Fairfax Parkside Homeowners Association bans smoking in private residences

[TheMorningStar]

Members of the Fairfax Parkside Homeowners Association on Wednesday voted to outlaw smoking inside residences that are part of the 34-unit development. The ban also prohibits smoking in shared spaces, such as porches and garages, but does allow it in yards and on patios.

Of the 19 association members who voted on the issue, 15 favored the anti-smoking regulation proposed by association President Dave Hanvelt, while four argued that residents should be allowed to smoke in their homes.

"This doesn't restrict a smoker from living here," Hanvelt said of the smoking prohibition. "It just means that there are restrictions on where they can smoke."

Fairfax Parkside is believed to be the first Eau Claire development in which homeowners aren't allowed to light up indoors.

"I'm not aware of any other instances where that is the case," said Julie Marlette, coordinator of the Tobacco Free Partnership of Eau Claire County.

Hanvelt proposed the regulation earlier this year because homeowners in the development own twin homes, or each side of a duplex-style home. Because of their close proximity, smoke from one unit could flow into the one next door. <--- What no firewall?

"If we all lived in separate units, this wouldn't have been necessary," Hanvelt said, noting homeowners association members made sure to allow outdoor smoking so as to not be too restrictive.<--- Standing outdoors in Wisconsin during the winter sounds fun.

The Fairfax Parkside regulation marks an extension of non-smoking rules from public places to private residences. Last year the Eau Claire City Council approved a controversial ban on smoking in indoor public places, including taverns.

The issue prompted heated response from people on both sides of the issue, and opponents were concerned that the ban could open the door to prohibitions on smoking in people's homes.

http://www.leadertelegram.com/story-...id=BKKD5TMRL20

[Athena]

I think these organizations that seek to ban smoking in private households should have to perform environmental studies regarding whether or not smoke actually makes it into adjacent households on a consistent basis.

I don't allow smoking inside at my place, nor did I when we lived in an apartment. But even had I, I know for a fact that the risk posed to my neighbors by my cigarette smoke doesn't hold a candle next to the threat posed by my constant BBQ smoke. What about the threat posed to some by animal dander and fragrances? Is incense also banned?

Where do we draw the line?

[CPL CHUD]

I'm moving into the country onto several acres of private land. You can all enjoy your "freedom" back in the muck of society.

[sanityslipping]

I'm still not sure why people think a homeowner's association is a good idea. Why would you buy a home, pay fees, and then let somebody tell you what type of bushes you can have, and what color your shutters are allowed to be?

And now they want to tell you what you can and can't do in your own home? Holy fucking hell. I can understand, following other people's guidelines if you are renting, because you don't own the home, but once you put your name on the title, that shit is yours to do what you will.

And, unless they have some shitty ass vents or something, I think I'd rather my neighbors smoke inside their own home, than walk into my yard and have their smoke blowing over to me.

[crickett]

That's STUPID!!!!
And before you ASS-U-ME that I smoke....I don't, it's disgusting and I'm allergic
BUT
Do they also have any rules against:
Nudity in your own home?
Kinky sex?
Watching porno in your own home?
Anything else PRIVATE that you might do in your OWN home???
STUPID!!!
Now try telling ME that I can't have a drink in my own place

YEAH....FUCK U!!!! It's MY place!

It's MY damm side of the wall....FUCK U!!!

I fucking HATE people who try to tell me what to do in MY place
(but I'm subtle about it so you'd never know)

[ImmortalOne]

Fuck that Home Owners Association. How can they totally infringe upon a person's personal life inside their own home? The Association has no right to do this. Anyone who is letting them is completely fucking stupid. I'm not saying that smoking is a RIGHT, but I am saying that someone's home is THEIR HOME. It isn't up to a board of people to decide what someone can and can't do in their own home if it is within the LEGAL law. WTF?!

[Aslan]

I'm certainly no legal expert, but wouldn't current homeowners be grandfathered by the agreement they signed when they first moved in? Unless of course the agreement says something to the effect of 'these rules and regulations are subject to change without notice' (which it very well may, I have no idea).
I agree about the seemingly senseless existence of a Homeowners Association. When you buy a house you have enough bills to pay. Adding a bunch of busybodies with nothing better to do than to tell you how your house/lawn/mailbox should look (and paying them for it) is just stupid.
My roommate and I both smoke. The family (and their friends) who live on the other side of our duplex do not. What they do do however is kill chickens every month (right outside of my kitchen window) for some ceremonial feast they have.
I should take up a collection and move them into this 'smoke free' community.