‘Humbug’: HOA tells homeowners to take down Christmas decorations

GILBERT, AZ. (KPHO/Gray News) - A homeowners association in Arizona is not spreading holiday cheer this season.

Multiple residents in the Cooley Station Community have been told to remove their Christmas lawn decorations.

One resident, Cindy Choquette, received a violation notice from her HOA last week.

According to the notice, she needed to remove the Christmas decorations in front of her house because they violated her community’s rules and regulations.

“I was kind of bummed out because we provide so much cheer around here,” said Choquette. “Every day people walk around and express the joy we provide putting up decorations.”

Choquette is one of several homeowners in the community who were told by their HOA that holiday decorations placed on the artificial turf in front of their homes are not allowed.

“Humbug,” said homeowner Jerry McKarge. “I don’t think it should happen. It’s the time of year when things should be overlooked. It’s only artificial grass.”

The president of the Cooley Station Community HOA said the association has a new management company that strictly enforces the rules, including no artificial turf decorations.

The HOA president said after reviewing the situation, they will rescind the notices and allow the decorations to stay up as long as they don’t damage the turf.

However, a statement released by FS Residential on behalf of the Cooley Station’s board of directors did not show any plans to allow residents to keep their Christmas decorations up.

The statement said:

“While we encourage our residents to celebrate the holidays and decorate their homes, the safety of our residents and preservation of our property values are top priorities. Our community’s rules prohibit decorations on the artificial turf and trees between the sidewalk and the curb that are maintained by the association, and any power or extension cords on sidewalks that can pose a trip hazard for our residents, guests, and staff.”

Choquette said she is keeping her decorations up.

“We’re going to keep them up and not take them down. We will keep them up until New Years, and whether we get assessed a penalty that is yet to be determined. We’re spreading joy; that’s all we want to do,” she said.