Few things are as aggravating as an overzealous homeowner association. Keeping the neighbourhood in pristine condition is ostensibly their purpose; but a man in Omaha, US is facing a bigger battle with his Home Owners’ Association, one that’s reached the Nebraska Supreme Court.
His neighbourhood has ordered him to remove his backyard putting green,which also features a sand trap and tee boxes. But he’s not going quietly into that good night.
Eight years ago Eric Marsh planted this golfer’s dream – along with a basketball court and fire pits – into his backyard, costing him a cool $350,000 ($AU 473,645). But four years ago the Fire Ridge HOA filed a lawsuit, asserting that Marsh’s amusement park deviated from approved plans and violated the neighbourhood’s covenants.
A district judge sided with Fire Ridge, as did the state’s supreme court, ordering Marsh to remove some parts of his backyard.
Yet, according to a lawsuit filed by the HOA last week, Marsh still hasn’t complied. He now has to return to court, facing fines – and possible jail time – for failing to adhere.
Marsh told the Omaha World-Herald he has “bullets left in the chamber” to combat the order.
“I plan to do what I absolutely have to do,” he said. “I’ll stand my ground as long as I can.”
If the ultimately loses, the putting green would have to be removed.
“Tearing the putting green out — there’s no way it will look as nice as it did before,” Marsh continued. “So you’re going from something that is aesthetically pleasing to something that is not. It’s insane.”
Far be it from us to disagree with the government, but we’re on Marsh’s side. Besides, what monster doesn’t want a putting green in their neighborhood? Keep fighting the good fight, Eric.
