- May 4, 2011
- 4
- 0
- 7
Dear Mr. President
Please consider this letter a response to your letter of May 2, 2011 requesting my removal of my chickens and my chicken coop from the subdivision.
I will first state, as I had in person on April 30, 2011, that my birds, Hazel, Mable and Penny, are my pets. I have only 3 hens that I received 3 Easters ago as a gift from my son. I have named, raised, nurtured, fed, cared for and loved them since they were chicks, in my home, and I consider these birds as my household pets, just as I have for my current horses and my current dogs. I have had them all since they were babies. I am currently gathering letters from several of my friends and co-workers who know me and my birds for years and will attest to the fact that they are in fact my household pets and a huge part of my family. I can also provide videos, pictures, family gatherings and more with regard to all of my current pets (including Hazel, Mable and Penny), either being born, or raised since infants with me. It may seem strange to you, but how it seems doesnt take anything away from the facts.
As per the restrictions, I am allowed birds as household pets. There is no specific bird types stated, as you have made up in your letter, nor is there specific dog or cat types listed on the restrictions, so I am interpreting that my pet birds are allowed, or I would not have purchased my property in this subdivision. Furthermore, there is NOT any bird types stated, that is NOT allowed. My birds are quiet and more than 500 feet from any neighbor so even if and when they do cackle, which is rare, my neighbors are too far to hear them. I clean the coop and run daily and I am attaching a list of several very well known attributes to having chickens as pets as opposed to other household pets. I have complied with all rules of this subdivision as I understand them and will continue to do so. My birds are allowed outside, as well as my dogs and my horses as it does NOT state that all household pets are to remain indoors at all times.
If these restrictions do not satisfy your understanding of them, it is possible that you , as President, to amend them to make them more specific, but this is how I felt when I purchased my property and how I feel now. There is nothing in these restrictions with regard to my chicken coop and it is not possible for you to even ask politely that I remove it. It is clean, neatly constructed and has a nice, neat and clean appearance. Another matter of opinion, I guess, however, your opinion, in no way, takes precedence over mine.
You stated several times that after meeting me last year that you thought I was the last person on the planet you would have a problem with, with regard to adhering to the restrictions. Well you are correct, I am exactly that type of person but I do not agree or approve of you enforcing your opinions on me. To prove that I have no desire to fight nor do I have any disregard of your opinion or preferences, I will not seek replacement of my birds, once they have passed naturally, nor will I add to my herd, but I am under no obligation to remove my pets or my coop as you have demanded. I understand, as you have stated, that your attorney has advised you that chickens are not pets. This is strictly a matter of opinion as I am attaching several documents that suggest otherwise and due to the fact that I cared for and raised my chicks, in my household for years; they are, in fact, my household pets. The attorney I work for seems to feel differently than yours, so here we are again with a matter of interpretation of the extremely vague restrictions you refer to. As I mentioned in our meeting, I know of one resident currently in Shannon Ridge that does own several chickens and a rooster or 2, so if this is a great concern for you, I am curious why you are not peering in everyones yard or acreage to confront them. I also understand that you have a job to do as President of the Association but please be sure you are knowledgeable in your approach and try and refrain from making orders based on your opinions and preferences.
You mentioned several times during our discussion that you are aware and not very happy about the fact that the developer that established the restrictions was unclear, unspecific and selfish with regard to meeting his own specific needs and that they used a cheap, cookie cutter version of restrictions document and it has caused you much grief as President with trying to enforce them. If you were unhappy with the restrictions as prepared, you could have opted to change them or you could have chosen your homestead elsewhere. I have no problem with the way the restrictions were prepared, I only have a problem with the way you are trying to enforce only your opinions and preferences. I am happy with the restrictions as prepared, my home and my household pets. I was only offended by your initial ungenuine kindness, negative, aggressive and demanding approach and you are no longer welcome on my property.
I am sorry this is the result of our meeting. I would have been much nicer to have you and your wife over for a nice breakfast of omelets and bacon. At least we both agree on one thing .pigs are not of dog, cat or bird breed.
God Bless and best wishes.
Karen
Please consider this letter a response to your letter of May 2, 2011 requesting my removal of my chickens and my chicken coop from the subdivision.
I will first state, as I had in person on April 30, 2011, that my birds, Hazel, Mable and Penny, are my pets. I have only 3 hens that I received 3 Easters ago as a gift from my son. I have named, raised, nurtured, fed, cared for and loved them since they were chicks, in my home, and I consider these birds as my household pets, just as I have for my current horses and my current dogs. I have had them all since they were babies. I am currently gathering letters from several of my friends and co-workers who know me and my birds for years and will attest to the fact that they are in fact my household pets and a huge part of my family. I can also provide videos, pictures, family gatherings and more with regard to all of my current pets (including Hazel, Mable and Penny), either being born, or raised since infants with me. It may seem strange to you, but how it seems doesnt take anything away from the facts.
As per the restrictions, I am allowed birds as household pets. There is no specific bird types stated, as you have made up in your letter, nor is there specific dog or cat types listed on the restrictions, so I am interpreting that my pet birds are allowed, or I would not have purchased my property in this subdivision. Furthermore, there is NOT any bird types stated, that is NOT allowed. My birds are quiet and more than 500 feet from any neighbor so even if and when they do cackle, which is rare, my neighbors are too far to hear them. I clean the coop and run daily and I am attaching a list of several very well known attributes to having chickens as pets as opposed to other household pets. I have complied with all rules of this subdivision as I understand them and will continue to do so. My birds are allowed outside, as well as my dogs and my horses as it does NOT state that all household pets are to remain indoors at all times.
If these restrictions do not satisfy your understanding of them, it is possible that you , as President, to amend them to make them more specific, but this is how I felt when I purchased my property and how I feel now. There is nothing in these restrictions with regard to my chicken coop and it is not possible for you to even ask politely that I remove it. It is clean, neatly constructed and has a nice, neat and clean appearance. Another matter of opinion, I guess, however, your opinion, in no way, takes precedence over mine.
You stated several times that after meeting me last year that you thought I was the last person on the planet you would have a problem with, with regard to adhering to the restrictions. Well you are correct, I am exactly that type of person but I do not agree or approve of you enforcing your opinions on me. To prove that I have no desire to fight nor do I have any disregard of your opinion or preferences, I will not seek replacement of my birds, once they have passed naturally, nor will I add to my herd, but I am under no obligation to remove my pets or my coop as you have demanded. I understand, as you have stated, that your attorney has advised you that chickens are not pets. This is strictly a matter of opinion as I am attaching several documents that suggest otherwise and due to the fact that I cared for and raised my chicks, in my household for years; they are, in fact, my household pets. The attorney I work for seems to feel differently than yours, so here we are again with a matter of interpretation of the extremely vague restrictions you refer to. As I mentioned in our meeting, I know of one resident currently in Shannon Ridge that does own several chickens and a rooster or 2, so if this is a great concern for you, I am curious why you are not peering in everyones yard or acreage to confront them. I also understand that you have a job to do as President of the Association but please be sure you are knowledgeable in your approach and try and refrain from making orders based on your opinions and preferences.
You mentioned several times during our discussion that you are aware and not very happy about the fact that the developer that established the restrictions was unclear, unspecific and selfish with regard to meeting his own specific needs and that they used a cheap, cookie cutter version of restrictions document and it has caused you much grief as President with trying to enforce them. If you were unhappy with the restrictions as prepared, you could have opted to change them or you could have chosen your homestead elsewhere. I have no problem with the way the restrictions were prepared, I only have a problem with the way you are trying to enforce only your opinions and preferences. I am happy with the restrictions as prepared, my home and my household pets. I was only offended by your initial ungenuine kindness, negative, aggressive and demanding approach and you are no longer welcome on my property.
I am sorry this is the result of our meeting. I would have been much nicer to have you and your wife over for a nice breakfast of omelets and bacon. At least we both agree on one thing .pigs are not of dog, cat or bird breed.
God Bless and best wishes.
Karen
e Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions 
