Columbia resident James M. Stuart has avoided a possible jail stay in a legal battle over his housekeeping, settling his dispute with Columbia Association authorities before it got to a judge.

Stuart faced a contempt of court charge after being sued by the association for allegedly violating strict aesthetic rules, known as covenants. At issue were algae on the side of his house in Owen Brown, a trampoline-turned-planter in his back yard and a 1974 Corvette that CA officials thought was out of commission that he kept in the driveway.

But after a recent meeting with CA's attorney, Shelby Tucker-King, the case was resolved out of court -- in Stuart's house, actually.

Stuart was absolved in the matters of the Corvette -- it was properly licensed -- and the algae, which was cleaned up. But he must apply for permits for the trampoline and a new and potentially troublesome issue: a cherished rock garden.

So ends one of about a dozen annual lawsuits filed against Columbia residents after a 1994 covenant crackdown to ensure upkeep in the aging planned community.

"It's been distracting for us," said Stuart, a 21-year Columbia resident. "So, at the request of my wife, I just settled the thing."

Norma Rose, chair of the Columbia Council, said such agreements are generally how covenant lawsuits are settled. Residents sued by the association often have ignored several warnings or not taken the issue seriously, she said.

"People just don't pay attention, and when they do, things work out," Rose said. "The purpose of the covenants is to maintain the community at a high level."

Pub Date: 7/07/98