The owner of a Flintstones-themed house in the Hillsborough suburb of San Francisco had to fight for her right to have the home she loves.
The town sued homeowner and retired publishing mogul Florence Fang, alleging that the dinosaur figures in her yard and other landscaping changes violated town codes. They also declared the property an eyesore for other residents in the area.
Fang says she is just staying true to the unique architectural style of her house, which was built in the 1970s. She also says that as a retired woman, she just wants peace.
The town and Fang have reached a settlement that will allow her to keep her yard, a move that's surprised many in the area.
The owner of a Flintstones-themed home in the Hillsborough suburb of San Francisco faced a lawsuit from her town over her home's decor. In 2019, the town sued owner Florence Fang for making landscaping changes that it said violated codes and for not complying with orders to stop working.
The lawsuit detailed that the dinosaur figures on the property, as well as a number of landscaping alterations, are against town code. Florence countersued, believing she was being discriminated against on the basis of her nationality, CNN reported. She says that she tried to comply with town processes but ran into figures of authority who would move goalposts.
"I wanted to decorate with the past and the future combined together in harmony. I call that 'over the rainbow,'" she explained to The Guardian.
"I'm just a tired old lady. I just wanted my peaceful life. I'm a very, very regular, retired old lady. But of course, a little different. I have all kinds of dreams."
The two sides have now settled in an agreement that lets Florence keep her unique home. As part of the settlement, she will apply for building permits for changes made to the property, while the town will review and approve a survey of the landscaping updates.
In turn, the town of Hillsborough will pay Florence $125,000. She will drop the countersuit. The Flintstones home may not go with the area's "rural, woodsy feel," but there are a lot of people out there who appreciate it.
The house was built by architect William Nicholson in 1976. Florence has owned it since 2017 and worked on building it into the home of her childhood dreams.
