The HOA understands that a fence is going to be required when putting in a pool, however, tehy feel tehy have the final say as to how the fence should look - another reason I absolutely can NOT stand living in cookie cutter subdivisions, they slowly kill your individuality!
Move to the country - the air is fresher, the people are happier, your neighbour will HELP you instead of fight you and if you do end up with a big RUT in your lawn, he'll only join you on his dirtbike to help make it even BIGGER!