"Charles Schuler" wrote in message
. ..


Filling in a swimming pool is not a simple thing. A friend of mine is
president of a HOA, and they want to fill in three. Price per each, done
according to code, $115,000 per pool.

Hmmmm! Seems rather exorbitant.

Sounds absolutely ridiculous to me. But if you want it done according to
the rules and laws of Clark County, Nevada, that is what a contractor wants.
Even the Board of Health gets involved. $115,000 each was the low bid, too,
and that does not include studies or permits.

Even more ridiculous, the HOA first has to have a 100% unanimous agreement,
with signed statements, that there is not ONE homeowner that considers the
removal of the three pools to be a "downgrade" of the property. If one
owner protests, they CAN NOT remove the pools.

The consideration for removal of the pools is because of the aging
population of the owners, advancing pool maintenance costs, replastering,
service, maintaining all the iron fencing that is rusting, and the 30 year
age of the property which means that everything is wearing out or falling
down daily. The monthly HOA dues are reaching critical mass, but it is just
because there is so much to be maintained, and it costs so much.

In the old days, one would just fill a pool in. Welcome to today. The OP
stated they were in California, which has their own special rules governing
everything. The California Environmental Impact Studies will be $100,000 by
itself! Then there will be the relocation costs for the insects and rodents
displaced by the construction project. Easily another $100,000. This could
affect the watering habits of pigeons in the area, thus requiring a special
FEDERAL variance, another $100,000. And if it is proven the removal of the
pool affects any endangered species, the whole house may just have to be
buried...................... ;-)

There is nothing simple any more. Don't you love progress, civilization,
and the advances of humanity?

Steve ;-)