Overview
As part of the Spring 2026 Community Feedback Poll, members were invited to submit their own goals for the future of Surfside and to comment on the poll format. Twenty-one members provided written goals, and eight additional members submitted comments about the survey process and broader HOA concerns.
While the comments covered a variety of topics, several clear themes emerged. The responses suggest that many members are seeking greater transparency, stronger member involvement, environmental stewardship, fair governance, improved communication, electronic voting, and a less punitive approach to rule enforcement.
1. Safe Water and Environmental Protection
One of the strongest recurring themes was concern for water quality and environmental protection.
Members specifically called for:
- Safe drinking water
- Protection of Surfside’s ecosystem
- Restoration of lost tree canopy
- Protection of waterways and shoreline areas
- Addressing environmental degradation
- Relocating activities that may impact water quality
- Greater use of scientific research in decision-making
Representative comments included:
“SAFE WATER”
“Protect our ecosystem in all the ways that will make our community as beautiful and healthy as it was when I purchased my property.”
“One of the goals with the highest priority should be to protect the environment and not preserving outdated covenants that have contributed to environmental degradation.”
Several members also advocated ending tree-height restrictions and allowing trees to grow to more natural heights.
2. Greater Member Participation and Representation
Many comments expressed a desire for members to have a stronger voice in HOA decisions.
Members called for:
- More homeowner input
- Expanded opportunities for feedback
- Greater participation in decision-making
- More opportunities to speak at meetings
- Easier communication with Board members
- The ability to ask questions and contact trustees directly
Representative comments included:
“Give the people who live in Surfside more input, more ‘say so’ in all things that affect all of the populace of Surfside.”
“This is a HOMEOWNER’S Association, not a BOARD Members Association.”
“More time for members to speak at monthly board meetings.”
“Open and honest conversations with the members.”
“We need to be able to ask questions or email any trustee directly.”
These comments suggest that many respondents want a governance model that relies more heavily on homeowner participation, direct communication, and feedback.
3. Transparency and Communication
Improved transparency was another frequently mentioned goal.
Members requested:
- More open communication
- Honest discussions about issues
- Increased access to information
- Greater Board visibility and responsiveness
- Clearer handling of survey comments and member feedback
Representative comments included:
“Communication with our community.”
“Be more transparent and more involved on a personal level with Surfside year-round residents.”
“Open and honest conversations with the members. We need to share concerns and ideas to solve problems.”
“The transparency is totally missing.”
“Who is the independent person reading these comments and keeping the information gathered?”
Transparency appears to be closely tied to broader concerns about trust, accountability, and confidence in how member input is collected and used.
4. Fair Governance and Accountability
Numerous comments focused on fairness, consistency, and accountability.
Members expressed support for:
- Consistent rule enforcement
- Fair treatment of homeowners
- Increased responsiveness from Board members
- Accountability for decisions affecting residents
- Less punitive enforcement
- Education before fines
Representative comments included:
“Be fair and consistent.”
“When a member requests a meeting with the board or any board member, the board must accommodate and facilitate the meeting.”
“Create no rule, regulation or restriction more stringent than those imposed by Pacific County.”
“Education, not fines as we are a Senior community.”
These comments reflect a desire for governance that is predictable, responsive, equitable, and less focused on punishment.
5. Tree Policies and Community Character
Tree management emerged as a significant issue.
Several members specifically requested:
- Ending tree-height restrictions
- Allowing trees to reach natural heights
- Restoring tree canopy
- Reconsidering rules that members believe have harmed the community
- Balancing environmental protection with community aesthetics
Representative comments included:
“End tree height restrictions.”
“Tree canopy to natural heights.”
“We have owned property here since 2000 and have suffered the results of the inequitable tree height restrictions which penalizes the majority to benefit a few.”
“We were forced to remove our beautiful trees at great expense to abide by this ridiculous covenant.”
The frequency and intensity of these comments indicate that tree policies remain one of the most emotional and important topics for many residents.
6. Electronic Voting and Member Feedback
The comments also showed strong interest in modernizing member participation through electronic voting and polling.
Representative comment:
“WE NEED ELECTRONIC VOTING LIKE WE WERE PROMISED!!”
This concern is consistent with the poll result showing strong support for electronic polling so members can provide feedback on important community issues, committee recommendations, and proposed projects.
Electronic voting and polling were viewed by some respondents as important tools for increasing participation, improving fairness, and making it easier for members to be heard.
7. Professional Management and Structural Change
A smaller group of comments suggested broader organizational changes.
Suggestions included:
- Hiring professional management
- Reducing HOA authority
- Aligning HOA regulations with county regulations
- Significant changes in Board leadership
- Reconsidering the role and power of the HOA
Representative comments included:
“Surfside needs professional management.”
“A legitimate governmental entity should have the final say on any regulation, not an HOA.”
“Currently all board members need to be replaced!”
Some comments were highly critical of HOA governance generally, reflecting frustration with what members described as overzealous enforcement, unclear rules, and lack of benefit to the broader community.
8. Community Building and Dialogue
Some members suggested a more neighbor-centered approach to governance.
One comment proposed:
“Encourage open dialogue by having weekly or twice a month coffee and donuts in the meeting room.”
This type of suggestion reflects a desire to reduce conflict, build trust, and create regular opportunities for informal conversation between members, trustees, and neighbors.
9. Cost and Financial Concerns
A number of respondents highlighted financial issues.
Goals included:
- Reducing dues and assessments
- Financial fairness
- Avoiding unnecessary costs
- Protecting seniors and vulnerable members from excessive fines
Representative comment:
“Reduce our dues and assessments.”
While fewer comments focused on finances than on governance or environmental issues, affordability remains an important concern for some members.
10. Poll Format Concerns
Several comments addressed the poll itself.
One respondent objected that a question allowed only a “yes” response or abstention:
“I actually want to vote no, but you only allowed me to say yes, or abstain. Poorly written poll question.”
This is useful feedback. Future surveys should offer balanced response choices whenever possible, including yes, no, unsure, and comment options, so results more accurately reflect the full range of member views.
Conclusion
The member-submitted goals and comments reveal several consistent priorities. Across the responses, the most frequently recurring themes were:
- Safe water and environmental protection.
- Greater member participation and influence in decision-making.
- Improved transparency and communication.
- Fair and consistent governance.
- Protection and restoration of Surfside’s tree canopy and natural environment.
- Electronic voting and easier ways for members to provide feedback.
- A less punitive, more educational approach to enforcement.
Taken together, the comments suggest that many respondents envision a Surfside that is more transparent, more responsive to homeowner input, environmentally responsible, and focused on protecting both community health and quality of life.
The results demonstrate that members are not simply reacting to individual issues. Rather, many are expressing a broader desire for a governance model that places greater emphasis on listening to homeowners, incorporating community feedback, communicating openly, and making decisions that reflect the priorities of the membership.
Surfside Washington News 