We have owned beachside property in Surfside for about eight years. We soon discovered that there has been opposition to the tree-topping policy by the majority of owners (as most own trees) since enforcement began. It has always been an ill-conceived policy pitting the board against the members. It locks the community in an endless cycle of enforcement, demanding frequent expensive maintenance. Trees rarely require maintenance, not to mention, no one has ever had to verify trees have blocked an ocean view.

I want to thank Steve Wallace for his efforts to make this policy-making a community decision and not strictly the board’s authority. Change is sorely needed. State statutes require that HOAs follow a democratic model of governance. All efforts made in the past to alter or eliminate the restrictions have been blocked by the board.

For the first time, a community vote was held on about a dozen proposals, three of which prevailed by far, all having to do with changing standards and enforcement of the tree policy.

In his initial letter, you can hear Steve’s eagerness for this to be a moment of hope and just change. While our HOA documents provide a process for member-initiated covenant change, the board refuses to acknowledge it and the member view that this policy serves no purpose beyond intimidation and needless conflict.

At their first opportunity, the board rejected out of hand, all three member-approved motions for tree policy change. The husband of the Tree Committee chair, a board member, made the motions to reject any review or action on these proposals.

STEVE COX

Surfside