In protest, man paints house pink with polka-dots
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From UPI, NBC and other sources....
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In protest, man paints house pink with polka-dots
Image from NBC2
MARCO ISLAND— A family building a house on Marco Island installed $19,000 worth of Astroturf instead of a traditional lawn. The city wants the Astroturf removed and plans to amend a city ordinance to specifically ban the Astroturf. The homeowners disagree with the city and painted part of the house pink with multi-colored polka dots in protest.
The Ehlan family's dream home has Marco Island's most unique feature.
"Well, you've heard of pink and purple polka dots, well that's how it started out," said Ed Ehlan.
The polka dots aren't the problem, they're only part of the protest.
It all started when Ehlan installed $19,000 worth of Astroturf on his lawn instead of real grass.
"It looks like regular grass," said Ehlan.
Ehlan said he chose the artificial grass to conserve water.
"A lot of lawns they're dying and it's because we can't water enough," said Ehlan.
But city officials say it just doesn't fit in.
"I do not believe that when the landscaping code was written that this type of material was envisioned as an alternate to natural grass," said Greg Niles, Community Development Director.
"Correct. It does not clearly state it. It has non-organic and this is considered non-organic," said Ehlan.
Now the city wants to make their opinion law.
"To expressly prohibit synthetic materials," said Niles.
Ehlan and his family are preparing to move in to their home.
"I've never fought the city before on anything, but this I feel I'm right," said Ehlan.
Ehlan says he is going to fight to keep his dream alive.
The changes to the code will go before the planning board on January 24th. If the city decides to makes these changes, Ehlan says he will appeal the decision.
Marco Island officials are also claiming some materials used in the Astroturf are not safe for the environment. Ehlan says he will take care of it and argues it's just an excuse for him to remove it.
I never have been a big fan of Home Owners Associations and local zoning boards and such. They (generalizing here) always seem to be too heavy handed in telling a property owner what they can and can't do with their own property, which goes against my libertarian tendencies (at times I lean that way).
Gotta give extra credit to Mr. Ehlan for his creative protest to his problem though.
My office mate informs me that Mr. Ehlan was actually somewhat disappointed though, and says he should have done his own painting. Apparently Mr. Ehlan hired a professional to do the painting and it came out "too nice", rather than as ugly and antagonistic as he was looking for.
Another image of the house (with the owner in front) - Image from CBS News:
Link follows:
In protest, man paints house pink with polka-dots
Image from NBC2
MARCO ISLAND— A family building a house on Marco Island installed $19,000 worth of Astroturf instead of a traditional lawn. The city wants the Astroturf removed and plans to amend a city ordinance to specifically ban the Astroturf. The homeowners disagree with the city and painted part of the house pink with multi-colored polka dots in protest.
The Ehlan family's dream home has Marco Island's most unique feature.
"Well, you've heard of pink and purple polka dots, well that's how it started out," said Ed Ehlan.
The polka dots aren't the problem, they're only part of the protest.
It all started when Ehlan installed $19,000 worth of Astroturf on his lawn instead of real grass.
"It looks like regular grass," said Ehlan.
Ehlan said he chose the artificial grass to conserve water.
"A lot of lawns they're dying and it's because we can't water enough," said Ehlan.
But city officials say it just doesn't fit in.
"I do not believe that when the landscaping code was written that this type of material was envisioned as an alternate to natural grass," said Greg Niles, Community Development Director.
"Correct. It does not clearly state it. It has non-organic and this is considered non-organic," said Ehlan.
Now the city wants to make their opinion law.
"To expressly prohibit synthetic materials," said Niles.
Ehlan and his family are preparing to move in to their home.
"I've never fought the city before on anything, but this I feel I'm right," said Ehlan.
Ehlan says he is going to fight to keep his dream alive.
The changes to the code will go before the planning board on January 24th. If the city decides to makes these changes, Ehlan says he will appeal the decision.
Marco Island officials are also claiming some materials used in the Astroturf are not safe for the environment. Ehlan says he will take care of it and argues it's just an excuse for him to remove it.
I never have been a big fan of Home Owners Associations and local zoning boards and such. They (generalizing here) always seem to be too heavy handed in telling a property owner what they can and can't do with their own property, which goes against my libertarian tendencies (at times I lean that way).
Gotta give extra credit to Mr. Ehlan for his creative protest to his problem though.
My office mate informs me that Mr. Ehlan was actually somewhat disappointed though, and says he should have done his own painting. Apparently Mr. Ehlan hired a professional to do the painting and it came out "too nice", rather than as ugly and antagonistic as he was looking for.
Another image of the house (with the owner in front) - Image from CBS News:
When I get a house I want to paint it funny colors too. Although I'd have to move, there is a zoning regulation against more then three colors on a house, specifically to prevent just what this guy did. Don't think there is anything against astroturf here though.
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