It was an attractive building with white columns, a broad entrance, and large windows overlooking landscaped gardens.
Behind it was a modest community swimming pool that had been closed for repairs.
During the home-buying process, the real estate agent explained that the pool's circulation system required significant maintenance and that the HOA was reviewing renovation plans.
I hadn't paid much attention.
I was buying a house with its own pool.
Whether the community pool reopened immediately wasn't important to my decision.
But at the board meeting, I discovered it mattered enormously to the HOA president.
She had been promising homeowners an expanded summer recreation program.
The community pool was supposed to reopen before Memorial Day.
A series of youth swimming classes, family events, and weekend activities had already been advertised.
Residents had paid additional recreation fees.
And the president had signed agreements with an outside event company to organize several of the activities.
The problem was that the pool wasn't ready.
An engineering inspection had identified mechanical and accessibility concerns that required more work than expected.
The contractor couldn't guarantee completion by the advertised date.
The association faced angry residents.
And the president had apparently decided my private pool could solve the problem.
When my turn to speak arrived, I stood.
I asked whether the HOA intended to use my property as a substitute recreation facility.
The president smiled.
"Not exactly."
I waited.
She continued.
"We simply want to preserve the neighborhood's established access traditions."
I placed the proposed license on the table.
"This document gives your organization recurring access through my private backyard."
She leaned back.
"Only for approved activities."
I nodded.
"Activities involving my pool?"
Her expression tightened.
"For limited community purposes."
Several board members looked toward one another.
A younger woman seated near the end of the table frowned.
She was the association's newly elected treasurer.
She looked toward the president.
"I thought we were discussing a temporary pedestrian route."
The president waved one hand.
"We're discussing community cooperation."
I remained standing.
"Then let me be clear. I haven't agreed to open my pool as a community amenity, and I'm not granting access across my private property."
The room became quiet.
The president's smile vanished.
Then she leaned forward.
"You're going to make yourself very unpopular."
I looked directly at her.
"That doesn't change the property boundary."
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then the treasurer quietly asked whether the proposed license had been reviewed by independent counsel.
The president snapped that the document was standard.
I collected my copy.