I know you won't agree, but unless the HOA rules are written, or the exception is written, to say it can be revoked at any time, they would probably have a hard time enforcing a change to it. Variances can be for use, also, so they aren't all attached to the ground permanently.
Like so many said, go and ask, see what they say and suggest. If they say no, it needs to be decided if you want to live there and if you are OK with storing offsite. Trying to get away with it without asking is the worst thing to do. Being on a HOA -hit list is the worst purgatory around in many cases.
