LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — A Las Vegas resident says a personal display tied to his career and military service is now at the center of a dispute with his homeowners’ association.
Brent Saba, a veteran, longtime firefighter and fire inspector, says he was cited by his HOA for displaying three vintage, non-operational fire hydrants in front of the home he lives in.
“This hydrant right here, I brought this fire hydrant home from Iraq. I served over in Iraq for about a year, year and a half or so. So that one there was a special piece,” Saba said.
Saba says he received a citation last week, telling him the hydrants violated HOA rules.
He says the items have been on display since he moved into the neighborhood more than a year ago, and that neighbors have voiced support.
“How are they going to tell the guy with over 30 years in the fire service, you got to get rid of your fire hydrants? I mean, it’s not like it’s clutter. It’s not like it’s defacing anything. I mean, it’s still — my neighbors all even think it looks good,” Saba said.
According to Saba, the HOA told him he needed to apply for approval to keep the hydrants in place. He says he submitted an application along with written comments from neighbors supporting the display, but it was still denied.
“First they told me that I had to apply for an architectural modification permit. Well, number one, this isn’t architectural. These are just items to display. That’s all they are,” Saba said.
He says he later received a message indicating additional approval may be required from the homeowner.
The HOA cited a rule related to storage items in front and side yard landscaping for the violation.
“I’m a fire inspector and when I write up a violation on a building, imagine if I wrote up something that didn’t even apply to what the write up was. I would look like a fool,” Saba said.
While Saba says he enjoys the neighborhood, he says the situation has him reconsidering whether to stay.
“It was just kind of for me was the last straw and I was like I’m not gonna go down without a fight,” Saba said. “I’m hoping things actually improve for this neighborhood.”
News 3 reached out to the homeowners’ association for comment, but did not receive a response before deadline, as their office was closed at the time of our request.
