Stop the increase of firework fees in our HOA community
The Issue
We, the undersigned homeowners of Olde Mill Estates, respectfully request that the Board reconsider the proposed increase in the fireworks fine from $100 to $1,500. Our concerns are as follows:
Legal Compliance: City code Sec. 7-4-11 explicitly allows residents to discharge fireworks between 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. on July 4th. Homeowners in our community have only ever used fireworks on this date, in full compliance with local law.
HOA Guidelines and Cured Violations: The HOA guidelines require a 15-day notice to cure violations and allow immediate fines only for habitual offenders, defined as residents who violate the same rule multiple times within 12 months. Past fireworks violations in the community have been isolated and cured immediately. A violation that occurs only once per year and is cured cannot reasonably be considered habitual. Applying a $1,500 fine under the claim of “habitual” behavior is arbitrary and capricious and inconsistent with the HOA’s own procedures.
Arbitrary and Selective Enforcement: The petition supporting this fine increase references a fire that occurred in a different community. Using that unrelated incident to justify a steep fine for our legal, one-day activity demonstrates selective enforcement. If the Board’s concern is fire risk, it should also address other common sources of open flame—grills, fire pits, and similar activities—instead of targeting a single legal tradition.
Fairness, Deterrence, and Patriotic Celebration: A $1,500 fine for a single July 4th violation, especially when cured immediately, serves no legitimate deterrent purpose. The Fourth of July is a time to celebrate our freedoms and our love of America. Why would we celebrate the Semiquincentennial—250 years of independence—by telling homeowners they cannot celebrate in the way millions of Americans have for generations? Reasonable fines, consistent with actual risk and HOA guidelines, are sufficient to maintain safety without restricting patriotic traditions.
For these reasons, we respectfully request that the Board reconsider the proposed fine increase and either:
Maintain the current $100 fine, consistent with HOA guidelines, fairness, and respect for lawful celebration; or
Clearly define objective criteria for fine increases that respect legal compliance, consistent enforcement, and the principle that once-a-year fireworks cannot be considered habitual.
40
The Issue
We, the undersigned homeowners of Olde Mill Estates, respectfully request that the Board reconsider the proposed increase in the fireworks fine from $100 to $1,500. Our concerns are as follows:
Legal Compliance: City code Sec. 7-4-11 explicitly allows residents to discharge fireworks between 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. on July 4th. Homeowners in our community have only ever used fireworks on this date, in full compliance with local law.
HOA Guidelines and Cured Violations: The HOA guidelines require a 15-day notice to cure violations and allow immediate fines only for habitual offenders, defined as residents who violate the same rule multiple times within 12 months. Past fireworks violations in the community have been isolated and cured immediately. A violation that occurs only once per year and is cured cannot reasonably be considered habitual. Applying a $1,500 fine under the claim of “habitual” behavior is arbitrary and capricious and inconsistent with the HOA’s own procedures.
Arbitrary and Selective Enforcement: The petition supporting this fine increase references a fire that occurred in a different community. Using that unrelated incident to justify a steep fine for our legal, one-day activity demonstrates selective enforcement. If the Board’s concern is fire risk, it should also address other common sources of open flame—grills, fire pits, and similar activities—instead of targeting a single legal tradition.
Fairness, Deterrence, and Patriotic Celebration: A $1,500 fine for a single July 4th violation, especially when cured immediately, serves no legitimate deterrent purpose. The Fourth of July is a time to celebrate our freedoms and our love of America. Why would we celebrate the Semiquincentennial—250 years of independence—by telling homeowners they cannot celebrate in the way millions of Americans have for generations? Reasonable fines, consistent with actual risk and HOA guidelines, are sufficient to maintain safety without restricting patriotic traditions.
For these reasons, we respectfully request that the Board reconsider the proposed fine increase and either:
Maintain the current $100 fine, consistent with HOA guidelines, fairness, and respect for lawful celebration; or
Clearly define objective criteria for fine increases that respect legal compliance, consistent enforcement, and the principle that once-a-year fireworks cannot be considered habitual.
The Decision Makers
Petition Updates
Share this petition
Petition created on May 11, 2026