Home & Garden
Beachfront Treehouse In Holmes Beach Must Be Taken Down
Lynn Tran and Richard Hazen had hoped the nation's highest court would hear their case after officials ordered them to take down the home.
HOLMES BEACH, FL — A Holmes Beach couple will not be allowed to keep their seven-year-old,two-story beachfront treehouse after the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday decided not to get involved with their case.
Lynn Tran and Richard Hazen fought to save the elaborate home at 103 29th St. North. Hazen and Tran, who live on Anna Maria Island, received verbal approval from the city to build the tree house in 2011 and didn't need a permit. But city officials didn't realize the size and scope of the structure.
After an anonymous complaint about the treehouse, officials investigated and determined the couple did have to go through the permitting process. The treehouse was located in an area where building is banned because of a city setback. The couple tried to take the fight to voters but courts blocked them.
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While the treehouse gained popular support and the couple gained celebrity status — even appearing on the "Today" show — they faced questions over the effects on sand dunes and nesting sea turtles.
Photo credit: Chris O'Meara/Associated Press