Wow...this thread has gone way off the rails. The original OP, W4MSL, was posting an example that he was successful in getting an antenna accommodation from his HOA. That's all, just an example, not to say that other HOA's will follow suit. But it does happen.
IMO, suffice it to say that NOT ALL HOA's are inflexible when taking antenna requests. You can't put a blanket statement on the many thousands of HOAs' practices around the Country. Trying to find out which ones will or won't grant permission, or how many hams are actually affected by restrictions is virtually impossible. Result, if your life priority is having large, visible antennas, seek living arrangements elsewhere. If you decide on an HOA community, read and understand the CC&R's before you buy. If they state no antennas permitted, and the HOA backs them up to a tee, you WILL lose a court battle. Check with the HOA board of directors to see if they are flexible for reasonable sized antennas, and then make your decision. The choice is yours.
73, Bob K7JQ