I’ve dealt with a lot of HOA’s and built a quite a few homes. Nothing about this deal bothers me too much. Yes, there’s a know-it all in the middle of it and he might have the HOA Board wrapped around his finger but, to me, this is a manageable annoyance. If it were me, and I really liked the land, I’d proceed. But I’m experienced in these matters and am willing to litigate if necessary, after first being firm, fair, frank, and friendly with potential adversaries. The “Four F’s” usually work, even with jerks.
Think of what else you might want to do on that land that the HOA might not like and if you would be willing to let that go in case the HOA sticks to their guns. For example, our former neighbors had a big fallout with their HOA after planting a rose garden. The HOA rules specified that no rose shrubs or flowers were allowed, and x% of the lot had to be grass. They were eventually harassed out of that subdivision. The wife recreated her rose garden at the new place - it was amazing and very tastefully done.
No shrubs or flowers? Why on earth?
That is totally bizarre.
Yup. Bright color was not allowed in the brown and green and landscape theme, and only approved species could be planted, which rose bushes weren’t.
My parents had an HOA that made them pull up some pine seedlings. They were a “living fence” according to a crochety neighbor. Seedlings, not even saplings! Sometimes these groups do things just to make themselves feel like they are important. In that case, ask for far more than what you need, just in case.
Iglooo can present a plan with a 5 car garage, horse stables, and olympic size pool so they can feel important and start x-ing things off.
Love that! That is what startups ask from VCs. They end up getting 1/3 or so. 