Condominium Boards

As an attorney who represents condominium associations, I must respond to the editorial “Kissing and Doing Bad Things” (June 21). While it may appear from the facts known to the public that the homeowners association “overstepped its bounds” in its conduct toward Helen (Kim) Garrett, it is also true that the members of the boards of directors of condominium associations, who are volunteers, are charged with difficult and conflicting tasks.

The board must, at all times, act in what is the best interest of the membership of the entire community. As in any community, the individual interests of a particular homeowner must be overridden by the board’s concern for the community as a whole. For all we know, the board may have received numerous complaints about unseemly conduct in the community to which it is bound to respond.

Most disturbing about your editorial is the issue of regulating architectural modifications. Most condominiums have in their governing documents provisions whereby the board of directors is required to ensure architectural conformity. Regulating the paint color is thus not only an entirely permissible function of the board of directors but, more important, a necessary one. There have been countless lawsuits filed by members of condominium associations against their board of directors for failing to enforce architectural restrictions.

Serving as a voluntary member of a board of directors of a condominium association can be an extremely time-consuming and thankless job. Most of these individual serve to protect their community and, for the most part, do an exemplary job.

LAURA J. SNOKE

Beverly Hills