Posted on 01/06/2018 9:24:25 AM PST by plain talk
Lynn Tran and Richard Hazen built a Florida beachfront treehouse that would be the envy of any child. It's got two levels, hammocks and windows looking out on the Gulf of Mexico.
But the hangout has cost the couple a handsome sum: about $30,000 to construct and probably five times that in legal fees as they've fought local authorities over it, Tran said. Now, they're at their last stop, the Supreme Court. Unless the high court intervenes, the treehouse must be torn down.
Soon, however, the city got an anonymous complaint about the treehouse. After an investigation, the city found the couple did actually need to go through the permitting process. And it turns out the treehouse was in an area where building is prohibited because of a city setback.
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
Nice treehouse. However if it violates zoning and cannot be brought into compliance as in this case then it must go.
Ah, freedom. What do you want to bet that the Mayor and the anonymous complainer are Democrats?
Zoning can be changed.
Happens all the time.
Usually involves campaign contributions.
“Before they began constructing the treehouse around an Australian Pine on their property in 2011, Hazen asked the city whether they needed a permit. The answer: No.”
Huh. I guess that doesn’t count.
They should renounce their citizenship, then would be entitled to all the right and privileges of illegal aliens, case dismissed.
Yep. That’s the bottom line of the story. All they have to do is “move it”. :-)
Did they get that in writing? If yes, then done. Or maybe they can use it to claim costs. All costs.
> Hazen asked the city whether they needed a permit. The answer: No. >
That’s the key point right there. if the treehouse truly violates established zoning laws, it must come down. but in this particular case the owners should be reimbursed for ALL moneys they have paid out: construction costs, legal fees, etc.
But did they get it in writing...on City letterhead?
If not...you know what they say about verbal agreements.
Unless the zoning is tree house specific, there's a chance in court.
But I'd have to look at it a bit more.
That is a HUGE tree house.
There is a good chance that it blocks one of his neighbor’s view of the ocean.
If it does then they are within their rights to complain.
My neighbor can do what he likes with his property and I don’t care, until it impacts my property or its value.
“That’s the key point right there. if the treehouse truly violates established zoning laws, it must come down. but in this particular case the owners should be reimbursed for ALL moneys they have paid out: construction costs, legal fees, etc.”
Right. Why does the city(s) in general have to be so problematic to it’s citizenry?
Again if these guys were illegals, the city would not be telling them to tear it down, but probably asking them if they need section 8 assistance.
I’d never live in a tree house. Trees are infested with all kinds of bugs, especially ants..........
Not just paid out costs. They should be paid for their time as well. I know there is probably no legal basis for it, but that would be the right thing to do.
JMO, but the city ought to be sued/fined or something for harassment. Again, probably no legal way to do this. But they have screwed around with this family’s life by leading them into the project with incorrect info, and then being jerks about it.
“If not...you know what they say about verbal agreements.”
If it’s legal for gov officials to lie to your face about the law, then there is no law.
Treehouse stays.
The SC is supposed to hear cases that involve constitutional issues that affect large numbers of people.
The old idea of a person taking something like their water bill or a speeding ticket "all the way to the Supreme Court by god" is as bogus as "anybody can grow up to be president".
boot licker
You also need to ask multiple city officials the same question and collect their various responses in writing on as many city letterheads.
Then repeat the process the next week with the same officials and statistically analyze before / after results.
It may be easier to predict the weather.
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