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terpfan1980
terpfan1980
Join Date 08/2004
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In protest, man paints house pink with polka-dots

January 13, 2005 2:01:01 PM from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
From UPI, NBC and other sources....

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:
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terpfan1980
Danny Bassette
Join Date 02/2003
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Reply #1 January 13, 2005 2:20:51 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
I like it 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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terpfan1980
Hamster 311
Join Date 10/2004
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Reply #2 January 13, 2005 2:57:09 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
Only in Florida! (I love this state!) Kudos to Mr. Ehlan for a creative protest. - Although he did agree to abide by the association's rules when he chose to live where he lives; so I'm a bit conflicted there. In the report I saw, it was emphasized that he used the 'new breed' of astroturf, which apparently has come a long way since the unsightly stuff from the 1970's. I think the association may need to rethink their stance, and perhaps investigate whether the astroturf is actually "bad" for the environment - or instead environmentally friendly by virtue of the fact that it conserves water.

It always does my heart good to see someone in peaceful protest.
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terpfan1980
ParaTed2k
Join Date 12/2004
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Reply #3 January 13, 2005 3:13:18 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
Interesting that neither photo gives us a good look at the astro turf. Mr. Ehlan should show several pictures of the "natural grass" lawns in the area mixed in with one of his astro turf. Then challenge the board to choose which one they think is the astro turf. If they can't tell the difference, they should drop the whole thing, but if they can, he should. ;~D
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terpfan1980
whoman69
Join Date 10/2004
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Reply #4 January 13, 2005 3:22:18 PM
from PoliticalMachine ForumsPoliticalMachine Forums
I wish the city ordinances could be ammended to include the NFL and MLB
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terpfan1980
Winterblade
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Reply #5 January 13, 2005 3:34:14 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
If they do ban the astro turf, I think he should just extend his driveway in all directions to cover his entire yard. Concrete's all natural.

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terpfan1980
drmiler
Join Date 09/2004
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Reply #6 January 13, 2005 4:12:57 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums

Reply #2 By: Hamster 311 - 1/13/2005 2:57:09 PM
Only in Florida! (I love this state!) Kudos to Mr. Ehlan for a creative protest. - Although he did agree to abide by the association's rules when he chose to live where he lives;


Main point here is that it's NOT an association! It's the city doing this.

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
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terpfan1980
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Reply #7 January 13, 2005 4:40:03 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
Well... the Astroturf I know is ugly... so I can see how they don't want that to replace a traditional lawn. That being said, citys tend to try to exert too much force over the residents in manners to home construction. I know, because I am building a new house. I had a bit of a disagreement with a neighbor who thought my house was too big (actually I think they were just jealous). The city decided (after they had approved the house), that I was going to have to get the consent of the neighbors. Well, that turned out to be a problem. Eventually it got worked out, but at a cost of many 10s of thousands of dollars.
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terpfan1980
island_gurl12
Join Date 09/2004
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Reply #8 January 13, 2005 5:56:27 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
Nothing better than polka dots to protest, YAY!
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terpfan1980
LeapingLizard
Join Date 10/2004
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Reply #9 January 13, 2005 6:10:37 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
Go Ehlan! I love it!
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terpfan1980
historyishere
Join Date 06/2004
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Reply #10 January 13, 2005 7:16:58 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
If he is using "FieldTurf" then I don't see why the city would have a problem.





It LOOKS exactly like grass, and in a recent survey, NFL players ranked the surface at Seahawk Stadium ahead of 20 other natural grass surfaces in the league.

The Physics of Field Turf
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terpfan1980
Angloesque
Join Date 12/2003
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Reply #11 January 13, 2005 10:50:23 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
Woo hoo historyishere! However, at Boise State University, their turf is (or was, at least) blue. Let's hope that's not what this guy put down. And I guess I agree with whoman in that I think true football is played on grass in an outdoor stadium.

For the record, though, I wouldn't want anything but real grass. Were he living next to me (and, okay, if I owned a home), it might hurt my resale value--but otherwise, big deal.

But the guy gets points for his protest. I sorta hope he wins.

-A.
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terpfan1980
Hamster 311
Join Date 10/2004
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Reply #12 January 13, 2005 11:14:38 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
Main point here is that it's NOT an association!


Oops. I stand corrected, drmiler.
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terpfan1980
drmiler
Join Date 09/2004
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Reply #13 January 14, 2005 12:32:01 AM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums

Reply #12 By: Hamster 311 - 1/13/2005 11:15:21 PM
Main point here is that it's NOT an association!


Oops. I stand corrected, drmiler.


That's cool. If it was an association I would side with you. When you move in you have to agree with their by-laws. But this is from the city. If there is *no* standing ordience against this, then they shouldn't be saying anything.
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terpfan1980
Starstuff
Join Date 12/2004
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Reply #14 January 14, 2005 1:13:44 AM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
If they do ban the astro turf, I think he should just extend his driveway in all directions to cover his entire yard. Concrete's all natural.


Then paint it green, and watch them bitch!
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terpfan1980
Starstuff
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Reply #15 January 14, 2005 1:18:00 AM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
Boise State University, their turf is (or was, at least) blue.


They call it the smurf turf.
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terpfan1980
XX
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Reply #16 January 14, 2005 3:44:26 AM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
I would love to put in astro-turf in the place I live. Mowing's a pain and during summer I have to spray a lot of water (what a waste...) to keep it semi-alive.
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terpfan1980
historyishere
Join Date 06/2004
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Reply #17 January 14, 2005 4:18:59 AM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
They call it the smurf turf.


Well, think about it this way... the Blue Turf of BSU is something that really distinguishes their field from the rest of football. If you see blue turf, you know EXACTLY where that is.

And to think, until 1986, BSU had green turf like everyone else.
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terpfan1980
NotSoSmellySarah
Join Date 11/2004
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Reply #18 January 14, 2005 11:18:09 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
That house is hot. When i move out, i want a house just like that
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