Just thinking about this makes me boil. $75 non-refundable fee to be able to submit your design changes. Hmmm.....I wanted to have my front door painted a different color. It cost a smidgen more to have it done than the design fee cost. Cancel that. Hubby was going to install railings on the front porch. Cancel that. We were considering building an arbor in the back come spring....and cancel that.

I can see $5, $10 or even $15 to help offset....No, wait! OFFSET WHAT? What are these fees going to? Aren't the people who are reviewing these designs on payroll or volunteering or elected?

I truly need someone to step in and educate me why we are getting charged this enormous fee to request an improvement for our home. I am hoppin' mad about it and maybe somebody can convince me otherwise.

No your not the only one upset about it.

Just another example of our HOA raking us homeowners over the coals.

I understand we do pay a stipend to some of the "professionals" that staff our review committee. I'm not sure why, the most movement I've seen from that group is rolling over.

IMHO, after reviewing the budget, the money they collect from the new fee is just another profit center. They need to support the staff raises for 2011. How many of you are getting raises this year? In addition we need to keep a flotilla of boats and staff at the lake at no charge to residents at a cost of 65k plus. We need a cool 100k+ to hire a special company to run the pool because our community manager wants someone to back us up in court if "something" happens. I'm thinking our attorney's can handle that if and when something does indeed happen. Statistically speaking we would save money using the attorney option.

Frankly, if our management company managed, collection of fines would be more efficient and we wouldn't need more than the $5, $10, or $15 offset. Fines come from people that choose not to follow the community rules. Those that follow the rules and submit the appropriate documents for an architectural approval are bearing the cost of bad management.

I’m also displeased with the new fee and agree with the previous posts. I’m guessing that we will see two things as a result of the $75 fee. 1) Many improvements to looks and safety won’t be constructed because of the fee. 2) Others won’t submit for approval, they will just go ahead and make the changes they want without paying the fee and going through that step. I’m guessing that they will get away with it, especially when you see all of the other rules that are ignored.

The fine is probably less than the design review fee.