not all the rules are in the HOA booklet. For example, ours doesn't say anything about banning vegetables in the front yard, not a single rule. And yet, if we even so much as grow fava beans, the HOA will say we can't do that due to the catch all rule: "No unplanned modifications". It's all up to the HOA directors mood and discretion. And while you may currently have a reasonable HOA board, that can quickly change with just one election.
Wow - "no unplanned modifications" is a really big loophole, I wonder if that refers to some "master plan" somewhere in a cupboard behind the leopard.
And yeah, the elections can change everything - and sometimes nobody cares and you can run for the HOA board and effectively take control muahahahahah.
Er, I wouldn't know anyone who would do that. Ever.
It can also be changed more permanently with changes to the covenants. Many covenants require a super majority vote of the members so even a future bad board member can be restrained to an extent.
