Association Owns a Private Lake

The Lake Mission Viejo Assn., like thousands of other homeowner associations, exists to maintain the common ground owned by its members. Prospective homeowners are informed of the responsibilities of membership before they purchase property. It is certainly not, as Arthur Katz incessantly contends (in his letter of Jan. 22), absurd that Lake Mission Viejo be treated as an association. It is an association. I knew that, he knew that, we all knew that when we decided to buy our homes. There is nothing sinister or unfair about it.

What is absurd is Katz’s latest proposal, which is to donate the lake to the city for use as a public park. As a member of this association, I am opposed to transferring ownership of my property to the city of Mission Viejo or anyone else. The lake was designed for use by a controlled membership and functions very nicely as such.

As evidenced by Katz’s recent failed attempts to make lake dues optional, it is apparent that the majority of the members take their obligations seriously and expect others to do the same. The remedy to those who no longer wish to be members of the homeowner association is clear. Homes in the area are not difficult to sell and one of the reasons is availability of a nearby, well-kept, private lake.

NICK LUS

Mission Viejo