[Bogie Shooter]

Its not so much the little white crosses..................but if the door is opened then a lot of other things will follow. RE: cut-outs of the seven dwarfs!

[Mleeja]

Originally Posted by ColdNoMore

If they are on private property, meet the covenants/deed restrictions and aren't being burned...it doesn't really bother me.


I can't help but wonder though, if other religious symbols were being put in yards (ie: Islamic)...would there be a huge outcry?


Methinks...yes.

Buddhas are a religious symbol. I haven't seen the outcry about fat little Buddhas in the from yards...

[DonH57]

Originally Posted by JCMSr

Since I personally live in one of the districts with restrictive covenants for this type of situation I decided to refresh my memory on the exact wording in my copy. There is nothing prohibiting anything on religious grounds. My covenants read as follows: "Lawn ornaments are prohibited, except for seasons displays not exceeding a thirty (30) day duration." Signs are addressed separately as are fences, the number of pets per homesite, etc. Although I personally do not have an issue with crosses or other tasteful ornaments in anyone's yard who decides on what is tasteful and what is trash. Obviously there have been situations in other neighborhoods that were not controlled by such restrictions thus creating the need to address the issue. The bottom line is that the covenants clearly prohibit such actions and if you are living in one of the areas with similar restrictions you cannot choose to ignore some of the rules some of the time. Stop trying to shoot the messenger and find out how you can have the covenants changed if it means that much to you.

Part of this constant stir up the way I read posts concerning this is that some people don't understand that all districts do not have the same restrictions as they differed with each additional district. The earliest districts did not have restrictions on lawn ornaments and never did. Their covenants have not been changed nor could be. We live in district 2. Our covenants are different than 1,3, all the way to district 10.

[Hancle704]

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. -

[mtdjed]

Originally Posted by Challenger

They offend many (including me ) if they are prohibited), as do the others that you mention.

So would you recommend that they have to be removed? What about a licensed rusty car sitting next to your house with a sign on it. Nothing in the covenants against that. When you push buttons get ready for some interesting responses. Be tolerant because covenants are not foolproof.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Mleeja

Who are the white crosses offending and why. Don't comeback with they are against the deed restrictions. If the crosses are, so are the gazing balls, the Buddha figurines, the storks, bird baths and those tiny Penn Stats flags. (All were observed while driving down Oak Forest Drive.

I've also noticed the lawn ornaments on Oak Forest Drive.
I'm guessing that area has different deed restrictions than some of the villages south of CR 466.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

I've also noticed the lawn ornaments on Oak Forest Drive.
I'm guessing that area has different deed restrictions than some of the villages south of CR 466.

There are several in our Tamarind Grove neighborhood. They just appeared within the last few months--I would say after the snowbirds returned for the winter, but that could just be coincidence. I too thought they were pet memorials at first. I personally don't see them as offensive. But maybe a solution to the deed restriction problem would be to put them inside, in a window?

[ColdNoMore]

Originally Posted by Hancle704

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. -

You're getting things confused.

We are not allowed to 'do anything we want,' if the property we buy have restrictions in place...before we buy.

Homeowner Association's Restrictions are Valid and Enforceable - FindLaw

Accordingly, the Supreme Court overruled the appellate court and adopted the following rule: If a declaration establishing a common plan for the ownership of property in a subdivision and containing restrictions upon the use of the property as part of the common plan, is recorded before the execution of the contract of sale, describes the property it is to govern, and states that it is to bind all purchasers and their successors, subsequent purchasers who have constructive notice of the recorded declaration are deemed to intend and agree to be bound by, and to accept the benefits of, the common plan; the restrictions, therefore, are not unenforceable merely because they are not additionally cited in a deed or other document at the time of the sale."

[skip0358]

If we all wanted to be honest there aren't to many homes that don't have something that's against the deed restrictions IF you really read them. Problem is someone has to be the bad guy for anything to happen. So who's the bad guy. Not me. Already been turned in and when push came to shove I was right my complainer was wrong. I have 6 neighbors behind & next to me with violations not my problem.There should be code enforcement police not us turning in a neighbor. JMO

[Madelaine Amee]

Originally Posted by skip0358

If we all wanted to be honest there aren't to many homes that don't have something that's against the deed restrictions IF you really read them. Problem is someone has to be the bad guy for anything to happen. So who's the bad guy. Not me. Already been turned in and when push came to shove I was right my complainer was wrong. I have 6 neighbors behind & next to me with violations not my problem.There should be code enforcement police not us turning in a neighbor. JMO

I tend to agree with Skip on this one! I live in a strict deed restricted village, but one of my neighbors lost his wife about eight years ago and has a small white cross and a stone with her name on it tucked under a tree. If it makes losing her easier to deal with, then so be it, it does not bother me in the least. Now, if it was a huge white cross planted in the middle of the yard, that would cause a different reaction. I'm inclined to "live and let live".

[DonH57]

Originally Posted by Madelaine Amee

I tend to agree with Skip on this one! I live in a strict deed restricted village, but one of my neighbors lost his wife about eight years ago and has a small white cross and a stone with her name on it tucked under a tree. If it makes losing her easier to deal with, then so be it, it does not bother me in the least. Now, if it was a huge white cross planted in the middle of the yard, that would cause a different reaction. I'm inclined to "live and let live".

I agree as well. Another person's religious beliefs are their business and not mine as well telling another how they should display the grief of losing a mate or family.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Madelaine Amee

I tend to agree with Skip on this one! I live in a strict deed restricted village, but one of my neighbors lost his wife about eight years ago and has a small white cross and a stone with her name on it tucked under a tree. If it makes losing her easier to deal with, then so be it, it does not bother me in the least. Now, if it was a huge white cross planted in the middle of the yard, that would cause a different reaction. I'm inclined to "live and let live".

Originally Posted by DonH57

I agree as well. Another person's religious beliefs are their business and not mine as well telling another how they should display the grief of losing a mate or family.

What if he parked her favorite golf cart ( with black bunting) in the front yard for all to see? Forever.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

I've also noticed the lawn ornaments on Oak Forest Drive.
I'm guessing that area has different deed restrictions than some of the villages south of CR 466.

Why guess? See post #82 and you can read their restrictions.

[Gsmello]

The cross is not a sign just a plain white cross. It's a symbol of my faith and it's with my flowers. If we are forced to take them down, it will only be right if everyone has something showing their faith or belief in view should abide also. The people sweating the little stuff.

[Madelaine Amee]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

What if he parked her favorite golf cart ( with black bunting) in the front yard for all to see? Forever.

I think I covered that eventuality with my sentence which read:

" Now, if it was a huge white cross planted in the middle of the yard, that would cause a different reaction.: