[Times photo: Scott Keeler]
Joy Yauslin, 73, stretches out on the artificial turf she had installed at her Palm Harbor home last July. The homeowners association, which initially said her faux lawn had to go, now says the ersatz turf can stay.

By JULIE CHURCH, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published January 18, 2002

PALM HARBOR -- The grass will remain greener on Joy Yauslin's side of the fence.

The Wexford West Homeowners Association has reversed itself, deciding this week that Mrs. Yauslin may keep artificial turf on her Palm Harbor lawn, so long as a few neighbors agree.

The association made headlines in November when it notified Mrs. Yauslin that the synthetic front lawn violated Article VI, Section 19 of the community's deed restrictions.

"More specifically, you are failing to maintain a sodded yard," the letter stated. It threatened legal action if the turf was not removed in 30 days.

But following a national outpouring of support for Mrs. Yauslin and her yard, association members voted Tuesday night to amend their bylaws to allow home improvements falling outside the deed restrictions if neighbors agree they aren't detriments to the property or to the community.

"Our deed restrictions were designed to protect against people who would do something detrimental to the property line," said Judy Thompson, president of the homeowners association, "But it didn't cover people who want to improve their property."

Mrs. Yauslin, 73, an environmentalist and a penny pincher, paid $5,000 in July to have 1,200 square feet of FIELDTurf synthetic grass installed in her front yard.

Because she is frugal and won't pay for yard or pool care, she was happy that it required no watering and very little care other than a weekly application of weed killer.

Neighbors complimented Mrs. Yauslin on her yard, and some members of the homeowners association board even admitted that the grass was natural-looking and not a detriment to the neighborhood.

"But the letter had already been sent, and we didn't have any options at the time," Thompson said.

Tuesday's decision opens the door to Mrs. Yauslin and other Wexford West residents who want to make tasteful improvements to their property that previously were not allowed, such as storage sheds and brick pavers, Thompson said.

"I asked to have xeriscaping in my yard before Mrs. Yauslin came along," said Carl Olson, a Wexford West resident and the incoming treasurer of the homeowners association. "I was tired of pouring all that water on my grass."

But the association denied his request. Now, Olson said he may resubmit his request.

The new bylaw amendments allow residents to write a letter asking for a deed restriction variance. They must get letters of support from four of their six immediate neighbors and the board must vote unanimously that the property change would be an improvement.

The amendments had been needed for a long time, Thompson said.

"Many communities have deed restrictions that are 20 years old or older," she said. "It's time we got into 2002."

Mrs. Yauslin plans to get the support letters from her neighbors and present them to the homeowners association board in February. Thompson said she sees no reason why the variance request wouldn't be unanimously approved.

Mrs. Yauslin was overjoyed by the association's decision.

"I've lost a lot of sleep since I got that letter," Yauslin said. "I'm just thrilled."

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