Links Regarding Smoking Rules

After the meeting yesterday someone asked me to post some links I had come up with regarding smoking rules. My intent was to inform, not convince, so I'm leaving off my remarks from that post for the most part. I just kept a short note on why it occurred to me to look into the matter. I did two Google searches one consisting of (if my memory serves) "smoking bans in condominiums" and a second one in which I added the word "Maryland" to get more local information. The gist of all this is that while local, state and federal laws may seem fairly specific on these things, there is enough wiggle room for judges to have decided every which way:

The seminar on this sort of thing that I went to contained some
surprises. The main one was that case law on condo issues is almost
totally random. Notable problem cases concerned clotheslines and
satellite dishes on balconies, which have been decided in both
directions depending on the judge and extenuating circumstances.

References:
Condo smoking bans: Can boards butt in?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/realestate/condo-smoking-bans-can-boards-butt-in/2012/02/21/gIQAFR15ZR_story.html

Up In Smoke: Banning Smoking In A Condominium
(Florida, but noteworthy)
http://jsllawgroup.com/up-in-smoke-banning-smoking-in-a-condominium/

Condo boards can regulate smoking in units with amended bylaws
(Illinois)
http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/realestate/ct-mre-0208-condo-adviser-20150204-column.html

The Secondhand Smoke Dilemma: What Can Be Done? What Should Be Done? What Must Be Done?

(Maryland, read the last section on enforcement)
http://www.lerchearly.com/publications/437-the-secondhand-smoke-dilemma-can-be-done-should-be-done-must-be

MARYLAND APPEALS COURT RULES SECOND-HAND TOBACCO SMOKE IS NOT A PRESUMED NUISANCE

(Maryland) 

http://www.schildlaw.com/summer13let.htm#L1

A second-hand lesson in dealing with a smoking neighbor
(Maryland)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/realestate/a-second-hand-lesson-in-dealing-with-a-smoking-neighbor/2013/07/18/38bf9d04-e330-11e2-80eb-3145e2994a55_story.html

UP IN SMOKE – REGULATING SMOKING IN CONDO & COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS

http://www.clemonslaw.com/recent-news/up-in-smoke-regulating-smoking-in-condo-community-associations

Building Updates

Watch progress of building updates here:

https://goo.gl/photos/yb5xVBgBAkzudgFX7

Click individual pictures for larger version and circled "i" for information or captions for pictures.

Use left and right arrow keys to navigate between large pictures.

Update after 2015 Nor'easter

A photo album of  the October 2015 Nor'easter is here:

https://goo.gl/photos/VCGhFSneEci2r85WA

Click the "i" button in the upper right of the screen for captions. There are videos too.

This is probably the longest, and strongest nor'easter I've ever stayed through. Several people were in the building and I don't think any of us were particularly frightened, but there were some strange noises coming from the ocean front and when day broke on Saturday we could see that roof damage had been done.

The good news is that there seems to be no damage from this issue in the units themselves (I have to add: so far; and that we know of).

One unit on a lower floor has a bit of dampness in the bedroom under the window and it would be very surprising if that is the only one. Further checks will be done over the next few days but if you have had leaks in or around your windows before you might want to have ATM check.

Fortunately there was not so much water with this one and it was mostly wind during the worst part of it. But Thursday and for a few days before that there was also mixed rain and wind, more the typical nor'easter, it was only Friday when it got really bad.

My estimation is that this had little to do with the hurricane which without the nor'easter would have been considered a total miss.

A roofing company is already on the scene and preparing estimates for the fix-up. That's about all we know at this time.

The building is being cleaned up and we will hopefully get back to the other work that had already been scheduled. In particular:

Elevator work is complete.

No new schedule yet for parking lot or pool work.

Check back here for updates.

The first day we will have winds below 20 mph will be Tuesday.

Just remember when you see pictures like this article presents:

Baltimore Sun Coverage

They are talking about downtown OC.

We have NO flooding here.

Last night the winds were pretty intense. We seem to lose one light pole every time we have a nor'easter like this. and this one was no exception.

I've had a walk around the building to the extent possible and there is no serious unit damage that I can see. Frank has been here and says the same. Some people who had balcony items may be missing some things. Those storage boxes don't always hold together too well in weather like this.

Some news sources are still talking about the hurricane, but I think that other than putting extra moisture in the atmosphere the hurricane has nothing to do with conditions here at the moment and the track for it shows it going far far from Ocean City. This is probably the worst nor'easter I've seen here though both in duration and intensity.

Things are fine here. The storm we are having is a nor'easter, really mostly unrelated to the hurricane which will likely miss us. They are already calling for partly cloudy on Tuesday, which would not be the case if the hurricane were closer to shore.

Anyway, very strong winds and waves. Today might actually be the worst of it.

Here is a short video. I was getting sand-blasted as I took it so I didn't want to linger.

Also here is the latest storm track:

Latest forecast show it veering away as it moves northward. Let's hope so.

 

Hurricane Update

Fortunately, we know right where this thing is headed...

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