By Kathryn Watson | Watchdog.org, Virginia Bureau
As more and more Americans live in close neighborhood quarters, there’s a new sheriff in town — your local homeowner association. And there’s an ongoing battle in Virginia to determine just how much power that sheriff will be able to wield.
Alexandria resident Maria Farran knows that battle firsthand, from her three-year legal fight with her homeowner association in Olde Belhaven. It all started out with an Obama campaign sign that she and her husband, Sam, posted in their lawn. It was four inches taller than their covenant allowed. HOA board members threatened to put a lien on their home if they didn’t comply with the rules, and passed a resolution allowing them to fine residents up to $900 for any infraction.