And Now It's a Battle (But Not a War)

As many of you are probably following on Facebook, I'm having a frustrating great experience dealing with our new HOA.  For those who are not following, or those who would like a recap, here's what has happened:

Pre-November 5: I found a wood swing set I wanted to buy for Nolan to set up after we move in. The problem is the height: Its peak is 11'6".  The HOA allows only 8' tall play structures.  Anything over is considered an accessory (or secondary) structure and requires ARC approval.

November 5: I sent a request to the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) of our HOA, based on this particular part of the HOA bylaws:

November 6:  I received this reply:

My appeal request: 

 The denial of my appeal:

My response:

HOA's reply:

 Basically, this illustrates the HOA:

And what it is telling me:

I haven't yet formulated a response to the woman's most recent reply.  Her reply actually made me have more questions, such as:

1. Why do you hate children?
2. In addition to children, do you hate puppies and kittens?
3. I bet you hate sunshine and rainbows, too.
4. I recognize that number three was not a question, but it's a pretty safe assumption.

Seriously, though, I do have questions:

1. Who is the committee?
2. How do I contact the members?
3. Did you actually send in my variance request, or did you just allude to that believing that I wouldn't be any wiser?
4. Why wouldn't you tell me in the very beginning that soon-to-be residents aren't allowed to request variances?
5. What is the point of even having the variance option if the committee rarely grants approval (and never for play sets)?
6. Did the committee grant approval to the residents with over-8' tall play sets?
7. What is the real reason my request for a variance was denied?
8. Why do you hate children?

Readers, what is your opinion on the matter?  Keep in mind, it appears the HOA is currently being held by a private management company.  I don't believe that the woman I am dealing with is a resident of Sunset Pointe, but I could be wrong.  I also have no clue on who the members of the alleged committee are.

One final graphic: