Just about everyone has a horror story about a homeowner association on steroids. But the fact is, HOA rules are clear. If you don’t like them, don’t move into the neighborhood. That is unless you’re looking to move to Carrboro, where the environmentalists are on their way to gaining the power to overrule HOA rules – all in the name of “sustainability” efforts such as outdoor clotheslines. Carrboro aldermen think that’s a dandy idea, so they’re seeking legislative support from, among others, Rep. Verla Insko. From the Independent Weekly:
Aldermen are asking for the authority to “provide by ordinance that no deed restriction or covenant can have the effect of limiting or prohibiting the use of green or sustainability features on a residential property.” Anstine and other critics argue the request is vague, and worry it would allow residents to put up almost anything, no matter how unsightly (residential wind turbines, for example). But Coleman stressed that the initiative is still in a preliminary phase, and no law would be enacted without more public input.
“It’s important to be clear that what we’re seeking is the authority to create an ordinance,” he said. “There’s no firm idea what it might entail.”
Insko, who will likely introduce the House version of Carrboro’s request, said local bills such as this usually pass without much debate, but she wasn’t entirely comfortable with it yet.
“When we run a local bill, we prefer it not be controversial back home,” Insko said. “Those are our constituents, too.”
Insko wants to put more protections for covenants into the bill before introducing it.
“To me, the big issue is if we want the General Assembly overriding homeowners’ associations,” she said.
