News

Actions

Blue Springs HOA denies child's playhouse, says it violates 'no shed policy'

Posted at 10:39 PM, Sep 15, 2017
and last updated 2017-09-18 18:41:26-04

A tiny house sits at the center of a huge controversy in the Rockhill neighborhood of Blue Springs, Missouri.

The pink playhouse belongs to Bobbie Goolsby, who bought the structure for her six-year-old granddaughter, Emma.

"Ask anybody, they'll tell you. She's everything to our family," Goolsby said.

The family almost lost Emma to a serious autoimmune disorder. Now, because of her illness, Emma goes to her playhouse each day for breathing treatments.

"It's my world," she said of the tiny pink house.

But Emma's world is at risk of being taken away.

The Rockhill Home Owners Association claims the playhouse violates its "no shed policy."

"Our HOA bylaws say you can't have a shed, but it doesn't say anything about a playhouse," Goolsby said.

Goolsby told 41 Action News both she and her realtor were told they could bring the playhouse to the neighborhood. It was so important to them, they asked before buying the house. 

But in an email sent on Sunday, the homeowners association said the playhouse has to go, adding "we would prefer not to take legal action but will move forward if not resolved."

"It's sad that they're picking on a child's playhouse," Goolsby said of the HOA's reaction.

Other neighbors 41 Action News spoke to aren't concerned about the pink playhouse.

"It's never been a problem for me," Ryan Reed, who lives a few doors down, said.

"I would love for her to have it," John Batty, another neighbor, added.

Late Friday night the Rockhill Home Owners Association responded to 41 Action News, saying it does approve of most wooden play sets, but the playhouse remains in violation of its rules.

In an email, HOA President DeeAnn Myers wrote:

"We have kindly requested them to remove this unapproved structure numerous times to no avail. We know both the Goolsby's and their Real Estate Agent had copies of these rules prior to purchasing this home and have simply ignored them. At a recent HOA annual meeting the Board opened the floor to the Goolsby's to appeal their case and the HOA decided to hold firm in its original decision."

Goolsby is also holding firm and said she's willing to take this to court.

"If I have to remove it, she would be devastated," Goolsby said.