GILBERT, AZ (AZFamily) – A homeowners association in Gilbert isn’t spreading much holiday cheer this season. Several residents were ordered to remove their Christmas lawn decorations.

One resident, Cindy Choquette, received a notice of violation from her homeowners association last week.

It said she had to remove the Christmas decorations in front of her house because they violated her community’s rules and regulations.

“I was kind of bummed because we’re giving so much cheer here,” Choquette said. “Every day people walk around and express their joy when we put up decorations.”

Choquette is one of several homeowners in the Cooley Station community at Williams Field Road and Recker Road who have been told by their HOA that putting up Christmas decorations on the artificial turf in front of their homes is not allowed.

“Humbug,” said homeowner Jerry McKarge. “I don’t think this should happen. ‘Tis the season to overlook things. It’s just artificial turf.”

The Arizona family spoke with several neighbors who said they have been putting up decorations for years without complaining.

So what’s different now?

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 taking a closer look at the situation, they will remove the notices and keep the decorations up as long as they don’t damage the lawn.

However, in a statement released by FS Residential on behalf of the Cooley Station board, there was no indication of any plans to allow residents to keep their Christmas decorations.

The statement said:

“As we encourage our residents to celebrate the holidays and decorate their homes, the safety of our residents and preserving our property values ​​are our top priorities. Our community’s rules prohibit decorations on the artificial turf and trees between the sidewalk and curb maintained by the association, as well as any electrical or extension cords on sidewalks that may pose a tripping hazard to our residents, guests and employees.”

“We’re going to keep them going, not take them down,” Choquette said. “We will hold it until the New Year and whether we will impose a penalty is yet to be decided. We spread joy; That’s all we want to do.”

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