Advice needed with an issue in my neighborhood

Not a mistake. It's all personal preference that has pros and cons. That same HOA keeps home owners from piling junk vehicles in their yard, makes sure they upkeep their home exterior maintenance, etc. Especially when it comes to resale value.

 

Devil's advocate here, I don't understand why it's such a big deal to just ignore the signs? I get the littering logic, but if it's one laminated sign taped to the ground, how is it in anyone's way?

 

I get what you're saying. I have never lived in one but, people move to HOA neighborhoods to avoid things like this. Yes it can be nit picky, but that's the point of HOA in my opinion. I really wouldn't want my sidewalks looking like a break room pin board either.

 

Maybe? CHAPTER 9.14. - GRAFFITI[3]

https://library.municode.com/tx/geo..._ordinances?nodeId=COOR_TIT9PUPEMOWE_CH9.14GR

 

Take a photo of the signs, then email them to the HOA property management, provide the persons name/address, and ask if they can fine them or at least send notice.

 

I hear ya. what's the big deal, right? I think most people felt that way for a while, but this has been going on for over a year now. and it is not just one sign, it is one sign at each mail box. so it is all over the community and the residents are annoyed by them. Also, the laminated signs could cause a slip and fall. We are nearing the winter here and they will easily get iced over. With how they are positioned, some residents will have to step on them to access their mail boxes.

This is also setting a precedent. What if everyone who had a missing animal taped a sign on the ground? We would have dozens of signs at each mail box. The community has a forum for missing animals; it is the use of Nextdoor.

 

interesting... although, the wording of the code sounds like it is referring some sort of image or drawing. I wonder if it would apply to signage?

 

yeah, I think that this is probably the best way to handle it.

 

Normal has its limits. Start posting flyers for the local mental health clinic next to the missing cat flyers. Maybe she'll take the hint.

 

HOA are for like minded folks, its only a problem when you have an outlier because the sad truth is it cost more money than it's worth to enforce violators. The HOA bylaws are not enforceable by the municipality unless they align. The HOA has to fine and put a lean on the property that is the best they can do. I understand why this is an issued what if everyone started posting flyers... Also there has to be a "sign" permit code I would look into that.

 

Good points! I didn't think about the signs being a slip hazard. I just tried thinking from her POV. I remember when my cat got out and disappeared for a week after we first moved into our house, I was devastated and would have done anything to get her back. Thankfully she wasn't gone for over a year and I'm sure at some point I would have given up, but it's sad to think about. Maybe someone can go talk to her? Or mail her a cease and desist letter.

 

Let her know you are all aware of her lost cats and everyone is keeping an eye out.

Tell her you understand the pain but the flyers are having a negative impact on the community.

If that doesn't work tell her to grow the fuck up and do the math. The cats were yote shit a long time ago and to take responsibility for her actions if letting her animals outside.

 

Yup, it sucks to lose animals and I totally have compassion for her loss, but there is an appropriate way to behave in your community and an appropriate way to treat your neighbors.
Talking to her will serve no purpose other than to argue. She is beyond reason. People have tried to talk to her on Nextdoor and she has turned it into a flame war; attacking anyone who counters her beliefs. As others have mentioned, I think the best way to handle this is going through the city. I don't want to get in the middle of her craziness.

 

I would say after a month they are not coming back.

 

Probably but my cat (RIP) use to leave for month come back, and act like it was no big deal. I'd be like where the F have you been, and he'd say getting some P....

 

Are you absolutely sure there is no language in the CC&Rs that prohibits posting of signs/etc in the neighborhood? I get the city is in control of the streets & sidewalks, but when someone agrees to live in a neighborhood with CC&Rs governed by an HOA, you typically give up certain rights that the city or county law may have afforded you. It's just hard to imagine that the HOA would allow people to post whatever they wanted all over the neighborhood as long as it's on the street or sidewalk.

I used to live in a neighborhood with an HOA and CC&Rs, and we weren't allowed to have any RVs parked anywhere outside of a garage, even on the street. It didn't matter what the city's rules were on street RV parking since we had agreed to the rules of the CC&Rs. There was homeless guy that came and parked his janky motorhome in front of people's houses. They'd call the police, but the police said since he's on a city street they couldn't do anything if he moved it within 72 hours. Of course he'd go and move the thing every couple days so we couldn't do anything about it, but the point is that we as homeowners gave up the rights that this guy had by not actually living in a home governed by the HOA.

Anyway, you might want to closely check the CC&Rs again and see if there's any language about stuff like that. Good luck!

 

Post a ad for a Chinese restaurant next to to the missing cat posters

Leave a laminated note that says thanks for the late night snacks signed the coyote family

seriously they are dead most likely some larger critters snack.

 

YOu are correct. You can't put anything on the mailbox even if the homeowner tells you that you can. You can however stick it in the door folded so that no one can see it from the street.

Most people don't follow that rule

 

I would call the city and see if they can charge her with littering. HOA can't do anything to enforce this, not in TX anyways. We had a similar situation with people putting flyers on utility poles and there was nothing the HOA could do. I do believe they can be charged with littering if they are blowing all over the neighborhood. I would also do what a previous poster said, every time you go to the mailbox and see one take it down and throw it away.

Sounds like the lady needs to realize that her cats have long since been eaten but something higher up on the food chain.

 

Is the husband approachable? Maybe politely inform him of the community's thoughts on the signage and the reality of the cats likely demise.....

 

Lol have pitty on the old lady!
If thats the worst problem u got in ur life feel blessed!!
And go get a baby kitten and tell her u found it , can u help?

 

Let the HOA handle it if you have a HOA board, or if there is a Property Manager, then it is his/her job to find out what the County ordinance is and what to do next. If the majority of the neighbors are in agreement it should not be difficult to get the HOA to act on this issue - that's what they are there for.

 

Those lost pet signs actually cause my wife a lot of distress. She cares so much for the animals that she gets sad when she sees them. I wouldn't be able to deal with that nonsense every day.

I'd take a cup of sand with me to get the mail every day. Sprinkle it on the ground so the tape won't stick.

 

I found this city code. She is in violation of it.

https://library.municode.com/tx/geo...STSIPUPL_CH12.12ADSIBA_S12.12.010PUUPPLETPUPL

 

Offer to take the lady to a pet rescue center so she can adopt a cat or two.

 

Not sure about flyers but I know most places it is not legal to just let pets roam freely. This includes cats. Cats are killers but also prey. I have no problem with barn cats. They have a purpose. House cats belong inside. That is where mine has spent all 17 years.

 

Yeah. In Georgetown, it is illegal for dogs to be at large, but it is ok for cats to be at large. However, the cats must be licensed, fixed, and they must NOT be a nuisance. Nuisances are using your yard as a litter box, tearing up your yard, or anything else that the home owner feels is a nuisance.

 

God how I'm so glad to be out of a packed in neighborhood. Here it's a POA not an HOA. We are a neighborhood to prevent stupid crap. Minimum land 5 acres per residence, no mobile homes, condos, barb wire fences, or junky junk. 2 horses or cows. No pigs. Guy up the street has 2 camels. When I moved in with my wife in an HOA in a neighborhood in Houston, she got a notice for an unapproved tree in the back yard. I think it was a mango or something. They would drive buy, look at a previous picture and saw the tree growing in the back. IIRC dues were $300/month. I said damn this, what a racket. The developer gets paid in perpetuity just like the damn county. Who gives a crap about the pool thingy?

Get the old woman a new cat or two and tell her if the others come back, you'll take em back to the shelter. Senility is just a way of life at her stage. I getting that way too as the big 60 creeps up. I just spend time looking at my truck and drinking beer when I have free time these days.