Strange they’ve suddenly decided to go after him 10 years later. Unless there has been a new rule added to the HOA rule book, then they probably don’t have a leg to stand on if he wanted to pursue it.
Bottom line, NEVER EVER move into an HOA.
I 100% agree about not moving into someplace with an HOA. If the neighbors wrote letters praising the guy then I would be looking at somebody new to the neighborhood.
In the article it says “Even as a nonprofit, the Vietnam veteran was told he had to get a business permit, which he did in 2012”. I suspect the HOA is notified by the county anytime someone gets a business permit on one of the properties. It may be a zoning issue as well. I think the root of his problem is that while he donates most of what he makes, he does sell some, probably to pay for materials. If he never sold anything I don’t think they could make him get a business permit.