Dear Sun City Texas Residents:
This is to summarize recent changes to our flag/signage display policies. We are removing the Blue Lives Matter flag as a permitted flag, and we are not enacting the previously-approved but not-yet-enacted policy change regarding Black Lives Matter flags. The result of these changes is that flags will be limited to exactly what they were before the “Blue Lives” change was enacted. Namely, the flags that may be flown, in accordance with the policy as long as they are NON-MODIFIED are: U.S. Flag, Texas State Flag, U.S. military branch flags, and college, university, and professional sports flags.
These changes are due to the many requests to fly various cause-type flags. We realized after further discussion among the board that while well-intentioned, expanding the flag displays to include any cause-type displays gets us out of our lane so to speak. Our policies are designed to promote aesthetic harmony and neighborhood unity. It is not the CA’s role to be the arbiter of causes and we recognize that.
Our policies are in compliance with applicable law, which expressly allows flying the United States Flag, the State of Texas flag, and U.S. military branch flags but do not prohibit conditions or restrictions on other flags.
We also asked HOA legal counsel to clarify any First Amendment considerations that may apply. She has confirmed that the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution applies only to government actions and not to private contracts such as our deed restrictions. She has also confirmed that our flag policy is very typical of other HOA policies in our area and around the state.
Thank you.
CA Board of Directors
