Illegal Flowers

Geraniums planted by my mother and the beginning of a flower bed
Photo by me

Kimberly Bois, a woman in Portsmouth, New Hampshire was sued for planting a flower garden in front of her condominium at the Atlantic Pointe Condominium Association.  I read about the situation in this article by Robert Cook.  I find this very disappointing.  It seems that many apartment and condominium associations restrict the actions of their residents including owning pets and gardens.  However, Cook wrote, “the declarant, who was the condo development builder, gave her permission to plant flowers in front of her unit in 2008.”  Cook also wrote that Bois’ attorney, Paul McEachern, argued that the declarant who had given Bois the right to alter the exterior of her condominium did not have the right to take away that right.

Gardening can be a leisure activity, and I think that gardens help to make a neighborhood cheerful and beautiful.  Many people plants flowers every spring, and I see no harm in doing so.  I understand why a condominium association might not allow pets, since animals can damage property that the association may plan to rent again when the current resident has moved.  Plants, however, are never vicious, and, as I see it, cause no harm.  I would like to see Kimberly Bois, Patrick Champagne and Louise Tracy (Lawyer: City Woman’s Flower Garden Should Be Allowed by Robert Cook mentioned both Champagne and Tracy as well), and any other condominium owner who wishes to plant a garden legally able to do so.

-Frankie