Homeowners association backs down in dispute over Christmas lights

SPOKANE, Wash. — The saga of an Idaho man’s controversial Christmas display continues.

A homeowner’s association in Hayden, Idaho, near Coeur d’Alene said Tuesday it will not be suing Jeremy Morris over his light display. The vice president of the HOA board emphasized that their opposition was not to Morris' decorations, but rather to the extra traffic and noise the event would bring to the neighborhood.

The West Hayden Estates Homeowner’s Association had sent Morris a letter on Oct. 26 threatening to sue if he put on the light show.

"I'm really pleased to hear that they're moving beyond this threat of litigation,” Morris said. “I think the reason is obvious. That is that I never violated any rules.”

Morris had considered filing a counter suit but on Tuesday he said he probably will not.

"I don't want to sue anyone at Christmastime, right? So I'll leave it there at that," he said.

This year’s display is expected to be held on the five days before Christmas.

Morris presented a Christmas display in a Hayden last year that featured hundreds of lights, a live camel, carolers and Santa Claus himself. Morris said the event doubled as a fundraiser for local children's charities.

City officials said they contacted him after last year’s display to tell him if he hosted another, he would need permits.

The homeowners association and a local law firm told Morris the light show violates a number of clauses in his homeowners agreement, including noise levels, excessive brightness and nuisance. The letter also mentioned unnecessary traffic and "undesirables," stating that the neighborhood would lose peace and tranquility.