The Hepburn house dispute has been settled. The home once owned by the "African Queen" star will not have two five-foot granite posts at the driveway entrance thanks to an official ruling that reaffirmed the local historic commission's demand that current owner Frank Sciame lower the posts by one foot. According to a Jan. 7, 2013 report by Yahoo! News, the final ruling was handed down on Monday.
Katharine Hepburn's former home is located along the Connecticut shore. Owner Frank Sciame is a New York City developer. He installed the two five-foot granite posts in 2010, but the Historic District Commission of the Borough of Fenwick in Old Saybrook ordered him to remove 12 inches from the posts. Instead of removing the required height, Sciame added 12-inch-tall flower beds at their bases. Unfortunately for the developer, that wasn't what the commission had in mind. They took him to court, and he ultimately lost the Hepburn house dispute.
In addition to ruling against Sciame on the granite posts, the appellate court dismissed his claims of emotional distress. Sciame has already complied with the court order, and the granite posts are now 12 inches shorter than they were in 2010. There is one bit of good news for Sciame. He won't be assessed any fines stemming from the dispute.
Katharine Hepburn died in 2003 at the age of 96. She passed away from natural causes in the very home in Old Saybrook that was at the center of the dispute. Best known for films such as 1951's "African Queen," the actress nearly landed the role of Scarlett O'Hara in "Gone With the Wind" in 1939.
Do you think the Hepburn house dispute should or could have been resolved out of court? Would you dig in your heels over 12 inches of granite? Your comments are welcome.
Comments