I mean, really? Two neighbors complained about a small bookshelf with some shingles on it to the city — and the city insisted it be taken down as a non-code "accessory building"?
Sigh.
(h/t +The Mary Sue)
Leawood shuts down boy’s little free library
A 9-year-old Leawood boy is doing his part to promote reading, but he’s hit a roadblock.
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Yay, government to the rescue!!
I've liked the associated Facebook group.
While examining the City of Leawood website, I ran across this press release http://www.leawood.org/news_item.aspx?NewsID=4520 which reads in part:
"The historic one-room Oxford Schoolhouse, located in Ironwoods Park at 147th & Mission Road, Leawood Kansas, will hold a reading club every Wednesday in June and July from 9:30 to 11:00 am. Each week a costumed turn-of-the-century schoolteacher will read chapters from a book of historical fiction."
I am concerned regarding the blatant misuse of the Oxford Schoolhouse for purposes for which it was not intended.
Obviously, I'm not arguing against the use of a former schoolhouse to read books. But the use of costumes indicates that theatrical performances are taking place.
Is the Oxford Schoolhouse licensed for theatrical performances?
If not, then this code-defying activity should be shut down immediately.
How the heck do they define "building"?
Very broadly, it appears. Or perhaps as suits it.
Oh for heaven sake! People don’t have anything better to do with their time than complain about something like this? Buffalo, NY has “little libraries” in one neighborhood, which arose when the local library was closed. As far as I know, there were no complaints. I think it’s a great idea, and there’s an organization for it: http://littlefreelibrary.org/ which started in Wisconsin.
@Ellie – I have the sense that this is a very “sensitive” neighborhood, where everyone is concerned about their property values and general appearances.