A Denver homeowner association has outlawed sidewalk drawings in chalk by a pre-school girl.
Three-year old Emerson Cohen's artistic rampage was cut short by leaders of a residential development built on the site of the old Stapleton airport. From Denver's CBS 4:
"We live on a courtyard and we all bought into the notion that we were sharing a space," said [mother Sarah] Cohen. But the group — called a Innovations and Courtyard Traditions at Stapleton, a sub-association of the Stapleton MCA (Master Community Association) — said because it is a shared space, anything that offends, disturbs or interferes with the peaceful enjoyment isn't allowed. It seems that some neighbors have complained. "The association is trying to go down a path of do no harm and prevent the sidewalk art as opposed to… until such time as it can get together and discuss it," said the attorney representing the group. Cohen said no neighbors have mentioned anything to her. She also plans to keep letting her daughter use chalk to decorate the common area. "It's summertime and God forbid my daughter is drawing flowers, her name and hearts," said Cohen. The concerns will be brought up in a future meeting and then it will be up to the residents to decide.
One person's experiment in living is another's busybody hell: A few years ago Virginia Postrel looked at the unbearable pettiness of neighborhood aesthetic enforcers.
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