Homeowner refuses to halt garage renovation despite HOA’s demands – he’s on the board and still faces their wrath

A HOMEOWNER is fuming after his HOA told him he can’t renovate his condo despite already having approval from the local council.

Adam Hardesty planned on converting the garage of his three-story condominium into a ground-floor apartment but is facing legal troubles from his HOA.

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A California man is fighting to be able to renovate his condo’s garage into an apartment[/caption]

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The HOA argued that the renovation will violate community guidelines[/caption]

Hardesty, who is the Vice President of his Homeowner’s Association, took all legal measures before presenting the project to the community.

The California man studied zoning maps, consulted local architects, wrote into the city of Carlsbad, and even checked with neighbors, Cal Matters reported.

He also emailed the state’s housing department to clarify the legality of the renovated apartment, which is legally referred to as an accessory dwelling unit.

Once he received the okay from the state, he began working on his new renovation as a way to help generate income for his family during his unemployment.

“[I wanted] to help offset the housing crisis and also provide affordable housing, but also to provide a revenue source for my family — why not,” Hardesty told the outlet. 

Hardesty thought the renovation wouldn’t be an issue with the Mystic Point Homeowner’s Association, but he quickly realized he was wrong.

After proposing the idea to his fellow board members, he was told that converting his garage would start a ‘precedent’, and the board feared other neighbors would follow suit.

In turn, the renovations would lead to more people parking on the street instead of their garages. 

Board member Mike Cartabianco told Hardesty in a lengthy text message that it would be an ‘uphill battle’ and he should rethink his project.

Despite the warning, the homeowner resisted Catabianco’s suggestions and filed a letter with the entire board. 

Hardesty received an official letter of opposition from the HOA.

“Rest assured, this is coming down the pike and I would love for you all to participate in this project with me,” Hardesty emailed the board.

A couple of weeks after his email, Hardesty received a cease-and-desist letter from the HOA and was told that he could face legal action.

After opening the letter, Hardesty hired an environmental and land use lawyer Marco Gonzales to review the dispute.

Gonzales confirmed that the case could be taken to court, but its an expense Hardesty can’t afford.

“But you gotta have a homeowner with deep enough pockets and the risk profile to take it to the mat,” Gonzales said.

Hardesty already spent $8,000 of his savings on his renovation and is still without a job, making it next to impossible for him to afford to take the HOA to court.

HOA debacle aside, Hardesty is set on completing the project.

In February 2025, he broke ground on his renovation without consent from the HOA.

The Mystic Point Homeowners Association did not immediately respond to The U.S. Sun’s request for more information.