Participating Organizations

Homeowner Associations:

Problems and Solutions

Conference 2007

Monday, May 21

The New Jersey Museum

205 West State Street

Trenton, New Jersey

Co-Sponsors:

Rutgers School of Law - Newark

Seton Hall Law School

Rutgers School of Law - Camden

Funding for this Conference provided by a grant from the Lois and Sam Pratt Foundation

About the Conference

More than one million New Jersey residents now live under the aegis of common interest communities in the form of homeowner associations (HOAs). These associations are governed by elected boards, which exercise vast authority over their members with limited legal restraints. The New Jersey Supreme Court is now considering whether such associations must recognize their members' rights of freedom of speech and communication. The State Legislature is also considering broad legislation to regulate common interest communities.

Meanwhile, in many vicinages heated disputes continue to arise between the elected boards and residents over the exercise of board authority. Some residents complain about the lack of transparency in governance, inability to access documents, restrictions on electoral democracy and a lack of due process in enforcement of rules and regulations.

The conference will consider these issues, first by identifying the phenomenon of privatization of which they are a part, then by presenting representative illustrations of residents' discontent, and finally by discussing possible solutions, including learning from the experiences of sister states.

Tentative Agenda

8:45 a.m.

Registration and Continental Breakfast

9:30 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.

An Overview of HOAs in the United States: The Development of Mini-Municipalities

Prof. Evan McKenzie, Univ. Of Illinois/Chicago, author of "Privatopia: Homeowner Associations and the Rise of Residential Private Government"
Prof. Paula Franzese, Peter W. Rodino Professor of Law, Seton Hall Law School
Prof. Frank Askin, Rutgers School of Law-Newark and counsel for Plaintiffs in Twin Rivers

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Homeowners Speak Out: The Problems of Private Governance

Residents from throughout the state will describe their experiences with their homeowners associations.

11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.

Creating Workable Solutions: Working with the State to Regulate These New Governments

Ronald Chen, New Jersey Public Advocate
Senator Robert J. Martin, New Jersey State Senate, R - District 26
Senator Shirley K. Turner, New Jersey State Senate (Invited), D - District 15
Senator Ronald L. Rice, New Jersey State Senate, D - District 28
Danielle Carroll, Homeowner Ombudsman, State of Florida

12:45 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.

Audience Participation

Conference proceedings to be published by Rutgers Journal of Law & Public Policy.

Registration Information

Admission is free but advance registration is requested. Free parking will be available behind the Museum. * A free bus will leave the Concordia Shopping Center in Monroe Twp. at 8 AM. For reservations call 1-800-709-3400. To register, please provide your contact information and answers to three short questions below.

1) MAIL the information requested below to:

NJ Appleseed, 744 Broad Street, 16th Floor, Newark, New Jersey, 07102

2) EMAIL the information requested below to: njaombuds@hotmail.com

- Your Name

- Title

- Organization

- Address

- Phone Number

- Email address

- Name(s) of Additional Attendees

- Are/were you a member of a homeowners' association? If so, what is/was the name of your homeowners' association?

- Did/do you serve on a homeowners' association Board?

- Did/do you experience problems with your homeowners' association? If so, please explain.

Participating Organizations

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Jersey

Common-Interest Homeowners Coalition (C-IHC)

League of Women Voters of New Jersey

AARP

New Jersey Appleseed Public Interest Law Center

Driving Directions

Located in the same block as the State Capitol building, the Museum is near the intersection of Calhoun and West State Streets. Follow signs to State Capitol Offices, Capitol Complex, State House, or Cultural Center.

The following directions lead to the Capitol Complex, which offers free parking seven days a week in the surface lot behind the State House.

On weekends, visitors may park in the employee lots adjacent to the Museum. (See parking instructions below).

FROM NORTH OF TRENTON
Using NJ Turnpike: Take exit 7A (Trenton-I-195 West). Proceed on I-195 West and follow 195/29/129 signs. Stay to left and when road divides go left onto Route 29 N-Capitol Complex/Lambertville. Stay on Route 29 North through tunnel and continue to Memorial Drive exit. Proceed through light at the bottom of the exit ramp (War Memorial on your left), and take the first right to Parking Areas. Follow the jughandle signs to the Capitol Complex and park in the lot behind the State House.

Using Route 1 South: Exit at Market Street. At light make a left and stay in the far right lane. At next light, turn right onto Market Street. Follow Market Street through five traffic lights. Stay in the left lane and follow signs to Route 29 North. Exit Route 29 almost immediately at Memorial Drive. Proceed through light at the bottom of the exit ramp (War Memorial on your left), and take the first right to Parking Areas. Follow the jughandle signs to the Capitol Complex and park in the lot behind the State House.

Using I-95 South: Take Exit 1 (Trenton-Route 29 South). Proceed on Route 29 South to Memorial Drive exit (this is a left exit). Proceed through light at the bottom of the exit ramp (War Memorial on your left), and take the first right to Parking Areas. Follow the jughandle signs to the Capitol Complex and park in the lot behind the State House.

FROM SOUTH OF TRENTON
Using NJ Turnpike: Take exit 7A (Trenton-I-195 West). Proceed on I-195 West and follow 195/29/129 signs. Stay to left and when road divides go left onto Route 29 N-Capitol Complex/Lambertville. Stay on Route 29 North through tunnel and continue to Memorial Drive exit. Proceed through light at the bottom of the exit ramp (War Memorial on your left), and take the first right to Parking Areas. Follow the jughandle signs to the Capitol Complex and park in the lot behind the State House.

Using 295 North: Follow 295 North toward Trenton and take Exit 60 (Routes 29/129/195-Trenton/Shore Points). Stay left and follow signs for 29/129. When road divides go left onto Route 29 N-Capitol Complex/Lambertville. Stay on Route 29 North through tunnel and continue to Memorial Drive exit. Proceed through light at the bottom of the exit ramp (War Memorial on your left), and take the first right to Parking Areas. Follow the jughandle signs to the Capitol Complex and park in the lot behind the State House.

FROM WEST OF TRENTON
Using Route 1 North: Take the Delaware River Toll Bridge. Immediately after crossing the river, take Route 29 exit and follow signs to Route 29 North-Lambertville. Proceed to Memorial Drive exit. Proceed through light at the bottom of the exit ramp (War Memorial on your left), and take the first right to Parking Areas. Follow the jughandle signs to the Capitol Complex and park in the lot behind the State House.

Using I-95 North: Take Exit 1 (Trenton-Route 29 South). Proceed on Route 29 South to Memorial Drive exit (this is a left exit). Proceed through light at the bottom of the exit ramp (War Memorial on your left), and take the first right to Parking Areas. Follow the jughandle signs to the Capitol Complex and park in the lot behind the State House. Capitol Complex Parking.

FROM EAST OF TRENTON
Using I-195 West: Take I-195 West and follow 195/29/129 signs. Stay to left and when road divides go left onto Route 29 N-Capitol Complex/Lambertville. Stay on Route 29 North through tunnel and continue to Memorial Drive exit. Proceed through light at the bottom of the exit ramp (War Memorial on your left), and take the first right to Parking Areas. Follow the jughandle signs to the Capitol Complex and park in the lot behind the State House. Capitol Complex Parking.

Using I-95: Take Exit 1 (Trenton-Route 29 South). Proceed on Route 29 South to Memorial Drive exit (this is a left exit). Proceed through light at the bottom of the exit ramp (War Memorial on your left), and take the first right to Parking Areas. Follow the jughandle signs to the Capitol Complex and park in the lot behind the State House.

PARKING INSTRUCTIONS
There is also limited metered parking on West State Street in front of the Museum. Take the Calhoun Street exit off of Route 29. At traffic light, turn right onto West State Street. The Department of State building and the Museum complex will be immediately on your right.