One of the more common criticisms directed toward me over the years is that I am overly focused on rules, that I want to control what my neighbors do with their property, or that I somehow believe every homeowner should live according to my personal standards.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
I believe homeowners should have as much freedom as possible to enjoy, improve, and personalize their property. In fact, I would likely approve of many improvements that some people assume I would oppose. My concern has never been about controlling my neighbors. My concern has always been about fairness, consistency, and ensuring that all homeowners are treated equally under the same standards.
Homeowners Associations exist because people have different ideas about what is acceptable within a neighborhood.
Some homeowners prefer strict standards. Others prefer almost no restrictions at all. Most people fall somewhere in between.
The purpose of an HOA is not to force everyone to agree. The purpose is to establish a common set of expectations so that homeowners can live together while protecting property values and neighborhood character.
For that reason, I believe rules should generally be followed and enforced consistently. Not because every rule is perfect, but because selective enforcement creates favoritism, resentment, and conflict.
If a rule is outdated, unreasonable, or no longer reflects the wishes of the community, then it should be changed through the proper process. Until then, it should be applied equally to everyone.
While I support consistent enforcement, I also strongly support homeowner freedom.
I believe homeowners should be allowed to make improvements to their property so long as those improvements enhance the home, respect neighboring properties, and do not negatively impact the surrounding community.
In many ways, I would actually like to see more creativity and individuality throughout our neighborhood.
San Diego Rancho La Cresta is now approximately thirty years old. Many of the homes were originally built as production or "tract" homes. I believe there are opportunities for homeowners to thoughtfully customize and improve their homes in ways that increase both individual property values and the attractiveness of the community as a whole.
I have seen neighborhoods where homeowners were encouraged to move beyond standard builder designs and invest in architectural improvements that added character and individuality. Over time, those communities evolved into neighborhoods that felt more like custom-home communities rather than developments of nearly identical homes. The result was often increased neighborhood appeal and stronger property values.
That does not mean every proposed change should be approved. Architectural decisions require balance and thoughtful consideration. Improvements should be evaluated not only for their benefit to the applicant, but also for their impact on neighboring properties and the overall community.
I do not pretend to have all the answers regarding where those lines should be drawn. Reasonable people can disagree. However, I believe there is room for communities to encourage innovation and investment while still preserving fairness, consistency, and respect for neighbors.
Another misconception is that because I support enforcing HOA rules, I automatically agree with every rule or every law.
That is not true.
There are state laws and regulatory changes that reasonable people may view differently. Supporting consistent HOA enforcement does not require agreement with every state or local regulation.
More importantly, I do not believe it is the role of an Architectural Committee to act as an enforcement arm of the State or City. Homeowners are responsible for complying with applicable laws and regulations, and government agencies are responsible for enforcing those laws. The role of an HOA Architectural Committee is to evaluate applications under the Association's governing documents, architectural standards, and approval requirements—not to impose additional conditions based upon laws that fall outside the Association's authority.
Supporting consistent enforcement does not mean supporting every rule. It simply means that if a rule exists within the Association's governing documents, it should be applied fairly, consistently, and equally until the membership chooses to change it.
One example that generated controversy involved trash can enforcement.
I understand why many homeowners become frustrated when they receive reminders about something as simple as leaving a trash can out. Life happens. People travel, work late, get sick, or simply forget.
At the same time, I also understand the other side. There are homeowners that feel strongly that trash cans left out devalue the neighborhood and are a nuisance. There are other homeowners who routinely leave trash cans visible for extended periods of time, despite rules that have existed for years.
Neither extreme is particularly helpful.
The goal should not be punishment. The goal should be encouraging reasonable compliance while recognizing that occasional exceptions occur. I believe we settled that issue with the Compliance Department.
Throughout my years of service, whether on the HOA Board, the Architectural Committee, the Scripps Ranch Planning Group, the Community Planners Committee, or other community organizations, my approach has remained fairly simple.
I believe people should have significant freedom to enjoy their property.
I believe rules should be applied fairly and consistently.
I believe transparency builds trust.
I believe neighbors deserve to be treated respectfully, even when they disagree.
And I believe communities function best when people consider how their actions affect those around them.
Perhaps the best test is this:
If an action improves your property, respects your neighbors, and contributes positively to the community, it is probably worth supporting.
I often wonder what our neighborhood would look like if every homeowner spent just as much energy considering the interests of their neighbors as they do their own. I believe our community would be stronger, more attractive, and more enjoyable for everyone.