Do the deed restrictions require that the compliance committee impose fines, or do they merely say the compliance committee CAN impose fines of "up to" x...?
Because it it says they CAN impose fines, then the committee would also be free to dismiss a complaint, or reduce a fine and still impose it as a way of saying "yes, they violated something that we are not allowed to forgive, but we really don't care, so just give us $20 and call it a day."
They could even impose a $20 lien on the house, if the deed restrictions don't expressly forbid it. That way the homeowner can continue on as usual, and when he sells the house, he'll have to give $20 to the compliance committee. Or the $20 lien can convey to the next homeowner.
I just don't think this should be nearly as complicated as it seems to be. The astro-turf people should not be complained about, because astro-turf actually INCREASED the property value. But if it's against the rules, hey it's against the rules. Tell the homeowner "you can either remove the astro turf and replace with complaint landscaping OR we'll put a $20 lien on your house."
Same with the people with the mural on their garage door - which is actually gorgeous and a neighborhood landmark (telling your visiting aunt that you live 4 doors to the right of the mural is a great way to explain which house is yours). Just like I use "the red house" to describe directions to my house.
People visiting don't really understand the significance of "the red house" until they drive up toward it. And then they know immediately - oh yeah - "this is the house she said to do this next set of directions with."
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