Michigan couple loses appeal over a fence

TAYLOR (AP) -- Michigan's second-highest court has a message for a Detroit-area couple: Take down the fence. The state appeals court recently said a neighborhood group in Taylor had the right to challenge Phillip and Bonnie Michels. The Woods of Pardee Homeowners Association bars fences but the couple still erected one. The couple acknowledge they didn't follow the rule but say the association has ignored others who put up fences. The appeals court says strict language in the deed trumps any lax enforcement. The couple say they surveyed their neighbors and found a majority would favor the fence. The court says public opinion in this case doesn't matter. Published: Thu, May 3, 2012