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Told their treehouse must go, owners appeal to Supreme Court
abcnews ^ | 1/6/2018 | Jessica Gresko

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 ...


TOPICS: Extended News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: florida; treehouse; zoning; zoningboard
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1 posted on 01/06/2018 9:24:25 AM PST by plain talk
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To: plain talk

2 posted on 01/06/2018 9:25:22 AM PST by plain talk
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To: plain talk

Nice treehouse. However if it violates zoning and cannot be brought into compliance as in this case then it must go.


3 posted on 01/06/2018 9:28:06 AM PST by billyboy15
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To: plain talk

Ah, freedom. What do you want to bet that the Mayor and the anonymous complainer are Democrats?


4 posted on 01/06/2018 9:28:20 AM PST by Chainmail (A simple rule of life: if you can be blamed, you're responsible.)
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To: billyboy15

Zoning can be changed.

Happens all the time.

Usually involves campaign contributions.


5 posted on 01/06/2018 9:35:04 AM PST by Paladin2
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To: plain talk

“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.


6 posted on 01/06/2018 9:35:22 AM PST by JPJones (More tariffs, less income tax.)
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To: billyboy15

Yep. That’s the bottom line of the story. All they have to do is “move it”. :-)


7 posted on 01/06/2018 9:37:33 AM PST by plain talk
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To: JPJones

Did they get that in writing? If yes, then done. Or maybe they can use it to claim costs. All costs.


8 posted on 01/06/2018 9:38:45 AM PST by dhs12345
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To: JPJones

> 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.


9 posted on 01/06/2018 9:39:27 AM PST by Leaning Right (I have already previewed or do not wish to preview this composition.)
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To: JPJones
Huh. I guess that doesn’t count.

But did they get it in writing...on City letterhead?

If not...you know what they say about verbal agreements.

10 posted on 01/06/2018 9:40:11 AM PST by Gay State Conservative (Remember: All Cultures Are Equal!)
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To: plain talk
Variances are passed out in Towns like candy at Christmas.

Unless the zoning is tree house specific, there's a chance in court.

But I'd have to look at it a bit more.

11 posted on 01/06/2018 9:42:54 AM PST by Sacajaweau
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To: Chainmail; plain talk
What do you want to bet that the Mayor and the anonymous complainer are Democrats?

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.

12 posted on 01/06/2018 9:47:24 AM PST by Pontiac (The welfare state must fail because it is contrary to human nature and diminishes the human spirit.L)
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To: Leaning Right

“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.


13 posted on 01/06/2018 9:50:18 AM PST by JPJones (More tariffs, less income tax.)
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To: plain talk

I’d never live in a tree house. Trees are infested with all kinds of bugs, especially ants..........


14 posted on 01/06/2018 9:50:40 AM PST by Hot Tabasco (My cat is not fat, she is just big boned........)
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To: Leaning Right

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.


15 posted on 01/06/2018 9:52:47 AM PST by generally ( Don't be stupid. We have politicians for that.)
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To: Gay State Conservative

“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.


16 posted on 01/06/2018 9:54:10 AM PST by JPJones (More tariffs, less income tax.)
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To: plain talk
This is a municipal court case.

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".

17 posted on 01/06/2018 9:55:12 AM PST by skimbell
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To: plain talk


18 posted on 01/06/2018 9:56:48 AM PST by Vlad The Inhaler (United We Stand, Divided We Fall. Remember That Diversity Is The Opposite Of Unity.)
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To: billyboy15

boot licker


19 posted on 01/06/2018 9:58:03 AM PST by jpsb
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To: Gay State Conservative; All
"But did they get it in writing...on City letterhead?"

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.

20 posted on 01/06/2018 9:58:26 AM PST by Amendment10
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