Can board block use of drought-tolerant plants?

Question: Our homeowners association has what seems to be miles of greenbelts and landscaping that is not water-efficient. Our board of directors and their friends, who constitute the majority of owners, are of the same mind-set in that they refuse to use drought-tolerant plants and do not encourage more efficient water use by association gardeners. They say they like how grass and lush vegetation make our development look rich and add to the value of our properties. They pay no attention to rising water bills. One owner told me our governing documents cannot have provisions that discourage drought-tolerant plants and curtail water usage. What if our documents don't prohibit that, but the board does it anyway?

By Stephen Glassman and Donie Vanitzian

February 19, 2012