How to deal with HOA rules like no salt and fertilizer for drainage easement? (Cambridge: houses, buy)

[sueky21]

We've been looking at a single family house in northeastern MA. It's a subdivision of 6 lots and 3 of them have drainage easement, and the HOA is for all 6 lots. The house we looked at has the longest swale, about 300ft long, because it has a long driveway. I'm wondering how the existence of swale and HOA affect the value of the house.

Also, now the easement are all covered by snow, so we only see it on drawing and don't know how it actually look like, what should we ask the builder?

There're something in the HOA agreement saying "no salt for the driveway" and "no fertilizer, pesticide, herbicide for designated storm water area". So how do I deice the long driveway in winter? Also, how do I prevent weed in the swale if i can't use pesticide and herbicide in the swale?

Last question is, how could the HOA potentially give me trouble, assuming I do my regular maintainance?

Thank you very much for your help!

Sherry

[495neighbor]

There is a product called Ice-Melt that is not salt and is very pet, septic and environment safe. You can buy it at a pet store or Walgreens.

I'm guessing the swale is contained in protected wetlands and there may be other regulations over the land you need to learn about. Contact the town conservation committee to find out what they can tell you. They may also have some environment friendly tips for handling the weeds if you do make an offer on this home.

[sueky21]

Hi 495 neighbor, thank you very much for your reply. Is the Ice-Melt a feasible solution for a 300-ft driveway? or is it very expensive and you only use it on your doorway etc?

The swale in to collect stormwater in the subdivisions and eventually linked to wetland in another lot.

[in_newengland]

Shop Ice Melt at Lowes.com!

This is an example of the pricing. I think the problem is with actual sodium, not calcium or magnesium forms. But you should still be careful of your lawn and of getting it where dogs walk.

[gf2020]

Welcome to C-D!

In all likelihood, the no chemicals mandate is a function of the Order of Conditions from the local Conservation Commission, it's only being highlighted by the HOA. The Order of Conditions is a legal document and will be referenced by each deed in the subdivision and filed with the Registry of Deeds. It's not the HOA that will give you trouble if you don't follow these provisions, it will be the town's Conservation Commission. I've built houses in Haverhill, Georgetown, Newbury and Salisbury and all had wetlands and drainage issues to contend with.

[Annie53]

Originally Posted by sueky21

Hi 495 neighbor, thank you very much for your reply. Is the Ice-Melt a feasible solution for a 300-ft driveway? or is it very expensive and you only use it on your doorway etc?

The swale in to collect stormwater in the subdivisions and eventually linked to wetland in another lot.

Why would you have to deice the whole driveway? Is it required by the HOA?

I don't know anyone who does that.

I know a few who deice a small area in front of a door, but no one who does their whole driveway.

I have a 100+foot driveway with a three car turn around, for over 30 years I have never deiced any of it.

[sueky21]

Originally Posted by in_newengland

[url=http://www.lowes.com/Outdoors/Snow-Removal-Prep/Ice-Melt/_/N-1z0wg7l/pl#]Shop Ice Melt at Lowes.com[/url]!

This is an example of the pricing. I think the problem is with actual sodium, not calcium or magnesium forms. But you should still be careful of your lawn and of getting it where dogs walk.

Thank you for the link. I'm glad it doesn't cost too much, I was afraid of a significantly higher cost than that of the regular salt.

[miu]

I've never used salt on any of my driveways in the wintertime. Not in Concord, Cambridge, Newton or up in NH. We've just shoveled or used a snowblower to clear down to the gravel or pavement. The NH driveway is on a hill and we've only had to use sand once and for just where we were walking.

Also, in the wintertime we always put good snow tires on our cars.

[sueky21]

Originally Posted by gf2020

Welcome to C-D!

In all likelihood, the no chemicals mandate is a function of the Order of Conditions from the local Conservation Commission, it's only being highlighted by the HOA. The Order of Conditions is a legal document and will be referenced by each deed in the subdivision and filed with the Registry of Deeds. It's not the HOA that will give you trouble if you don't follow these provisions, it will be the town's Conservation Commission. I've built houses in Haverhill, Georgetown, Newbury and Salisbury and all had wetlands and drainage issues to contend with.

Thank you very much, I think you're right, it's related to local Conservation Commission requirements. I'm wondering if you know how people normally maintain their lawn free of weed under such constrains. I'm not aware of solutions without using fertilizer etc, but I guess if the rule is in place, people must have find ways to maintain their lawns.

[sueky21]

Originally Posted by Annie53

Why would you have to deice the whole driveway? Is it required by the HOA?

I don't know anyone who does that.

I know a few who deice a small area in front of a door, but no one who does their whole driveway.

I have a 100+foot driveway with a three car turn around, for over 30 years I have never deiced any of it.

Thanks for your reply, I didn't know if deicing the whole driveway is necessary, I was just imagining if there's thin ice, one might use salt to deice it. If it is save to drive, I would not want to go that extra mile to deice it.