An artist and home renter in the city of Phoenix's Sunnyslope neighborhood claims the city is forcing her to remove canvas art paintings from her front yard because they are considered blight.
Susan Applegate started painting at 7 years old. For the past two years, though, she's been locked in a battle with City Hall over a variety of code violations on the property she rents.
"They can't see a work of art in progress. So it's up to them to name it what they do. And they call it blight, rubble, debris, outside storage," Applegate said.
"The neighbors are saying the condition of the property is hurting their property values and it's creating blight in their neighborhood," said Tim Boling, deputy director of the city of Phoenix Neighborhood Services Department.
Applegate believes a city judge will decide what on the property is considered art and what is considered blight.
"They couldn't possibly be correct because I'm right. They can't win. I feel like Charlie Sheen. Winning!" said Applegate with a laugh. "It's freedom of speech."
It turns out, city officials say they have no intention of infringing on Applegate's freedom of speech. Boling says Applegate is mistaken in saying that her art display is a violation of city code.
"It's not a violation to express free speech on your property," Boling said. "The city of Phoenix has not cited the tenant for any of the items she determines to be art on her property."
The code violations Applegate is being cited for include excessive shrubbery and dead vegetation in her yard, including palm fronds and other items.
"Trash, debris, dead and dried vegetation on the property," Boling said.
Applegate has until March 26 to get things cleaned up and bring the property up to code standards or the city will hire someone to do it for her and send her the bill.
Copyright 2013 CBS 5 (KPHO Broadcasting Corporation). All rights reserved.
Kyle Plush's family stormed out of a City Hall meeting after sitting through five hours of testimony Tuesday, saying one councilman "crossed the line."
More >>Kyle Plush's family stormed out of a City Hall meeting after sitting through five hours of testimony Tuesday, saying one councilman "crossed the line."
More >>The participating Waffle House is the nation's first location to sell beer.(Source: AP Photo/Ric Feld)
More >>The participating Waffle House is the nation's first location to sell beer.(Source: AP Photo/Ric Feld)
More >>Cheetos may be "dangerously cheesy" but maybe not worth going to jail over.
More >>Cheetos may be "dangerously cheesy" but maybe not worth going to jail over.
More >>Are you in the market for a new child's car seat? If you have an old one, exchange it at Target for a voucher that can be used to purchase a new car seat, booster seat, car seat base, or travel system.
More >>Are you in the market for a new child's car seat? If you have an old one, exchange it at Target for a voucher that can be used to purchase a new car seat, booster seat, car seat base, or travel system.
More >>The Federal Aviation Administration's announcement late Wednesday comes nearly a year after the engine's manufacturer recommended the additional inspections, and a month after European regulators ordered their airlines to do the work.
More >>The Federal Aviation Administration's announcement late Wednesday comes nearly a year after the engine's manufacturer recommended the additional inspections, and a month after European regulators ordered their airlines to do the work.
More >>A former Lee Correctional Institution officer said the conditions inside the dorms within the prison were “disgusting” when she worked there in 2013.
More >>A former Lee Correctional Institution officer said the conditions inside the dorms within the prison were “disgusting” when she worked there in 2013.
More >>The popular world-building computer game has announced an initiative to place Biorock reef regeneration structures in waters off Mexico.
More >>The popular world-building computer game has announced an initiative to place Biorock reef regeneration structures in waters off Mexico.
More >>Bond has been denied for the suspect accused of shooting and killing a Crestwood High School student.
More >>Bond has been denied for the suspect accused of shooting and killing a Crestwood High School student.
More >>Officials are looking for a missing 2-year-old that was set to be removed from her parents in Kershaw County.
More >>Officials are looking for a missing 2-year-old that was set to be removed from her parents in Kershaw County.
More >>Lexington Police arrested a shoplifting suspect with the help of a soon-to-be state house lawmaker.
More >>Lexington Police arrested a shoplifting suspect with the help of a soon-to-be state house lawmaker.
More >>Mike Colter plays a character known for being bulletproof, but the man behind "Luke Cage" wears his emotions on his sleeve.
More >>Mike Colter plays a character known for being bulletproof, but the man behind "Luke Cage" wears his emotions on his sleeve.
More >>Columbia police said they've arrested a man who allegedly threatened a store clerk before robbing the business Wednesday evening.
More >>Columbia police said they've arrested a man who allegedly threatened a store clerk before robbing the business Wednesday evening.
More >>Additional charges have been filed for a teen accused of shooting a 55-year-old woman over the weekend.
More >>Additional charges have been filed for a teen accused of shooting a 55-year-old woman over the weekend.
More >>