Comments on: Solar panels and Clotheslines…What’s Your Spin? http://www.cai-padelval.org/athome/2010/01/20/78/ CAI's Public Square Mon, 20 Jun 2011 18:56:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Barb Smith http://www.cai-padelval.org/athome/2010/01/20/78/comment-page-1/#comment-112 Barb Smith Tue, 23 Mar 2010 16:13:11 +0000 http://www.cai-padelval.org/athome/?p=78#comment-112 Most definitely they should be letting people have clotheslines and solar panels. I understand especially with solar panels when you live in a connected townhome type association if the owner wants to install it through a licensed contractor and he then assumes all responsibility for the upkeep as far as his piece of the common roof, etc. and any damage. There are legal documents that can be signed to this type of issue that would put it on the homeowner. Let's get with the times everyone's budget is tight, let's help the environment and everyone else. Most definitely they should be letting people have clotheslines and solar panels. I understand especially with solar panels when you live in a connected townhome type association if the owner wants to install it through a licensed contractor and he then assumes all responsibility for the upkeep as far as his piece of the common roof, etc. and any damage. There are legal documents that can be signed to this type of issue that would put it on the homeowner. Let’s get with the times everyone’s budget is tight, let’s help the environment and everyone else.

]]> By: Michelle McGarvey http://www.cai-padelval.org/athome/2010/01/20/78/comment-page-1/#comment-90 Michelle McGarvey Sun, 31 Jan 2010 15:36:33 +0000 http://www.cai-padelval.org/athome/?p=78#comment-90 With the economy and going green I think drying clothes and solar panels should both be allowed. You could set restrictions that the line must be down by a certain time. I also think that the boards need to look at the whole picture. With the economy and going green I think drying clothes and solar panels should both be allowed. You could set restrictions that the line must be down by a certain time. I also think that the boards need to look at the whole picture.

]]> By: Allan Samuels http://www.cai-padelval.org/athome/2010/01/20/78/comment-page-1/#comment-88 Allan Samuels Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:52:07 +0000 http://www.cai-padelval.org/athome/?p=78#comment-88 It is only a matter of time until the legislation changes in favor of these energy saving opportunities. We are really doing a disservice to the community by not allowing solar panels, especially in areas where incentives make them an opportunity that is hard to pass-up. It is only a matter of time until the legislation changes in favor of these energy saving opportunities. We are really doing a disservice to the community by not allowing solar panels, especially in areas where incentives make them an opportunity that is hard to pass-up.

]]> By: W.E. Shirley President Plum Tree HOA http://www.cai-padelval.org/athome/2010/01/20/78/comment-page-1/#comment-87 W.E. Shirley President Plum Tree HOA Mon, 25 Jan 2010 03:43:11 +0000 http://www.cai-padelval.org/athome/?p=78#comment-87 I think a factor that needs to be considered is whether the association is one of town houses or single homes.Solar panels and clothes lines might not be as disruptive in a community of single homes as it would be with a building of 8 town homes.Single homes have the option of additional screening to hide someones drying laundry.Our association spends a large part of of budget to landscape our property so our residents can enjoy the scenery.Id hate to see our beautiful views blocked by a neighbors drying laundry.An associations By-Laws are developed prior to the first unit being sold.They are read and agreed to by a buyer prior to settlement.If the association members feel something needs to be changed then it should be done by a majority vote and not by our guys in Harrisburg. I think a factor that needs to be considered is whether the association is one of town houses or single homes.Solar panels and clothes lines might not be as disruptive in a community of single homes as it would be with a building of 8 town homes.Single homes have the option of additional screening to hide someones drying laundry.Our association spends a large part of of budget to landscape our property so our residents can enjoy the scenery.Id hate to see our beautiful views blocked by a neighbors drying laundry.An associations By-Laws are developed prior to the first unit being sold.They are read and agreed to by a buyer prior to settlement.If the association members feel something needs to be changed then it should be done by a majority vote and not by our guys in Harrisburg.

]]> By: Marshal Granor, Esq. http://www.cai-padelval.org/athome/2010/01/20/78/comment-page-1/#comment-85 Marshal Granor, Esq. Fri, 22 Jan 2010 11:09:58 +0000 http://www.cai-padelval.org/athome/?p=78#comment-85 There are many, many issues, but they are all surmountable. Solar panels should be no problem, if mounted on roofs. A neighborhood dispute in Plumstead right now shows the problem of neighborhood objections if they are planted in the ground. (However, proper installation and warranty issues arise when installed on common elements, so insurance and roof repairs have to be handled in appropriate legal documents. Clotheslines are another issue entirely, because they go to the local customs and aesthetics of the community. Some people are squeamish about seeing their neighbors' underclothes; others think the clothesline itself is unpleasant to view (some are made to be removed or collapsed). In parts of PA, hanging clothes outside is the norm, and restrictions against it just won't work; in other places, just the opposite. As with most community association issues, the art of compromise is the best choice. Try addressing the real issues -- the quality of life issues. Clothing has to be hung in the rear yard, or within a fenced-in area, or limit the hours. Solar panels require competent installation and no damage or cost to the association. There are many, many issues, but they are all surmountable. Solar panels should be no problem, if mounted on roofs. A neighborhood dispute in Plumstead right now shows the problem of neighborhood objections if they are planted in the ground. (However, proper installation and warranty issues arise when installed on common elements, so insurance and roof repairs have to be handled in appropriate legal documents.

Clotheslines are another issue entirely, because they go to the local customs and aesthetics of the community. Some people are squeamish about seeing their neighbors’ underclothes; others think the clothesline itself is unpleasant to view (some are made to be removed or collapsed). In parts of PA, hanging clothes outside is the norm, and restrictions against it just won’t work; in other places, just the opposite.

As with most community association issues, the art of compromise is the best choice. Try addressing the real issues — the quality of life issues. Clothing has to be hung in the rear yard, or within a fenced-in area, or limit the hours. Solar panels require competent installation and no damage or cost to the association.

]]> By: Mitch Frumkin http://www.cai-padelval.org/athome/2010/01/20/78/comment-page-1/#comment-84 Mitch Frumkin Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:13:14 +0000 http://www.cai-padelval.org/athome/?p=78#comment-84 I think that in today’s world all Associations should be flexible in regards to their rules and understand that most of the documents which are in use were produced long before most of todays technology was even a dream and we have to be willing to accept and use this technology to its fullest whenever possible. I think that in today’s world all Associations should be flexible in regards to their rules and understand that most of the documents which are in use were produced long before most of todays technology was even a dream and we have to be willing to accept and use this technology to its fullest whenever possible.

]]> By: Joel Goldstein http://www.cai-padelval.org/athome/2010/01/20/78/comment-page-1/#comment-83 Joel Goldstein Thu, 21 Jan 2010 01:37:46 +0000 http://www.cai-padelval.org/athome/?p=78#comment-83 Let's break this apart. Solar panels, yes. They aren't an ugly pink, they won;t flap in the breeze. Clothes lines, while environmentally friendly, are just too ugly, especially when clothes are on the line. Other items should be discussed individually, maybe some will be yes, and others will not. Let’s break this apart. Solar panels, yes. They aren’t an ugly pink, they won;t flap in the breeze. Clothes lines,
while environmentally friendly, are just too ugly, especially when clothes are on the line. Other items should be discussed individually, maybe some will be yes, and others will not.

]]> By: Casey Noon http://www.cai-padelval.org/athome/2010/01/20/78/comment-page-1/#comment-82 Casey Noon Wed, 20 Jan 2010 20:39:06 +0000 http://www.cai-padelval.org/athome/?p=78#comment-82 I think that community associations should be more accepting of solar panels, clothes lines and other green initiatives. The major complaint against this type of improvement is that residents find the panels and hanging laundry to be unsightly, however I think (hope) that in this economic climate and greening society people will not only be more accepting of but actually find these forward-thinking sights beautiful. I think that community associations should be more accepting of solar panels, clothes lines and other green initiatives. The major complaint against this type of improvement is that residents find the panels and hanging laundry to be unsightly, however I think (hope) that in this economic climate and greening society people will not only be more accepting of but actually find these forward-thinking sights beautiful.

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