A BITTER feud between two neighbors has lasted 15 years and brought on a complicated legal battle.
A pair of homeowners in San Francisco, California, have argued for years about a row of windows that overlook a scenic view.
Bushra Khan’s home, with windows that look out over her neighbor’s deckCredit: Google Maps
The ‘spite wall’ at the San Francisco homeCredit: City and County of San Francisco
Signs placed outside Khan’s windowsCredit: City and County of San Francisco
The view from Khan’s condoCredit: City and County of San Francisco
Neighbors Teresa Votruba and Bushra Khan started fighting when Khan, 69, moved to the area in 2010, according to local Hearst affiliate the San Francisco Chronicle.
Khan’s condo has 11 windows overlooking the bay – but they also look out onto the deck of the property belonging to Votruba’s family.
Court documents show that over the years of living side by side, Votruba, 76, has fought to block the windows or get them removed.
The fight has led to dozens of complaints with the city’s building department, according to the Chronicle.
Khan told officials that at one point, her windows were covered with tarp, wood, and multiple signs without her permission, according to court documents.
“It’s relentless,” Khan told the Chronicle.
“It’s been going on and on and on.”
Pictures submitted to authorities show the signs covering the giant windows, including posters that say “neighborhood watch” and “abate nuisance.”
After Votruba allegedly put up surveillance cameras facing Khan’s windows, court documents show that Khan was granted a restraining order against Votruba in 2015.
Khan’s lawyer argued that the posters were “threatening” and “intimidating” to the retiree, according to the Chronicle.
Votruba also built what Khan called a “spite wall,” according to court documents and the Chronicle.
The wall, approved by the city’s planning department, is a 42-inch fire barrier on Votruba’s deck that would block Khan’s view of the outdoor space.
OVER THE LINE
Court documents show that Votruba insists that Khan’s windows go over her property line by 3.12 inches.
Votruba said that Khan was “driving me off this planet,” court documents show.
Legal documents show Votruba, whose family owns several units next door, alleged she was facing harassment by Khan.
Votruba told the Chronicle that she has spent more than $100,000 in legal fees in the bitter feud.
Meanwhile, Khan said that the San Francisco condo was meant to be her forever home before the drama began.
“This is my retirement home,” Khan told the outlet.
“I think about it every day. I get depressed.
“I feel like I have no options,” she added.
“But I can’t live like this. I have wasted my retirement.”
The U.S. Sun has reached out to both parties for comment.
