A Virginia woman who says she cut down a tree in her yard after a tree fell on their home and killed her husband last year is embroiled in a dispute with her homeowners association.
Last July, Alan Lee was killed when a tree crashed through his house while he was taking a shower.
“He was a part of our daily life,” said his wife, Rachel Lee. “He was very devoted to the kids and me. He just wanted to make sure everyone was happy all the time.”
She recently hired a contractor to remove the remaining trees in her backyard.
“I don’t want to fall into the house again and orphan or kill my children,” she says.
The Montclair neighborhood near Dumfries, where she lives, is governed by a homeowners association that requires residents to submit a “property improvement request” before any exterior work is done.
“I didn’t ask for permission because I didn’t plan on not doing it if I was told not to,” Lee said. “It was supposed to happen no matter what.”
She said the HOA emailed her and insisted she submit the form retroactively.
“I don’t really understand the point of making a property improvement request for that,” Lee said. “I don’t want to go through the trauma of having to map out my backyard and where all the trees were.”
News4 went to the HOA for comment and was told to leave because it’s private property.
The HOA sent a statement to News4 saying, “Our hearts go out to Rachel Lee, who lost her husband tragically. The association will continue to work with Mrs. Lee and the homeowners to ensure compliance with the bylaws. We are ready to cooperate and continue to do so.” and the conditions applicable to the property. ”
Lee said he has no plans to submit an application yet.
“I don’t have to go through trauma just because they want a piece of paper,” she said. “That’s not acceptable.”
