The out of context formal shearing apparent in these pictures is something you are doing or the association hires a maintenance company that is doing it?

"Doesn't need a lot of maintenance" means what, specifically, in this instance? You are thinking there is something you can get that won't try and grow much larger than it is at planting time? There are dwarf and slow-growing conifers, other dwarf shrubs on the market that can be quite leisurely about getting bigger, due to low annual growth rates. But having nothing but buns and mounds throughout a setting can have its limitations. For instance the way the existing shrub at the corner of the building visible in the second shot posted here is being barbered means it is not being allowed to get nearly big enough to soften the corner of the building.

The association is maintaining the grounds, and yes they cut everything at the same size. We even had a couple of bushes that grew at about 6 feet tall, and that is how they were supposed to be and they cut those too at the 3 feet the same as the others. when I mean low maintenance I mean no watering unless is super dry, so basically a hardy plant. I really like the lilac we have near the sidewalk, but it doesn't seem too sturdy, as 3 of the 5 bushes we have are dieing.
So basically I wanted a flowering round bush around 2 feet tall for the sidewalk side, and some kind of hedge I can plant near the stairs.

Can I plant one of these instead of the lilac:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Proven-Winners-4-5-Qt-Czechmark-Trilogy-Weigela-Live-Shrub-White-Pink-and-Red-Flowers-WEIPRC1217800/303042428

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Mea-Nursery-EcoRose-Pink-Double-Knock-Out-Twin-Pack-63005/100662911

and an alpine currant next to the stairs? I am not sure how big the alpine currant can grow, most websites say between 3 and 6'...

I think the weigela would work if it gets at least 6 hours of sun. They also tolerate pruning easily. I hope you aren’t ordering this shrub from HD, did you check the size they send? A quart container with a 10-12 inch tall plant, ugh.....

Sherry

Do you have a choice about the gravel mulch, and is there landscaping cloth under it? Landscaping cloth interferes with movement of nutrients, oxygen, and water through the soil, and if it is there, most plants won’t thrive. Three or four inches of shredded bark mulch is a healthier mulch for plants since it breaks down over time and provides nutrients to the shrubs, so whatever you plant will be much happier.

I would choose some low evergreens and some flowering shrubs that have a long season of interest. I would not get the Weigela since they bloom for two or three weeks in spring and then are somewhat untidy green mounds the rest of the season IME. I would look at panicled hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata) that are small such as Bobo which will bloom from July until frost, starting white and then developing some rosy tones when temperatures cool in autumn. Many types of panicled hydrangeas are too large, but Bobo will stay small, in the 3 1/2’-4’ range without pruning. Here is a thread with photos:

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/5417735/bobo-2018#n=35

Unlike some of the more common hydrangeas such as the blue or pink flowered big leaf hydrangeas, these are rock hardy (zone 3) and are drought resistant, though if you have a stretch of dry weather they may need water to look their best.

For winter interest, plant some low evergreens such as Thuja occidentalis ‘Mr. Bowling Ball’ (a petite, slightly frosty looking arborvitae) which stays at about 3’ in all directions and is a tidy shape without pruning.

Then tell the maintenance crew in firm terms to not touch your plants with the pruning gear and you will have the nicest plantings on the block. You will want to either put down Preen in the spring (a pre-emergent that will help prevent new weeds) or better yet spend 10 minutes once a month removing any weeds that sprout. It’s meditative and won’t take long with your small plantings.

I also like an evergreen, blooming groundcover under shrubs. My favorite is Veronica Georgia Blue, which has cobalt spring flowers, and dark green leaves in summer that turn a more mahogany color in winter. They will be under the snow, but in the times between first frost and snow on the ground it really adds to the appearance in a garden.