US

HOA Fines Parents for Son’s Playhouse Used in His Cerebral Palsy Therapy

Parents of 3 Year Old Boy With Cerebral Palsy Fined Daily Until They Take Down Sons Playhouse

Cooper Veloudis, a 3-year-old boy with cerebral palsy, uses his custom-built playhouse for therapy, but the neighborhood homeowner's association said it must be taken down. (Image source: LEX 18)

The parents of a 3-year-old boy with cerebral palsy are getting rid of their son‘s playhouse after their neighborhood homeowner’s association said it has to go, fining them $50 per day until they take it down.

Tiffiney Veloudis said her son Cooper uses the custom-designed playhouse for therapeutic purposes in the backyard of their Lexington, Ky. home. They had it built earlier this year for $5,000 after a therapist suggested it might help him be more active.

But because the little yellow house constitutes a “structure,” it‘s prohibited by the homeowner’s association, which is fining the family $50 for every day it’s in their yard.

“This house is all about Cooper, it is not about come over and play,” Veloudis told local NBC affiliate LEX 18. “It is about getting in there and having therapy and the therapy is fun. You accomplish so much more.”

In a Facebook post, Veloudis said the family never set out purposely to break a rule; she said they got conflicting information from the homeowner’s association on whether the playhouse would be allowed. She said she was just trying to provide the best therapy for her son, and that it was built out of love, not out of trying to provoke hostility.

But with the $50 daily fines and the threat of a lien against their property, she said they have no choice but to abide by the association’s decision.

“I don‘t know how we’re going to explain it to him,” she told LEX 18 of breaking the news to her son.

Parents of 3 Year Old Boy With Cerebral Palsy Fined Daily Until They Take Down Sons Playhouse

Facing daily fines and a lien against their property, the Veloudis family said they will take the house down. (Image source: Facebook)

The station spoke with Ernie Stamper of the homeowner’s association, who said the board stands by the decision and will not make an exception for Cooper.

Stamper said the playhouse is different from swing sets or trampolines other neighbors have in their yards because those aren’t considered structures.

“It’s not something we have a reason to discuss. There are people who live here who expect us to abide by those covenants. It’s why they bought their house,” he told the station.

Veloudis argued this is a special circumstance.

“There is nothing written in that code for a child with special needs,” she said.

She said she’s been shocked by the level of support her family has received since their story went public. They’ve been flooded with words of encouragement from station viewers and a Facebook page in support of “Cooper’s House“ has garnered more than 670 ”likes” since it went up last week.

(h/t Blaze reader Chris)

Comments (243)

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  • Gypsy123
    Posted on December 2, 2011 at 1:14pm

    I don’t live in neighborhoods because of this type of thing, I don’t like the people who live in those neighborhoods They are busy bodies and use their time destroying these types of projects

    Report Post » Gypsy123  
    • janedough1
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 1:25pm

      Call em day and night – PRIMARY CONTACT: Edwin Gibson – EMG Management Services
      141 Prosperous Pl, # 21B
      Lexington, KY 40509
      Home Phone:
      Work Phone: 263-7681
      Email Address: manager@emgms.com

      SECONDARY CONTACT: Ernie Stamper
      3220 Penbroke Place
      Lexington, KY 40509
      Home Phone: 264-0465
      Work Phone: 264-0465
      Email Address: erniestamper@alltel.net

      Homeowner’s Association contact info. Have fun.

      Report Post »  
    • smackdown33
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 1:34pm

      Call them for what? Enforcing their rules?

      Call them for what? Making adults accountable to the agreements that they voluntarily chose to sign?

      Call them, and harass them, for being responsible? Speaks volumes about you, and not them.

       
    • Libertyluvnmomma
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 1:47pm

      These people chose to live in this neighborhood- why do they deserve preferential treatment?
      before people go calling their homeowners association and harassing them, think about this.
      The family spent $5,000 dollars and didn’t do the basics first.
      If they had hired a lawyer to go over the policy- like every home buyer should, they would have known about this clause. It’s like Adam Corolla said, We empower one person at the expense of others. The family must be feeling shame at being so stupid.
      I’m glad the Association is standing by their policy.
      Sorry their kid has the palsy thing but still..rules are rules. And they agreed to them.
      MOVE.. or move their structure into the basement. Re-create it in his room.

      Report Post » Libertyluvnmomma  
    • chazman
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 1:52pm

      …if you don‘t like being told what to do and how to live your life then don’t buy property with deed restrictions within a Home Owners Association! It’s too bad but these folks should have known better!

      Report Post »  
    • Marci
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 2:02pm

      I deal with HOAs in Arizona a lot and they can be so ridiculous. There is NO excuse for this playhouse being banned when other structures are allowed to stand. It’s a nice looking playhouse. HOAs tend to play God when they have nothing better to do. E.g., first day we were here, my husband was cleaning the yard of limbs and brush, he rolled the trash can out and it was on the SIDE of the house, and he was clearly putting items in it and we received a fine the next day. We had no idea the busybody sitting in a car on the street was the one writing us up. Another case in point, our HOA recently forced those of us with wrought iron fencing on our property to pay for it to be painted. (never mind they padded it nicely and probably paid three times the going rate—my husband is a painter) In the middle of the project (and after our fence was painted) they halted it and claimed there was damage to the base of the fencing. (we still have to pay for the painting of course) Now, without ANY research into the actual structure damage, they are forcing the homeowners to pay for them to go ahead with a lawsuit to the builders. We get no choice in the matter–but as I said, they haven’t even PROVEN the damage and they are going to waste money on lawyers. OUR MONEY.

      Report Post » Marci  
    • Dahart
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 2:10pm

      We need to outlaw HOA’s….Every local city,county and state have codes that should enough! Or we should have a nosey neighbor law

      Report Post » Dahart  
    • CyberJocky
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 2:12pm

      I see a story like this and think it would be real nice if a lawyer saw this and decided to help these folks. Not being a lawyer myself it’s usually a passing thought, but this sort of injustice should not be allowed to stand.

      Report Post » CyberJocky  
    • PeteHDO
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 2:35pm

      It‘s a play house not a garage or a junk car it’s a kids playhouse!!! Thank you janedough I took sometime to visit with the folks you listed above.

      Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 2:36pm

      Thanks JANEDOUGH .. I have sent an email to both!

      TEA!

      Report Post »  
    • kmichaels
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 2:41pm

      smackdown is still acting like an elitist arse I see. Nothing new there. That dimwit never gets any point correct.

      Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 2:42pm

      Put a slide on it .. like the neighbors have in their yards on “structures” .. sounds to me like someone was envious and turned them in.

      Report Post »  
    • Robert-CA
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 2:49pm

      @ JANEDOUGH1
      Thank You for the info.

      Report Post » Robert-CA  
    • mils
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 2:51pm

      YOU MOVE INTO ONE OF THESE DEVELOPMENTS AND YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW…YOU SIGN PAPERS THAT YOU AGREE WITH THEIR RULES
      So…..follow the rules or get out…NO EXCUSES
      I am so sorry their son has a disease..
      They are adults…they should have checked with the HOA first… The parents are at fault, not the HOA where they live. If they make an exception for this lay house…others will demand the same privileges. You live in these communities because of the rules.
      And who the hell cares if the HOA has or has not responded to the televisions station ..big deal, get a life.

      Report Post »  
    • Ookspay
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 2:51pm

      Move. Freedom does not void contracts and agreements.

      Report Post » Ookspay  
    • fatjack
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 2:52pm

      Tell grandpa, he can handle this problem in less than five minutes. We grandpas don’t fight fair.

      Report Post » fatjack  
    • deeberj
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 2:54pm

      If you bought a house in such a neighborhood, you know the rules and you should abide by them. If the parents were told they could have it and have that in writing, and now the HOA has changed their minds, then the HOA should give them $5000 for the money they spent on the house they cannot keep.

      This is why I will never, if I have a choice, live in that sort of neighborhood. It’s my house and if I want to I will have a pink flamingo in the front yard. Of course my neighbor could also have something I don’t like, but hey, that’s the price of freedom.

      “I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it.” Thomas Jefferson

      Report Post » deeberj  
    • dpmeek71
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 3:06pm

      @Smackdown33

      I‘m not expert like the HOA reps but I’m fairly certain that the play sets and tree houses in the area constitute “structures” and if they have not been removed then they are not in fact holding people accountable. They are picking and choosing verses equally applying the rules.

      Report Post »  
    • SgtB
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 3:10pm

      HOA’s should be banned because every one of them violates the freedom of the individuals living on their own property. In fact, it denies the “homeowner” from property rights at all. HOA’s have a higher claim on your property than you do. Unfortunately, every state in the union aside from Texas doesn’t actually allow you to own property. Unless you have an allodial title (my spell check doesn’t even acknowledge allodial as a word and keeps highlighting it) you do not own your land. If you pay taxes on your land you do not really own it, you rent it. If you cannot put a monstrous oil derrick on your back lawn without someone suing you, you don’t own your own property. We need to fight for allodial title because it doesn’t matter where this family buys a home, they will never be “allowed” to do with their property what they want, including providing their child with a place to play. If it wasn‘t the HOA it would be the city or county saying that they didn’t get a building permit or inspections and plan approval by a county engineer. All of these things are BS ways that the local gov’t has been usurped to supply jobs to people for no reason and to “protect” the property VALUES (not rights, but values) of others. It is socialism and I don’t like it at all.

      If it were me, and I’m deadly serious, I would probably get charged with arson for lighting the HOA president’s home ablaze. I don’t take kindly to others telling me what to do on my property.

      Report Post » SgtB  
    • JimCDew
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 3:21pm

      @JANEDOUGH – I have sent an e-mail to the first address you gave advising the H.O.A. that I believe they are in violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act. I hope some attorney in Kentucky will send a cease and desist letter to the H.O.A. and get them to stop.

      Report Post »  
    • nelbert
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 3:26pm

      I guess some of the posters here blanked out on the portion of the video where it was shown that others in the neighborhood had similar yard structures, even though the HOA wants to bicker about the definition of a “structure”.
      Admittedly, I would never knowingly live in such a creepy, overbearing community, but I also know that sometimes their rules are preferentially enforced. Too many HOAs are made up of small-minded self-important churls.

      Report Post » nelbert  
    • The10thAmendment
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 3:50pm

      Tell the HOA which end of a baby maker to suck.

      Report Post » The10thAmendment  
    • Diablo4965
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 3:57pm

      whats the area code?

      Report Post » Diablo4965  
    • LookTowardsTheLight
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 4:13pm

      @smackdown33

      You’re a major league jack ass.

      You obviously don’t have any concept the struggles it is to have to take care of an immediate family member with special needs like Cooper. He has every right to have as normal of a life as possible under his condition and kudos to his parents for trying to provide that.

      How does this structure used for therapy affect the so-called “neighbors”? It doesn’t. Rules are rules but in this case an exception can and should be made. How does this tiny structure disrupt anybody lives? IT DOESN’T FOOL!

      Report Post » LookTowardsTheLight  
    • ELAN114
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 4:20pm

      @diabl04965
      859

      Report Post » ELAN114  
    • JRook
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 4:22pm

      Did someone on the blaze staff have a bad run in with their HOA. The action is of course outrageous, but of what importance. Anyone who has lived in a condo or townhouse has dealt with HOA that are run by control freaks. At some point you move to a house and avoid this type of nonsense. Of course the most restrictive covenants you will find are in the high end condos and residential areas. On some of the high end areas of Florida, contractors are required to move their equipment to plain white vans, because the residents don’t want any commercial trucks in their development. Like many things people seem to differ on what HOA they like or don’t like. I remember receiving a letter because I did not submit a garden plan for approval before I planted some bushes and a few flowers. Clearly a serious offense.

      Report Post »  
    • mtnhimike
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 4:35pm

      I could not agree with you more. HOA’s seem to be full of people who have nothing else to do but meddle in other peoples business. This is need for a special waiver of the rules and let the young handicap child enjoy what limited life he has. Take a vote of the homeowers and I bet that it would be in favor of the child keeping his house.

      Report Post »  
    • smackdown33
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 4:38pm

      For the mentally challenged. This is a non-issue.
      The adult parents signed an agreement. The adult parents voluntarily signed an agreement. The agreement stipulated that they could not build a playhouse.
      It doesn’t matter if you think playhouses are pretty, beautiful, practical, or no different from swing sets… they knew what they were getting into.
      Too bad. So sad. They were stupid or foolish or both. They must live with their decisions. Live with their actions. The world should not be molded to fit them.
      Reminds me of women having sex, then correcting the predicted result with an abortion. It’s all a lack of personal responsibility, and those who can rationalize responsibility’s abolition.

       
    • PeteHDO
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 4:48pm

      A poster Bigarch has an excellent solution: Get the big boys involved use the American with Disabilities Act to fight the HOA and management let’s see who has the deepest pockets. Folks you can help Janedough has posted the info needed to contact these evil people. On page 4 another poster has a direct link to the propoerty management of the HOA. This is cold and evil, not an HOA with any kind of heart don’t let this slide get involved, folks could use your help.

      Report Post »  
    • anOpinion
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 6:21pm

      I wonder if jennifer petkov found a job with this HOA.

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4gCvXU_j4c

      Report Post » anOpinion  
    • loriann12
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 6:23pm

      @mils

      Cerebral Palsy is NOT a disease. A disease implies you can “catch” it. It’s a disability, or to be politically correct, makes them differently abled. I’m not politically correct, so I’ll call it a disability. I know people with CP, and trust me it’s not contagious. A disease also implies the center for disease control should be involved. I hate it when people don’t educate themselves and thus remain ignorant.

      Report Post »  
    • Jaycen
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 6:32pm

      Simple. Just explain to your child that you live in a neighborhood where the neighbors are un-American. They don’t believe in property rights. They want to be able to tell everyone else how to live, and the really don’t care how it affects you or your children.

      Report Post » Jaycen  
    • Jaycen
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 6:34pm

      @smackdown33

      Who owns the property? The HOA is un-Constitutional. No one can sign away their rights to control of their own property. The HOA should shove it. You should, too.

      Report Post » Jaycen  
    • Jaycen
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 6:36pm

      @Libertyluvnmomma

      They don’t deserve preferential treatment, they deserve fair treatment. In America, no one should be able to tell you what to do with your private property unless what you’re doing infringes on the rights of someone else, or poses a real health or safety risk.

      Do you dispute that, or was “LibertyLoving” just a cool-sounding internet nickname?

      Report Post » Jaycen  
    • Jaycen
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 6:37pm

      @Dahart

      I don‘t think more laws telling other people what they can and can’t do is the answer.

      How about “just don’t buy a home in a neighborhood that has a HOA”? How about that? Screw that neighborhood and their town. Let them pay all the taxes for all their services. Other areas will grow, this area will die out, and to hell with all the busy-body douche-bags.

      Report Post » Jaycen  
    • Emrys
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 6:49pm

      This is what happens when you put rules over people in priority. Laws were made to serve man, not the other way around. The HOA is insanely evil for proceeding in this injunction.

      Report Post »  
    • theaveng
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 7:01pm

      >>Making adults accountable to the agreements that they voluntarily chose to sign?

      I don’t have an HOA but I must still get permission from my township government for permanent buildings. They have rules, but they often WAIVE those rules if you simply ask them to. This HOA should also waive the rules given the boy’s condition (he’s a special needs kid).

      Maybe what these parents should do is sue the HOA for violating the ADA (Americans with Disabilties Act) which requires that people with handicaps and special needs be accomodated by the local government (the HOA). Even if they lost the case, it would still be fund to have the HOA waste months of time trying to explain to a judge, and reporters, why they hate kids with cerebral palsy. Embarrassment is an effective political tool when deailing with politicians.

      That would be fun to watch.

      Report Post »  
    • Rowgue
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 7:52pm

      @OOKSPAY

      Actually it does. It is illegal for a HOA to impose and enforce their own deed restrictions. They can only enforce real ordinances and building codes that are imposed by proper local authorities. HOA agreements are not legally binding contracts, because membership in the association is forced.

      HOA just rely on the fact that most people will be too intimidated by the process to want to actually defend their rights.

      Report Post »  
    • Rowgue
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 8:04pm

      @SGTB\

      You’re confusing a couple of issues. You can’t put an oil derrick on your property because in most states mineral rights are considered seperate from real property rights, and in most cases those rights are retained by the state or county. There are some states where you get mineral rights along with the real property however. There are a lot of people who make a tidy sum of cash every year from leasing their mineral rights to companies that extract them. A perfect example of this is if you watch the show “Goldrush”. The landowners also own the mineral rights there, and they lease out the right to collect the gold that might be contained there.

      Report Post »  
    • yougottabekidding
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 10:11pm

      Anything composed of parts arranged together in some way; an organization.- a definition of structure

      From the few pictures I saw the swings, the fort all are structures by definition. These people were stupid enough to buy with deed restrictions, they made that choice. That being said!! The idiots that are against this had better have all the structures removed or be sued. I would think they would be smart enough to sue for selective application of the rules.They are in a position that makes it hard. You can not sell now, (and most people are smart enough not to buy with a hoa) you can not have an item that will improve the well being and over all health of your child. Most people would do what had to be done. The other people in the association should be fighting for these people. “there but by the grace of God go I”

      Report Post »  
    • Twins Dad in NH
      Posted on December 3, 2011 at 2:07am

      From the Lexington KY ordinance/code web site:
      “STRUCTURE Anything constructed, the use of which requires permanant or continuous location on the ground, or attached to something having permanent locationon the ground.” so howis this different than the swingsets/play structures with little houses built onto the? or the half a treehouse that is probably attached to the tree, both shown on the neighbors properties?

      Report Post » Twins Dad in NH  
    • Ookspay
      Posted on December 3, 2011 at 3:36pm

      @Rowge, You are wrong, nice try. HOA CC&R’s are not unconstitutional. There is plenty of case law related to this issue. It is amazing what will people will post with no validity to their comments whatsoever.

      Report Post » Ookspay  
    • alleyfarms
      Posted on December 3, 2011 at 6:00pm

      Thanks for the contact info. I have e mailed them and will call them on Monday. What a disgusting group of people.

      Report Post »  
    • Lexington04
      Posted on December 3, 2011 at 10:23pm

      To those attacking the homeowner’s, read the article and watch the news stories. The family did check with the HOA first, and they were told that it would be ok. They changed their minds. Do some research before spouting off.

      Report Post »  
  • capt4503
    Posted on December 2, 2011 at 1:12pm

    I could see this being an issue if it were an “eyesore” but this looks to be built by a professional and is very nice looking. HOA’s like this are a joke as are most of them. I say fight them tooth and nail on this one.

    Report Post »  
    • Beckfan43
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 1:18pm

      No, If you don’t like the way the HOA is governed fix it (the HOA), or move. The family has nothing to stand on here.

      Report Post » Beckfan43  
    • smackdown33
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 1:21pm

      Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

      Report Post »  
    • justneedaname
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 1:44pm

      BECKFAN43,
      The family has nothing to stand on? You’re right. Screw the son. He’s just an annoying excuse for the family to flaunt the rules.

      Report Post »  
    • Mr Sanders
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 2:03pm

      Move/Sell in this market – do they allow rentals in this division/CCR’s? That may buy them time but don’t count on the “rental” clause. Most CCR‘s don’t allow this function.

      Report Post » Mr Sanders  
    • CatB
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 2:32pm

      HOA’s should be deemed illegal .. they are a restriction of rights.

      TEA!

      My son has a home in one .. it was fine when he moved in .. had been for over 20 years .. then some busy body EAST COAST NORTHERNERS banded together and got on the board and it has been a nightmare ever since.

      Report Post »  
    • kmichaels
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 2:42pm

      Stupid seems to be written all over the forehead of smackdown33.

      Report Post »  
    • Shasta
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 3:14pm

      Beckfan43,
      The family can stand on the fact that the neighborhood has plenty of similar structures that seem to be ok with the association

      Report Post » Shasta  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on December 3, 2011 at 6:40pm

      HOA‘s have entirely too much power they don’t need. An HOA should make sure lawns are cut, weeds are removed, property is kept clean, paint should complement the other homes, etc. But they want the power to make them Gods. We’re in a subdivision that has some good requirements, but some are as stupid as stupid is. We had neighbors that put their childs trampoline next to our fence, and we had no privacy whatsoever after that except in the winter time. Cats that run loose and leave deposits in all the flower beds & gardens, killing birds. This was all acceptable.

      So, what’s good for the goose is not always good for the gander. I don’t want to live in a dump for a neighborhood, but there are always the excessive troublemakers who make life miserable for others.

      Report Post »  
  • IntegrityFirst
    Posted on December 2, 2011 at 1:09pm

    Precisely the reason (not wanting to follow a set of arbitrary laws) why we moved out of our first house which was governed by a HOA; not to mention they were all corrupted self-serving crooks to boot.

    Report Post » IntegrityFirst  
  • Marylou7
    Posted on December 2, 2011 at 1:08pm

    This is one of the meanest things I have ever heard. BUT this is what our self-absorbed society has come to over the past several decades. Sorry but NOTHING should come before a child’s needs, NOTHING!!

    Report Post » Marylou7  
    • smackdown33
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 1:20pm

      Nothing should come before the needs of your child and you. Quite frankly, I’m tired of people using their children for their own purposes, wants and desires.
      This child’s parents made a decision to live where they live. That decision has consequences. They knew those consequences. Now, they do not want to be held accountable for the volitional decision, agreement, that they entered into.
      This is the problem with our society.

      Report Post »  
    • Johnny Cocheroo
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 1:44pm

      @MaryLou

      Your premise is good intentioned but wrong.

      I am not here to be a servant for “children’s needs”. Much of my tax monies go to programs that are designed to make sure that all children have their needs taken care of and all it does it make more needy children.

      Life is rules and consequences. The parents agreed to live by rules & votes. Now they must live with those consequences. Its not like they don’t have options …. why don’t they move or remodel part of their house?

      Report Post »  
    • kmichaels
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 2:43pm

      SMACKDOWN33 nobody seems to be agreeing with you, well, except for one other nutjob like you.

       
    • ITGuy
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 2:55pm

      These peoples problem serves only to bring to light the evil that is the HOA. It is an organization built by power hungry crooks run by power hungry crooks. It is totalitarian in nature and has absolutely no place in america and should have never been allowed to exist in the first place. How in the hell does a person or group have the right to dictate what you do with YOUR property that you bought with YOUR money. And to defend this completely evil organization is just goofy. I believe if this had happened here, someone would be getting there @$$es kicked.

      Report Post »  
    • deeberj
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 2:59pm

      I’m agreeing with smackdown. They moved into an HOA neighborhood. They know there are stupid rules about what can and cannot be in the yard; they signed the damned contract. They didn’t get it approved ahead of time. This is their own fault, and just because other people have “structures” in their yard, I didn’t see a single one that was a playhouse. They should have sought approval BEFORE they spent the money on it.

      Report Post » deeberj  
    • deeberj
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 3:06pm

      “Sorry but NOTHING should come before a child’s needs, NOTHING!!”

      Yes, to the parents of said child nothing should come before their own child’s needs. However, to the community as a whole that is not true. I do not have to put someone else‘s child’s needs before my own needs, or my own family’s needs. This is liberal hogwash. I’m sorry if you are a conservative that you believe it.

      Personal accountability is what is at stake here, and his parents don’t want to be accountable for their mistake.

      So since his very own parents signed a contract they must abide by it, even if they feel it now interferes with his needs. They could put his playhouse into their garage, build on an addition with the same play house features inside, take a room already in their house with the same playroom things that are helping him, or take him to PT a lot. They have a choice here. It is not either keep this playhouse as is or our son will never get any better.

      Report Post » deeberj  
    • SgtB
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 3:22pm

      Johnny Cochero has just validated my point that I bring up every time that someone advocates tax money be spent on welfare.

      By spending tax money on welfare, every taxpaying American becomes subdued and feels that they have no need to help anyone else (or even let others help themselves on their OWN PROPERTY) because they already PAY for welfare and there are so many programs that if you don’t qualify for something you are filling out the forms wrong. It totally demoralizes society and then you get people like this who don’t even want to allow a parent to use their own property to help themselves. Instead, he would rather force a family out of their home for breaking an illegal and arbitrary contract that attempts to govern property rights of the individual and that is wrong.

      Arrogant SOB. HOA’s are immoral and illogical. They violate all of our rights and you cannot always avoid moving to an area with such organizations. Also, the ordinances in most places are just as bad as HOA’s and if you have a random old fogey driving around your neighborhood noting every playset and dog house in the neighborhood and checking to see if permits were pulled or plans approved you would know this. No one should be able to tell you what you can do on your own property so long as you are not violating the rights of another. So unless you are raping and murdering women on your lawn, no one has the right to tell you to stop.

      Report Post » SgtB  
    • Libertyluvnmomma
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 3:42pm

      Mary- what a great lesson for this child- disabled peon #gazillion

      One should never use their disabilities to manipulate.
      By your standards this kid will need a trophy just for surviving the birth process.
      Sorry but I know a person with cerebral palsy- he’s a surgeon. Seriously.

      * We can thank John Edwards for all the cerebral palsy cases where they sued the docs and caused their insurance to skyrocket and consequently cause our choices in birth to diminish- he’s why c-section rates above 30%.
      In addition our healthcare costs have increased because malpractice insurance.

      **This is why Marylou isn’t putting 2 and 2 together.
      BOO-HOO
      Mary Lou

      Report Post » Libertyluvnmomma  
    • Stu D. Baker-Hawk
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 4:03pm

      @ Smackdown33: You name describes exactly what I would like to do to you: smack you down thirty-three times! What an @$$!

      Report Post »  
    • Johnny Cocheroo
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 4:35pm

      @SGTB
      Arrogant SOB? Classy.

      Just because you blindly trust the govt to spend taxes on ‘good’ things doesn’t make it (and you) moral – in fact it (and you) could be called immoral because of the current spending habits of the govt. I no longer trust that my money is truly helping those that need it. Some of my personal experiences of waste/fraud:

      -Neighbors with “free” electricity & paying for premium cable
      -Single mothers get “free” college while responsible women pay in full.
      -Coworkers who ask to work under a certain amount of hours to ensure they still receive welfare
      -People collecting SS disability but they are fine
      -Food stamps traded for smokes or cash

      I send money to a family out of state who does not cheat the system and are losing their apt. I help those that obviously need it and are thankful. I donate and give to food banks. I also, am trying to pay down my bills and care for my family. The things that you must think only the govt is capable of doing.

      The owners signed an agreement, knew what they were getting themselves into & apparently didn’t even properly research before building. If they would have given the project due diligence they would have found it would get voted down. They then could have renovated their house or worked with the assoc. for another deal. Instead, now they have an illegal structure on their property, an angry HOA and are in a corner. The HOA may be jerks – but the homeowners handed them the re

      Report Post »  
    • Johnny Cocheroo
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 4:42pm

      reins

      Report Post »  
  • varnell99
    Posted on December 2, 2011 at 1:07pm

    Get written medical support from the therapist that this “structure” is necessary for the well-being of the child.

    Report Post »  
    • smackdown33
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 1:22pm

      Take some personal responsibility and move for the well being of YOUR child.

      Report Post »  
    • Stoic one
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 1:25pm

      The HOA will not care…”rules are RULES!

      Report Post » Stoic one  
    • marvel
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 2:17pm

      Take some personal responsibility over your own property and fight the HOA if you have the will.

      Report Post » marvel  
    • kmichaels
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 2:45pm

      [smackdown33
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 1:22pm
      Take some personal responsibility and move for the well being of YOUR child]

      Our whole nation would be better off if dimwitted trolls like you moved out. I suggest Afghanistan for the likes of you.

      Report Post »  
    • Libertyluvnmomma
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 3:51pm

      Smackdown is right.

      Our society is scr*wed. Some here are reacting emotionally. It’s not based on anything other than “It’s just not fair”

      Again I personally know a surgeon with Cerebral Palsy- this family is getting a lot of mileage from this and what ever else will come up.
      I mean this kid needed this structure for “PLAY”. geesh, the family must not think he is valuable for anything than abusing his disability- give the kid meaning- Give him chores.
      Kids adore being needed.

      Report Post » Libertyluvnmomma  
    • jackal
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 8:20pm

      Take some personal responsibility and move for the well being of YOUR child

      Yea that’s an easy one! mortages underwater,your feasless leader at the helm and no buyers.Yep that’s the easy part if you give it away I guess.

      Report Post »  
  • SimpleTruths
    Posted on December 2, 2011 at 1:07pm

    Gee I thought this was what you wanted; small government. You can’t get any smaller government than a HOA.

    Report Post » SimpleTruths  
    • UnsilentMajority
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 1:20pm

      Go away SIMPLETRUTHS you TROLL. Take your save the trees kill the children mentality with you.

      Report Post » UnsilentMajority  
    • smackdown33
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 1:30pm

      HOA’s are an example of just how large governing, goverments, are becoming.

      Report Post »  
  • ares338
    Posted on December 2, 2011 at 1:06pm

    Why anybody would buy a house that had a HOA is totally beyond me! Iwon‘t abide someone telling me what I can’t have in my own yard!

    Report Post » ares338  
    • SgtB
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 3:24pm

      If you don’t have an allodial title, the truth is that you can be told what you can or cannot do on your property at any time by the city or county. BTW, Texas is the only state that still allows allodial title.

      Report Post » SgtB  
    • proud2bmom
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 10:33pm

      Because in some places, unless you are buying acreage, the only option is a neighborhood with an HOA.

      Report Post »  
  • Patriot Huntress
    Posted on December 2, 2011 at 1:04pm

    The problem with these HOAs is they don’t use common sense. Obviously the originators of this planned community didn‘t think through and to be honest why can’t they get together and add an amendment to allow things like this. The playground equipment looks very much like a house except it is up off the ground and a bit smaller. I know if would be well if everyone did it. How often do you see if something is allowed that everyone and their brother “does it”. I think if the residents were all to be asked they’d have no problem allowing an exception for a disabled child.

    The mother said they didn’t get a clear answer on this and my guess is they saw where others had the elevated forts which would be very similar. My in-laws lived in a planned community many years ago and they had an HOA to which dues were paid. They couldn’t have a fence, houses had to be built a certain way, no pools were allowed either. There were all kinds of stupid rules that don’t mean a hill of beans. I’d rather live in a one room, dirt floor cabin in the wilderness before being subjected to the morons who run these HOAs. My guess is most of them are liberals, not all but most. Liberals love their own liberty and enjoy imposing their brand of liberty on everyone else through regulations and rules. This HOA needs to be ashamed of themselves.

    Report Post »  
  • Steven63
    Posted on December 2, 2011 at 1:03pm

    This is what stupid people get when stupid people buy a home that has these types of contracts riding on their mortgage contracts. You don’t want people telling you what you can and cannot do with the property you bought (and who in their RIGHT MIND would)? Then don’t buy a house where these things exist. Until then, STFU about not being able to do what you want with/to your property.

    Report Post »  
    • Micmac
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 1:07pm

      Using the word stupid so much shows me how much you relate to it. Get a life.

      NoBama 2012
      Reboot Washington

      Report Post »  
    • Johnny Cocheroo
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 1:20pm

      @steven

      Exactly. Homeowners SIGNED into this agreement. Aren’t we the crowd here that are upset by people just walking away from their agreements, mortgage payments and debt? Now were going to turn hypocritical on “feel good” things like this?. If you can’t live by the terms of an agreement, don’t sign into it. Whether or not the HOA are being jerks, the homeowners gave them the right to decide for them. So if they don’t like it, they should get out.

      Report Post »  
  • uisignorant
    Posted on December 2, 2011 at 1:01pm

    I can think of several recourses. ADA, medical device….

    Report Post »  
    • Beckfan43
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 1:21pm

      So it’s OK to act like the left and use the tools of big government when it helps us get what we want. New word boys and girls Hypocrisy.

      Report Post » Beckfan43  
  • gamboolman
    Posted on December 2, 2011 at 12:59pm

    Most HOA picks what rules (covenants) they want to enforce. This is the way it is in ours. They should enforce ALL covenants to be fair. The pet covenant and business out of your house is not enforce but they chose others to enforce. This is what makes me mad.

    Report Post »  
    • Mtroom
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 1:17pm

      They should take it to court…The doctor just need to put his recommendation of treatment on paper.(which most likely it is.) Expose these thugs for what they are, none caring, greed people that have been given to many was to take other peoples money or homes, for that matter..I believe that HOA started as a good idea, but the greedy found the loop holes in the laws…Restructure the laws, bring neighbors together, and stop worrying about what someone else has..My neighborhood does most things together, does yours?…Think about it..Did you speak to more than one neighbor today? Do you only know most of your neighbors by their last name? Have you ever invited more than one neighbor at a time over for a holiday meal?…I know my answer to all those questions..We don’t need some paper to make our neighborhoods nice…We just need neighbors.

      Report Post » Mtroom  
  • Outlaw_Josey_Wales
    Posted on December 2, 2011 at 12:57pm

    I will never buy a house where I had to deal with a neighborhood homeowner’s association. They can be even worst than the local government and that’s saying something.

    Report Post » Outlaw_Josey_Wales  
    • 762x51
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 1:23pm

      That’s because they are run by people who crave power over others by could not get elected because they are so malicious. They do make excellent targets however.

      Report Post »  
  • Lordchamp
    Posted on December 2, 2011 at 12:56pm

    Remember these things exist only because WE let them exist. If we don‘t buy where they are they go away automatically and have no impact on anyone’s life. Speak with you money and your feet.

    Report Post »  
  • KEEPINTHESKEERON
    Posted on December 2, 2011 at 12:54pm

    Stop this madness! -You people in Lexington.

    Report Post »  
  • mamabearCali
    Posted on December 2, 2011 at 12:52pm

    HOA’s can make exceptions, but almost never do–though they really should in this case. Petty little fiefdoms run by tyrants. Don’t buy in one if you can keep from it. They are nightmares.

    Report Post » mamabearCali  
    • ADNIL
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 5:43pm

      Looks to me like this HOA already made exceptions for other child play “structures” that look a lot trashier than the play house.

      Report Post »  
  • ENTITLEMENTSBLOW
    Posted on December 2, 2011 at 12:52pm

    Sad, stuff like this and other examples of anti-american stances I‘ve heard from these HOA’s is the very reason I will never be in a neighborhood with an HOA. HOA=AHOLES!

    Report Post » ENTITLEMENTSBLOW  
  • John1863
    Posted on December 2, 2011 at 12:52pm

    Go to your local building code enforcment agency and get a copy of all building codes regarding the American with Disabilities act. Now go back to your neiborhood and start messuring curbs, sidewalks, slope of sidewalk ramps, doorways to public areas, handle types, threshold heights and so on and anything that doesn’t meet the requirements force them to fix. Maybe they’ll realise the playhouse needs a second look.

    Report Post »  
    • PATRIOTMAMA
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 1:27pm

      Awesome recommendation. You reap what you sow. Unfortunately most people like this family aren’t mean and vindictive like these HOA people and find it hard to do things like that. I don’t know how wise it is to stoop to their level, but my flesh sure likes the idea!!!

      Report Post »  
    • Mr Sanders
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 1:38pm

      That may be a good ploy, but, if the Veloudis’s themselves have not made improvements to their property concering Barrier Free Access, they may receive what they’ve delved out and thus gain more hassel & more cost.

      Report Post » Mr Sanders  
    • Johnny Cocheroo
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 1:59pm

      Checking codes would be a fruitless endeavor.

      Sidewalks & roads are designed by Engineers. The plans are always drawn (by law) to current code standards. Everything is checked & approved by government officials.

      Houses do not have to follow ADA….yet.

      Report Post »  
  • Dougral Supports Israel
    Posted on December 2, 2011 at 12:50pm

    I don’t care for HOAs. They are just one more layer of control over what we can do in our lives. My neighborhood does not have an HOA. No one would object to someone putting up a playhouse in their backyard. Nobody hassles me because I put up Republican campaign signs each year. My neighbor, who is a Democrat show his disagreement by putting up Democrat signs. Nobody cares what color siding anyone puts up and to date, nobody has chosen hot pink or lime green. Freedom works quite fine here and we don’t need some controlling pinhead to govern everything we do.

    Report Post »  
  • COFemale
    Posted on December 2, 2011 at 12:50pm

    I see nothing wrong with this playhouse. As long as it matches the house, why would they care. I can see them not wanting to HOA members hand building structures that look like hand built structures, but this playhouse was professionally built, plus it is used for a child with a medical condition.

    This HOA needs to be reigned in and made to look like the heartless fools they are.

    Report Post » COFemale  
  • kentuckypatriot
    Posted on December 2, 2011 at 12:48pm

    Here we go again…. commies in action.
    I wonder if they had enough room to put it in the garage?

    Report Post » kentuckypatriot  
  • cemerius
    Posted on December 2, 2011 at 12:47pm

    Keep living in the microcosims called HOA! To me I will NEVER live in one so that some bitty with a ruler can come by and tell me my yard is a half an inch too long!!

    Report Post » cemerius  
  • BigArch
    Posted on December 2, 2011 at 12:47pm

    Wonder why all homeowners associations are such jerks. Down here a HOA told a wheelchair bound disabled man that his $40,000.00 dollar van could not be parked in front of his condo. Yet a $500 piece of junk car could. Makes sense?
    These folks need to use the Disabilities Act to fight the jerks in the HOS.

    Report Post »  
  • InversionTheory
    Posted on December 2, 2011 at 12:46pm

    So…they built a structure on their property without a clear answer from the HOA about whether it was ok? I feel sorry for the family and especially for the boy, but people really need to start paying attention to the covenants. I had to get written permission for a non-conforming bush in my backyard that wasn’t even visible from the street because the exact species was not available at the time.

    When dealing with an HOA… Ask them first and get their answer in writing. If possible, don’t buy into an area with this garbage either. I’m glad I got out and my current home has no such nonsense.

    Report Post »  
  • smackdown33
    Posted on December 2, 2011 at 12:45pm

    Rules are rules. They knew the rules. Why does everyone want to be the exception?

    Report Post »  
    • texasfarmer
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 12:51pm

      I guess commonsense is not required today.

      Report Post » texasfarmer  
    • jcase16
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 12:53pm

      Smackdown, you are a moron. How is the fort on top of the swing set any different than this little house? It’s a fort. How is this any more of a structure than those other pictures. They are ALL structures…

      Report Post »  
    • smackdown33
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 1:00pm

      Commonsense is exactly what is required. These parents demonstrate their lack of commonsense, in the decision that they made. They chose to live there. They chose to accept the rules. They were foolish, and now they want to be the exception.

      Report Post »  
    • Mr Sanders
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 2:48pm

      Did they KNOW the rules? If the CCR’s were vaugue in this area – what then? Was he born when they moved there? WHY didn’t they stop them from building/enforcing CCR’s prior to construction? They are the HOA- They DO know what’s going on in their neighborhood, right? Usually an ACC committee would state the rules very clearly on how to proceed. This is not even a code approved living unit; not electrified nor plumbed from what I see – threat, sightlines, views all don’t seem to be hindered? I’m just saying.

      Let’s please note another issue here in the news report; valid point by father. The suspended deck surrounding the tree in the news report, if I were to “interpret” the usual rules, “could be construed” as a “Treehouse” – MY QUESTION – Is a treehouse legal or allowed in this division? If yes, that would have to be, under the IRC Codes, a permitted structure. CCR’s would then control its looks and “objectives”. A stand alone accessory structure under 300SF or as high as 500SF can be built so long as you comply with setback requirements & non-occupant standards.

      The HOA/ACC should have given guidance prior to the expenditure of this playhouse. Either somebody has a gripe against these people or the HOA/ACC committees’ dropped the ball and are now trying to pickup the pieces of the mess they created?

      The real question is – IS the HOA/ACC applying the CCR’s equally on all owners or by personal interests, and from its inception?

      Report Post » Mr Sanders  
  • Jenny Lind
    Posted on December 2, 2011 at 12:43pm

    They can make an exception if they want to, but hoa’s are the biggest jerks on the planet. Never, ever, buy where there is one. EVER.

    Report Post »  
    • 762x51
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 1:16pm

      Absofrickenlutely right Jenny.

      Report Post »  
    • sawbuck
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 3:33pm

      I happen to know how this family can beat this ….
      If they really want to play in the “New America” …
      Our country has been dealing with intrusiveness and
      a slow turn to behavior modification for sometime now.
      There is one area of a person’s personality that is still allowed and thats
      “crazy until dangerous” . All others are subject to prosecution .
      Since we have closed all the loony bins ,
      all the people have had to deal with , all the nuts among us,
      until they blow a gasket . Here’s the catch,
      no one knows how far some will be pushed until they go ballistic …
      When someone is known ..“to be off”…
      Nobody wants to be the one that makes the person snap …
      My suggestion to the Father
      if he wants everyone to leave his family alone is to…
      Shave his head put a beanie on with one of them propellers ,
      throw on a old pair of dirty underwear and go out on his front lawn and
      start goose stepping to the song and singing …
      I’m a Yankee doodle dandy….
      And after he gets done with his trip to the psych…
      No one …Will ever bother them again…
      And He may even draw assistance for mental instability….

      Report Post » sawbuck  
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