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Double Standard?



First world problem: when we order delivery, people can’t find our house.

We live in a community of what are called quadplexes and they more or less all look the same and the numbering and signage are…strangely unhelpful. When I arrange pickups on Buy Nothing I send a carefully wittten two paragraph explanation on how to find our house, complete with a photograph annotated with circles and arrows. 

Even then it doesn’t always help.

Years ago I went through a decorating phase where I imagined my little house to be like a beach house. I picked beachy paint colors and chose fabric and accent pieces to support the overall look. And then I had a lightbulb moment: I wanted a lighthouse. In my front yard.

Not a full-sized light house, mind you, but one large enough to be seen front the road and absolutely one that really lit up. It would be the pièce de resistance for my beach house theme plus no one would ever get lost trying to find my house ever again.

Of course we have never had the kind of extra money lying around to install a lighthouse in the yard for our own amusement. More to the point, if you have ever tried to change anything about the exterior of your home in Columbia, Maryland the very thought of getting approval is nothing short of hilarious. There is the HOA, and the Oakland Mills Village RAC, and who knows what else.

To be honest, if I could put in my own lighthouse what would stop the folks across the way from installing one of those Manners Big Boy statues? It’s the old slippery slope. Now, there are people in Howard County who want nothing to do with having to ask permission about what they do with their property. They would not be caught dead living in Columbia. 

That brings us to the ongoing dispute over a Highland resident who spent a bundle installing a go-kart track for his son. But he apparently didn’t get the necessary permission to do so. Even if you don’t live in Columbia, it turns out that you are bound by county and state regulations. Funny, that.

In addition, the neighbors don’t like it, either.

Residents wave red flag on ‘illegal’ go-kart track in Howard County, Jess Nocera, Baltimore Banner

The Greater Highland Crossroad Association, which advocates for new development complementing the Highland area, recently voted to support Siperko’s neighbors and join in opposing the go-kart track, located off Mink Hollow Road. In a Dec. 20 news release, the association called the track an “inappropriate, obtrusive and illegal use in our rural residential zone.”

Homeowner Chris Siperko’s defense seems to be “I didn’t know” which strikes me as inadequate. Are we accepting ignorance of the law as an excuse these days? And yet, every time this story comes up I get the feeling that having a whole lot of money is ultimately going to make all of Mr. Siperko’s problems go away. He has retained a well known local attorney and can clearly afford such high powered representation.

Maybe if you live in Western Howard County you just think you don’t have to ask for permission. That’s for other people who live somewhere else. 

My old lighthouse dreams resurfaced last night while watching a Magnolia Network show called “Building Outside the Lines”.

When a local artist dreams of a unique retreat, Cappie and Alex convert an old 20-foot water tank into a multilevel She Shed featuring a sculptor's studio and cozy reading nook.

Yes. That’s what I want. Only make it a lighthouse. 


Image from Magnolia Network social media


Maybe I could sell my neighbors on the value of keeping deliveries from going astray as I attempt to get the required signatures. 

What do you think?


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