"I guess lots of hams have preconceived notions that HOAs are always a bad thing with intrusive rules."
No, but they USUALLY are.
HOAs are MAJOR Pain in the You Know What with NUMEROUS, WELL DOCUMENTED HORROR STORIES that go way beyond Antennas. MANY examples were previously posted here with direct references to documentation.
For just a few examples, folks being told that they couldn't produce a newsletter IN THEIR HOA HOME opposing their HOA. And another who was not permitted to plug in her electric car to her own outlet. And (my favourite) an HOA "patrolling" for "rules compliance" by raising phones on Selfie Sticks OVER THE FENCES of individuals to "inspect" what is OBVIOUSLY out of plain site. Check my previous post(s) here with NUMEROUS LINKS as to what happens when the HOA MAN plays heavy, or just cruise on over to YouTube and see them there for yourself.
Add to this the NUMEROUS HOA ANTENNA HORROR STORIES RIGHT HERE ON EHAM.
No More of the "Three R's" ("Let's be Reasonable, Rational, and Responsible....) Daddy Knows Best Nonsense
from the HOAs. Instead, let's exercise our Constitutional Right to get some Legislation passed.