The company's registered agent shared a residential address with the HOA president's adult son.
That didn't automatically prove wrongdoing.
Families sometimes operate businesses.
Businesses sometimes have legitimate relationships with associations.
But the connection should have been disclosed and evaluated through appropriate procedures.
I checked the board minutes again.
There was no obvious disclosure.
Instead, the project appeared under the president's recommendations.
The landscaping company was listed as the preferred vendor.
The association had already authorized a significant preliminary payment.
I began saving copies of everything.
Invoices.
Meeting notices.
Proposal documents.
Corporate registrations.
Maps.
Budget figures.
I also contacted a property attorney.
He reviewed my deed and the current survey.
Then looked at the proposed HOA map.
His expression changed.
"Where did they get this boundary?"
"I was hoping you could tell me."
He compared the documents.
"This is not consistent with the recorded property line."
"I noticed."
He looked at me.
"Have they started construction?"
"No."
"Good."
He tapped the paper.
"Don't let them."
We discussed the possibility that the HOA might claim an easement, historic use, or some other right affecting the land.
He explained that any such claim would require actual legal support.
A presentation slide was not enough.
Neither was the HOA president's belief.
We prepared a formal objection.
My attorney notified the association that the proposed project appeared to encroach on independently owned land.
We requested clarification of any claimed property interest.
We also asked for the source of the boundary map.
The HOA did not respond directly.
Instead, I received another violation notice.
This one claimed my fruit trees created a health and safety concern for community pedestrians.
It demanded that I remove the branches and install temporary fencing.
I added the letter to my folder.
Then checked my cameras.
The HOA president had stolen peaches again that morning.
At 6:07.
She picked five.
One branch snapped.