Article
Courtesy of
First
Coast News
Published March 14, 2009
JACKSONVILLE, FL -- A family
at the Cimarrone Golf & Country Club has won a four-year fight
to build a back yard playset for their children.
The decision comes just days
after President Obama and the First Lady surprised their daughters
with a similar playset at the White House.
"I received calls and
emails with people
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sending me the link. It was kind of like perfect
timing with this," said Home Association Board Member Chanse
Henderson.
According to Henderson, the
family asked the board for permission to erect the playset four
years ago, but was denied.
Henderson says the family
asked the new board for permission after other families built
playsets on their properties in 2008.
Several of the residents
protested the request. They argued that a playset did not belong on
a lot facing the golf course. The other homes were not on the golf
course.
"One owner said it's the
retired people versus the young family people," said Henderson.
In a three-page flier sent to
residents who own lots facing the golf course, opponents wrote
flying golf balls could hurt children and the playset could be an
eyesore for golfers.
They also say playsets facing
the golf course would lower property values.
"Is that playset at the
Oval Office lowering the property value of the Oval Office? I
seriously doubt it," said Henderson.
"Will we soon see 6-foot
cedar fences, sheds and pit houses on golf course lots? Where do you
draw the line?" one resident said at a board meeting.
"When we moved in here,
we signed an agreement that said no swingsets if you're on the golf
course. Does that bother me? no - but it is against the
agreement," said resident Jeff Desmond.
The Architectueal Review Board
of the community acknowledged that some homes should not have
playsets because of the danger to the children. This home was not
one of them.
Tuesday, the board voted 3-2
to allow the playset.
Henderson says some of his
opponents have discussed recalling members of the board, especially
those who voted to allow the playset. He says there's even talk of
legal action.
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