Maybe not always, but my knowledge of neighborhoods that are controlled by HOAs, is the roads inside of the development do not belong to the City, or the County. They are not public right of way.
I am referring to recent developments in the past 20 years.
What this means is the roads are never going to get maintained. No repaving, pothole repair, snow plowing, etc. Unless the HOA pays for it. In other words, the asphalt roads are going to disintegrate to nearly gravel before anything is done.
And there is going to be a huge bill for the residents when that happens. Roads are not cheap.
Personally, I have no desire to live in an HOA community for many reasons far beyond road maintenance. I've met with HOA representatives in the past for my job, and they are an interesting type of people. People I would have no desire what so ever to have any control over what I do on my property.
The words "control freaks" comes to mind. These people have nothing better to do than be checking up on what you're doing.