Mixed-Use Condo Mixed Up Over Use of Condo Clubroom

P.A. from outside of Connecticut writes:

Dear Mister Condo,

Our condo building has 2 commercial units requesting to use the residential clubroom for meetings. Half the board wants to compromise on this and the other half is adamant that the clubroom is for residents only. The Residential Declaration does say that it is only for residential use, but the commercial owners are asking for an exception and say they have used it before. They are very pushy….

Mister Condo replies:

P.A., pushiness aside, there is already a long-standing rule on use of the residential clubroom. It was built and is intended for use of the association residents only. With the Board split on the subject matter, it would seem the Board will not be able to achieve a positive vote to change the use of the clubroom. That pretty much closes the matter unless the minority Board members continue to bring it up at meetings.

Mixed-use developments like yours are not uncommon. Commercial units come with amenities just like the residential units. Unless the commercial units were provided use of the clubroom as part of their unit purchase, they don’t have a leg to stand on. Pushiness shouldn’t have anything to do with it. They may ask and the Board may grant or deny their request. End of story. All the best!