Here is what we want to change at Brighton Forest, and what it takes to get there. The architectural guidelines are the immediate ask. The broader transparency work follows from it. Each goal has a legal mechanism and none of it needs anyone's permission to begin.
Fixing the solar language is the immediate ask. N.C.G.S. § 22B-20 voids any HOA rule that prohibits, or has the effect of prohibiting, rooftop solar. The current ARC's "as inconspicuously as possible" and "may require completely encasing the collectors" can reduce output and block viable installations, both of which the statute forbids. In Belmont Association v. Farwig (N.C. 2022), the state Supreme Court held that denying street-facing panels under general aesthetic discretion is void. No covenant amendment is needed. Superior law already overrides the conflicting language, and the guidelines just need to be corrected to match.
Update the ARC to keep the intent of the current rules but align with NC law where necessary, and replace vague, subjective language with objective criteria the Architectural Review Committee can apply consistently for every homeowner. The Proposed ARC Guideline Changes page lays out the exact wording.
Minutes that show what homeowners raised and how the board responded, recorded roll-call votes, and written conflict-of-interest disclosure. The Open records & votes section on The Board page lays out what that looks like in detail.
Members who will adopt clearer ARC language, run meetings in the open, and disclose conflicts. The The Board page has the current roster, which is up for a vote at the annual meeting on Thursday, October 15, 2026, along with the candidates we support.
The current board can do this now,
or we can do it ourselves.
Most of Brighton Forest doesn't know any of this is happening. The fastest way to grow the list is neighbor to neighbor. Mention it at the mailbox, in the group chat, on Nextdoor, or on a walk. Send people to bfhoa.com and ask them to sign up. One conversation per household is enough to clear the 10 percent threshold weeks ahead of the annual meeting.
A signed-up neighborhood is leverage. It is how we reach the 10 percent threshold to call a special meeting, how we show up with numbers at the annual meeting, and how we know who to coordinate with on petitions and votes. If you haven't yet, add your name on the homepage.
Before the annual meeting, every sitting board member should say, in writing, whether they support the changes on the Proposed ARC Guideline Changes page and the open records, recorded votes, and conflict disclosure practices on The Board page. Yes or no. This is not adversarial. It is the basic information owners need to vote in October.
We are asking each member directly. Their answers, or their silence, will be posted on the The Board page as we receive them. If you know a sitting board member well, please ask them to go on record. The fastest way to move these improvements forward is for the current board to say yes.
A reform board needs candidates willing to reform. This can be existing board members or new candidates. Being on the board takes a few hours a month. The job is reading the bylaws, attending meetings, and voting on what's in front of you. You don't need a legal background, and you don't need to have done it before.
If you'd consider standing for election in October, or you know a neighbor who would, please reach out at admin@bfhoa.com.
Each move has a clear legal mechanism and a number attached to it. The numbers are reachable.
If you can't make the meeting, send a proxy. Owners who can't attend the annual meeting on October 15 (or any special meeting) can sign a proxy assigning their vote to a neighbor who will be there. Proxies count toward quorum and toward the vote totals. A signed proxy is the difference between your vote counting and not. If you know you'll be away, or you'd just rather have a neighbor carry your vote, email admin@bfhoa.com and we'll get you a form.
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