Flintstones house branded public nuisance by council after owner adds life-size dinosaurs to garden
‘Whether it’s cartoon characters or Rodin statues, she still has to go through the process like everyone else’
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Your support makes all the difference.A house in California which features an elaborate homage to The Flintstones has been branded a public nuisance by local officials, after the owner added a herd of life-sized dinosaur sculptures to the garden without permission.
The 2,700 square foot building, which is known as “The Flintstones House”, was built in 1976 by pouring concrete over wire mesh and large balloons to create an undulating, dome-like structure.
It gained its nickname in 2000 after being painted orange.
A life-sized sculpture of Fred Flinstone has been installed near the door and a giant sign can be seen near the lawn inscribed with the words “Yabba Dabba Do” – the character's catchphrase from the popular 1960s TV show.
Officials in the town of Hillsborough have declared the property a public nuisance and an eyesore after Florence Fang, who bought the house last year, added colourful mushroom ornaments and animal sculptures, including one of a large mammoth, to the front lawn.
Local authorities filed a lawsuit in state court last month to make the 84-year-old owner remove the garden installations.
Ms Fang does not live in the house but uses it to entertain.
The controversy has sparked international media coverage and thousands have signed a petition to preserve the attention-grabbing property.
Mark Hudak, the lawyer representing the town, said Hillsborough prided itself on its rural atmosphere.
“Whether [Ms Fang] is building a project with amusing cartoon characters or Rodin statues or anything else, she still has to go through the process like everyone else,” he added.
The 84-year-old’s lawyer said elitist town officials were denying her client the right to enjoy her own property and has promised a vigorous fight.
Additional reporting by agencies
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