We, the undersigned residents of Magnolia Park in Garner, NC express our disagreement with the management entity's  decision to mandate the installation of screens to cover trash bins and propane tanks on our properties. We believe that such a requirement is unnecessary, burdensome, & creates safety + accessibility concerns.

Reasons for opposition:

• Financial Burden: Installing screens can be an additional financial burden for homeowners, especially those on a fixed income. The costs associated with purchasing and installing screens may not be feasible for all residents, leading to potential financial strain.

• Added constraints: The diminutive nature of the lots, compounded by substantial easements that preclude the installation of fences or even trees, poses a significant constraint. Imposing an additional mandate for screening further diminishes the available space.

• Added Recurring costs & Added Risk: Homeowners that have installed the screens so far have clearly called out that the screens installed get damaged with every storm or heavy rain and wind. This adds additional recurring cost, time, and maintenance.  This lack of long term integrity for most commercially available screens creates a potential for repeated violations even after financial investment & installation.  Due to the laws in NC allowing HOAs to take extreme measures up to & including foreclosure on homes for excessive/ late fees- our ability to maintain ownership of our homes is literally at risk with this requirement.

• Community Trust: The decision to mandate screens is continued to be implemented even with considerable pushback, and disappointment expressed by the homeowners. According to a study conducted by North Carolina State University (2019), such mandates often lead to increased community dissatisfaction without significant improvement in aesthetics or safety. We request more openness to update the mandates that go against the general consensus of the homeowners. This will ensure that the interests of homeowners are valued and the management entity and board earn trust.

• Excessive Control: We reject the notion that the management company should dictate specific aesthetic features of our properties, such as the installation of screens. Homeowners should have the freedom to make decisions about their homes without undue interference.  Creating mandates for items that are likely to have repeated violations due to their nature (i.e. damage/ integrity of screens) is a threat to our ability to maintain ownership of our properties.

• Lack of Justification: Many of us believe that the mandate lacks sufficient justification. Existing safety measures and guidelines are in place to address any concerns related to trash bins and propane tanks. Mandatory screens appear to be an excessive and unnecessary requirement.  Damaged screens which will inevitably happen will result in more of an eyesore than aesthetic appeal.  Additionally, these screens can become projectiles during a storm leading to additional safety concerns.   Our spacing & lack of flat surface between lots is inadequate for accessibility around a screen for proper lawn maintenance without encroaching on our neighbors property.  Screens that are installed in our tight lot lines may result in issues conveying real estate due to encroachment onto neighboring lot lines.

By signing this petition, we call for a reconsideration of the mandate and a more collaborative approach to decision-making within the HOA. We believe in fostering a community where residents have the flexibility to make choices about their own homes while still respecting common guidelines that genuinely serve the community's best interests. As homeowners, we do NOT agree that this mandate serves the community's and homeowners' best interests.