Bay area condominium complex lacking holiday spirit?

Friday, December 22, 2006

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This is what Ronnie Pownall has as a holiday decoration in his condo.

Some Harbour Island residents are complaining their condominium board is banning many holiday decorations and controlling what they can put up in their own homes.

Ronnie Pownall has done a lot of decorating inside his Park Crest condominium, but a lot of holiday decorations won't be found.

"I would have liked to have a live Christmas tree and I would have liked a wreath on my door," Pownall said.

Those are two items banned by the Park Crest Board of Directors.

"I don't feel like it's the holidays here," condo owner Karen Fernandez said.

Residents are allowed to have some decorations inside their units. Pownall has a small fake tree and stockings, but according to condo rules, even those holiday items have to be removed by Jan. 15.

"They start fining you if you have decorations inside your own house," Pownall said.

Another resident who didn't want to be identified said the board doesn't allow live trees because they could be a fire hazard.

The Park Crest Board of Directors is looking into changing the rules. To do that, they'll have to amend the condo rules by a majority vote.

Fernandez said it's too late to save Christmas and she'll have no decorations.

"I have a snowman and a can of hot cocoa," Fernandez said.