I’d like to suggest that - if they have not already done so - OP first attempt a friendly communication with the HOA Board on this matter, and simply lay out the facts: they were unaware of this conflict, can the Board graciously agree to grandfather this item and put it aside so that OP can can get on with enjoying their first new home?
Sure, the Board might be jerks about it. But there’s very little downside to attempting a friendly discussion that might make the matter go away quickly and easily.
I’ll mention that if the Board is PO’ed at anyone, it’s not OP; it’s the previous owner (who somehow managed to escape their wrath) and also possibly the mgmt company (who may have dropped the ball during the sale).
(I recently stepped down from serving 3 years on my HOA Board, and that experience is why I will often suggest that people attempt to go “Friendly First” if their HOA singles them out for any issue. One of the (many) reasons that HOAs suck so badly is that they make a lot of mistakes).