nuisance, but really, if every homeowner simply maintains his or her property and makes an effort to be courteous would they really be necessary?
If training pets to do this is added to the restrictions I'm moving!
